Cage Warriors 201: Ntelis vs. Aliu (also known as Cage Warriors 201: Unplugged) is an upcoming mixed martial arts event promoted by Cage Warriors that will take place on March 13, 2026 at the BEC Arena in Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
Fight Card
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight Konstantinos Ntelis vs. Leon Aliu 163 lbs
Featherweight Alexander Lööf vs. Giuseppe Ruggeri 145 lbs
Light Heavyweight Branden Guest vs. Danny Hartwell 205 lbs
Featherweight Jake McHugh vs. Matthew Elliott 145 lbs
Flyweight Ayoub Nacer vs. Damien McGuigan 125 lbs
Welterweight Dara Ward vs. Roan Crocker 170 lbs
Featherweight Aiden Lee vs. Inglesson de Lara 145 lbs
Bantamweight Percy Herrera vs. Armand Herczeg 139 lbs
Background
Manchester Unplugged: Elite Ambition Meets Exclusive Access at CW 201!
The industrial heart of Manchester is set to become the most exclusive theater in combat sports as Cage Warriors returns to the BEC Arena. On March 13, 2026, Cage Warriors 201: Unplugged kicks off a massive double-header weekend in the North West. This isn't your typical arena show; this is an invite-only, "unplugged" experience designed to bring a select audience and a global UFC Fight Pass viewership into the raw, high-pressure environment where the next generation of European superstars are forged.
The Main Event: A Catchweight Collision for Continental Supremacy
At the summit of the card, a fascinating 163-pound catchweight clash headlines the evening as Greece’s technical powerhouse Konstantinos "The Gambler" Ntelis meets Italy’s dangerous Leon Aliu. Ntelis has built a reputation as a clinical finisher with a penchant for high-level grappling and opportunistic submissions. In Aliu, he faces a battle-hardened veteran known for explosive power and a "kill or be killed" style that has seen him stop some of the toughest names in the Mediterranean. This is a quintessential clash of regional titans, where the winner likely catapults themselves into the immediate conversation for Cage Warriors gold.
Featherweight Fire: Lööf vs. Ruggeri
The intensity remains at a peak in the co-main attraction as the 145-pound division takes center stage. Sweden’s Alexander Lööf brings a relentless, forward-marching pace to the cage against the highly touted Italian prospect Giuseppe Ruggeri. Ruggeri, sporting a near-perfect record, has become one of the most talked-about featherweights in Europe, combining sharp kickboxing with a suffocating top-game. With the featherweight hierarchy always in flux, this bout serves as a definitive sorting hat for the division’s elite tier.
Light Heavyweight Thunder and the Rising Guard
The "Unplugged" format is further bolstered by the return of the big hitters as Branden Guest collides with Danny Hartwell in a light heavyweight showdown that many insiders believe won't see the judges’ scorecards. Simultaneously, the featherweight ranks see a battle of surging prospects as Jake McHugh tests his mettle against Matthew Elliott. From the high-speed flyweight scrambles of Ayoub Nacer and Damien McGuigan to the cage-veteran savvy of Aiden Lee against Inglesson de Lara, the card is a comprehensive showcase of the technical evolution defining the modern era of the sport.
The BEC Arena: An Exclusive Crucible
As the BEC Arena transforms into an intimate combat studio, the atmosphere will be a stark departure from the typical roar of the crowd. The "Unplugged" setting strips away the spectacle, leaving only the sounds of the struggle, the impact of the strikes, the instructions from the corners, and the pure sound of competition. Cage Warriors has built its global reputation on being the "UFC's leading feeder organization," and CW 201 is the ultimate showcase of that mission. In this exclusive environment, every exchange is a step toward a world stage, and every finish is a declaration that the future of MMA is being written in Manchester.
This is an invite-only event.
Cage Warriors are kicking 2026 off in a big way
#CW201
