KSW 99 Preview; Vojčák v Martínek, Czech Showcase

KSW’s monthly show is next on the European MMA calendar. Saturday will see KSW 99 go down in Gliwice, Poland. Originally planned to take place in Ostrava, Czechia, Gliwice’s Pre Zero Arena will host nine fights in their smaller hall. It’s only an hour between the two cities, and the card features an array of Czech talent.

Štefan Vojčák (8-1) is a man on a mission to earn a title shot against heavyweight king Phil de Fries. The Slovakian has won his last two KSW fights, both via knockout. The 34-year-olds only misstep was to current challenger Darko Stošić, who competes next month in the arena next door. “The Mutant” from Bratislava is a heavy hitter on the feet, with a heavy top game on the mat and uses his strength and size to get submissions. Michal Martínek (11-5) is a Contender Series, ACB and Oktagon veteran, and one of his nation’s top heavyweights ever. The Czech predominantly does his work on the feet, where he uses his technical style to pick off opponents. “Blackbeard” mainly causes trouble by attrition, however has that one shot stopping power as well. The 34-year-old is looking for his first back-to-back win since 2018.

Matúš Juráček (11-3) is a charismatic fighter who had a good debut win against Ireland’s Henry Fadipe last February. The Czech has only lost once since 2017, and is usually in exciting fights. The 29-year-old is active in the stand-up exchanges, and backs it up with a good wrestling game where he can utilise his ground and pound. He’s the type to hang around in your face for fifteen minutes. Speaking of entertainment, Kacper Koziorzębski (10-6) returns to the delight of the viewers. The Pole might not have the biggest finishing power you’ll see, however he’ll bring you to hell and back and make you ask questions of yourself. The 29-year-old is brave and willing to go out on his own sword in search of landing the killer blow. A type of fighter every card needs.

Maciej Różański (14-5) makes his much anticipated KSW debut, arriving in from Bellator. The 35-year-old trains out of the Berserker Team over in Szczecin, and it’s his grappling that usually catches everyone’s eye. The Pole counts former light heavyweight champion Tomasz Narkun as a training partner, and like “Żyrafa”, he’s got a wicked submission game. He’ll lie heavy on top until you give up a choke. His power isn’t to be underestimated either, although it’s very much plan B. Vojtech Garba (8-5) is more of a striking kind of big man. The 28-year-old Czech is looking for a knockout, and he’s found the mark in six of his eight wins to date. He can take a shot back, and is also very dangerous in the clinch.

Adam Niedźwiedź (8-4-1) is the brother-in-law of Adam Brysz, one of the KSW stories of the year. “Niedziu”’s sister Agnieszka was a title challenger for Invicta, and perhaps we’ll see her in KSW someday soon. Adam trains out of Katowice in the Silesian Cage Club, and is an absolute whizz in the grappling game. The 30-year-old has a very effective arm triangle that he’s used to pick up his last five wins. This is his first appearance since 2021, and his biggest enemy is his cardio. Let’s see how much he’s improved in the stand-up. Viktor Červinský (4-1) comes in looking to get back to winning ways after his first pro defeat last February. The Czech has been practising his Muay Thai a lot since then, and is also a submission threat in his MMA game. The RFA champion has a guillotine to be aware of in this fight, and he’ll gladly snatch a neck on a lazy takedown here. He can go fifteen minutes comfortably.

Michał Sobiech (5-2) is a very promising featherweight. The Pole’s only losses were to Patryk Kaczmarczyk and Łukasz Charzewski, two of Europe’s best operators. The 29-year-old has the power to absolutely flatline you. Back in his amateur days, he was known more as a Jiu Jitsu player, attacking any limb left unattended. “Dr Beast” brings excitement to proceedings. Karol Kutyła (8-6) plays the role of late replacement here after Dawid Kareta withdrew. The Cage Warriors veteran comes in from Strife MMA, where he’s won his last two via the scorecards. The 28-year-old mostly goes to decisions, and it’s his striking that’s more likely to cause any finishes. 

Josef Štummer (4-1) is one of the more fun grapplers on the European scene. The Czech loves a good suplex and is a menace in the BJJ game. The 27-year-old is tough on the feet, and dangerous even off his back in the submission realm. Wojciech Kazieczko (4-2) is the brother of fan Favourite Maciej Kazieczko. The 27-year-old is a flashy kickboxer who loves to do things with style. The Pole is here to entertain and his key to victory is to keep it standing. His two losses were to Michał Domin and Danu Tărchilă, bright prospects in their own right.

Matěj Val (5-1) is a newcomer and a good prospect on the local scene. The Czech is very good on the feet, packing a lot of power. The 24-year-old had a stellar amateur career, and has shown some grappling credentials early on as a pro too. He’s very dangerous early with his hands. Tobiasz Le (4-2) is hoping to bounce back after being finished for the first time in his career. The Cieszyn man is an IMMAF veteran who spent years as an amateur and notched up over thirty fights there. The 30-year-old has used that experience to be well rounded as a pro, excelling on the feet in particular. Three of his wins have been by knockout.

Bartosz Kurek (2-0) has only been a pro for a couple of years, but has remained undefeated in that time. The Pole has shown a good submission threat, and a durability in the stand-up that should serve him well. We haven’t seen much knockout power from him yet, however there’s a first for everything. Vasil Ducár (3-3) is an easy one to figure out. The Czech is well known in his homeland from his boxing career, where he put together a 15-7-2 record, with thirteen knockouts. The 34-year-old brings that same game plan to Gliwice, he’s looking to add to his three MMA knockouts.

Hanka Gelnarová (debut) makes the move to the unified rules of mixed martial arts after going 4-0 as a freak fighter in Clash of the Stars, where she became a champion. The Czech is an influencer and has appeared on a local version of Survivor, amongst other programs. The 23-year-old has a power in her hands, lets see if the technique transfers over. Dominika Steczkowska (0-1) is very much the opposite type of martial artist. The Pole represented her nation in IMMAF competition and has spent years honing her skills as an amateur against a who’s who of opposition. The 22-year-old had twenty-five bouts before turning pro, losing her first match to international teammate and PFL tournament finalist Paulina Wiśniewska. The Łomża talent has good grappling at her disposal and is serviceable on the feet. She should have some more freedom to show her skills here.

KSW 99 is live from 6pm Irish time on Saturday and access can be purchased at KSWTV.com or on the ViaPlay subscription service in select countries.