Cage Warriors 188: Light heavyweight champ James Webb to face UFC vet in first title defence

Cage Warriors has confirmed the addition of a second title fight for their upcoming return to Ireland.

The light heavyweight title will be on the line at Cage Warriors 188 in Dublin as newly-crowned champion James Webb takes on Brazilian challenger John “The Hunter” Allan at the RDS on Saturday, April 26.

Webb is well known to longtime Cage Warriors fans. A two-division Cage Warriors world champion, Webb previously held the promotion’s middleweight title, but recently made the move up to light heavyweight and defeated Poland’s Adam Bieganski to position himself for a shot at 205-pound gold.

And, at Cage Warriors 180, Webb outbattled defending champion Andy Clamp in the third round of an instant classic to capture the light heavyweight title and join the exclusive two-division champions’ club in Cage Warriors.

Now the Colchester man, who trains out of Dublin’s Team KF under former Irish MMA standout Chris Fields, will look to register a successful defence of his title on his adopted home soil.

Standing across the cage looking to spoil the party is Brazil’s Allan, a three-fight UFC and Dana White’s Contender Series veteran who has gone the distance with notable names like Dustin Jacoby and Roman Dolidze in the Octagon.

Since departing the UFC, Allan has hit form, and has won five of his last six bouts, with all five wins coming inside the opening round. Indeed, only one of Allan’s 18 career wins required the judges, with 13 victories coming by KO/TKO, and four coming via submission.

Webb and Allan will go toe to toe in the famous yellow gloves at the RDS, with the 205-pound title on the line in their main card title clash.

Their matchup will join the welterweight championship main event between champion James Sheehan and challenger Justin Burlinson on what should be a spectacular night in Dublin.

“We’re bringing a second title fight to Dublin,” said Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan.

“James Webb will be looking to cement his legacy by defending a second Cage Warriors title. He’ll have his work cut out for him against the UFC veteran John Allan, who’s coming to Ireland to spoil the party and give Brazil another Cage Warriors champion!

“With Sheehan vs. Burlinson and a huge card full to the brim with domestic and international talent, Cage Warriors 188 is going to be a massive showcase for Irish MMA!”