Cage Warriors has today confirmed a huge title bout for its upcoming return to London, Cage Warriors 186. Featherweight Champion Harry 'Houdini' Hardwick will make the second defence of his featherweight title, when he takes on American challenger Javier 'El Mariachi' Garcia.
The bout will take place over five rounds as part of the CW 186 main card on Friday, March 21st, at London's indigo at The O2.
Middlesborough's Hardwick (12-3-1) comes into the bout on a career-best run of form, having compiled an eight-fight unbeaten run.
He most recently saw action in November of last year, making the first defence of his title against Brazilian wrecking machine Keweny Lopes. Hardwick stopped the hard-hitting Brazilian in the championship rounds. Prior to that, the MFA project captured 145lbs gold against Orlando Wilson Prins with a first round TKO.
Challenger Javier Garcia (12-5, 1NC) also comes into the contest on a respectable run of form, unbeaten as he is in five previous contests.
He last strapped on the Famous Yellow Gloves of Cage Warriors in June of 2024, outpointing former title challenger Roberto Hernandez in an enthralling contest at CW 173.
Since that appearance, the BJJ blackbelt defeated Mauricio Eguiluz via third round submission outside the organisation, the eighth submission of his professional MMA career.
"With Cage Warriors and the UFC in town, fans are going to be anticipating a massive weekend of MMA..." said CW President Graham Boylan. "...so we're kicking things off with some big Friday Night Fights."
"Harry Hardwick had a career-best run in 2024, but if he keeps turning in show-stopping performances, this could be the year that he truly breaks out."
"Javier Garcia is coming to spoil the party though; he's got a wealth of high-level experience and is crossing the Atlantic to steal Hardwick's thunder."
"I'm expecting these guys to raise the roof on March 21st!"
Already announced for CW 186 are the return of Will 'Drago' Currie, who faces the debuting Eli 'The Israeli Tank' Aronov, a clash of lightweight prospects between Daniel Crooks-May and Cameron Stewart, and a middleweight showdown between Joe Middleton and Craig Rawlins.
Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.