KSW 107 Preview: De Fries v Wrzosek, Przybysz Defends

This weekend features some huge European cards, one of them being KSW’s return to the seaside city of Gdańsk. The sold out Ergo Arena in the three-city area will host KSW 107, with the baying crowd ready to blow the roof off the building. Nine fights are on deck under KSW MMA rules, including two for international KSW championships.

Phil “And Still” De Fries (26-6) is the most dominant heavyweight on the planet and the KSW champion will go for his twelfth title defence this Saturday night. The Sunderland man isn’t afraid to take on any man, unfortunately the same cannot be said for champions in other promotions. The 39-year-old is a star in Poland, and he trains with big men such as Tom Aspinall and Mick Parkin, constantly training with the top talent in the weight class. The UFC and Bellator veteran will be looking to implement his wrestling game in this one, a skill he’s used to control opponents with ease in the past. He’s an intelligent fighter who can wear you down until you eventually succumb to a submission or ground and pound. Nobody has really troubled him on the feet in KSW so far, however on Saturday he’s facing one of the best strikers. Arkadiusz Wrzosek (6-0) is a man who will have massive support in the arena with the “Żyleta” following him into battle once more, the hardcore Legia Warszawa football fans. In perhaps the worst era of heavyweight MMA, Arek is a breath of fresh air and is electric from start to finish. From walkout until the final bell, the 33-year-old thrills the audience. The Warsaw man is an elite kickboxer, famously known for his stint in Glory where he can count the likes of Badr Hari on his victory list. The Pole switched to MMA in 2022 and has been perfect so far, although he does like to give his fans a little scare every now and then. The Uniq Fight Club captain’s last three fights in particular have been devastating, knocking out FNC champion Ivan Vitasović, boxing legend Artur Szpilka and ex-PFL contender Matheus Scheffel, all within a minute. The road to victory is located in his hands and the floor must be lava to him.

KSW matchmaker Wojslaw Rysiewski is no stranger to repairing a card after some weigh-in drama, and this event is no different. Woju always gets it over the line. We’ll start with the defending KSW Bantamweight Champion Sebastian Przybysz (13-4-1), a consummate professional who always says yes to a challenge, and he said yes to three different opponents here. The Gdańsk man is fighting in his hometown, and he’s been lodged firmly at the top of the division as either champion or challenger since debuting in 2021 and has only been defeated by former title holders Antun Račić and Jakub Wikłacz. The 31-year-old trains out of Warsaw nowadays, and he’s known for having a great submission game that he pairs up with a volume filled striking style. The Pole is attack minded and looking to outwork his foes. Nine of his wins have been before the final bell. Marcelo Morrelli (6-3) is the benefactor of a string of changes to this fight. The Venezuelan trains out of Warsaw, and he accepted his original bout on ten-days notice after an impressive showing in Strife MMA and a knockout victory last month at the Uniq Fight Club anniversary show. Original challenger Oleksii Polischuck pulled out as he was not going to make the weight, then Islam Djabrailov turned down the opportunity to replace as he also wasn’t going to make the championship limit. Their misfortune is Morrelli’s gain and he’ll be looking to enforce a technical and powerful kickboxing game on his opponent. He’s won his last five and holds a victory over former Armia champion Sylwester Miller. Half his wins have been knockouts.

Roman Szymański (17-9) is an exciting veteran making his sixteenth promotional walk. The Czerwony Smok man is a former title challenger looking to bounce back from a three-fight skid and get back to top form. The Poznań man is very energetic, works hard, throws strikes at a high output and can put on wrestling clinics. The 32-year-old has no problem marching forward and pushing the pace, mixing his levels to keep you guessing. He loves to weaponize his volume. Kacper Formela (18-5) hails from nearby Iława and has trained out of the Mighty Bulls Gdynia gym in the three-city area for years and years. The former FEN champion is used to going twenty-five minutes and recently had an unsuccessful title attempt last November. The “Polish Machida” had won his previous nine bouts, and he brings an exciting and dangerous kickboxing game to the table. The 29-year-old is also a good grappler with a submission threat.

Damian Piwowarczyk (9-4) is flying the flag for the younger generation and has achieved great things so far despite his age. The 27-year-old is a former title challenger and he has moved to Warsaw’s Uniq Fight Club to sharpen his striking skills with the likes of Wrzosek and Radek Paczuski. The Białogard man has developed a really stellar repertoire on the feet, using technique and power to get the job done. In the submission game, he uses his long limbs very well. Cedric Lushima (6-0) is the new kid on the block and comes in with a great reputation. The Belgian represented his country at IMMAF level and he’s ready to step up to the big leagues. The 30-year-old is strong with a very good grappling game, throwing heavy ground and pound, as well as a great back take for the rear naked choke. “Drik’o-Velli” is capable on the feet, however will likely want to take this one down as soon as possible.

Wiktor Zalewski (7-1) is another man who brings a big crowd with him wherever he goes. The Płock man is a member of the Bad Company motorcycle club and his vest-wearing brethren snapped up tickets by the hundreds. The 25-year-old is a very talented prospect, excelling in kickboxing exchanges in particular. The Pole utilises every sharp point to cause maximum damage. His footwork is superb, the shot selection exquisite and his ability to upend opponents with knees, kicks, elbows and fists is a joy to behold. Six victories have come via knockout. Mateusz Pawlik (5-2) makes his KSW debut and is on a three-fight win streak. The Lębork man likes to control things over the fifteen minutes and to use grit and determination to frustrate opponents. The Pole will utilise an attritional offence and if the moment presents itself, he’ll follow up with a big overhand. He’s a tough individual.

Damian Stasiak (14-10) will make one final walk to the cage before retirement this Saturday. “Webster” is a legend of the Polish scene and is a six-fight UFC veteran. The Łódź man is an expert at karate, although power isn’t his forte. Where the 35-year-old really does damage is in the submission game, winning eleven by tap, nap or snap. The Oktopus Łódź man is used to fighting at the top level and he’s still operating at a high quality. Michał Domin (7-3) is a textbook example of anyone, anywhere. The list of opponents on his record is a list of top bantamweights. The Żory man has won his last three and a victory here could put him in line for the main event winner. The 30-year-old is very well rounded and he’s shark smelling blood when it comes to finishing bouts. Whether it’s a submission or a knockout, he’s aggressive and always looking to end it.

The next bout features the two gentlemen who missed out on the main event title shot. Islam Djabrailov (11-5) trains out of Hannover and has won his last two fights in KSW with his only promotional defeat coming to the bantamweight king Przybysz. The former We Love MMA champion has a very good wrestling game and is great at armbars and leg locks. The German is competent on the feet, however usually sees his method to victory coming on the floor. Oleksii Polischuck (13-5) has a similar skillset to his opponent, with the Ukrainian possessing a great armbar game amongst other arm lock attacks. The 29-year-old will be disappointed with his weight-cut, however he’ll be looking to dominate wrestling exchanges and to soften up his foe with big ground and pound. Beware on the feet, he’s got wicked power in his hands but doesn’t always show it. With both men having strong grappling, that could prove important.

Kamil Szkaradek (5-1) is looking to bounce back following his first loss in March 2024. The Nowy Sącz man had an extensive amateur career, picking up many titles along the way. The 27-year-old has a well rounded game and is used to holding a high pace for fifteen minutes. The Pole throws heavy hands and threatens with guillotine and rear naked chokes in grappling exchanges. Kenji Bortoluzzi (11-6-1) lost his debut in April 2024 via decision, so will be looking to get into the KSW win column here. The Swiss is a PFL veteran and has a very solid wrestling game. The 35-year-old is experienced and always looking to do damage from top, with a triangle threat if you leave your arms in play. His takedown defence includes a wicked guillotine.

Wojciech Kawa (8-3) is a very talented newcomer to the promotion having previously competed for FEN. “Coffee” is a member of the Berserker Team and has a beautiful boxing game. The Szczecin man mixes his shots well, and has one of the best body shots in Europe. The kickboxer is absolutely vicious and immobilises opponents with his punches and knees. El Hadji Ndiaye (6-3) is a Cage Warriors veteran and has a 50/50 win record in KSW. The Senegalese man trains out of Paris and is a dangerous wrestler. Once on top, the 33-year-old is hard to shift and usually dominates rounds if it hits the deck. The Dakar man is a tough customer and will be aiming to be a fire blanket for his opponent’s offence.

KSW 107 is live from Gdańsk at 18:00 Dublin time this Saturday night and the PPV can be purchased at KSWTV.com. If you’re looking for a taste of what’s to come, the first two fights will air for free on Youtube, as well as the infamous KSW opening ceremony.