KSW 58: The Crazy 8

First, a heavyweight tilt is on deck as KSW mainstay Michał Andryszak (21-9) takes on Strikeforce/UFC vet Guto Inocente (8-5). After that, two violent welterweights in Michał Michalski (8-4) and Aleksandar Rakas (16-7) will get locked in the cage. Thirdly, the bantamweight bout between Paweł Polityło (5-2) vs. Dawid Martynik (4-1) will surely captivate with a high pace. Following the bantamweight action, undefeated as a professional, Robert Ruchała (4-0) takes on Daniel Bažant (4-1). After that, the 28-year old Bartłomiej Kopera (9-6) looks to get back in the win column against Argentina’s Francisco Barrio (7-2). 

The night heats up with the final three bouts. Undefeated welterweights go to war as Shamil Musaev (14-0) battles Uroš Jurišič (11-0) for top prospect supremacy. The penultimate fight of the night promises a super violent bout between the power punching Szymon Kołecki (8-1) looking to secure a statement win against Martin Zawada (29-15-1). Finally in the main event, the KSW Featherweight Champion, Salahdine Parnasse (14-0-1), puts his belt on the line against the streaking Daniel Torres (11-4).

Olympic Weightlifting Gold & Silver Medalist Szymon Kolecki with an emphatic TKO win over Olympic Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist Damian Janikowski! #KSW58

pic.twitter.com/3zZRiZasqS

— KSW (@KSW_MMA) January 29, 2021

Michał Andryszak vs. Guto Inocente

The KSW and ACB veteran Andryszak will look to collect on a wealth of experience he’s collected throughout his career. Facing the 6’5 heavyweight is Brazilian Guto Inocente who is looking to stay active after his fight with DJ Linderman was canceled last October. The Polish-born Andryszak packs power, evidence of this is apparent with sixteen knockouts on his record. The 28-year old also has six submissions, so it stands to reason he will come to KSW 58 well-rounded. Andryszak was finished by Michał Kita via strikes at KSW 54: Gamrot vs. Ziółkowski, but the KSW staple will look to erase that memory and get back in the win column against Inocente, a Strikeforce and UFC veteran.

Michał Michalski vs. Aleksandar Rakas

The Croatian Rakas brings more experience but Michalski is dangerous in his own right. While Michalski struggled in 2018, since then he’s improved with two more wins under his belt. Particularly, the 31-year old Michalski finished Savo Lazić and Albert Odzimkowski with punches at his last two KSW shows. Conversely, Rakas is coming off a win and thus will bring more momentum at KSW 58. Despite his last fight being in 2019, Rakas is riding a four-fight win streak. Undoubtedly, both athletes will highlight the welterweight division come fight night. 

Paweł Polityło vs. Dawid Martynik

Making his KSW debut, Martynik takes on fellow bantamweight Polityło. The 28-year old Polityło is coming off a win, but many of his fights have gone to a decision. Since both of Polityło’s losses came to a former champion in Antun Račić, he’s looking for a statement win against Martynik to solidify his status among the promotion’s best 135’ers. On the other hand, Martynik’s style begets finishes, and he’s also riding a three-fight win streak. Although their momentum differs, both athletes understand how important this bout is to the KSW bantamweight division. 

Robert Ruchała vs. Daniel Bažant

Rolling in undefeated, Ruchała is a nightmare on the ground. Prior to this match-up at KSW 58, the young, 22-year old Ruchała picked up an impressive submission over Michał Domin at KSW 56: Polska vs. Chorwacja. Even before that, he once again utilized his grappling to pick up another submission by a rear-naked choke. In contrast, Bažant represents more danger on the feet. In fact, the Croatian Bažant’s four wins all come by way of knockout. This bout could very well steal fight of the night honors considering the number of finishes in both corners. 

Bartłomiej Kopera vs. Francisco Barrio

After a razor-close split decision loss to Łukasz Rajewski, obviously, Kopera has struggled under the KSW banner. In particular, he has now lost his last three bouts. Opposite to him, Barrio’s path inside the promotion has been less laborious, if only because he’s had a single fight to date. The 31-year old Barrio, born in Argentina, has looked excellent outside of that debut loss, by majority decision. The real concern has been his lack of activity. While Kopera’s back is against the wall, both athletes are looking to get back to their winning ways.

KSW 58: And then there were three – Shamil Musaev vs. Uroš Jurišič

Undefeated powerhouses meet inside the cage at KSW 58. It will be a battle between Russia and Slovenia, as Musaev looks to keep his perfect record intact, just like Jurišič. The pressure of being undefeated combined with such a high spot on the card is an opportunity both athletes recognize. Surely the finishing ability of Musaev is getting attention, but Jurišič provides a unique challenge for any opponent. Jurišič’s grappling is his bread and butter, so it should help against the violent stand-up Musaev possesses. Interestingly, both welterweights have the same amount of finishes to their name (10). Musaev has notched more knockouts throughout his career. However, Jurišič’s wins are evenly distributed between submissions and knockouts. 

KSW 58 Co-Main Event Preview: Szymon Kołecki vs. Martin Zawada

An imposing force, Zawada has a blistering eighteen knockouts to his name. Cutting his teeth on the German regional scene definitely helped him establish his game. Facing the German juggernaut is Olympic Gold Medalist, Kołecki, who looks to put a stamp on this fight to get the recognition and all that comes with a big win. In 2018, Kołecki bounced back after his first loss.

In his return, essentially he retired Mariusz Pudzianowski and stopped Damian Janikowski in the second round with punches. Since his game has looked so dangerous as of late, many believe the bout with Zawada will turn into a bloody war. The discipline Kołecki has developed throughout his Olympic career will only assist him at KSW 58. As the cage door locks on Saturday, two bonafide strikers will take to the center, and hash out their differences. 

KSW 58: Featherweight Championship – Salahdine Parnasse vs. Daniel Torres

KSW Featherweight Champion Parnasse is looking for his second title defense. In his way, a striker in Torres comes in with a three-fight win streak. In his last fight at KSW 56: Polska vs. Chorwacja, Torres narrowly pulled away with the victory. Additionally, Torres has won three of his four bouts under the KSW promotion. Born in Brazil, Torres has a chance to bring his country home a coveted belt from Poland. Without a doubt, KSW 58 will either underline Parnasse’s legacy or will be the catalyst for big changes inside the featherweight division.

Don’t miss KSW 58: Parnasse vs. Torres, Saturday, Jan.30, 2:00PM ET. The event is available via KSW TV and Fite!

The post KSW 58: Parnasse vs. Torres Main Card Preview appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the main event, Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Szymon Kolecki (8-1) faces longtime German vet Martin Zawada (29-15-1). Ahead of that, in the co-main event slot, France’s Salahdine Parnasse (14-0-1) will defend his KSW featherweight title against Brazil’s Daniel Torres (11-4).

KSW officials announced the news via press release Monday, following an early report by MMA Fighting.

Parnasse, who began competing as a pro in 2015, has long been considered one of the most promising featherweights outside the UFC. And he has the gold to prove it — making this title defense against Torres, who is 3-1 inside the KSW cage, a promising one. Torres has taken home ‘Fight of the Night’ honors in three of his four bouts inside the KSW cage thus far.

2008 Beijing Olympics winner Kolecki boasts a 100% finish rate since transitioning to MMA in 2017. After joining KSW last year, the weightlifter has picked up wins over World’s Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski, and Olympic wrestling bronze medalist Damian Janikowski.

KSW 58 will be available to stream via KSW TV. More fights are expected to be announced for the card in the coming weeks.

The post Szymon Kolecki vs. Martin Zawada, Salahdine Parnasse vs. Daniel Torres Top KSW 58 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Thiago Silva will return to the KSW cage in May. On Wednesday, MMA Junkie was first to report that the UFC veteran would take on Martin Zawada at KSW 49. KSW officials later confirmed the bout to Cageside Press, and officially announced it via press release. It will be Silva’s second fight in the Polish MMA promotion.

Silva (21-8, 2NC) first competed for KSW at KSW 45, where he stepped in to face James McSweeney on short notice. The 36 year old Brazilian won a bloody battle with the Englishman in enemy territory, earning a unanimous decision victory. He’d take his next fight outside KSW, losing to Ivan Shtyrkov at RCC 5. Shtyrkov subsequently signed with the UFC, and makes his debut there this Saturday at UFC St. Petersburg.

In the meantime, Silva remains best known for his UFC run, and how he exited that promotion, under allegations of spousal and drug abuse that culminated with a video clip of him brandishing a gun against his wife. Silva escaped facing years in prison, however, when his wife fled the country rather than testify against him.

Martin Zawada (28-15-1) will be the second man to face Silva under the KSW banner. He last fought at KSW 44 last June, losing to Michal Materla by knockout. That snapped a two fight win streak he put together in 2017-18.

KSW 49 takes place on May 18 at the Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland.

KSW 49 Fight Card

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