Opportunity has knocked for Orlando Wilson Prins ahead of next weekend's Cage Warriors 172 card, as the Dutch featherweight has stepped up at the eleventh hour to challenge Harry Hardwick for the vacant 145lb title on May 25th.

Visa issues have prevented Hardwick's original opponent - Germany-based Afghan Zafar Mohsen - from competing in the scheduled main event at the Vertu Motors Arena.

Cage Warriors officials have today confirmed the news that Prins has agreed to replace him against Hardwick in the five round bout, which is now locked-in after the Middlesborough man was quick to accept the change in opponent.

Hardwick (10-3-1) enters the contest in the midst of a six fight unbeaten run dating back to April 2021. He most recently saw action at CW 157, defeating Vitor Estevam with a 'Submission of the Year' nominated rear-naked choke.

Groningen's Prins (5-2) has won his previous two in the famous yellow gloves, outpointing hard-nosed striker Antonio Sheldon last April, before stopping local favourite Bailey Gilbert in November.

The Dutchman was originally scheduled to face The MMA Fight Academy's Milad Ahady on the card, but was left without an opponent when 'The Baddy' was forced to withdraw following an injury sustained in training.

Announcing the news earlier today via Cage Warriors social media, Play-by-Play commentator Brad Wharton said...

"Dutch fan favourite Orlando Wilson Prins is stepping up, and he's challenging Harry Hardwick for the vacant Cage Warriors featherweight title." 

"It's the same belt that was held by the likes of Conor McGregor, Paddy Pimblett and so many others...we've seen what that title does for people's careers." 

Also set to feature on the CW 172 card is the return of Kennedy Freeman, James Power vs Daniel Kolasiński and former title challenger Aiden Lee taking on local hero Josh Abraham.

All the action goes down on Saturday, May 25th at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, with tickets available via CageWarriors.com.

All the action will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.

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