KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries is set to face MMA veteran Josh Barnett in a submission grappling match in Gliwice, Poland, on February 24.
Phil De Fries is on the hunt for a fresh challenge. The reigning heavyweight champ of KSW is gearing up to go toe-to-toe with MMA old-timer Josh Barnett. This won’t be your typical MMA fight, though. It’s a submission grappling match, set to go down in Gliwice, Poland, on the 24th of February. The big news dropped on Friday, straight from the horse’s mouth – the promotion team.
De Fries? He’s been tearing through the KSW heavyweight division like a hot knife through butter. Nine straight title defenses under his belt, and a winning streak that’s been unbroken since 2017. He’s pretty much cleaned out the division, leaving him with slim pickings for worthy opponents. So, what’s a champ to do? He’s setting his sights on a grappling victory over Barnett.
Barnett, aka “The Warmaster,” is no stranger to the fight game. He clinched the UFC heavyweight title a whopping 22 years ago. But he hasn’t stepped into the MMA ring since 2016. Instead, he’s been dabbling in other combat sports. His recent exploits include a first-round knockout of Shoma Shibisai in a mixed-rules bout last December. Oh, and a defeat at the hands of grappling whizz Gordon Ryan at a QUINTET event.
When it comes to pro MMA fights, Barnett’s record stands at 43. He’s notched up 19 submissions. De Fries? He’s got 14 submission wins from his 30 fights. Not too shabby, eh?
The KSW Epic event? It’s happening on Feb. 24. If you can’t make it to Poland, don’t sweat it. You can catch all the action via online pay-per-view. So, grab your popcorn and get ready for a showdown.