The UK’s best combat sport event, Caged Steel, returns to Doncaster on Saturday 14th March 2026 with Caged Steel 42, and the fight card is looking fantastic. With Professional MMA, Amateur MMA, Caged Boxing and K1 Kickboxing scheduled, you’re in for a thrilling variety of fight night action.
As always, the aim is simple. Competitive match-ups, exciting styles, and fights that deliver from the opening bell. Below is a breakdown of the bouts confirmed so far, what’s at stake, and why each one promises action. If you’re looking for great night out in the UK. This is the one!
This page will be updated as more fights are announced.
Professional MMA | Super Lightweight (74.8kg) | 3×5-minute rounds
This professional MMA bout brings international flavour to Caged Steel 42. With both athletes returning to Caged Steel.
Jhoan Salinas represents RVK MMA in Reykjavik Iceland and enters with a 1–0 professional record. Jhoan is a former Caged Steel Amateur MMA Champion, after beating Will Gibson’s team mate, Sam Brown. This will be his 8th Caged Steel appearance. Salinas is known for composure and discipline, carrying the calm confidence often seen from RVK MMA athletes. He’s a submission artist and in an instant can brilliantly turn the fight around in a split second to claim the win, as you can see in a previous fight here.
Standing opposite him is Will Gibson from South Shields, fighting out of TFT MMA and MTK Newcastle in England, who brings real grit and experience into this matchup. Gibson is coming off his first professional win and has already shown he’s willing to go to war. His last appearance on Caged Steel 41 was insane, a fantastic back and forth fight against Tiago Oliveira (Jhoan’s team mate). Will was so determine to get his first Professional win, when Tiago punched his front teeth through, Will merely spate them out and coninued with the fight to claim victory. Watch that here.
This one has fight of the night all over it.
Professional MMA | Super Lightweight (74.8kg) | 3×5 minute rounds
Franklin Esoe faces Tiago Oliveira in a Professional MMA Super Lightweight bout contested over 3 x 5 minute rounds.
Based in Leeds, but originally from Cameroon, Esoe makes his first appearance on Caged Steel and brings over a decade of martial arts experience with a strong wrestling foundation. Known as “Notorious S.O.J”, he is determined to make a statement on his debut.
Standing opposite him is Tiago “Hwarang” Oliveira, representing RVK MMA. Born in Portugal and now living in Iceland, Oliveira returns for his fifth appearance on Caged Steel. With a Tae Kwon Do background and a reputation for exciting fights, he is always a fan favourite.
This matchup pits wrestling pressure against dynamic striking, creating an intriguing clash of styles that promises high-level MMA action.
Professional MMA | Super Welterweight (79.8kg) | 3×5 minute rounds
Haraldur Arnarson returns to the Caged Steel cage also representing RVK MMA. While his professional record doesn’t yet reflect his ability, every appearance has been a battle. He never turns down tough opposition and always brings pressure and heart. Haraldur has a great kickboxing background, and combined with his wrestling style for when the fight goes to ground, it’s the perfect pair to make any fight difficult for the opponent. This will be Haraldur’s 6th appearance on Caged Steel.
Facing him is Andy Baker from Parabellum Fight Club, making his professional debut. Any hails from Coventry, and has a solid team behind him. He trains at varied other clubs around the UK to get the best out of his fight camps. Andy has been out for a while, COVID happened, and then he focussed on his family for a few years until the time was right to return. With both fighters hungry to establish themselves, this bout has real edge and unpredictability. It could go either way.
Amateur MMA | Welterweight (77.1kg) | 3×3 minute rounds
This welterweight bout brings together two very different journeys, with experience, mindset, and ambition colliding inside the cage.
Ryan Shaw returns to Caged Steel for his third appearance, representing Lockdown MMA in Lincoln. With seven years of training and five years of competitive experience, Ryan has built his game around strong wrestling and control. Over the past year, he has worked hard to sharpen his striking, aiming to become a complete and difficult opponent wherever the fight goes. A former Royal Marine, Ryan brings discipline, resilience, and composure, qualities that have shaped his steady development and 4–3 amateur record.
Across the cage stands Robert Hardy, an unbeaten prospect fighting out of Fight City Gym and Fight Zone. With over a decade of martial arts training and competition behind him, Robert is no stranger to combat sports. A personal trainer and combat sports coach by trade, he describes his style simply as “exciting”, backed by high fight IQ and the ability to adapt quickly. His coaching team includes some of the most respected names in UK MMA, and he enters this bout confident, focused, and determined to keep his record perfect.
This matchup represents a clear step up for both men. Shaw’s wrestling base and growing striking will be tested against Hardy’s experience, composure, and all-round skill set.
Amateur MMA • Middleweight (84kg) • 3×3 minute rounds
From Cambuslang, Scotland, Marcus Anderson returns to Caged Steel for his second appearance, fighting out of Progress MMA with an impressive 5–1 record. A relentless tough fighter, Marcus mixes sharp striking with strong clinch work and thrives on setting a high pace from start to finish. Watch his last victory with us here.
Standing opposite him is Sheffield’s Charlie Chambers from Sheffield Shootfighters. Also making his second appearance on Caged Steel, Charlie holds a 3–1 record and is known for his aggressive, high-pressure style. He never takes a backward step and always comes to engage. He’s been inactive since December 2023 with us, and we’re so excited to see him back.
With both fighters favouring forward pressure and constant output, this welterweight bout promises fast-paced action and a serious test of will. Expect intensity from the opening bell.
Doncaster’s AJ Hall returns to Caged Steel for his fifth appearance, facing Bolton boxer Jordan Battel in a Caged Boxing bout over 3×2 minute rounds in 10oz gloves.
Hall is usually seen competing in MMA gloves, but while he’s currently unable to fight MMA, this contest allows him to stay active and sharpen his striking in front of the home crowd.
Battel is a highly experienced boxer who previously appeared on Caged Steel in a professional MMA bout. Known for his relentless style and powerful hands, he always brings intensity to his fights.
This matchup promises a clash of styles between a seasoned boxer and an MMA fighter used to the pace of the cage. Expect a fast, action-packed fight from start to finish.
Amateur MMA | Light Heavyweight (93kg) | 3×3 minute rounds
This is a physical, hard-hitting amateur matchup.
Gabriel Bell fights out of Sheffield Shootfighters and returns to Caged Steel after two crowd-pleasing performances. Relentless, durable, and skilful, Bell always finds a way to push the pace. Check out his debut fight with Caged Steel here. This will be his 5th official amateur MMA fight, his second with Caged Steel. Bell is relentless. He pushes forward, applies pressure and doesn’t look for an easy route. Durable and composed under fire, he’s the kind of fighter who grows into a fight as it goes on. Every appearance he’s made on Caged Steel has been crowd-pleasing, and at 93kg he carries the kind of power that can change momentum quickly. He’s not here to coast through rounds. He’s here to impose himself.
Across from him stands undefeated Ben Ojog, making his Caged Steel debut. Fighting out of Apollo Gym in Birmingham, Ojog brings a 3–0 amateur record and three years of focused training. By trade he works in construction, but inside the cage his mindset is built around discipline, education and respect. Ojog describes his style as pressure boxing. He’s comfortable standing his ground, throwing hands and testing opponents in exchanges. He believes in balance, hard work and earning everything that comes his way. His message is simple – there’s no shame in hitting the canvas, the important thing is standing back up. He’s stepping onto this stage to prove he belongs at this level.
Expect some heavy shots from these guys. But that’s about it – the rest is pure unpredictable adrenaline. Gabe loves to scrap, and Luke has seen that – He’s prepared for whatever comes his way.
Amateur MMA | Welterweight (77.1kg) | 3×3 minute rounds
Two returning fighters. Two strong kickboxing backgrounds. We’re extremely excited for this one!
Jamie Stinton represents Lockdown MMA in Lincoln. Early in his career, Jamie is hungry, composed, and comfortable striking or grappling. This is his second appearance on Caged Steel. You can watch the first one here. He’s been out for a while, we last saw him in December 2024. He’s had plenty of time to fine tune his skills and come back more dominant than ever.
Ash Shemeld returns from Advanced Basics MMA Gym in Manchester. Aggressive and high-output, Ash brings pressure and pace that keeps opponents on the back foot. This is Ash’s second Caged Steel appearance, check out his first one against Icelandic, Ari Biering.
This one has fireworks written all over it. They were set to fight back in March 2025, we’re glad we’ve got the opportunity to host the fight again, because you’re going to love this one!
Amateur MMA | Welterweight (77.1kg) | 3×3 minute rounds
A same-day matchup that pairs two athletes eager to make a statement.
Leo MacDonald fights out of Progress Martial Arts in Scotland and brings explosiveness and a slight edge of experience on Dylan.
He faces Dylan Power from HD Performance Centre in Doncaster, under ex UFC athlete Marc Diakiese, making his amateur debut. Expect a competitive bout where both fighters are looking to prove themselves.
Amateur MMA | Lightweight (70.3kg) | 3×3 minute rounds
Alex Devine makes his amateur debut fighting out of HAMMA MMA. He’s had a successful junior career, really impressing his viewers, converting them into fans. It’s time to step up to A-Class MMA, full amateur rules 18+.
He faces Joshua Gleason from Submission MMA in Barnsley, with a background in boxing, he’s making his MMA debut after training in the sport for a year. This gym is tough and unfazed by a challenge. Whatever happens, you’re getting a real fight to the end.
Expect an energetic contest with plenty of movement and exchanges between these two.
Amateur K1 | Middleweight (84kg) | 3×2 minute rounds
A pure striking battle.
Sam English from Progress Martial Arts in Glasgow, takes on Joshua Kay of Owens Muay Thai in Doncaster. Expect fast-paced K1 action with no shortage of power. Both guys make their debut on Caged Steel. From what we know in this weight division, they will be throwing bombs with every kick and punch. This is be a thrilling fight from start to finish no doubt.
Junior MMA | Featherweight (65kg) | 3×2 minute rounds
Doncaster’s Rami Hameed makes his Caged Steel debut, representing HD Performance Centre, as he faces Yasir Khalid from London in a Junior MMA featherweight bout over 3 x 2 minute rounds with same day weigh-ins.
Hameed joins his teammates on the fight card and will be eager to perform in front of the Doncaster crowd. Travelling up from London, Khalid represents JOMAJ Studios and will also be making his first Caged Steel appearance.
Both fighters are stepping into the cage looking to make an impression. Expect a fast-paced contest with a mix of striking and grappling as they give it everything in their Caged Steel debuts.
Amateur K1 | Lightweight (70.3kg) | 3×2 minute rounds
Another exciting K1 matchup featuring Sonnie Scade from Glasgow in Scotland against Will Goodall from Doncaster. Both athletes bring excitement and ambition to enter our cage and make a mark in the scene.
Sonnie fights out of Progress Martial Arts and Will fights out of Owens Muay Thai.
Caged Boxing | Super Lightweight (74.8kg) | 3×2 minute rounds
Caged Boxing always delivers intensity. Our hybrid is preferred by many combat sports fans. Fewer rounds, shorter time limit, bigger stage to fight on and in a completely different environment in a cage, with no ropes to bounce off on.
Callan Appleby from Leeds enters undefeated at 4–0, representing FX Fox Boxing Gym. This guy has never fought in a cage, creating an element of surprise for him.
He faces Riley Pipe from Doncaster’s Barbarian Fitness, who impressed on his Caged Steel debut. He is familiar to our cage which might give him one up on Callan. Watch Rileys debut here.
Whatever happens – non-stop action guaranteed.
More fights and information about our athletes will be announced soon, and this blog will be updated with weekly.
One thing is certain. No matter who is matched next, Caged Steel 42 promises another unforgettable night of live MMA and combat sports in Doncaster.
Tickets are available now via the Caged Steel ticket page.
Experience the thrill of live MMA action like never before by attending our upcoming event. Feel the energy of the crowd, and be a part of the excitement. Being there in person allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.