Undisputed

After his incredible fight of the year world title victory in Belfast, Rhys McKee took some time away from the cage and spent the rest of the year recovering from some injuries, and enjoying his time as world champion. During his absence Cage Warriors introduced an interim belt, to name the number one contender for Rhys' title upon his return. The man who rose to the occasion was UFC veteran and UK MMA pioneer, Jimmy Wallhead. Setting up what would be an iconic showdown to unify the title.

With Cage Warriors returning to the fighting city of Dublin for the first time in six years, the stage was set for the biggest fight in the recent history of the organisation. Not only was this an opportunity to unify the welterweight world title, but both men had their own personal goals leading into the matchup. McKee targeting a fresh UFC contract and a return to the biggest stage in the world, and Wallhead aiming to retire on the highest of highs, becoming the first man in history to defeat McKee in the 3Arena. The stakes were as high as they could be for both men.

I was honoured to have been on hand once again to document Rhys' preparations for the fight, and be there on fight week to capture his return to the cage, in what was the crowning victory of his career to date. One thing I wanted to do for this project, which was something we didn't do for the previous two, was include some of the photos we captured from Rhys' preparations in the weeks prior to the fight. Everything from the final sessions of Rhys' camp, all the way through to the fight itself, and the immediate aftermath.

This is a fight camp, and a fight week, that will stay with me for a long time. To not only see Rhys' years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice pay off. But to be there to capture him not only claim the biggest win of his career to date, but defend his world title in the process, and earn his way back to the ranks of the UFC, is something I will always remember. I can only hope this collection of photos helps to tell the story, and does Rhys and this chapter of his career justice.