Italian contender Leon Aliu made a huge impression on his Cage Warriors debut with a huge knockout of former middleweight champion James Webb.

The pair faced off in the main event of Cage Warriors 138 in Colchester, Essex. But, despite fighting in his home town, Webb was unable to prevent Aliu from scoring a huge KO win.

Aliu faked a body kick to draw a reaction from Webb, then fired over the top with punches, and a huge right hand stunned Webb, who crashed to the canvas.

The Italian then moved in to apply some ground strikes, but referee Marc Goddard swiftly dived in to stop the fight and spare the Englishman more punishment as Aliu wheeled away in celebration.

Shanks moves up and claims submission finish

In the night’s co-main event, former Cage Warriors flyweight champion Luke Shanks scored a huge first-round submission win

Both men threw the leather from the very start, with Shanks looking very much at home in the striking exchanges with knockout artist Reed.

But the bout swung even further in “The Apocalypse’s” favour when the action went to the mat. Reed tried a flying guillotine, but was slammed to the mat by Shanks.

A scramble followed as the pair traded positions before the former flyweight champion eventually worked his way to the Welshman’s back and locked up a rear-naked choke for the win.

Mearns makes it three in a row

English featherweight Tom Mearns continued his resurgence as he claimed his third straight win with victory over the Netherlands’ Orlando Wilson Prins.

In a tight, well-contested bout, Mearns’ constant pressure proved the deciding factor as he earned scores of 29-28 from each of the three cageside judges to improve his record to 9-7.

Dominant Elliott bounces back

“The Welsh Gangster” Oban Elliott bounced back into the win column with an impressive first-round submission finish of Herkus Lukosiunas.

Elliott lost out to Madars Fleminas last December, but made amends at Charter Hall with a dominant performance to finish the previously undefeated Lithuanian Lukosiunas in a little over half a round.

Cage Warriors 138: Official Results

  • Leon Aliu def. James Webb via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:42
  • Luke Shanks def. Josh Reed via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:41
  • Tom Mearns def. Orlando Wilson Prins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Oban Elliott def. Herkus Lukosiunas via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:37
  • George Tanasa vs. Scott Pedersen ruled a unanimous draw (via technical decision: 28-28, 28-28, 28-27)