Cage Warriors 81 results: Karl Moore scores title win over 'Hillbilly Heartthrob'

Cage Warriors has a new Irish champion.

In today’s Cage Warriors 81 headliner, Belfast’s Karl Moore (8-1) scored a decision victory over American counterpart Josh Clark (10-4) to claim the organization’s vacant light-heavyweight title.

The event took place at 3Arena in Dublin, and the main card streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

Moore, a 2-1 favorite heading into the bout, used a patient strategy bolstered by counter-punches, overall ground control and the occasional firefight to top “The Hillbilly Heartthrob.”

Clark, perhaps best known for his short run on “The Ultimate Fighter 19,” fought off rear-naked chokes at the end of both the first and second rounds. In the third, a flurry of punches and knees from Moore put Clark in new danger, though he was clearly ready to continue the action.

As the fight entered championship rounds, Clark found some new life. He remained light on his feet and connected on a stiff Superman punch and some body kicks, and he bloodied up Moore’s nose during some heated exchanges.

Ultimately, though, Moore used a few key takedowns to avoid Clark’s advances – and he also benefited from Clark’s late point deduction after grabbing the gloves while back-mounted. It all added up to the decision win via 49-45, 50-44 and 50-42 scores for new champ Moore.

“He’s probably the toughest guy I ever fought,” Moore said. “I knew it was going to be a five-round fight.”

Costigan edges McKenna in co-main event

In the co-headliner, atomweight Wendy McKenna (1-1) nearly pulled off a solid upset over 2-1 favorite Catherine Costigan (6-2), who ultimately held on for a narrow victory.

Irish fighter Costigan came out of the gate confidently and landed some solid punches, but in what proved a common occurrence throughout the fight, England’s McKenna used a sometimes-stifling clinch game and a steady stream of knees to help control the pace.

McKenna opened up more in the second and third rounds. However, Costigan landed a few solid blows, including uppercuts and body shots, during the exchanges, and she mixed in a couple timely takedowns.

Ultimately, Costigan picked up a split-decision victory via 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28 scores in a closely contested bout that could have gone either way.

Quero, Foss and O’Driscoll also victorious

In lightweight action, Arnold Quero (14-5) used quick hands and a few key takedowns to edge Joe McColgan (3-1). After three hard-fought and hard-to-judge rounds, Quero picked up the split-decision victory via 30-27, 28-29 and 29-28 scores.

In a welterweight bout, Hakon Foss (8-3) used a cage-rattling judo throw to send Martyn Harris (4-3) to the mat. Once there, he worked diligently at a rear-naked choke, which ultimately forced a tap-out at the 3:38 mark of the opening round, to pick up his fourth consecutive win.

In the main-card opener, bantamweight Blaine O'Driscoll (4-1) nearly forced a stoppage after slicing up the face of Darren O'Gorman (4-2). However, after a second-round check from the doctor cleared the way for the fight to continue,  O’Driscoll left no doubt about the win with a big fight-ending knockout punch at the 3:22 mark of the round.

Full Cage Warriors 81 pro results include:

MAIN CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 4 p.m. ET)

• Karl Moore def. Josh Clark via unanimous decision (49-45, 50-44, 50-42) – to claim vacant light heavyweight title
• Catherine Costigan def. Wendy McKenna via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Arnold Quero def. Joe McColgan via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Hakon Foss def. Martyn Harris via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:38
• Blaine O’Driscoll def. Darren O’Gorman via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 3:22

PRELIMINARY CARD (Untelevised, 2 p.m. ET)

• Eric Nolan def. Marcin Zembala via unanimous decision
• Maciek Gierszewski def. Romain Bidet via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:13

For more on Cage Warriors 81, check out the MMA Events section of the site.