Greg Loughran set to face Chris Stringer for the Lightweight title at Cage Contender XVI

Two of the most experienced fighters in Irish MMA history are going to meet at last, Chris “Menace” Stringer will face Bellator veteran Greg “The Hitman” Loughran for the vacant Cage Contender Lightweight Title as one of the chief support fights at Cage Contender XVI in Dublin, Ireland on February 23rd

Neither fighter will need any introduction to Irish fans as the have amassed over 60 fights between them in their careers so far. They will be fighting for the belt left vacant by current champion Norman Parke when he recently won The Ultimate fighter and a UFC contract.

Loughran (22-19-0 / CC 2-0-0) from Magherafelt, Northern Ireland has fought twice with Cage Contender in the past and is a veteran of US promotion Bellator. His fight record is littered with international names like former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez who he buckled with a now famous left hook early in the fight, and he holds notable wins over UFC fighter and TUF winner Norman Parke and UFC veteran Andre Winner

“I’m looking forward to testing my skills against a tough opponent. I am not much of a talker but I will be there to fight and win on the night. I’d like to that Cage Contender and John Ferguson for giving me a shot at their title, I’m looking forward to putting on a great show for the Cage Contender fans” – Greg “The Hitman” Loughran

Stringer (11-10-1) is one of the best known and most popular fighters ever to come out of Ireland. Fans followed him in their droves during his time with Cage Wars Championships where he faced UFC veterans in the form of Samy Schiavo and Rich Clementi. As current ISKA European Champion Stringer also holds a win over former Cage Contender Lightweight Champion “Magic” Myles Price. Originally from Lisburn, Northern Ireland he is now based in Liverpool, England where is trains with the world famous Team Kaobon with a string of UFC level team mates including Paul Sass, Terry Etim. Andy Ogle and Mark Scanlon

“This a great fight and one we both have wanted for a long time. This fight has been 8 years in the making, Greg started just before I did and has done great things in the sport. I’ve always followed his career and can genuinely say I’m really excited & looking forward to this fight.

Greg is a fighters fighter and always comes to put on a show and has an exciting style to watch. This is going to be one hell of fight and one you will not want to miss!” – Chris “Meanace” Stringer

Cage Contender CEO John Ferguson commented “I have to admit putting this one together made me smile! It isn’t often that a fight that fans have wanted for so long can be put together after about 8 years. This fight has been talked about long before I was in the game and will be talked about for a long time to come if the pundits are right. A fight between two Irish fighters that have nearly 65 fights between them has never happened before, it will be epic”