An interesting grappling match has been booked by Poland’s KSW, which will see former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett take on current KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries — in a grappling match.
In a video posted to their official social media channels, KSW featured Barnett issuing a challenge to De Fries “to come to my realm” and face “The Warmaster” in a grappling match, “where I thrive.”
The Warmaster 🇺🇸 @JoshLBarnett has issued a challenge to KSW heavyweight champion 🇬🇧 @phildefriesmma 👑! XTB #KSWEpic pic.twitter.com/ZuE5KCFUqc
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) February 1, 2024
De Fries accepted — no surprise there — and the match will be part of KSW Epic on February 24, 2024.
Josh Barnett hasn’t fought in MMA since 2016 but did take a bareknuckle fight in 2020, defeating Marcin Różalski at KSW Genesis: Różalski vs. Barnett. Barnett won the bout via TKO, defeating a former KSW heavyweight champ in the process.
Since then, Barnett has mainly worked in the professional wrestling realm, and turned up on AEW programming in 2023, making his promotional debut on the promotion’s WrestleDream PPV in October.
De Fries has become arguably the most successful heavyweight outside the UFC in years, putting together a 12-fight win streak with nine defenses of his heavyweight title. He holds wins over Todd Duffee, Darko Stosic, Tomas Narkun, Karol Bedorf and Luis Henrique among others during that run.
While the KSW Epic booking is just a grappling match, it remains to be seen if Barnett gets inspired to get back in the cage.
The most dominant champ in KSW history vs. a true combat sports legend! 🤩
𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
🇬🇧 @phildefriesmma
vs. @JoshLBarnett 🇺🇸Celebrating 20 years of KSW!
XTB #KSWEpic | Feb 24 | #Gliwice
🎟️ @eBiletPL | 📺 PPV https://t.co/KEwIlAHwkA pic.twitter.com/eFPt52gTZO— KSW (@KSW_MMA) February 2, 2024
