Late Additions and Substitutions Add to the Buzz Surrounding KSW 45

Former champion Karol Bedorf (right) faces-off with current KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries (left) on Friday (Photo Credit: KSW MMA)

With much of the mainstream MMA media descending on Las Vegas for UFC 229 on Saturday, Polish promotion KSW is set to wow British fans once again at KSW 45 set for Saturday from Wembley Stadium. This marks KSW’s return to Wembley, having last hosted an event in London in Oct. 2015. For fans looking to get a premium shot of action (KSW was nominated as top promotion at the 2018 World MMA Awards) before Saturday night’s UFC card, be on the lookout!

In the main event, UFC vet and current heavyweight champ Phil De Fries (15-6) is set to make his first title defence against former champ Karol Bedorf (15-3). Between the pair, 22 finishes and fights against the likes of Stipe Miocic, Alexey Olynik, and James Thompson to name a few. Phil joined Fight Night Picks’ Craig Allen in August to preview his upcoming bout.

Former EFC star Dricus Du Plessis (12-1) is also set to defend his welterweight belt in a rematch against former champ Roberto Soldić (13-3). Du Plessis made waves in his KSW debut in April by handing Soldić his first loss by finish, ending Soldić’s seven fight win streak.

Other fun fights include Polish rap star and heavyweight Popek Monster (3-3) who’s matched up against popular bodybuilder Erko Jun (1-0), a short middleweight tournament including former KSW middleweight champ (26-6) Michal Materla, Polish Olympic bronze medalist (3-0) Damian Janikowski, UFC vet and former BAMMA middleweight champ (16-4) Scott Askham, and Polish star on a 9-1 streak (11-5) Marcin “The Giant” Wojcik.

Drama always tends to follow MMA events, and as the title suggests, quick thinking and a talented roster afforded the promotion to make last-minute changes in order to appease fans. James McSweeney’s opponent Michal Andryszak was forced out due to injury and now the TUF heavyweights vet is set to take on fellow UFC mainstay Thiago Silva. UFC vet Wagner Prado was preparing to face BAMMA and ACB Max Nunes at light heavyweight, but the Swede Nunes no-showed and was deemed out. In his place steps Polish vet Łukasz Parobiec (12-7, 1 NC) on two days notice. English personal trainer John Smith also withdrew from the event, and on short notice Jamie Sloane (8-5), who recently fought at Bellator 203 against Alessio Sakara, steps in against Polish personal trainer Akop Szostak (3-2).