KSW made its debut in the Czech Republic on Saturday, with KSW 79 topped by an intriguing title fight.
A decade removed from his UFC run, Phil De Fries has become a dominant force in KSW’s heavyweight division. The dominant force. Since capturing the title in 2018, the Englishman has defended his championship a stunning seven times, knocking off two UFC veterans, and a couple of KSW champions (Tomasz Narkun, Karol Bedorf) in that span.
Overall, De Fries has won ten straight fights, with his opponents sporting a combined 160-54 record in that span. That number becomes even more impressive when you consider that a 2017 Bellator fight with James Thompson accounts for 13 of those losses.
One of De Fries’ own losses returned to face him for the second time this weekend. Out of action since a 2019 No Contest at UFC Vancouver, Todd Duffee finally returned to the cage. Their first fight saw Duffee score a knockout inside of a round; both fighters would tell you that the 2012 contest saw a very different De Fries enter the cage.
Would he avenge the loss on Saturday at KSW 79, or would lightning strike twice for Duffee, who has had to overcome numerous injuries and ailments over the years?
Phil De Fries and Todd Duffee weren’t the only UFC vets in action on Saturday, as heavyweight Daniel Omielanczuk was matched up with a former title challenger in Michal Kita.
KSW 79 takes place at the Home Credit Arena in Librec, Czech Republic on Saturday, February 25, 2023. The card streams live via KSWTV.com; full results from the event can be found below.
KSW 79: De Fries vs. Duffee 2 Results
KSW 79 Weigh-In Results
Phil De Fries def. Todd Duffee by TKO (punches), Round 1, 3:46 — for the KSW heavyweight championship
Dominik Humburger def. Jorge Luiz Bueno Jr. by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Arek Wrzosek def. Tomas Mozny by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Michal Kita def. Daniel Omielanczuk by TKO (punches), Round 3, 2:06
Brian Hooi def. Jivko Stoimenov by TKO (punches and elbows), Round 1, 3:52
Andreas Gustafsson def. David Hosek by TKO (punches), Round 1, 2:33
Ramzan Jembiev def. Murilo Delfino by knockout (head kick), Round 2, 0:19
Natalia Baczynska def. Petra Castkova by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Matyas Viszlay def. Frederico Komuenha by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
