Cage Warriors 158 Main Event Breakdown

Fans of competitive violence have a jam-packed Saturday to look forward to, It starts in Rome. UK-based Cage Warriors makes a return trip to the Italian capital city after having last visited there in May this Saturday night.

Live coverage of Cage Warriors 158 begins with the undercard at 12:30 pm ET/ 9:30 am PT on UFC Fight Pass. Main card action follows at 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT on the UFC’s subscription-based streaming service.

Flyweight Gold Focus of Cage Warriors 158 Main Event

All told, absent of any late postponements between now and Saturday, the final version of Cage Warriors 158 features 15 fights. Highlighting the night is the battle for the Cage Warriors Flyweight Championship in the Cage Warriors 158 main event.

Incumbent champion Shaj Haque (15-5 MMA, 7-2 CWFC) puts his belt at risk when he meets challenger Michele Martignoni (8-2, 2 NC MMA, 3-1, 1 NC CWFC) in the headliner. As with all championship fights, the Cage Warriors 158 main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.

Title fights don't get much bigger than this! 🤩

Will it be #AndStill or #AndNew? Find out this Saturday night at #CW158! 🏆🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/pJpFviExUj

— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) July 24, 2023

Cage Warriors 158 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds

Heading into the Cage Warriors 158 main event on Saturday night, challenger Michele Martignoni stands as the taller combatant at 5-foot-9, compared to the 5-foot-5 frame of champion Shaj Haque. No reach advantage information was accessible online at press time.

As of Thursday afternoon, the oddsmakers have Martignoni installed as a -125 favorite on the money line, with Hague countering as a +105 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening over the weekend, please wager responsibly.

Haque Looks to Build Off of Highlight-Reel KO

Champion Shaj Haque has gone 5-0 in his last five fights. Most recently, he stopped Sam Creasey (17-5 MMA, 12-5 CWFC) on New Year’s Eve with a third-round knockout (overhand right punch) in Cage Warriors 148. 

Saturday’s headliner will not only be his first title defense, but also his first fight in Italy. Haque knows that he’ll be playing the role of the villain here. Nonetheless, he’s eager to get to Rome, as he mentioned recently.

“I enjoy traveling, so I’m excited to see what Rome is like,” Haque said. “I’m just looking forward to the trip. I know it’s going to be very hot over there, so I’m trying to prepare for that a little bit, but other than that, I’m just excited to defend the belt and fight again. I just love fighting.”

If ever there were a textbook example of a “road game” in MMA, Shaj Haque will have one in the Cage Warriors 158 main event. Can he silence the home crowd?

Can Hometown Hero Martignoni Unseat Haque?

In the other corner, Michele Martignoni has posted a record of 3-1 with one no-contest in his last five appearances. At the present time, he’s on a two-fight winning streak.

The current Cage Warriors Bantamweight Champion scored a unanimous decision win versus Dominique Wooding (9-5 MMA, 3-2 CWFC) back in October, making this fight his first in over nine months. Saturday’s bout marks a return to 125 lbs. for the king at bantamweight, as well.

Martignoni discussed the impact of a weight-cut on his preparation for the bout recently.

“It’s going well,” Martignoni said. “I started the diet many months ago because I didn’t want to find me in the final part of the camp that I cannot eat and I cannot train hard, so that’s why. I’m still eating and I’m still in force when I train. I’m very happy about this.”

The hometown crowd will undoubtedly be on Michele Martignoni’s side on Saturday. Will the belt stay in Rome after the Cage Warriors 158 main event?

Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction

Saturday’s Cage Warriors 158 main event looks to be a toss-up. Both of these men can get the finish inside the distance.

Look for Haque to Unload Bombs

In looking at the video of Shaj Haque’s title fight from New Year’s Eve vs.  Creasey, the champion can land the vicious punches when it matters the most. During round three, Haque absorbed some leg kicks before returning fire with a jab.

While Creasey chopped Haque’s leg, he stalked him and moved in for a punch to the face, dropping Haque in the process. This gave Haque a wake-up call.

Even though Creasey stuffed a Haque takedown attempt, the latter would have the last laugh on the evening, ending the fight with a right-handed punch to knock him down and out.

If Shaj Haque can drop Michele Martignoni with one punch, he’ll defend the title on Saturday.

Watch For Martignoni to Wear Haque Down

In the other corner, Michele Martignoni’s mission is to have Shaj Haque’s gas tank go empty in the Cage Warriors 158 main event. Round two of his fight vs. Scott Malone saw him exchange strikes with his opponent before Malone tried to take him down.

Upon Martignoni stuffing the effort, Malone engaged in the clinch. At that point in the bout, the former landed some vicious ground and pound strikes, following it up with an uppercut to wobble him after getting back to his feet.

This pace continued throughout the rest of the round, including a right-handed punch to wobble Malone again. As long as Martignoni can knock Haque off of his gameplan, it’s his world.

Final Thoughts

This is an intriguing fight in the Cage Warriors 158 main event. In a classic strength vs. strength affair, who’s stronger?

Prediction: Shaj Haque by Unanimous Decision.