The only MMA card running unopposed this weekend will be Cage Warriors 72, as the UK-based promotion has made Saturday afternoons their home over the past few years. This Saturday’s card is one of the better events from Cage Warriors in 2014, as it features a pair of title fights which should showcase some of the organization’s best young talents. In the main event, welterweight champion Nicolas Dalby puts his belt on the line against former champion Gael Grimaud. Dalby has been impressive in his undefeated MMA career thus far, and is one of the better talents in Europe at this point. His karate striking style has drawn some comparisons to Gunnar Nelson, and while he obviously doesn’t have the same type of grappling game, he is serviceable on the ground. Grimaud is a well-rounded fighter, but does his best work on the mat, so will certainly be looking to take the fight to the ground. The co-main event will crown a new champion for Cage Warriors, as their vacant bantamweight title will go to either Finland’s Toni Tauru or England’s Cory Tait. Tauru is a very solid submission grappler, while Tait has more of a striking game, so this should prove an interesting clash of styles for the belt. Several notable European fighters will also be competing on the card held in Wales, as UFC veteran Che Mills takes on former BAMMA champ Jack Marshman, while Polish prospect Mateusz Gamrot makes his promotional debut. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for the Cage Warriors 72 main card today at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (MMAJunkie.com, 1pm ET) CWFC Welterweight Title Nicolas Dalby -350 Gael Grimaud +250 CWFC Bantamweight Title Toni Tauru -165 Cory Tait +125 Che Mills -315 Jack Marshman +235 Mateusz Gamrot -505 Tim Newman +335 Steve Dinsdale -120 Lewis Long -120 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: I think Dalby continues his impressive run against Grimaud here, as the Frenchman has seemed a bit more willing to throw strikes of late and Dalby has the takedown to defense to keep this on the feet anyways. Grimaud has started to flash a bit of power of late, but I think he struggles to get his hands on Dalby who is simply too slick standing. If this goes to the ground it will be a bit more interesting, but I think Dalby can survive those exchanges to get back to his feet without getting caught. Cage Warriors has the highest rate of underdogs cashing in 2014, and bouts like Tauru/Tait are the reason why. This could legitimately go either way, as Tauru is the stronger overall grappler (although Tait does have some submission prowess of his own) and Tait is the more dangerous striker (but has been stopped quickly in the past). Either man could find a stoppage, or earn a decision if he can keep the fight in his preferred realm, but I actually lean to the underdog in Tait. The improvements in his takedown defense have been impressive of late, and he should be able to keep this on the feet more often than not where his edge is decently pronounced. I don’t have much desire to bet on Che Mills or Jack Marshman at this point. Mills just seems unenthused about fighting at this point, and it shows in his very iffy cardio. Marshman has the desire, but his chin is extremely questionable. Essentially, if Mills doesn’t get this finished quickly, he’ll probably be outhustled to a decision or submission loss, but the chances of him finding Marshman’s chin early with his superior skills are quite high. If forced to play a side here, I’d probably go with Marshman, but I wouldn’t feel great about it. Mateusz Gamrot looks like a solid prospect, but Tim Newman is a solid fighter as well, and I really don’t think Gamrot should be such a high favorite here, especially taking this fight on short notice. He’ll probably come through with the win, but there are better spots to bet on this card. Steve Dinsdale hasn’t been particularly impressive to me in his Cage Warriors run. I played Matt Hallam against him earlier this year, and can see Lewis Long having the same sort of success. I think Long is the better, more dangerous striker in this fight, and the biggest weakness of the Welsch fighter is his submission defense, something Dinsdale likely won’t test too much.
