Sherdog.com Preview: Cage Rage Debuts at Wembley

LONDON — The prestigious Wembley Arena will play host to Cage Rage 17 “Ultimate Challenge,” an event that marks yet another expansion for the English promotion. This card has suffered more than most with last minute changes, but the end result should still provide some tantalizing fare.

Before we get to previewing the first half Saturday’s card, let's bring ourselves up to date with some of the latest news, rumors and changes to the card:

Cage Rage fans outside the UK will be able to watch CR 17 by streaming video. Details are on the Cage Rage Web site (www.cagerage.tv).

Pint-sized favorite Brad Pickett (Pictures) is still suffering from the effects of a broken hand, sustained in the preparation for his fight against Hiroyuki Abe (Pictures) at Cage Rage 16. Pickett is expected to return to action in September, where he will be facing the winner of the fight between Robbie Olivier (Pictures) and Mark Chen.

Amokrane Sabat has been forced to pull out of his fight against Tank Abbott as a result of a groin injury, sustained whilst training, that necessitated immediate surgery. He is expected to recover in time to fight in September.

Tengiz Tedoradze (Pictures) has been stripped of his Cage Rage British heavyweight title due to a “substantial breach of his contracted terms and conditions.” Specifically, Tedoradze fought within the 28 day “lockout” period before a Cage Rage title fight and suffered a TKO. This rendered him unable to defend his Cage Rage title, and left James Thompson (Pictures) without an opponent. Thompson will now be fighting Rob Broughton for the vacant title.

Marcio Cruz (Pictures) has pulled out of his fight against Gilbert Yvel (Pictures) due to a “severe sinus infection.” Yvel will instead be facing another UFC veteran in the beefy shape of Fabio Scherner.

Finally, Cage Rage is rumored to be in discussions with none other than Norwegian lightweight Joachim Hansen (Pictures). The British promotion is hoping to have Hansen face the winner of the fight between Abdul Mohammed and Jean Silva (Pictures).

Where does that leave us? Well, the card for Cage Rage 17, at time of press, is below:

Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Title
Melvin Manhoef (Pictures) vs. Ian Freeman (Pictures)

British Heavyweight Title
James Thompson (Pictures) vs. Rob Broughton

Gilbert Yvel (Pictures) vs. Fabiano Scherner (Pictures)
Curtis Stout (Pictures) vs. Zelg Galesic
Henry Miller (Pictures) vs. Robert Berry (Pictures)
Mark Epstein (Pictures) vs. Dave Legeno (Pictures)
Daijiro Matsui (Pictures) vs. Pierre Guillet (Pictures)
Abdul Mohamed (Pictures) vs. Jean Silva (Pictures)
Paul Daley (Pictures) vs. Ross Mason (Pictures) (British welterweight title)
Phil Norman (Pictures) vs. David Bielkheden
Mark Chen vs. Robbie Oliver
Darren Guisha vs. Dean Bray (Pictures)