When most MMA fans think of the highest profile promotions in the sport, often the UFC, Bellator and World Series of Fighting come up, but Cage Warriors should be right in the conversation. Having put on the most bouts with betting lines outside of the UFC and Bellator thus far in 2014, it has been a big year for the UK-based promotion. This weekend, after the longest break the organization has taken since the very beginning of 2013, they return with Cage Warriors 70. The Helix in Dublin, Ireland will play host to the show, and Joseph Duffy will make his return to MMA after nearly three years away from the sport pursuing a pro boxing career. Both sports have been kind to Duffy, as he went 10-1 in MMA (relying primarily on his submission game), and 7-0 in Boxing. How much success he’ll have making the transition back to the cage remains to be seen, but as the last man to defeat both Irish standouts Conor McGregor and Norman Parke, one has to be optimistic. Duffy will face Damien Lapilus (9-3-1) in his return, and the Frenchman brings a five-fight unbeaten streak into the bout. The four wins along that streak were against questionable competition, and he drew with the only other fighter who has ventured at all from the French national scene. Speaking of which, the last time Lapilus fought outside of France, he was defeated in Finland by Teemu Packalen. He’ll look to shake those demons, but as a fighter who relies on his submission game, like Duffy, it could be a struggle. Submissions won’t be the order of the day in the co-main event, as both Jake Bostwick (15-8, 1 NC) and Philip Mulpeter (7-4) prefer to keep things on the feet and look for the knockout. Bostwick is on an incredible streak, winning his last eight fights (including a decision over UFC vet Simeon Thoresen last time out) and 12 of his last 13. Mulpeter has been more up-and-down, alternating wins and losses in his five most recent appearances. Bostwick will boast a size advantage here, and he does have the more well-rounded game, but Mulpeter has looked significantly improved over his past few outings in victory and defeat, so this should be good. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for these two bouts as well as two additional main card bouts at Several Bookmakers today. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (MMAJunkie.com, 4pm ET) Joseph Duffy -380 Damien Lapilus +260 Jake Bostwick -260 Philip Mulpeter +180 Paul Redmond -230 Alexis Savvidis +170 Andrew Fisher -280 Artem Lobov +200 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: This is a nice return bout for Duffy, as he should have advantages everywhere, but Lapilus isn’t a pushover. It will ease him back into MMA competition without being too easy. I think in the end, Lapilus will be a step behind in the grappling exchanges and Duffy will sink in a submission, proving that he’s still got some chops on the ground to go along with his refined boxing skills. If Bostwick chooses to stay on the feet with Mulpeter, this will be very competitive but he could pull out the victory. His better (and smarter) route to victory will be to use his size and wrestling advantage to control the grappling exchanges and get some takedowns. Bostwick doesn’t always follow the gameplan however, as he does enjoy a bit of brawling, so while I favor him to win, there’s a hint of danger. Paul Redmond (9-4) has experience, strength and striking advantages over Greek youngster Alexis Savvidis (8-1), and should be able to put those attributes to use. Redmond has been submitted three times in his career however, and that’s Savvidis’ bread and butter. As we learned with the UFC in Dublin a little while back, it’s always smart to side with the Irish on home soil however, and experience should win the day for ‘Redser’. Despite not having an Irish sounding name, Artem Lobov (9-10) is the man you call when you need to fill out a fight. He has competed against Andre Winner and Mike Wilkinson in the past, as well as UK prospects Saul Rogers and Christian Holley. His problem in the past has often been fighting out of his weight class, but he’s still only been finished in three of his losses. Against Bellator veteran Andrew Fisher (12-6-1) he won’t be terribly outsized, but he will certainly be smaller. Fisher should also hold a submission edge, but Lobov’s scrappy nature keeps him in almost every fight and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him outhustle Fisher to a close decision.
