Welterweight and middleweight gold was up for grabs, with 170lb champ Adrian Bartosiński headlining the show against Muslim Tulshaev. With just one loss in his pro career, in a super-fight with Mamed Khalidov, Bartosiński was looking to make the fourth defense of his title.

In the co-headliner, UFC alum Pawel Pawlak was looking for title defense number three when he put his championship belt on the line against Laïd Zerhouni.

A few other notable names were in action on Saturday as well, with ex-middleweight title challenger Damian Janikowski returning, as well as former ranked UFC heavyweight and Bellator star Augusto Sakai.

Where to Watch KSW 113

KSW 113 takes place on Saturday, December 20, at the Atlas Arena in Łódź, Poland. The card airs live on CANAL+ in Poland and streams globally via KSWTV.COM starting at 12PM ET, 9AM PT. Full results from the event can be found below.

KSW 113 Results

Main Card

Adrian Bartosiński (c) def. Muslim Tulshaev by TKO (Punches and Elbows), Round 3, 4:56 — For the KSW Welterweight Championship
Paweł Pawlak (c) def. Laïd Zerhouni by submission (kneebar), Round 5, 3:09 — For the KSW Middleweight Championship
Artur Szpilka def. Michal Martínek by TKO (punches), Round 2, 2:07
Adam Josef def. Piotr Lisek by KO (punches), Round 1, 1:08
Michał Michalski def. Damian Janikowski by TKO, Round 1, 4:19
Stjepan Bekavac def. Marcin Różalski by KO (punch), Round 1, 2:59 — K-1 with MMA gloves
Marcin Wójcik def. Augusto Sakai by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Wiktor Zalewski def. Romain Debienne by TKO, Round 3, 4:06  — Zalewski deducted one point in advance of bout for missing weight

Preliminary Card

Marcelo Morelli def. Patryk Surdyn by TKO (Punches), Round 1, 4:56
Igor Włodarczyk def. Artur Krawczyk by submission (Rear-naked choke), Round 1, 1:51
Souheil Kaouchen def. Krzysztof Geburek by TKO (Punches), Round 1,2:53

The post KSW 113 Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

In terms of accolades and card placement, the rematch between Adrian Bartosiński and Andrzej Grzebyk took precedence, but the bulk of the star power, and literal bulk, went to super heavyweights Mariusz Pudzianowski and Eddie Hall.

“Pudzian” was long the biggest star in KSW, and despite competing less frequently in his 40s, remains an attraction for the Polish promotion. Hall, a fellow World’s Strongest Man winner, was making his MMA debut after falling short in boxing against Hafthor Júlíus Björnsson, another strongman who starred as The Mountain on Game of Thrones.

Also in the mix on Saturday was UFC and Bellator veteran Augusto Sakai, a Brazilian heavyweight looking to bounce back from a title fight loss to Phil De Fries.

Where to Watch KSW 105

KSW 105 takes place at the Gliwice Arena in Gliwice, Poland on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event streams live via KSWTV.com; full results can be found below. The card goes live at 1PM ET, 10AM PT.

KSW 105: Bartosinski vs. Grzebyk Results

Welterweight: Adrian Bartosiński (c) def. Andrzej Grzebyk by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) – For the KSW Welterweight Championship
Heavyweight: Artur Szpilka def. Errol Zimmerman by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 1, 1:49
Welterweight: Artur Szczepaniak def. Igor Michaliszyn by TKO, Round 1, 2:40
Super Heavyweight: Eddie Hall def. Mariusz Pudzianowski by TKO, Round 1, 0:30
Welterweight: Kacper Koziorzębski def. Madars Fleminas by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Augusto Sakai def. Szymon Bajor by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Women’s Flyweight: Laura Grzyb def. Gabriela Hristea by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight: Adam Niedźwiedź def. Marcin Krakowiak by submission (omoplata), Round 1, 2:53
Heavyweight: Denis Górniak def. Michał Turyński by TKO, Round 1, 4:28

The post KSW 105: Bartosinski vs. Grzebyk Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

That fight will see longtime promotional staple Mariusz Pudzianowski, one of KSW’s biggest stars, take on Eddie Hall. KSW officials announced the fight on Friday.

Hall, 37, won The World’s Strongest Man in 2017. He’ll be making his MMA debut in the fight, but does have experience in boxing, having lost an exhibition match with Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson – a fellow World’s Strongest Man winner who is perhaps better known as one of three actors to portray Gregor Clegane, or The Mountain, on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Mariusz Pudzianowski, 48, will have a massive experience edge when he takes on Hall, sporting a record of 17-9, 1NC. “Pudzian” started his pro fighting career in 2009 and holds wins over Butterbean, Oli Thompson, Bob Sapp, Rolles Gracie Jr., and UFC vet Jay Silva, among others. On the strongman circuit, the Polish star captured five World’s Strongest Man titles, the most in the competition’s history. While he is the older athlete and coming off of back-to-back losses, Pudzianowski is expected to be a heavy favorite in the fight. That despite not having fought since 2023.

Also set for KSW 105, Szymon Bajor will take on former Bellator and UFC star Augusto Sakai, fighting for the first time since a title fight loss to KSW heavyweight champ Phil De Fries. Two title fights also feature: Adrian Bartosiński vs. Andrzej Grzebyk, which sees Bartosiński looking to defend his welterweight title for the third time, and Rafał Haratyk vs. Ibragim Chuzhigaev. That fight has Haratyk looking to make the second defense of his 205lb title against a former champion who is undefeated since 2017.

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Like so many before him, Sakai entered with a solid pedigree of his own, a contender in Bellator MMA and at one point a ranked UFC heavyweight who left that promotion off a win over Don’Tale Mayes.

Yet KSW heavyweight champ De Fries, who had his own early-career run in the UFC end following a 2-3 run that included a loss to future great Stipe Miocic, had been unbeatable since 2017. Twelve straight wins, nine straight defenses of his KSW heavyweight title.

Early on in Friday’s co-headliner, De Fries looked to take control, leading the dance and looking to get Sakai to the ground. Sakai mixed in leg kicks, while De Fries won the grappling exchanges along the fence and connected with some heavy leather off the break. What Sakai did not do in the opening round was go to his back, resulting in a very close first frame.

In the second, Sakai found success early, putting De Fries on the fence, taking a page out of the champ’s book. De Fries, however, managed to defend with a guillotine, reverse the position, and land a few knees to the body before they came off the cage, then re-engaged.

De Fries briefly flashed his guillotine again, but this time he was the one driving Sakai into the fence, before he reversed with about a minute and a quarter left in the frame, only to be reversed himself a moment later. The champ fired a few overhands, but the grinding pace, low on action, had the ref break them up, restarting the action at center only to end up with the same result: De Fries putting Sakai on the fence, firing knees while controlling one wrist.

Phil De Fries easily closed the distance early in the third round, shooting in for a double-leg almost immediately. Brazil’s Sakai, however, refused to be taken down, leading to De Fries instead firing a knee to the midsection. De Fries stayed on the attempt, and Sakai spent the first minute of the round again trapped on the fence. For all of his success with the leg kicks early, Sakai had been unable to peel himself off the wall over the past round and a half.

When they did get back to open space a minute later, however, the nasty leg kick was back for Sakai. De Fries quickly tied things up, then nearly gave away top position on a takedown attempt that backfired, though he scrambled out. Augusto Sakai, perhaps feeling the momentum shift, drove in for his own takedown, but De Fries came close to reversing that. For the rest of the third, De Fries would put his weight on Sakai, landing left hands and knees, but eating the odd knee from Sakai as well.

De Fries went right after the takedown in round four, and Sakai once again defended the attempt expertly. That led the champ to falling back on his guillotine; when Sakai popped out, De Fries landed a couple punches, then went back to the clinch. Try as he might, however, De Fries couldn’t get the big man down. Going old school, De Fries added a foot stomp. Sakai fired a knee, back still glued to the fence. A knee, then a left hand, then another knee landed for the champ.

The ref would restart the pair at center with a minute left in round four; De Fries then walked down the challenger, leading with his jab and missing with an uppercut. Having spent four minutes with his back to the cage, there was little chance of Sakai winning the round, but the third had been up in the air, making the fifth critical.

Like clockwork, De Fries again looked to put Sakai on the fence early in round five. Sakai reversed, but not for long. De Fries worked the body a little, and the pair battled for head position. When Sakai reversed, the champ put the guillotine on once more, turning him back around. De Fries then nearly wrenched Sakai to the mat, but they wound up back on the fence.

Somewhere in all the exchanges, Sakai had been bloodied around the mouth. Sakai was continuing to defend every takedown attempt and occasionally reversed position, but to that end, you simply don’t score points for defending. And so, as low-action as the fight often was, Phil De Fries controlling the bulk of five rounds resulted in “and still” being the end result.

Official Result: Phil De Fries def. Augusto Sakai by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) 

The post Phil De Fries Notches Title Defense #10 in Grindfest with Augustl Sakai at KSW 95 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Phil De Fries’ UFC run was anything but memorable, having gone 2-3 across five fights, though a loss to future champ and heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic is no doubt forgivable. The struggles of De Fries, including dealing with alcohol and mental health issues, are well documented, but from 2017 onwards, he has been unbeatable, establishing himself as one of (if not THE) best heavyweight fighters outside of the UFC and PFL.

Twelve straight wins. Claiming the KSW heavyweight title and defending it nine times. Avenging a loss from his UFC days to Todd Duffee. De Fries, at 38, he established himself as a star the UFC missed out on, cut too soon over back-to-back losses.

Along the way, he’s defeated several former UFC talents, and at KSW 95 on Friday he had his shot at another: former top 10 heavyweight Augusto Sakai, who was also a contender in Bellator MMA.

In the main event, meanwhile, bantamweight gold was on the line as champ Jakub Wiklacz faced the man he claimed gold from, Sebastian Przybysz, for the fifth time, after their last meeting had ended in a draw.

Where to Watch KSW 95

Friday, June 7, 2024’s KSW 95 takes place at the Hala Urania in Olsztyn, Poland. The card streams live via KSW TV. Full results from the event can be found below.

KSW 95: Wiklacz vs. Przybysz 5 Full Results

Jakub Wikłacz (c) def. Sebastian Przybysz by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 3:15 – For the KSW Bantamweight Championship
Phil De Fries (c) def. Augusto Sakai by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – For the KSW Heavyweight Championship
Marcin Held def. Roman Szymański by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tymoteusz Łopaczyk def. Brian Hooi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Oskar Szczepaniak def. Adrian Zieliński by unanimous decision
Patryk Surdyn def. Shamad Erzanukaev by unanimous decision
Borys Dzikowski def. Krystian Bielski by split decision
Michał Dreczkowski def. Stevan Jarić by TKO, Round 1, 3:29
Dawid Kuczmarski def. Morgan Gbolou by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 1:11

The post KSW 95: Wiklacz vs. Przybysz 5 Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sakai (16-5-1) picked up a unanimous decision win over Don’Tale Mayes at UFC Vegas 70 last month, snapping a four-fight skid in the process. The fight was Sakai’s last on his UFC contract, though he had expressed a desire to stay on with the organization.

It seems that won’t be the case. On Thursday, UFC Roster Watch, an automated service that monitors the promotion’s athlete database, was first to note Sakai’s removal.

The move comes just shy of a month to the day of the Mayes win, that halted a skid which included losses to Alistair Overeem and Jair Rozenstruik, among others.

A former Bellator MMA heavyweight, Augusto Sakai joined the UFC by way of Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil in 2018. He would go on to win his first four fights with the company, including victories over former champ Andrei Arlovski, and current contender Marcin Tybura.

Then came the aforementioned losing streak, stretching from 2020 to 2022.

Per a report by MMA Fighting, the promotion opted not to re-sign Sakai, who will now hit the free agent market. Coming off a win, and having proven capable of hanging with some of the best, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 31-year old picked up by his old home in Bellator, or the PFL.

The post Despite Coming Off Win, Heavyweight Augusto Sakai No Longer On UFC Roster appeared first on Cageside Press.

Number six ranked, Nikita Krylov, was just moments away from taking on the number eight ranked, Ryan Spann, when the UFC broadcast team gave an update live-on-air that the aforementioned Krylov had to withdraw due illness, rumored to be food poisoning. “The Miner” made his way to the facility a few hours before his scheduled fight to receive fluids to try and overcome the issues he was having, but unfortunately he was pulled from his impending fight.

Although it was a main event that would likely not have done much for either fighter, it was still extremely unfortunate to lose one half of the main event due to illness. That fight has now been re-booked for the event on March 11th.

Let’s take a look at what could be next for the winners this past weekend.

Brendan Allen

Due to the scheduled main event falling apart, the UFC bumped the original co-main event of Andre Muniz vs Brendan Allen to the main event.

As it was late notice, the middleweight bout remained as a three round fight. With that, Brendan Allen went out and made the most of the situational spotlight. Before the bout, Andre Muniz was listed as rank 11 in the 185lb division, with Brendan Allen not occupying a ranked spot. Due to his impressive work though, the 27-year-old can expect to find a number next to his name come Tuesdays ranking update.

The consensus to many before the fight was that Muniz held a big advantage over Allen on the ground, with Allen possessing the cleaner more crisp striking of the two.

The striking exchanges between the two were extremely competitive and there wasn’t much separating either man. That was until the fight went to the ground. Quieting the naysayers, Allen managed to get to the back of the Brazilian Black-Belt and sunk in a rear-naked-choke that Muniz just couldn’t escape.

With Allen now likely to be matched up with a top 15 contender, there are a few options that I like the look of. Despite him having called for rematches with both Chris Curtis and Sean Strickland, it is Jack Hermansson that I’d most like to see defend his ranking.

Allen’s Next Fight: Jack Hermansson 

Augusto Sakai

The Brazilian, Sakai, snapped a four fight losing skid with his win over Don’Tale Mayes, and a win in which he impressed.

The powerful volume striking of Sakai proved too much for Mayes who somehow managed to hold on for 15 minutes. During the three round fight, Sakai landed 107 total strikes with 53 of them being of the significant variance. As well as that, he secured himself a takedown and controlled in the clinch, clocking up over eight minutes of control time.

With Sakai’s prior four losses all coming to top contenders, maybe he should be eased back into fighting heavyweights with a low number next to their name.

Number 13 ranked, Chris Daukaus, has been in a similar position. A fight between these two men could make sense for both parties next.

Sakai’s Next Fight: Chris Daukaus

Tatiana Suarez

One of the most anticipated comebacks this year came to fruition on Saturday night in what was the peoples’ main event. Not only that, but it was everything we expected from the returning Suarez.

With her coming into this fight at Flyweight, she made it clear at the Media Day on Wednesday, that she wanted to return to the 115lb division after this tune up fight. Due to her having been gone for just under four years, the top of the strawweight division has changed a lot, but this makes for even more exciting match-ups.

Depending on how fast she decides to come back, and to what calibre of opponent, means that there are a lot of options. As well as that, it depends on who the UFC decide is next to challenge the current champion, Zhang Weili. The likes of Tecia Torres, Polyana Viana and Amanda Lemos all make sense in their own ways.

The option I personally like the most, is Amanda Lemos, but as mentioned, it depends on which path the UFC decide to go down for Zhang Weili’s next fight.

Suarez’ Next Fight: Amanda Lemos 

Mike Malott

In a battle of Canadians, Mike Malott was the one who came out victorious, making him 2-0 in his short UFC tenure since winning on the Contender Series. Not only that, but he has exhibited his well roundedness in those two fights.

Selfishly, one fight I’d love to see next is Malott vs Michael Morales, as I think that could be an extremely fun match-up.

Malott’s Next Fight: Michael Morales 

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 70 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

This match-up of heavyweights coincidentally included a former main eventer, as Augusto Sakai lost both of his five round UFC fights, against Alistair Overeem and Jair Rozenstruik. Sakai came in on a four-fight losing streak overall. On the other hand, Don’Tale Mayes was 2-2 (1NC) in the UFC after his last fight, a decision loss, was recently overturned to a No Contest after drug testing. Only one heavyweight could rebound strong in this battle.

Sakai opened with a massive leg kick that buckled Mayes’ leg. He responded strongly though, but Sakai’s leg kicks kept landing and hurting the legs of Don’Tale. Mayes landed some strikes in the clinch but Sakai broke free. Mayes tried to use awkward side and teep kicks to keep Sakai at distance. He then shot a takedown attempt 90 seconds in, which Sakai sprawled out to defend.

Mayes was able to get him to the fence in the clinch, though. Sakai locked up a front headlock and pulled Mayes’ head down, held him there, and blasted his head with knees. They largely could not land clean because of the position and Mayes’ hand, but he must have been feeling them despite choosing to not become a grounded fighter. He did land a few of the knees cleanly, but it was hard to tell how Mayes was feeling when he pulled his head free. Sakai immediately kicked out the leg of Mayes as he kicked and he fell to the floor, where Sakai jumped on top of him. He held him there for a bit until Don’Tale exploded up and got to the fence. Sakai wore him down, hanging on him for the end of the round until the final five seconds where he launched knees and until to the bell.

Mayes was clearly in a hole as round two started. Sakai rushed forward and hit him immediately, but when he got the clinch position Mayes reversed it. Sakai broke free with a knee though. Back at distance the Brazilian slammed low kicks and then pressed forward with boxing combinations every time he had space. He then clinched up as he was so far forward from his stance, literally running forward but also landing punches. Sakai landed knees in the clinch whenever they were there, at a variable pace in terms of how many he threw at any one time. Sometimes he pressed on Mayes, sometimes he worked to damage him as much as possible. With ninety seconds left in round two Mayes looked tired, after being on the back foot for the entire fight. Sakai was clinch controlling him then; he continued to do so for the rest of the round with only some damage.

Sakai opened the final round by stinging Mayes immediately and then clinching with him. The pattern of the fight in round two continued. Sakai landed some great knees two minutes into the round but that seemed to wake Mayes up as he opened up with volume and used footwork to stay safe for a bit. Unfortunately for Mayes, when he clinched up Sakai was able to force him into the same headlock position from round one where he could knee the head and body.

Mayes was pushed to the mat and kneed in the body a few times before he stood up with one minute left in a fight he was clearly losing. Sakai grabbed the collar tie and Mayes responded with clinch control. Sakai then went for his front headlock/guillotine position again and forced Mayes to the floor. The last ten seconds saw Sakai on top, punching as Mayes tried to stand up beneath him.

There was absolutely zero doubt as to who won the fight when the scorecards were read and Augusto Sakai broke his streak of losses and proved why he once had a number next to his name. He will surely now turn his attention to those numbers once again, and regaining his ranking.

Official Result: Augusto Sakai def. Don’Tale Mayes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post UFC Vegas 70: Augusto Sakai Comfortably Beats Lackluster Don’Tale Mayes in Last Minute Co-Main Event appeared first on Cageside Press.

Thiago Santos

Thiago Santos is 1-5 in his last six fights and should be looking to turn it around in his next fight. In 2018 Santos finished Anthony Smith in a two-round war in the middleweight division. Smith is coming off a loss and would love the chance to get a win over a guy like Santos in his next fight. Now, with both of them ranked in the top ten of the light heavyweight division, it is time we see that rematch at a higher weight class.

Santos’ next fight: Anthony Smith 

Vicente Luque

Vicente Luque was finished via strikes for the first time in his career this past weekend. He was insanely tough to put away, but Geoff Neal landed some heavy shots that eventually finished Luque in the third and final round. Luque is now 4-2 in his last six fights but he is currently on a two-fight losing streak. This loss will likely knock him outside the top ten of the division and he should be looking for a big fight that can get him back in the win column.

Neil Magny is 2-1 in his last three fights and is coming off a submission loss to Shavat Rakhmonov in his last fight. Magny’s grappling style and improved striking makes for a great stylistic match-up for Luque. The fight makes sense for both men especially because they have both been with the company for a long time and have managed to not fight each other yet.

Luque’s next fight: Neil Magny 

Augusto Sakai

Augusto Sakai was dominated by Sergey Spivak at UFC Vegas 59. Spivak was able to finish Sakai in the second round after landing a few takedowns and some powerful ground and pound. Sakai is now on a four-fight losing streak after going 4-0 in the UFC prior to that. In his next fight, Sakai should be looking to get back in the win column against a young up-and-comer.

At UFC 279 next month, newcomer, Jailton Almeida will be taking on UFC veteran Shamil Abdurakhimov. Both fights make sense for Sakai for different reasons. If Sakai was to fight Almeida it would solidify that he is still capable of beating young beasts in the heavyweight division. While a fight with Abdurakhimov would be a “fight for your job” type of situation. Abdurahimov is on a three-fight losing streak and if he losses to Almedia it would make four in a row.

Sakai’s next fight: Loser of Almeida versus Abdurakhimov 

Erick Gonzalez

Erick Gonzalez was submitted by Terrance McKinney in the first round of their lightweight bout at UFC Vegas 59. Gonzalez is now 0-2 in the UFC and needs a win in his next fight if he wants to keep fighting for the UFC. He has had a pretty tough run in the UFC fighting veteran Jim Miller, and now McKinney who is one of the best young finishers in the division. In his next fight, Gonzalez should be fighting another UFC newcomer.

Chris Duncan and Charlie Campbell put on a show at last week’s contender series main event. Campbell rocked Duncan early and Duncan came back to knock Campbell out in the first round. Both of these men will be great additions to the UFC’s lightweight division and Duncan should fight Gonzalez in his UFC debut.

Gonzalez’s next fight: Chris Duncan 

Brogan Walker and Zac Pauga

It’s a bit difficult to do any real matchmaking for Brogan Walker and Zac Pauga, because it’s unclear whether the UFC will actually sign the TUF 30 runner-ups. While that has happened in past seasons (Uriah Hall lost in the TUF 17 finale to Kelvin Gastelum, for example), we’ll have to wait and see whether they get an immediate shot in the big show, or need to work their way back.

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 59 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

Ahead of the fight, Sakai had made the move to American Top Team in Florida. But it was Moldova’s Spivac he came prepared with the perfect game plan.

It was Spivac landing an early takedown care of a trip, though Sakai was back to his feet quickly. Spivac caught the Brazilian in a guillotine on the way up, but didn’t have it. He did have another takedown a moment later though, and managed to isolate an arm, land an elbow, and a left hand. Sakai finally scrambled to the fence, but gave up his back, with Spivac getting a hook in. Sakai still managed to regain his footing, only to be dragged back down. Moments later, it was back up, then back down as Spivac landed another trip.

Spivak, from the back, was able to land some hammer fists and punches to the ear. Sakai again made it to the fence, powering up and landing some knees in the clinch. But on the feet, in Sakai’s wheelhouse, it was Spivak landing a clean right hand.

A bloodied Sakai was taken down early again in the second, and when he did get back up, it wasn’t for long. Sakai again gave up his back while on his knees, looking for a way up. That allowed Spivac to land some more shots, and before long, he’d done enough to force the ref to call it.

Official Result: Sergey Spivak def. Augusto Sakai by TKO, Round 2, 3:42

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