KSW 112 Preview: Kaczmarczyk v Soldaev

KSW returns to the West Pomeranian region of Poland with an exciting show. KSW 112 goes down in Szczecin, home of legends such as Michał Materla and Tomasz Narkun, and will also host the Hall of Fame induction of Karol Bedorf and Maciej Jewtuszko on the night. There will be nine bouts under KSW MMA rules, including one for an interim international championship.

Patryk Kaczmarczyk (12-3) will be in the red corner for the main event bout for the interim KSW Featherweight Championship. The “Prince of Radom” is the number one ranked in the division, and he’s a man that talks the talk and walks the walk. The 27-year-old has always been a confident competitor, never fearing a challenge. The Pole has a Taekwondo background and has used that base into being a very intelligent and slick MMA striker. He’s also a very capable grappler who leaves all his energy in the cage. The second ranked fighter in the division is Adam Soldaev (10-2), and he looked amazing last time out in July, a beautiful right hook knockout over Leo Brichta. The 28-year-old has won his last three and he is a stand-up artist. Born in Russia, he trains with the WCA fight team in Warsaw, and he’s got fantastic footwork and a great sense of timing. When the time is right, he attacks quickly and is looking for the kill.

Tomasz Romanowski (18-11) is the headline hometown fighter on the card. The Berserker is looking to get back into the win column after losing three on-the-bounce, and also to put on a show for his fans. Tommy started out as a grappler with a wicked submission game; however, he fell in love with the striking and is now like a “Rocky” character on the Polish scene. The Pole is coming for a bloody war where he’ll throw everything he’s got, including the kitchen sink. He’s as tough as they come and there’s no quit in this man. Alain Van De Merckt (9-1) picked up his first KSW win back in August against Borys Dzikowski. The Belgian made a name for himself on the LFL scene in the Netherlands, where he impressed with his well rounded skill-set. The 32-year-old is a very competent BJJ player, scoring five wins by tap out. The Brussels man is also dangerous on the feet and has plenty of power, securing four knockout wins.

Marcin Held (30-10) is one of Poland’s most successful MMA fighters, competing extensively in the UFC, Bellator, ACA and PFL. The Tychy man is also one the nation’s best BJJ players, holding his black belt for many, many years. The 33-year-old has a submission for every occasion and can attack chokes, legs and arms, and has had fun of late sinking in guillotines. The Ankos MMA man is competent on the feet and can win decisions that way; however it’s usually the tap outs that get him victories within the distance. Marian Ziółkowski (25-10-1) is another man who has been around the scene a long time and has a lot of bouts under his belt. The Nemesis Fight Team man can often be found at the commentator’s desk when not in the cage, and he’s a former KSW Lightweight champion. The 35-year-old is a decent submission player in his own right, using his long legs to attack triangles and to control the rear naked choke position. He’s also very good on the feet, not too much power but he’s got volume and isn’t afraid to get in your face.

Valeriu Mircea (30-9-1) returns for the first time since his unsuccessful attempt at Salahdine Parnasse’s KSW Lightweight title in April 2024, having won an interim championship against Leo Brichta. The Moldovan had won four in-a-row before that, putting on banger after banger. The 32-year-old is pure entertainment on the feet, and he likes to end proceedings violently. Twelve wins have come via knockout. “The Solitary Wolf” trains out of Italy and he’s also a very capable submission player when he decides to deviate from the striking exchanges. Wilson Varela (13-6) is taking this one on short notice after Roman Szymański fell out due to injury. The Frenchman is also a former Parnasse challenger who fell at that hurdle, of which there is no shame. The Marseille man, by way of Cape Verde, is a thrilling stand-up artist in his own right. The 30-year-old uses his knees and kicks well, and has a hammer of a left hand. He’s also got a submission game, with a fondness for a guillotine.

Oleksii Polischuck (15-5) is a man in form with three wins in-a-row. The Ukrainian trains out of Tczew in northern Poland, and he’s renowned for his extremely capable wrestling game. The 29-year-old has already beaten many high calibre foes and is looking to earn another shot at Sebastian Przybysz after failing to make championship weight back in June. He likes to use armlocks such as kimuras and armbars, as well as doing a lot of damage with ground and pound. Kamil Szkaradaek (6-1) is a protege of former interim champion and current UFC featherweight Robert Ruchała. The Nowy Sącz man had an extensive amateur career where he displayed a lot of submission acumen. As a pro, he’s had to show a lot more of his kickboxing game, which he has used to earn a lot of decisions. The 27-year-old has a lot of potential, perhaps still waiting for his full game to clock in the paid ranks.

Cedric Lushima (6-1) makes his sophomore appearance in KSW and is looking to bounce back from his first career defeat in his last outing. “Drik’o-Velli” does most of his damage on the ground, whether that’s by doling out ground and pound or using his extensive choke game. The 30-year-old is strong and powerful, and he also has some great power in his hands. Wojciech Janusz (14-8) has had his arm raised in victory twice for KSW so far, wins two years apart. The Szczecin man is one of those bigger bodies in the Bessemer gym who excel in the grappling arts, and he’s got a real fondness for synching in chokes, including being a specialist in the north-south submission. The 35-year-old can also cause trouble with his hammers for hands.

Krystian Kaszubowski (12-5) is an eleven-fight KSW veteran and is always good for a good old fashioned barny. The Mighty Bulls Gdynia man is a rugged competitor with the ability to grind out decisions on the feet and on the mat. The 31-year-old has nice dirty boxing and inside elbows to soften you up, and also loves to grind you against the cage to zap your energy. Dawid Kuczmarski (7-0) has won both of his KSW bouts to date, the most recent of which was back in July. The 23-year-old is a highly touted prospect from the Arrachion team, a gym that has produced Mamed Khalidov, Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Jakub Wikłacz. The Olsztyn man has been mostly decisions to date, showing good cardio and impressive all around skills. He’s still waiting for everything to click, and time is on his side.

Maciej Kaziecko (9-4) heads into his thirteenth promotional bout and he’s a dead cert on being involved in a banger. Looking to bounce back from a two-fight skid, the Pole is an exciting striker with six knockout wins to his name. The 32-year-old is a heavy handed puncher who if he connects well, you’re hitting the deck. He’s as tough as a two-dollar steak. Adam Masaev (9-0) is another highly touted talent and will make the KSW walk for the first time. The Russian born Frenchman comes in from the ACA scene where he was known as being an elite BJJ player. The 25-year-old is an expert in the choke game, being particularly dangerous with the triangle variations. Seven of his wins have been via tap out.

Hugo Deux (5-1) has won his last two and is another from the Nemesis Fight Team in Warsaw. The Frenchman likes to let his kickboxing do the talking and he throws with volume and damage. The 29-year-old is aggressive and likes to be on the front foot, and he must avoid going backwards where he isn’t as strong. Wojciech Kawa (9-3) will be the first to make the walk on the night in his hometown. The Berserker won his KSW debut last June by decision, and he’s known as being a very aesthetically pleasing boxer. “Coffee” loves to go to the body as well as the head, immobilising opponents with his power. He’s won five of his last six and is getting better every time we see him.

KSW 112 is live from Szczecin 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.