The rise of Czech MMA has been ongoing for a couple of years now, with Jiri Prochazka landing in the UFC and claiming light heavyweight gold (prior to vacating the title due to injury), and Oktagon MMA becoming one of Europe’s better regional promotions.

Now, KSW will debut in the country with KSW 79 on February 25, 2023 at the Home Credit Arena in Liberec, Czech Republic.

Promotion officials announced the news via press release recently.

KSW has previously held events in the U.K., Ireland, and Croatia, but saw its international expansion halted during the coronavirus pandemic. The Czech Republic show will mark its first event outside Poland since the onset of COVID-19.

While no match-ups have been made official for KSW 79, a trio of heavyweight fighters are expected to compete next month, including heavyweight champion Phil De Fries. With seven defenses of his heavyweight title, De Fries (22-6, 1NC), a former UFC talent, has become one of the most successful heavyweights outside the UFC and arguably Bellator MMA.

Another former UFC talent, Czech Republic’s own Viktor Pesta, will make his promotional debut at the event. Pesta will be returning to the heavyweight division after a stint at light heavyweight that saw him claim gold in Oktagon MMA, then enter the PFL regular season last year.

Former Glory heavyweight and Polish kickboxing star Arek Wrzosek (1-0) will compete in MMA for the second time at the event.

The post KSW 79 Sees Promotion Debut in Czech Republic, with Heavyweights in Tow appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I was expecting to get a knockout. Overall when I saw his fights before I figured he’s pretty slow. So I had a good chance to finish him the time is over,” Akhmedov told reporters in his post-fight scrum through a translator.

Akhmedov’s game plan to punish the lead leg of Pesta seemed to work just as his coaches predicted it would.

“The original plan was to beat up his front leg. So that’s when I saw him slow even more down. Then just finish up going from there,” Akhmedov said.

Akhmedov came into this fight after losing his debut bout in October 2021 against Jordan Young. Did he feel that this was his real PFL debut?

“Yes, of course,” said Akhmedov.

Having fought in many divisions in his career it seems as though the move to light heavyweight should have been something Akhmedov did sooner rather than later.

“No, no regrets. The problem is there is no 84 kilo category here, and if anything I’m underweight. A lot of guys are trying to burn weight and all that stuff. When I wake up I actually didn’t have to cut much. That was not an issue for me. So yeah it’s not something that I regret,” Akhmedov said.

For many Muslim fighters having to train and fight during Ramadan can be challenging. Some fighters refuse to take bouts during the season, but for Akhmedov it wasn’t a problem.

“Yes that’s a holy month for us and we usually try to keep it peaceful. As you might have noticed I did not really celebrate because it’s more humble month for us. But you know it just coincided the PFL. I had to do what I had to do, but I’m just trying not to celebrate too much and praise myself. Again it’s all about humility this month,” Akhmedov said.

“Stay humble and respect each other.”

Watch the rest of Omari Akhmedov post-fight scrum above. For more from PFL’s 2022 season opener check out CagesidePress.com

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