Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – are bringing a huge championship bout to Italy as the promotion kicks off its 2025 world tour with CW 183. Champion Liam ‘Nightmare’ Gittins will make the second defence of his bantamweight title, as he takes on Alessandro Giordano in a five-round affair on Saturday, March 8th.
Tickets for the event – which takes place at Rome’s PalaPellicone – are on sale now.
The champion was originally scheduled to defend against PrizeFighter winner Shirzad Qadrian in November 2024, however an injury nixed the meeting. With Qadrian observing Ramadan in early March, he will temporarily step aside and allow Gittins to remain active.
Next Generation’s Gittins captured the title in November 2023, outworking Scottish grappler Reece McEwan over five rounds in a short notice return to the division. He went on to defend the belt against then #1 contender Roberto Hernandez, submitting the American in the fifth and final round.
Southport, England’s finest also holds notable victories over Emrah Sonmez, Josh Reed, Rory Evans and Adam Amarasinghe, over a career spanning multiple weight-classes.
After dropping a pair of close decisions to begin his stint in the Famous Yellow Gloves, Naples’ Giordano has been on a tear. In 2024 the 27 year old finished a bloody affair against Sam Kelly via third round knockout, before putting on a ‘Fight of the Year’ nominated performance against former champion Michele Martignoni in the PrizeFighter alternate bout.
Giordano returned to action in November, battling through injury to outpoint another countryman, Emanuele Zaccaria, in the CW 179 ‘Fight of the Night’.
In addition to the above, CW officials have also confirmed the following bouts to be taking place at CW 183.
In a lightweight bout, KO of the Year nominee Konstantinos Ntelis takes on Fight of the Year nominee Michael Pagani in what is sure to be a high-octane affair.
In middleweight action, undefeated triangle-choke specialist Mario Mingaj looks to continue his rapid ascent through the division. He faces recent title challenger Robin Roos in a classic grappler vs striker affair.
Former featherweight title challenger Orlando Wilson Prins returns to action, facing Giuseppe Ruggeri.
Another former title challenger, Bari’s Dylan Hazan, returns to action in an all-Italian derby as he faces fellow fan-favourite Michelangelo Lupoli in what is sure to be an atmospheric contest.
Hot prospect Manuel Del Valle takes on Marco Doda in a welterweight bout, while Adam Shelley faces Simone Patrizi at 155lbs.
Bouts pitting Pietro Mochetti against Yohan Salvador at bantamweight, Gianluca Scottoli against Simone D’Anna at featherweight Davide Scarano against Florian Doskja at flyweight have also been rubber stamped.
“We sold out the PalaPellecone in four weeks last year…” said CW President Graham Boylan.
“The fans wanted more, so we’ve increased the capacity to kick off a huge run of international shows with a bang.”
“There’s a lot of history with the Cage Warriors bantamweight title in Italy, and Alessandro Giordano wants to write his chapter on March 8th.”
“Make no mistake though, Liam Gittins doesn’t mind walking into enemy territory to defend the belt he worked so hard to win.”
“The Italian fans are some of the best in the world, and with the fights we’re bringing, I’m expecting CW 183 to set the standard for European MMA in 2025!”
Further bouts for CW 183 will be announced in due course. @CageWarriors on all social channels for updates. The event will air live on UFC Fight Pass, and international broadcast partners.
