The event, which takes place at the Braehead Arena on Saturday, September 7, will see Hardwick return against Romanian contender Cristian Iorga.
Hardwick’s last Cage Warriors appearance saw him claim a first-round finish of Yann Liasse at Cage Warriors 152, but his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series didn’t do the Middlesbrough man’s talents justice as he suffered only the second loss of his pro MMA career.
A broken jaw sustained in training temporarily prevented Hardwick from bouncing back swiftly, but now, just shy of one year after his last Cage Warriors appearance, the champion returns.
He’ll take on 7-1 contender Iorga, who will arrive in Glasgow riding a four-fight win streak, including three finishes. The Romanian is a seasoned competitor with many more bouts than his pro record, having competed in five IMMAF World and European Championships through his amateur career.
“It’s been a long time coming, but George Hardwick is back in the Famous Yellow Gloves of Cage Warriors,” said Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan.
“He’ll be looking to retain his title and, along with brother Harry, maintain their status as the only two brothers to simultaneously hold world titles in a major MMA organisation.
“Cristian Iorga will have something to say about that on September 7, though. He’s a dangerous finisher with a huge upset on his mind.
“We’ve got a card stacked with Scottish favourites, a $50,000 PrizeFighter, and a massive world title fight. We’re pushing the boat out for the fans in Glasgow!”
Scottish stars Reece McEwan, Chris Bungard, Keir Harvie and Sean Clancy Jr. will all feature on the fight card, while the promotion’s second one-night PrizeFighter tournament will feature the welterweight division, as six men battle to win the $50,000 tournament prize and book themselves a shot at the Cage Warriors 170-pound title.
Cage Warriors 176: Confirmed fights
- George Hardwick (c) vs. Cristian Iorga – for lightweight title
- Chris Bungard vs. Arturs Leisans – lightweight
- Reece McEwan vs. Miguel Haro – bantamweight
- Keir Harvie vs. Rory Evans – bantamweight
- Michael Blair vs. Kye Stevens – lightweight
- Jordan Stronge vs. TBC – lightweight
- Damon Donald vs. Kallum Parker – featherweight
- Charles Joyner vs. Branden Guest – light heavyweight
- Redgie Hingston vs. Ryan Hewitt – flyweight
- Ryan Campbell vs. Shahram Hotak – lightweight
- Igor Wojtas vs. Emerson Oliveira – flyweight
- Aaron Towns vs. Richard Kallos – bantamweight
PRIZEFIGHTER TOURNAMENT
- Omiel Brown vs. Henri Lintula – PrizeFighter semi-final 1
- Bourama Camara vs. Marko Kisic – PrizeFighter semi-final 2
- Sean Clancy Jr. vs. Jakov Scheffel – PrizeFighter reserve bout
