KSW 55 Preview

Polish juggernaut KSW returns this Saturday live on pay-per-view as KSW 55 will take place in Łódź, Poland in front of a small crowd.

The main event features a rematch from KSW 52 in December between Scott Askham (19-4) and Mamed Khalidov (34-7-2), with the Yorkshireman Askham winning via Unanimous Decision the first time around. It was a 3 round catchweight fight back in Gliwice, but this time around Askham’s KSW Middleweight Championship is on the line in a 5 rounder. Khalidov struggled with Askham’s grappling first time around so it will be interesting to see what the Polish legend can do differently in the rematch. Askham has bulldozed through every man KSW has put in front of him thus far.

Another Polish middleweight legend returns in the co-main. Michał Materla (28-7) takes on creative striker Aleksandar “The Joker” Ilić (12-3). Materla is likely going to try and dominate on the ground in this one as Ilić has a huge variety of combinations and an impressive range of kicks. If this stays on the feet, we’re in for some fireworks.

Olympic hero Damian Janikowski (4-3) has been handed a tough assignment in Andreas Gustafsson (6-0). The undefeated Swede was most recently seen finishing Miro Jurković at Brave CF 39 in August. Janikowski has consistently taken the toughest fights available in his career. He’ll be looking to get his world class wrestling working early to wear down Gustafsson and to avoid the stand up exchanges. We could even be treated to some big suplexes.

Tylko Jeden winner Tomasz Romanowski (9-7) makes his KSW debut. He goes up against Moldova’s Ion Surdu (10-1) in the welterweight division. Tylko Jeden is the KSW equivalent to The Ultimate Fighter. Romanowski is a streaky fighter who usually strings together wins and losses. He’s won 7 of his last 8 with the other being a no contest. He will have his hands full with Surdu, who is looking to bounce back from his first career loss at Brave CF 36 in July. Look for Romanowski to try and get it to the ground early on.

UFC veteran Damian Stasiak (11-7) is looking to get his career back on the winning track as he takes on the former Armia Fight Nights bantamweight champion Patryk Surdyn (5-0). The undefeated Surdyn, making his KSW debut, can get it done wherever the fight goes. Stasiak is his highest level opponent to date and is a submission expert. It’s a battle of the old school versus the new school.

Stjepan Bekavac (19-10) returns from a knee injury suffered at KSW 48 against Łukasz Jurkowski. He will take on London based Pole Przemysław Mysiala (23-10-1) in a catchweight bout. Bekavac has lost his last 4 within the distance. Mysiala is a former TUF contestant and is coming off a loss to Tomasz Narkun at KSW 50. This should be a quick stand up fight.

Krystian Kaszubowski (8-1) is back in action against Jakub Kamieniarz (9-6). Kaszubowski is 3-1 in his KSW career to date with his only loss coming against champion Roberto Soldić. He will be looking to find his finishing touch again this time out against submission specialist Kamieniarz, who is now in his second stint with the promotion. Kamieniarz’s record is a little salty on paper, however half his losses came at the beginning of his career.

There is a Łódź derby between Fight Club Łódź‘s Sylwia Juśkiewicz (9-5) and Shark Top Team Łódź‘s Karolina Wójcik (6-2). It’s a KSW debut for both ladies. Juśkiewicz is a kick-boxer with a karate background. Wójcik can do a bit of everything and holds an amateur win over SBG’s Danni Neilan. Expect this to be an extremely close affair.

KSW 55 is live from 7pm on KSWTV.com on Saturday, 10th October.