Cage Warriors 156 Main Event Breakdown

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t good fights to be had. Saturday brings with it a day-night doubleheader of action around the globe. It begins with UK-based Cage Warriors kicking off a packed month in Cardiff.

Live coverage of Cage Warriors 156 begins with the undercard at 2:30 pm ET/ 11:30 am PT on the UFC’s subscription-based streaming platform, UFC Fight Pass. Main card action follows at 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT on the same platform.

All told, barring any postponements between now and then, Cage Warriors 156 features nine fights. Vale Sports Arena serves as the site of the event.

Key Middleweight Showdown in Cage Warriors 156 Main Event

Highlighting the night’s itinerary is a showcase at 185 lbs. in the Cage Warriors 156 main event. Matt Bonner (14-8-1 MMA, 10-5-1 CWFC) battles it out versus UFC alumnus Darren Stewart (14-9, 2 NC MMA, 6-2 CWFC.)

No championship is at stake here, so it’s only a three-round affair at five minutes per round to close out the show. Consider it a prelude to that evening’s UFC on ESPN 56 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Cage Warriors 156 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds

Heading into the Cage Warriors 156 main event on Saturday night, Matt Bonner, the former Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion, stands as the taller man at 6-foot-2, compared to Darren Stewart at six feet even. “The Dentist” owns a 74-inch reach, with no such information accessible for Bonner.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the oddsmakers have this one listed as a pick-’em. Stewart and Bonner have even odds (-115) on the money line. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening over the weekend, please wager responsibly.

Bonner Looking to Run Winning Streak to Three

Matt Bonner has posted a record of 4-1 over his last five MMA fights. At present, he’s on a two-fight winning streak.

Last time out, he scored a first-round knockout (punches) of Guilherme Cadena (31-22 MMA, 0-2 CWFC) in March during Cage Warriors 151: Unplugged. Recently, Bonner was interviewed by the MMA UK YouTube channel on a variety of topics, including his opponent.

“He’s been around the game a long time,” Bonner said of Stewart. “He’s fought at a really high level. He’s certainly not going to be intimidated by me, he’s fought in the UFC many, many times for many years. So, again, we’re all kind of– certainly, myself– I’m looking to fight a UFC vet on the CV. I’m looking for that win. That’s what we all want.”

Will Bonner walk out of Cardiff with a victory over a UFC alum? Tune in and find out.

Darren Stewart Facing Quick Turnaround

In the other corner, Darren Stewart has posted a mark of 2-3 in his last five contests. Currently, he’s on a two-fight winning streak of his own after dropping three bouts in a row, resulting in him being cut from the UFC’s active roster in August of 2021.

Last time out, he defeated Contender Series alum Leon Aliu (10-3 MMA, 0-2 CWFC) on May 6 during Cage Warriors 154. 

Stewart has had a quick layoff in-between contests. By the time the Cage Warriors 156 main event begins on Saturday, it will have been just eight weeks to the day, 56 days, since his last appearance.

With that short of a turnaround, how much of a training camp will Stewart and his team have had leading up to this weekend’s headliner? How will he perform with less than two full months to prepare? Only time will tell.

Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction

Saturday’s Cage Warriors 156 main event looks to be another one of those toss-us. Both Bonner and Stewart have been known to get the win inside the distance.

The most interesting aspect of this fight is the short gap in the age of these fighters. Darren Stewart is only four days Matt Bonner’s elder.

Bonner Nasty With Punches

If there’s one aspect of Matt Bonner’s fight game that’s shown up on video, it’s that he can make his opponents pay with his fists. His fight vs. Cadena from March is a textbook example.

During the first round of the bout, Bonner used his clinch defense to stay upright and quickly became the aggressor, landing a flurry of ground and pound shots.

Cadena largely didn’t cover up during this onslaught, save for a few punches toward the end. While he got back up, it was only for a brief moment in time.

Once Bonner began landing ground and pound shots regularly, Cadena was on borrowed time. The referee had no other choice but to call the fight off.

If Bonner takes Stewart down to the mat, it could be game, set and match early on in the Cage Warriors 156 main event. All it takes is one punch.

Darren Stewart Can End the Show Quickly

In the other corner, don’t blink when you watch the Cage Warriors 156 main event. You just might miss the whole thing. Darren Stewart has been able to finish off his opponents in a hurry, like he did against James Hurrell in 2016.

Right from the command to fight, Stewart landed a double-leg takedown. From there, he scored with brutal ground strikes from side control. Hurrell couldn’t even try to defend those elbows and punches.

Mercifully, Marc Godard called a halt to the fight in just 37 seconds. If Darren Stewart executes a double-leg takedown, it could be the beginning of the end for Matt Bonner.

Final Thoughts

As previously mentioned, there isn’t much going on in MMA this weekend. The Cage Warriors 156 main event should be an entertaining bout. Don’t miss it.

Prediction: Matt Bonner by Unanimous Decision.