A big international heavyweight rematch has been announced for the main event of KSW 79 at the Home Credit Arena in Liberec, the Czech Republic. As confirmed on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Todd Duffee (9-3) will challenge Phil De Fries (22-6) for the KSW heavyweight title.
De Fries is a record breaking champion in KSW with seven title defenses, more than any other champion in KSW history, and is on a 10-fight win streak. However, he suffered one of the most vicious defeats of his career at the hands of Duffee back at UFC 155 when the American knocked him out in just two minutes of the first round.
Widely regarded as Europe’s number one heavyweight, De Fries has ran through some of the best heavyweights on the continent over the past five years. Now he goes up against a ghost from his past and arguably his most dangerous challenge to date.
Duffee, owner of one of the fastest knockouts in MMA history, is returning to competition after a three-year layoff. The 37-year-old, who has appeared in DC’s “Batman vs. Superman” and the “Never Back Down” franchise, has been preparing for a return for over a year and is excited to step back into the cage and challenge for the KSW title.
KSW is one of the best MMA promotions in the world and I am excited to come in and become KSW champion, said Duffee. Phil is a good fighter, better than he was when I knocked him out anyway. This is the right opportunity and right opponent to give me the motivation I need.
Also on the card, a pair of UFC heavyweight veterans clash in the co-main event as Poland’s Daniel Omielanczuk (26-13) faces the Czech Republic’s very own Viktor Pesta (18-8) while former GLORY heavyweight duo Arek Wrzosek (1-0) and Tomas Mozny (1-1) will square-off in the MMA arena.
KSW 79 takes place February 25 from the Home Credit Arena in Liberec in the Czech Republic. The event will be available to watch around the world on KSWTV.com and exclusively on Viaplay across Poland, the U.K., the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the Baltics.
Tickets are on sale right now at TicketPortal.cz and eBilet.pl.
The KSW 79 lineup currently include:
- Champion Phil De Fries vs. Todd Duffee – for heavyweight title
- Daniel Omielanczuk vs. Viktor Pesta
- Arek Wrzosek vs. Tomas Mozny
- Dominik Humburger vs. TBA
- Petra Castkova (6-5) vs. TBA
- Frederico Komuenha vs. Matyas Viszlay
