The main event saw a back-and-forth war that left the judges split after three action-packed rounds. But when the scorecards were collated, it was Italy’s own Giacomo Michelis who was celebrating as he edged the split-decision verdict against Turkey’s Sado Ucar.
Also on the main card, Niccolo Solli claimed a first-round submission finish on his Cage Warriors debut, while Khadim Dia moved another rung up the welterweight latter with a second-round doctor-stoppage TKO of George McManus. The night’s other Italian main card winner, Giuseppe Ruggeri, kicked off the main card with a shutout win on the scorecards over Nicolas Barna.
It was also a good night for the strong Irish contingent of fighters in action in the Italian capital.
Ryan Shelley and Paddy McCorry claimed big wins in their respective main card matchups. Shelly submitted Simone D’Anna with a standing rear-naked choke in the co-main event, while earlier on the card, McCorry outpointed Shuki Farage in a dominant display over three rounds.
There was also an Irish win on the prelims, with Gary Rooney claiming a first-round armbar finish of Enrico Di Gangi to earn an eye-catching submission on his Cage Warriors debut.
Cage Warriors 189: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Giacomo Michelis def. Sado Ucar via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Ryan Shelley def. Simone D’Anna via submission (standing rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:22
- Niccolo Solli def. Sulo Hilaj via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:12
- Paddy McCorry def. Shuki Farage via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Khadim Dia def. George McManus via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
- Giuseppe Ruggeri def. Nicolas Barna via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Nicolas Leblond def. Mateus Brauns via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Giuseppe Mastrogiacomo def. Mervan Gencer via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:41
- Luca Borando def. Jan Masek via knockout (body kick) – Round 2, 4:21
- Gabriele Lionetti def. Kevin Caperna via TKO (retirement) – Round 1, 5:00
- Matteo Martignoni def. Luca Tarabori via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Salvatore Bellotta def. Fabio Condidorio via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Gary Rooney def. Enrico Di Gangi via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 4:06
- Francesco Tumminiello def. Umberto di Munno via TKO (knee and ground strikes) – Round 1, 0:56
- Emanuele Tetti def. Rodrigo Rivoin via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
- Antonino Amodeo def. Manuel Lancioli via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Pietro Mochetti def. Dimitrios Tzeiranidis via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 1, 0:47
- Alessandro Ortolani def. Valerio Anza via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:58
