Justin Eilers
He’s a star on the UFC’s highlight reel, but whether he’s knocking someone out or getting knocked out himself, Miletich-trained Justin Eilers just comes to bang. In his last visit to Boardwalk Hall, he faced UFC Heavyweight Champ Andre Arlovski and came up short against the dominant striker. This time around his opponent is Sherman Pendergarst — a dominant wrestler. Will Eilers come out on top?

Sherman Pendergarst
He wrestled Division I in college, and has been making waves in the local MMA scene with his willingness to throw down. Team Raww Dogg’s Pendergarst has got some accurate hands (he knocked out Glen Sandull in 19 seconds at the last Sportfighting), but takedowns are his bread-and-butter. Does he have what it takes to pound out a win over the UFC veteran?

Joe Doerksen
A Canadian-version of Jeremy Horn, Doerksen is a well-rounded fighter with a penchant for submissions and a fight record a mile long. At Combat in the Cage II, Doerksen takes on journeyman Leremy Johnson in what will be his first fight in New Jersey. Will he make a splash?

Brian Vetell
After cutting his teeth at the underground shows in New York, Team Renzo 330-pounder and New York State wrestling champ Brian Vetell steps in the cage to make his pro debut against the hard-punching Boban Simic. Expect some "big things" when these two super-heavyweight behemoths step into the cage.

Billy Craparo
A scrapper. A technician. An enigma. Billy Craparo is all of these things. Scoring some wins before disappearing for a few years, and reemerging recently to capture the Ring of Combat belt, Craparo has proven to be threat to anyone (due in no small part to his boxing and submission skills). At Combat in the Cage II, he takes on Jamie Toney — a fellow scrapper who’s sure to meet Craparo head on.

The full card as of 5/16/06:

MAIN EVENT
Sherman Pendergarst vs. Justin Eilers

FEATURE BOUTS
Leremy Johnson vs. Joe Doerksen
Boban Simic vs. Brian Vetell

Whilst the headliner scheduled for July 1’s Cage Rage 17 "Ultimate Challenge will be the Tank Abbott-Amokrane Sabet match, British fans are already talking about the newly announced contest between Melvin Manhoef and Ian "The Machine" Freeman. The explosive Dutchman Manhoef holds the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight World Title, but in this fight his belt will not be on the line, as the match will be contested at the catch weight of 96 kg (211 lbs). Freeman had announced his retirement last year, but it seems the lure of the ring and a shot at Manhoef have brought him back into competition. Manhoef is coming off a brutal win over Shungo Oyama at K-1 Hero’s and will have youth on his side, while Freeman has the edge in experience.

Britain Takes on Germany at Cage Warriors

Cage Warriors 6 "Strike Force," set to take place on May 27 in Coventry, showcases a clash between fighters from the UK and Germany. KOTC veteran Mario Stapel (9-6-0) will challenge BJJ specialist Alexandre Izidro (4-4-0) for the lightweight crown, while tough welterweight Ross Mason will hope to get back to winning ways after losing to Chris Lytle when he faces Denis Siver from Germany’s Outside Club Fight Team.

Cage Warriors 6 Current Fight card:

CWFC Lightweight Title Bout
(Champion) Alexandre "Xandinho" Izidro vs. Mario Stapel

Middleweight
Jose "Ze" Marcello Figueira Rodrigues vs. Andre Balschmieter

Welterweight Bouts
Ross "The Boss" Mason vs. Dennis Siver
Josenildo "Luquinha" Ramarho vs. Daniel Weichel
Jim Wallhead vs. Peter Angerer

Lightweight
Cengiz Dana vs. TBA
Mark Spencer vs. Franco de Leonardis

Non-UK vs. Germany Bouts

CWFC Featherweight Title Bout
(Champion) Danny Batten vs. Paul McVeigh

House of Pain British Middleweight Title Bout (vacant)
Bruce Davis vs. Ben Walker

Welterweight
Arni "The Ice Viking" Isaksson vs. Diego Gonzales

Middleweight
Chris Rice vs. Paul Kelly