KSW 111 Preview: De Fries v Vojčák, Haratyk v Leśko

KSW is back in the Czech Republic this Saturday night. Třinec will host their second event for the promotion, and we are treated to ten bouts under KSW mixed martial arts rules, including two for KSW international championships. The Werk Arena is ready to host the festivities at KSW 111.

Phil “And Still” De Fries (27-6) won the KSW Heavyweight Championship in April 2018 in Wembley Arena, and has ruled over the division like a true monarch ever since. The Sunderland man has amassed an incredible twelve title defences in his perfect 13-0 KSW career to date. The 39-year-old is truly one of the best 265ers on the planet and trains with the likes of UFC champion Tom Aspinall and 13th ranked UFC heavyweight Mick Parkin. The Englishman has wicked grappling skills, usually taking opponents down with ease and wearing them out and finishing with a submission or some ground and pound. Twenty of his wins have been finishes. Štefan Vojčák (9-1) showed up to Rzeszów last month for the first face-off looking like the Hitman 47 video game character. The Slovakian earned this title shot with three wins in-a-row, all via his fists. The 35-year-old is one of the hardest hitters in the division and his only slip up was to Darko Stošić, a fight lost on the feet in the summer of 2023. Plan A for the Bratislava man is to use those massive hands of his and get the knockout in the opening couple of rounds, throwing heavy early and often.

Rafał Haratyk (20-5-2) won his KSW Light Heavyweight Championship in the KSW Epic tournament, beating Marcin Wójcik by knockout, a feat he would repeat in his first title defence, and a split decision over Damian Piwowarczyk in the final. The Polish Tank is a former ACA fighter and has won all four of his promotional bouts to date, including an impressive knockout win over the UFC’s Ivan Erslan. The 38-year-old has really found his power later into his career, possessing massive heart and toughness, and a knockout threat for the duration. Bartosz Leśko (15-5-2) is a fellow ACA veteran and he booked himself into this fight with victories over Dominik Humburger and Maciej Różański, both decisions. The 29-year-old is more known for his grappling acumen, with strong grappling skills. The Mighty Bulls Gdynia man can boast to have trained with the likes Sebastian Przybysz and Kacper Formela. If the Pole is to finish within the distance, it’s generally by taking the back and sinking in a rear naked choke, particularly in the first round when everyone is dry.

Leo Brichta (13-6) is a top tier entertainer and when he steps into the cage, he puts everything on the line for the fans. The 28-year-old has a Muay Thai and kickboxing style, and he has bags and bags of power. The Czech holds that knockout threat throughout the fifteen minutes, and has ended even the most durable fighters’ nights early. The Prague man has beaten Maciej Kazieczko, Roman Szymański and Łukasz Charzewski, men renowned for their toughness. Brichta is must see tv. Werlleson Martins (19-7) appears for the sixth time for KSW, and he’s not a man that shows any sign of fear. The Brazilian moves up to featherweight where he can better utilise his power and strength. The 30-year-old is dangerous in stand-up exchanges and possesses a submission threat, with a knack of snatching arms. The Manaus man is looking to make a statement at his new weight.

Matúš Juráček (12-5) is popular with the home fans, especially with the Slavia Prague football supporters. Strutting out to Sweet Caroline, the Czech is as entertaining in the cage as he is outside it. The 30-year-old has pro boxing experience, and the punches are his biggest threat to his opponents. Five of his wins have come via knockout. Mateusz Pawlik (6-2) was a huge underdog winner in his KSW debut, a knockout victory over talented Wiktor Zalewski. The Lębork man is a hard nosed fighter who isn’t afraid to get down and dirty. He’s very strong, extremely durable and can absolutely smash you with his fists. This is his third fight this year and he’s won his last four.

Laura Grzyb (1-0) is a convert from the striking arts, predominantly boxing where she has an undefeated 11-0 record. The 30-year-old has also competed in kickboxing before switching to the mixed game. The Pole won her debut back in April against the then undefeated Gabriela Hristea. The Jastrzębie Zdrój woman hasn’t shown much in the way of stopping power in recent years, deploying a safer point fighting style with the cardio to dominate over fifteen minutes. Karolina Vaňková (debut) is the latest to try her hand at mixed martial arts following experience in striking. The Czech was a world champion in Muay Thai and K-1, also winning the national title in CMTA. She is from Třinec so should draw in a chunk of fans, and unsurprisingly she’ll be happy to trade with her opponent and probably try to dominate with kicks.

Adrian Dudek (7-4) returns to the cage for the first time in over a year, and was most recently seen trying his hand at boxing. The 34-year-old is so dangerous early on, starting fast and looking to go in for the kill. The path of least resistance for him is to keep things on the feet and throw his power shots for the stoppage. Bartosz Kurek (4-0) has won both his KSW bouts to date and is looking for a hat-trick. The Pole scored a good first round knockout victory over Damian Mieczkowski last March. He’s shown a bit of everything in his young career so far. On the mat, he’s shown submission chops with a decent triangle choke to ameliorate his striking threat.

Szymon Karolczyk (7-3) won his last two under the KSW banner, including a close victory over veteran Bartek Kopera last March. The Ankos MMA man had a very successful amateur career before turning pro and making moves there. The 25-year-old hails from the former Polish capital of Gniezno, and he’s a fantastic submission player with a lethal arm triangle and a wicked choke game. Steven Krt (6-3) looks to bounce back from defeat to Henry Fadipe last time out and he’s a well rounded operator. The Czech is a good wrestler where he offers a submission threat on top and off his back. He’s scrappy on the feet and he does attritional damage across the fifteen minutes. The Sokolov man is brave and will get in your face.

Alfan Rocher-Labes (11-4) has faced very tough opposition in his KSW away days so far, with his only win out of three appearances coming via decision on home soil. The 28-year-old has a knack of getting into close battles for better or for worse, and when things are going very well it tends to be due to his grappling. Like all good Frenchman, he’s at his happiest when he’s whipping out the guillotine. Tobiasz Le (5-2) is a regular on these Southern Poland and Northern Czech cards. The Cieszyn man was born just over the border in Czechia, and he’s a very popular man around town. The IMMAF veteran is very fun on the feet, with both his KSW wins coming via knockout. This will be his first appearance in a year, beating Matéj Val in Gliwice.

Denis Górniak (6-2) defeated Michał Turyński last April via ground and pound to earn his first KSW win. Flinston is a big dude who hits hard, and has experience in pro boxing. The 28-year-old will be looking to take heads off early, however he can surprise with a guillotine or armbar. This is a man who has no interest in seeing the second round, he’s a done-in-one type of guy. Kacper Paczóski (3-0) is looking to become a breath of fresh air for a division that requires new stars. The Pole competed for FEN as an amateur, as well as appearing in Strife MMA and King’s Arena. All his six bouts paid and unpaid have one thing in common, the referee peeling him off the opponent. The Uniq Fight Club man trains with the likes of Arek Wrzosek, Radek Paczuski and Marek Samociuk. If the Warsaw man hits you, you stay hit. If those fists connect with your cranium, it’s bye bye Pepsi cola, hello holy wine.

David Zoula (4-2) makes his first KSW appearance after an extremely successful amateur career with IAF in his homeland, where he also impressed as a pro. The Czech has good striking acumen and has competed in kickboxing in the past. The 25-year-old has three knockout wins on his young record, and he’s known as being very tough. Jan Mašek (2-2) is a talented young professional who comes in from Cage Warriors and has represented his nation at IMMAF level. The Czech is a very slick submission player with a deep box of tricks he can utilise. The Příbaram man is capable on the feet and don’t be surprised if he jumps the gilly.

KSW 111 is live from Třinec at 18:00 Dublin time this Saturday night and the PPV can be purchased at KSWTV.com. If you’re looking for a taste of what’s to come, the first two fights will air for free on Youtube, as well as the infamous KSW opening ceremony.