The Final Verdict: Cage Warriors 196
Jordan Vucenic bounces back from UFC release
Vucenic was released by the UFC after taking back-to-back losses to Guram Kutateladze and Chris Duncan in August 2024 and March 2025 respectively, and the Corby native quickly re-signed for Cage Warriors as he bids to re-establish himself at 155 pounds after previously capturing the European promotion’s featherweight title.
At Cage Warriors 196 on November 16, Vucenic returned at London’s Indigo at The O2 against the unbeaten 21-year-old prospect Merjoev, who had already claimed the scalp of rising English star Teddy Stringer on his Cage Warriors debut.
But Vucenic showed his class with a dominant display in a crowd-pleasing battle to claim scores of 29-27, 30-27, 30-26 to improve his record to 14 wins, 4 losses and bounce back from his double defeats in the UFC.
Jordan Vucenic's walks to the the Cage Warriors cage never disappoint #CW196 pic.twitter.com/1c4vSFNi93
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) November 15, 2025
What’s next for Jordan Vucenic after Cage Warriors 196?
After his unanimous decision victory, Vucenic set his sights on a shot at the Cage Warriors lightweight title. He’d already captured gold at 145 pounds, and he was building an impressive resumé in the Cage Warriors 155-pound division when he was called up to the UFC.
But now he’s back on the European stage, Vucenic wants to resume his assault on the Cage Warriors lightweight division and fight for the promotion’s title in a bid to become a two-weight Cage Warriors world champion. Ultimately, though, “The Epidemic” wants to get back to the biggest stage in the sport, the UFC.
The Road Back to UFC has Started for Jordan Vucenic 👏#CW196 pic.twitter.com/ip9KtW30kc
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) November 15, 2025
Solomon Simon captures vacant featherweight title
In the co-main event of the evening, Solomon Simon captured the vacant Cage Warriors featherweight title with a third-round TKO finish of Caique Araujo.
Simon had to make three attempts before eventually hitting championship weight for the bout, but his opponent failed to make weight, meaning only Simon was eligible to win the vacant title on fight night.
Simon took full advantage of his opportunity as he took Araujo down and hammered him with ground strikes to eventually force the TKO finish with four seconds remaining in the third round.
And with the title won, it didn’t take long for his first challenger to emerge, as top contender Nik Bagley stepping into the cage to face off with the newly-crowned champion. The pair were originally set to meet at Cage Warriors 196, but injury to Bagley forced him out of the fight. But now it seems the pair are on collision course for a title clash at Cage Warriors 200 in February.
Looking like we'll see Solomon Simon vs Nik Bagley for the belt at Cage Warriors 200 in February.
WOW 👀 #CW196 pic.twitter.com/7Ha3Omb8K8
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) November 15, 2025
Cage Warriors 196: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Jordan Vucenic def. Torpal Merjoev via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Solomon Simon def. Caique Araujo via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:56 – for vacant featherweight title
- Jawany Scott def. Michelangelo Lupoli via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:25
- Ollie Sarwa def. Tuomos Gronvall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Tariq Pell def. Bruno Guimaraes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Marin Vetrila def. Thomas Paull via knockout (body shot) – Round 1, 1:25
- Kadeem Perkins def. Ciaran Brady via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 2:35
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