It was a magical night in Birmingham, England, as the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship promotion hit the stage on Saturday at the Genting Arena. The Cage Warriors 98 main event gave rise to a new welterweight champion, as Ross Houston dethroned Stefano Paterno by split decision after five dramatic rounds.
The Scotsman dictated the pace of the match with early takedowns and third-round knockdown, though Paterno clipped him with a right hand that had him reeling for a few seconds. The shot could have changed the course of the fight, but Houston displayed a champion’s heart and withstood the adversity.