Hardwick took on Brazil’s Nonato Junior in the main event of Cage Warriors 193 at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, and closed the show in style as he showcased his relentless forward pressure and solid MMA boxing skills to claim a second-round stoppage.
The victory meant he rebounded back into the win column after he lost the Cage Warriors 155-pound title to Samuel Silva at Cage Warriors 186 in March, and put himself right back into the championship conversation once again.
In the co-main event, rising English lightweight prospect George Staines made a winning start to life as a Cage Warriors fighter as he defeated Willian Batista via unanimous decision.
Staines showcased his dominant ground game to boss the action throughout the three-round lightweight fight as he improved his career record to seven wins, zero losses.
From a rising star to a grizzled veteran, Andrew Fisher claimed the 20th win of his professional mixed martial arts career as he returned to Cage Warriors and defeated the Netherlands’ Orlando Wilson Prins.
UK MMA stalwart Fisher, who is helping build the stars of tomorrow at his Team Fish Tank gym in Sunderland, hadn’t fought under the Cage Warriors banner since August 2014. But on Saturday night, 11 years later, he made his return as he outpointed Prins for a unanimous decision victory.
Also on the main card, Poland’s Mateusz Figlak knocked out Tom Crosby, Elton Armindo stopped Reece McEwan with a nasty body shot, and Michael Blair ground and pound his way to victory against Grant Ogborne.
Cage Warriors 193: Official results
MAIN CARD
- George Hardwick def. Nonato Junior via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:28
- George Staines def. Willian Batista via unanimous decision
- Andrew Fisher def. Orlando Wilson Prins via unanimous decision
- Mateusz Figlak def. Tom Crosby via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:04
- Elton Armindo def. Reece McEwan via knockout (body shot) – Round 2, 1:42
- Michael Blair def. Grant Ogborne via TKO (ground strikes) – Round 2, 4:21
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Sam Kelly def. Giovanni Fernandez via submission (Kimura) – Round 1, 2:43
- Jake McHugh def. Connor Patterson via unanimous decision
- Ieuan Mackenzie def. Keir Harvia via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:29
- Fraser Paterson def. Geoff Pavey via TKO (ground strikes) – Round 1, 3:54
- Giada Ghizzo def. Lexi Rook via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:00
- Alexis Tsarmantidis def. Matthew Elliott via unanimous decision
