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CW153: Rhys McKee vs Jimmy Wallhead Preview

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On 29 April, Cage Warriors returns to Dublin, Ireland for one of the biggest UK shows of the year. In the main event Rhys McKee takes on Jimmy Wallhead in a huge storybook welterweight title unification match-up.

Born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, Rhys McKee (12-4-1) is one of Ireland’s most exciting exports. He has developed a reputation for putting on incredible fights and producing great finishes. McKee is currently on a two fight win streak since returning to Cage Warriors. In 2020, he earned his shot in the UFC but lost consecutive fights to Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Morono that saw him quite harshly cut from the roster. Returning to Cage Warriors in triumphant fashion, McKee will now look to book his ticket back to the big show by unifying the welterweight title against a UK MMA pioneer.

A veteran of the sport in each and every way, ‘Judo’ Jimmy Wallhead (33-11-0) has been competing in MMA since April 2005. One of the most experienced fighters in the history of Cage Warriors, everyone knows what Jimmy brings to the table. His grappling background has always been his bread and butter but as of late, it’s his hands that have been getting the job done. Wallhead also had brief runs on the big shows having fought in the UFC and Bellator but it’s this last chapter of his career that has really sealed his status as a legend of the game. With his return to Cage Warriors, Wallhead has produced back-to-back wins, pulling off an incredible upset to finish Mateuaz Figlak and win the interim title. Having already stated that this will be his last dance, Jimmy is looking to make his swan song his masterpiece.

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The clear difference between the two men is the age and experience difference. Whilst Rhys is an experienced competitor in his own right, Jimmy Wallhead is a veteran through and through. He will need to close the distance on the ranged striking of McKee, mixing in takedowns and looking to land huge counters if he is to threaten his opponent. Rhys always comes ready for war and you know he will want to put on a show for the Irish fans that have packed out the 3Arena to support him. What he can’t do, is lose his composure in a brawl with a man that hits hard and knows how to whether a storm.

The narrative couldn’t be any more clear. As Wallhead looks to roll the dice one more time and close out his career with one of his biggest ever wins, Rhys McKee knows he has a lot of time left in his career. Beating Jimmy Wallhead isn’t the be all and end all that it is for his opponent but if he wants to make that next step in his career, he can’t afford setbacks like this. One thing is for sure, regardless of who reigns supreme as the welterweight champion at the end of the night, it is going to be special.

Cage Warriors 153 goes down this Saturday live from the 3Arena in Dublin. Catch all the action via UFC Fight Pass.

Will it be Rhys ‘Skeletor’ McKee or Jimmy ‘Judo’ Wallhead? Let us know down in the comments.