Cage Warriors has fashioned an in depth relationship with the UFC, with its exhibits broadcast on the UFC’s streaming platform Struggle Go.
Riley was competing finally month’s Cage Warriors 178, with the promotion’s subsequent flagship present collaborating in Rome on Saturday.
What’s noticeable about many Cage Warriors exhibits is the quantity of youngsters in attendance in comparison with different promotions, and this can be a deliberate ploy by the organisers.
Lots of the children are household or pals 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 youngsters who’re coaching,” stated Boylan.
“For those who do not carry them in and make them a part of it, you are not feeding the youthful technology coming by.”
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 bunch of fighters with skillsets. So we search for that little spark,” stated Boylan.
Boylan references Britain’s Joe Fields for example, who received to increase his document to 3-0.
Fields, nicknamed ‘The Butcher’, arrives carrying a butcher’s apron. He understands a giant 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 acquired the package deal – he is acquired that spark, he is humble, respectful, well-spoken,” added Boylan.
After beating Junior, Riley celebrated by inserting an imaginary cellphone to his ear, earlier than asking UFC president Dana White to “name him”.
Most promotions would do the whole lot of their energy to maintain maintain of their largest star, however Cage Warriors are keen to lose fighters like Riley as a result of they’re already grooming the likes of Humphries and Fields to step into his sneakers.
It’s a system which has introduced nice success since Boylan took over Cage Warriors in 2010 and, if it is not damaged, then why repair it?
“We make jokes on a regular basis that we are the dream-makers, however there’s plenty of fact to it too,” stated Boylan.
“Some you are like ‘it could be nice if we may maintain them’, however we all know our place within the sport. We perceive what we do, it is that easy.”
