After controversy arose in the aftermath of their first meeting, Sam Creasey and Luke Shanks will run it back in a flyweight title rematch at Cage Warriors 132.
The pair first met in the final of the flyweight world title tournament at Cage Warriors 129, where Creasey defeated Shanks via third-round submission to capture the vacant 125-pound championship in his third tilt at the title.
However, the result was clouded by a possible first-round tap from Creasey, who was caught in a tight Shanks armbar. At the time, experienced referee Dan Movahedi did not see the tap and the bout continued, with Creasey eventually turning the tables and scoring a submission of his own via third round guillotine choke.
Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan explained what happened following the bout as the fighters and the officials discussed how the bout played out.
“Discussions were had with Luke Shanks, the referee and Sam Creasey,” he said.
“When Sam was informed of video footage showing a potential tap to an armbar in Round 1 that the referee missed, Sam, being the martial artist that he is, said, ‘I do not want to be a Cage Warriors world champion and have controversy over how I won the title. Let’s run it back as soon as possible.’
“Due to the amount of what-ifs and different scenarios discussed, it was agreed by all parties that the decision from the first fight will remain, but we will run the fight back on the next available date.”
That date will be December 11, with the pair now set to headline Cage Warriors 132 with the belt on the line once again. The event will form the second leg of the promotion’s “Double Trouble” double header at London’s York Hall.
Both men are ready to go, and laser-focused on leaving no room for doubt in the rematch.
“Victory accompanied with controversy is not the clean and honourable victory I seek,” said Creasey, who will enter the bout as the defending champion.
“This time we will put this to bed for good!”
Shanks, meanwhile, is hell-bent on claiming the title he feels he deserved from their first meeting.
“I got robbed last time out,” he stated.
“I’m coming to take what’s mine with a KO win this time!”
History will be made in the bout, regardless of the result.
If Creasey is successful, he will become the first Cage Warriors flyweight champion to successfully defend his title. But if Shanks wins, he’ll become the first two-time 125-pound champion in the promotion’s history.
The flyweight title rematch will headline a fight card that already has five confirmed bouts, including the return of Gloucester-based Polish brothers Mateusz and Michal Figlak (pictured), who have wowed Cage Warriors crowds with their all-action performances over the last 18 months.
Boylan said: “It’s great to have the Figlak brothers fighting again. Both of them are taking on a big challenge in their upcoming bouts and I look forward to seeing how they manage it.
“Michal will be taking on Stevie McIntosh, who is a dangerous striker and has some really good grappling skills, too.
“Mateusz’s opponent, Kent Kauppinen, is a veteran of the sport, and he is likely to be bigger than Mateusz too, having previously fought at both light heavyweight and middleweight before this bout at welterweight.
“Both fights will be great to watch and I know the fans will love both matchups.”
Cage Warriors 132: Confirmed bouts
- Sam Creasey (c) vs. Luke Shanks – for Cage Warriors flyweight title
- Kent Kauppinen vs. Mateusz Figlak
- Stevie McIntosh vs. Michal Figlak
- Scott Malone vs. Coner Hignett
- Mick Stanton vs. Justin Moore
Photo credit: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors
