Todd Duffee challenges Phil De Fries at KSW 79

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 yesterday, Todd Duffee (9-3) will challenge Phil De Fries (22-6) for the KSW heavyweight title!

Todd Duffee challenges Phil De Fries at KSW 79

The main event for KSW 79 on February 25 has been announced and it is a titanic clash between KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries (22-6) and KO machine Todd Duffee (9-3).

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 ten-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’ & 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 Tomáš Možný (1-1) will square-off in the MMA arena.

KSW 79 takes place February 25th from the Home Credit Arena in Liberec in the Czech Republic. The event will be available to watch around the world on www.KSWTV.com and exclusively on Viaplay across Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the Baltics.

Tickets are on sale right now. TicketPortal.cz:  eBilet.pl: 

KSW 79 Fight Card

Main Event
KSW Heavyweight Title
Champion Phil De Fries (22-6) vs. Todd Duffee (9-3)

Co-Main Event
Heavyweight
Daniel Omielanczuk (26-13) vs. Viktor Pesta (18-8)

Heavyweight
Arek Wrzosek (1-0) vs. Tomáš Možný (1-1)

Middleweight
Dominik Humburger (5-0) vs. TBA

Flyweight
Petra Castkova (6-5) vs. TBA

Middleweight
Frederico Komuenha (2-0) vs. Matyas Viszlay (1-0)

More fights TBA very soon

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.