Cage Warriors has shaped a detailed relationship with the UFC, with its reveals broadcast on the UFC’s streaming platform Combat Go.
Riley was competing ultimately month’s Cage Warriors 178, with the promotion’s subsequent flagship present participating in Rome on Saturday.
What’s noticeable about many Cage Warriors reveals is the quantity of kids in attendance in comparison with different promotions, and it is a deliberate ploy by the organisers.
Lots of the children are household or buddies of the fighters competing, exemplified by the party-like celebrations which greeted British bantamweight Jack Humphries’ spectacular win over Fabian Ufs in Manchester.
“To construct expertise means bringing native, grassroots gyms into occasions. Bringing these grassroots guys, their household, the neighborhood, the mums, the dads, the children who’re coaching,” stated Boylan.
“Should you do not carry them in and make them a part of it, you are not feeding the youthful era coming by way of.”
However what do Cage Warriors search for after they signal up-and-coming athletes like Humphries?
“We usually search for character. The preventing and the skillset, we will see that, however there are a whole lot of fighters with skillsets. So we search for that little spark,” stated Boylan.
Boylan references Britain’s Joe Fields for example, who gained to increase his file to 3-0.
Fields, nicknamed ‘The Butcher’, arrives carrying a butcher’s apron. He understands an enormous a part of constructing a fanbase comes from showmanship, however his victory proves he’s equally adept as an athlete.
“You simply noticed Joe Fields, that child’s going to go far. He is bought the bundle – he is bought that spark, he is humble, respectful, well-spoken,” added Boylan.
After beating Junior, Riley celebrated by putting an imaginary cellphone to his ear, earlier than asking UFC president Dana White to “name him”.
Most promotions would do every little thing of their energy to maintain maintain of their greatest star, however Cage Warriors are prepared to lose fighters like Riley as a result of they’re already grooming the likes of Humphries and Fields to step into his footwear.
It’s a system which has introduced nice success since Boylan took over Cage Warriors in 2010 and, if it isn’t damaged, then why repair it?
“We make jokes on a regular basis that we are the dream-makers, however there’s numerous reality to it too,” stated Boylan.
“Some you are like ‘it could be nice if we may preserve them’, however we all know our place within the sport. We perceive what we do, it is that straightforward.”
