New Champions Soren Bak, Jonas Billstein Claim Divisional Crowns at Cage Warriors 96

Soren Bak (11-1) quells the Liverpool faithful, pillaging Paddy Pimblett en route to a decision win and the Cage Warriors strap. A deep RNC from Paddy nearly finished it in the first, but "The True Viking" roared back with relentless pressure and a stellar top game. #CW96 pic.twitter.com/Oanjqh28eX

— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 1, 2018

Two new champions were crowned Saturday in Liverpool, England, at Cage Warriors 96.

Soren Bak showed a glacial calm and survived a tight rear-naked choke for the majority of the first round. After the opening period was dominated by Paddy Pimblett, who was attempting to become a two-division Cage Warriors champ, Bak started to feel more comfortable in the cage. The fighter from Denmark went on to win the vacant lightweight title with a sold unanimous decision (48-44, 48-45, 48-46).

Germany's Jonas Billstein (20-5-1) is your new Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion, submitting late replacement Mick Stanton with a first-round RNC. The Bellator and ACB vet rides a six-fight unbeaten streak and has finished 15 of 20 victories, 10 in the first round. #CW96 pic.twitter.com/YK3ylqRkKj

— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 1, 2018

In the co-main event of the evening, German-born Jonas Billstein defeated local hero Mick Stanton to win the vacant middleweight belt. Billstein should have faced Lee Chadwick, who was stripped of his 185-pound strap at yesterday’s weigh-in after failing to make weight.

Stanton took the fight on one-day notice and moved up a weight division and was submitted via rear-naked choke at 3:23 of the first round.

Jack Grant (15-4) makes his case for a lightweight title shot, overwhelming Aleksi Mäntykivi with first-round punches and elbows! The Grimbarian rides a six-fight win streak and has finished 14 of 15 victories, 13 in the first round, and eight by knockout. #CW96 pic.twitter.com/Ch3gcoe7Ti

— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 1, 2018

Also on Saturday, Jack Grant smashed Aleksi Mantykivi thanks to his crisp left hand at 4:03 of the very first round; former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight contender Nicolas Dalby submitted Italy’s Roberto Allegretti via rear-naked choke at 0:50 of the second stanza; Tim Barnett and Matthew Bonner fought to a majority draw with scores of 28-27, 28-28 and 28-28.