KSW 91 Preview: Mircea v Brichta; Team Fantom’s Fadipe returns

KSW’s February show comes to us live from the Home Credit Arena in Czechia’s ice hockey hotbed of Liberec this Saturday evening. There will be nine fights on deck at KSW 91, including one for an interim KSW international title.

The main event features a high level European bout. Salahdine Parnasse’s inactivity at lightweight has led to the requirement of an interim belt. Leo Brichta (12-3) is riding an eleven-fight undefeated streak and will have the hopes of his nation on his shoulders. The Czech is a very exciting kickboxer that oozes star power. This young man is one of the great characters of the promotion, and spirits don’t get much freer than his. Possessing knockout power and a great grappling game, he’s fought a lot of experienced fighters over the years and sailed through with flying colours. A win for the Prague man could see KSW head for the Czech capital for a title unification bout, however with Leo, you never know what he’ll do next. Valeriu Mircea (29-8-1) is a high calibre challenger with an extensive career in the combat sports. A ruthless finisher, twenty-four men have failed to reach the final bell against him. The 30-year-old began his martial arts journey in wrestling and judo. The Moldovan didn’t stop there however, he developed a devastating and powerful kickboxing game that can spoil any party. The boys are back and they’re looking for trouble, do not blink.

Dominik Humburger (7-1) won in this arena last February after one of the more memorable walkouts of the year where he was accompanied by his fellow armed forces members. The Liberec man will receive a hometown welcome again, and will be looking for a big performance to send the crowd home happy. The 28-year-old usually finishes his fights with his fists and whether that’s in the boxing exchanges or in the ground and pound, damage follows. Adrian Dudek (7-2) was originally pencilled in to face Czechia’s David Hošek, however Humburger’s original opponent and KSW favourite Albert Odzimkowski had to pull out through illness. Dudek makes his third promotional appearance and is a kickboxer by trade. The 32-year-old Pole has big power, heavy knees and brutal punches. Along with that minefield, he has a decent grappling game.

Irish eyes will be smiling on Henry Fadipe (14-11-1) on Saturday night. The 32-year-old was born in Lagos but now calls Dublin his home, and he trains out of Fantom MMA on the historic Moore Street in the city centre. “Herculeez” has a very chill demeanour and he carries a great patience and composure with him into the cage. The 32-year-old is an exciting striker, utilising his footwork to deal out devastating strikes and keeping himself out of dodge. He works meticulously at his grappling, which is starting to pay dividends. Fadipe possesses true martial arts respect and is all class win or lose. Matúš Juráček (10-3) is making his KSW debut in his home country. The Czech started out in karate and is a very tough and durable fellow. The Prague man is an attrition fighter who mostly goes to decisions. The 29-year-old is not devoid of power in the hands and he has submission wins on his record.

Kacper Koziorzębski (9-6) is a KSW regular and is heading into his eight promotional fight. The 28-year-old goes to a lot of decisions, however he’s never lost any of them. The Pole is a volume puncher who will pepper you throughout the contest, and if the need should occur, he can utilise a gritty grappling game. His striking defence has been his Achilles heel. Viktor Červinský (4-0) will be another one representing his hometown of Liberec. The Czech started his pro career with a nice knockout win and followed it up with some lovely submissions. He was an RFA middleweight champion. This is a true veteran test ahead of him.

Łukasz Charzewski (12-2) is a former FEN champion and looking to bounce back from a decision defeat in his KSW debut in December. The 31-year-old is a highly skilled allrounder who mostly got wins via decision, albeit against good level opponents. The Pole has an attractive striking game and a good wrestling game. He’ll be keen to correct his mistakes and get his first promotional win on Saturday. Michał Sobiech (5-1) straps on the KSW gloves for the first time in three-years and has only fought once since that time. The 29-year-old is a heavy hitting striker. “Dr. Beast” will leave you needing painkillers after you’ve visited his office and there’s not a huge waiting list to come see him. His only defeat was to the great Patryk Kaczmarczyk, and he certainly had his moments in that fight.

Vasil Ducár (3-2) is known as one of Czechia’s most exciting boxers. The 34-year-old has also competed in kickboxing, and he packs quite the punch. Knockouts are what he aims for. This is his first MMA fight since 2019. Dawid Kasperski (debut) comes in from the pro kickboxing world. The 33-year-old is more likely to employ a point fighting game, using his volume and elusiveness to secure a decision.

Josef Štummer (3-1) will be the first hometown fighter to appear on the card. The 27-year-old is occasionally referred to as “Air Štummer” due to his fantastic suplex ability. The Liberec man can plant you onto the mat and employ a mean submission game. His striking game is improving. Adrian Wieliczko (2-1) has an extensive amateur career to add to his pro experience. The 25-year-old has a great grappling game. The Pole has lovely submissions, is great at synching in a rear naked chimed and loves a triangle or guillotine choke.

Mariusz Joniak (11-5) is an exciting submission fighter. The 26-year-old has a savage choke game. The Pole has eight victories using those skills. Look out for his arm triangle in particular. Tobiasz Le (4-1) is a popular Czech fighter who trains in the Polish border town Cieszyn. The IMMAF veteran beat Carl McNally the last time KSW was in Czechia. The 29-year-old is a very entertaining striker and is developing a nice finishing touch in his kickboxing game.

Wiktoria Czyżewska (2-1) is a lady who’s recently had a birthday and will be looking to celebrate after the fight with a victory. The 20-year-old has trained a lot with KSW legend Artur Sowiński in the lead up, looking to close some gaps from the defeat in her last bout. If I can use one word to describe her, it would be “ferocious”. Once the Pole gets going, she’s an absolute tornado of violence and will swarm her opponents at the first smell of blood and overwhelm them with a devastating volume of strikes. You simply cannot let her march forward. Petra Částková (6-6) is experienced enough to know that. The 42-year-old Bellator veteran is a Czech MMA pioneer. She might be in the twilight of her career, however she’s solid all round with decent striking and grappling, and has the experience to grind out a decision.

KSW 91 is live from 6pm Irish time on Saturday and access can be purchased at KSWTV.com or on the ViaPlay subscription service in select countries (including the U.K.).