KSW 105 Preview: Bartoś v Grzebyk 2, Pudzianowski v Hall

KSW are back after the Easter holidays this Saturday. When they’re in Gliwice, you know it’s going to be a big show. The PreZero Arena hosts KSW 105, and we’ll see nine bouts under KSW mixed martial arts rules including one for a KSW international title.

The main event features a rematch from 2022, where Adrian Bartosiński (16-1) won by second round kneebar. The 29-year-old is the reigning, defending KSW Welterweight Champion and is undefeated in this division. The Octopus Łódź man won the belt against Artur Szczepaniak and has since picked up signature wins against Salahdine Parnasse and Igor Michaliszyn. The Pole hits as hard as a truck, scoring eleven knockouts to date, and is a high level BJJ player with a significant submission threat. He’s a well rounded talent and likely the best in the division across Europe. Andrzej Grzebyk (22-6) is a charismatic character who walks the walk and talks the talk, looking every bit the star doing it. The former two-weight FEN champion is always money when he appears on a card. The 34-year-old is an extremely talented kickboxer with swazz and highlight reel finishing ability. Thirteen wins have come via knockout and he can strike at any time, with a single shot or an intrinsic combination.

Big talented multi-disciplined  heavyweights compete in the co-main event. Artur Szpilka (3-1) started out in Karate and King Fu as a child before taking the professional boxing world by storm. The 36-year-old competed for WBC gold against Deontay Wilder, almost getting the finish before being defeated, and has also gone toe to toe with the likes of Derek Chisora and Tomasz Adamek. The heavy hitting Pole has a notable knockout win over Mariusz Pudzianowski, and his only MMA defeat was to title challenger Arek Wrzosek, who is a teammate of opponent Errol Zimmerman (1-1). The Dutchman was a 2014 Glory heavyweight Grand Prix winner, and his only MMA loss was way back in 2008. The 39-year-old knocked out Tomasz Sarara in his KSW debut, and it’ll be his kicks that are his biggest strength. He’s big, strong and will be dangerous on the feet throughout.

Igor Michalisyn (12-3) is on a two-fight win streak and is building back to contender status after falling short against Bartosiński in his title shot via kneebar. The 28-year-old is extremely well rounded, with very solid wrestling and a heavy top game, combined with a heavy handed striking threat. The Silesian Cage Club man is tough and durable, and has a great fight IQ. Artur Szczepaniak (12-3) is another man who’s been competing at the top of this division for a while, and also has a defeat against Bartoś. The 28-year-old Pole trains out of Genk in Belgium, and has been involved in many, many highlight reel finishes for the company. Like his opponent, he’s won his last two and is known for his dangerous striking game. If he hits you, you stay hit. His grappling is also very strong.

The strongest match of all time will go down in Gliwice on Saturday night. Mariusz Pudzianowski (17-9) is a five-time World’s Strongest man, and since then, he’s become a legitimate mixed martial artist who brings in huge viewership to the sport. The 48-year-old now has huge experience, a great blast double and powerful fists. Nine of his wins have come via knockout, and he’s never fought an opponent who can match his huge physical strength. Eddie Hall (debut) also comes from the strongman world, winning the World’s Strongest Man once. The Englishman has recently switched to MMA, winning a 2v1 freak fight against a couple of smaller individuals. The 37-year-old also had an amateur boxing bout against The Mountain from Game of Thrones and strongman fame. Power striking will be his game. These men’s muscles will demand a lot of oxygen, so they’ll be looking to end it quickly before the tank runs empty.

Madars Fleminas (13-6) is a man who loves fighting, and is always adding to highlight reels for better or for worse. The 37-year-old is a tough, hard nosed wrestler who is an absolutely mean striker. The Cage Warriors veteran has a win over Artur Szczepaniak, and his biggest threat is in the punching exchanges. His only KSW losses were to title contenders Michalisyn and Grzebyk. Kacper Koziorzębski (11-6) makes his tenth KSW walk and has never disappointed in the promotion. Excitement is the name of his game and he goes hard for fifteen minutes non-stop. The 29-year-old has a ripper of a punch, and he’s tough enough to keep pushing every second of the way.

Szymon Bajor (25-11) is a former FEN interim champion and KSW title contender. The 36-year-old is a very well rounded competitor, and he’s looking for a statement win to solidify his KSW spot. In the grappling, he’s scored ten submission wins. In addition, he’s won ten via knockout. He’ll be prepared wherever the fight goes. Augusto Sakai (16-6-1) is a man with winning records in the UFC and Bellator, cementing his position as a top global heavyweight. The Brazilian has wins over former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski and top level Polish heavyweight Marcin Tybura. The 33-year-old has one main pathway to victory, and that’s with his lights out power in his kickboxing game. Eleven wins have come via knockout.

Laura Grzyb (debut) switches codes to the mixed martial arts world after a lot of success in pro boxing, including winning IBO and EBU titles. The 29-year-old has trained with the likes of Nemisis fight team under Krzysztof Gutowski and in Ostróda with PFL champion Paulina Wiśniewska ahead of her debut. The Pole has also competed in kickboxing, so it will be no surpise that her key to victory will be her striking. Gabriela Hristea (1-0) is the one charged with coming into enemy territory to cause an upset. The Romanian has a wrestling background, has also competed in Muay Thai and has also won a national MMA title. The 27-year-old is very game and will be looking to make experience count in this one.

Marcin Krakowiak (13-5) was a Tylko Jeden finalist, losing out to the tough as hell Tomasz Romanowski. The 31-year-old has a good skill set everywhere. The Pole has a wicked head kick, and can wrestle his butt off. He’s tough and durable, and is always pushing the pace. Excitement guaranteed. Adam Niedźwiedź (9-4-1) is another from the Silesian Cage Club under the great Tomasz Bronder. The 31-year-old is a high level black belt and elite BJJ player. The Pole specialises in the arm triangle, and also threatens with guillotines and other chokes.

Michał Turyński (1-0) debuted in May 2024 with a foreman choke victory. The 38-year-old is a kickboxer by trade. The Wrocław man will be looking to be patient on the feet and pick his shots carefully. Denis Górniak (5-2) is a bit more of a blunt instrument. “Flinstone” is known for his devastating knockout power, especially in the first round. The 27-year-old will look to put your head in row Z from the opening bell. The Bytom man lost to Marek Samociuk in his KSW debut.

KSW 105 is live from Gliwice at 18:00 Dublin time this Saturday night and the PPV can be purchased at KSWTV.com. If you’re looking for a taste of what’s to come, the first two fights will air for free on Youtube, as well as the infamous KSW opening ceremony.