KSW 51 Preview

KSW takes their gala outside of Poland for the 5th time in their history with KSW 51 in Zagreb, Croatia. The fighters will take centre stage in a Balkans vs Poland themed card.

At the top of the card, Mariusz Pudzianowski (12-7) returns from injury to take on Bosnian bodybuilder and knockout artist Erko Jun (3-0). This is a big step up for Jun against the 5x World’s Strongest Man. “Pudzian” has had more fights than Jun’s previous opposition combined and has faced heavy hitters before. Jun will need his huge following behind him to face this huge task.

In the co-main event, former KSW champion Borys Mańkowski (19-8-1) faces Montenegrin legend Vaso Bakočević (39-18-1). There will be fireworks in this one in a battle between “The Tasmanian Devil” and “The Psychopath”. This is likely to be a standup war and will be hard to top from a fight of the night perspective.

Serbia’s Aleksandar Ilić (12-2) returns following his KO of the Year Damian Janikowski back in March. “Joker” will go up against Cezary Kęsik (9-0). The undefeated Pole is a known finisher himself, with only 1 previous fight going the distance. You don’t want to blink during this one.

KSW is holding an inaugural bantamweight title fight between Croatia’s Antun Račić (23-8-1) and Poland’s Damian Stasiak (11-6). Račić is the in-form man with a 4 fight win streak, but faces a UFC veteran in Stasiak.

In the heavyweight division, Spaniard Darwin Rodriguez (8-4) matches up against Croatian Ivan Erslan (7-0) in a battle of the prospects. These two men have won the last 13 fights between them. With a lack of opponents currently available to face Phil De Fries for the heavyweight belt, a win here could put someone in a great position for a title shot.

Former title challenger Roman Szymański (11-5) is looking to build a few wins to get back in the title picture. Montenegrin Miloš Janičić (11-2) is looking to spoil the party in another Poland vs Montenegro battle.

Elsewhere on the card, there is an all Balkan showdown between Bosnia’s Denis Stojnić (13-3) and Croatia’s Ante Delija (16-3), the always exciting “Nitro” Filip Pejić (14-2-2) takes on late replacement Daniel Torres (8-4), Slovenia’s Lemmy Krušič (20-6) makes his KSW debut goes up against Sebastian Przybysz (5-2) and Croatia’s Aleksandar Rakas (16-7) opens the card against Polish prospect Krystian Kaszubowski (7-1).

KSW 51 comes to you from Arena Zagreb, Croatia on Saturday, 9th November at 6pm