· Cage Warriors 40: Results & Photos

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship returned to London for the first show of their 2011 campaign on Saturday, as the famous HMV Forum was near capacity for another quality Cage Warriors event. The fans in attendance were treated to the same high caliber show that has made Cage Warriors one of the most respected brands in all of international competition.

Although the card had been through a run of changes over the final days leading up to the event, matchmaker Ian Dean managed to persevere and put together a fan friendly and competitive event.

Cage Warriors 40 was headlined by the biggest women's fight in European MMA history. As the BodogFight, Elite XC, and Bellator FC veteran Rosi "The Surgeon" Sexton took on the Japan-based American veteran Roxanne Modafferi in a super flyweight contest at 125 pounds (56.7 kilograms).

After a near stalemated first round Sexton was finally able to get the fight to the ground and display her new found aggressive ground-and-pound. She pinned Modafferi against the cage and on her back and peppered away with short shots. Modafferi, however, threatened every second of the way by attempting submissions at a regular pace. Sexton survived a good arm bar attempt in the second, likely edging that round in her favor.

In the third round, Sexton again managed to get the larger Modafferi to the canvas early. While Modafferi continued to work her impressive submission game, Sexton avoided getting trapped and stayed active from the top. Toward the end of the round Modafferi managed to lock her legs high around Sexton. With a triangle choke almost fully applied, Sexton lasted until the final bell.

The bout certainly lived up to the billing as two of the very best and most technical fighters in the sport fought to a near draw after fifteen minutes. In the end though, Sexton’s aggressiveness and top position edged out the win, taking the judges’ decision with scores of 30-28, 30-27, and 30-29.

CWFC Bantamweight Champion Paul McVeigh, known for charismatic personality, defended his title for the fourth time against promising German judoka Andreas "Minigun" Bernhard. McVeigh used an almost seven inch height difference to keep Berhard at a distance, landing several stinging body kicks. As the fight would get close, McVeigh proved strong in the clinch as well, landing several good elbows and knees. In the end, the Scotland-based Irishman proved that his star continues to rise as he walked away with a second round TKO finish.

When long-time champion Danny Batten pulled out with a knee injury just a week before the event, his opponent, young Scottish contender Graham "Afterburner" Turner was left without a title shot and looking for a fight. Enter Antanas Jazbutis. Jazbutis proved to be a worthy challenge, but was unable to be very effective against the talented Turner. Turner dominated nearly the entire 15 minutes, but was unable to finish the courageous Lithuanian.

Possibly the most impressive performance of the evening was turned in by "The Ultimate Fighter" season 12 contestant Joseph Duffy. Duffy built on his already perfect record when submitted Tom Maguire in the first round. Duffy was virtually flawless, and now has seven consecutive first round submission victories on his record.

Full Cage Warriors 40 Results:

Jack Bramfield defeated Theo Michialides by unanimous decision
Ben Hajir defeated Josh Foster via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:31 of Round 3
Matthew Wise defeated Robert Kwietniewski by unanimous decision
Mark Fry defeated Paul Kingdon via TKO (punches) at 2:43 of Round 2
Aaron Thomas defeated Charlie Leary via submission (armbar) at 4:57 of Round 2
Ian Entwistle defeated Patrick Vickers via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 0:20 of Round 1
Brad Wheeler defeated Hayden Critchfield via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:58 of Round 1
Arni Isaksson defeated Kevin Reed via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:32 of Round 2
Ashleigh Grimshaw defeated Ismael Padavia by unanimous decision
Tony Machado defeated Brett Sizeland via TKO (punches) at 2:18 of Round 1
Graham Turner defeated Antanas Jazbutis by unanimous decision
Joseph Duffy defeated Tom Maguire via submission (triangle choke) at 4:57 of Round 1
Paul McVeigh defeated Andreas Bernhard via TKO (punches) at 2:57 of Round 2
Rosi Sexton defeated Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision

photos by Jimmy Page