KSW, a leading European mixed martial arts organization, announced on Friday that its reigning heavyweight champion, Phil De Fries, will engage in a submission grappling match against veteran MMA competitor Josh Barnett. The high-profile exhibition will take place on February 24th in Gliwice, Poland, as part of the KSW Epic event.
De Fries, widely considered a dominant force in the KSW heavyweight division, boasts an impressive record of nine successful title defenses and an extended winning streak dating back to 2017. Seeking new challenges within the sport, he now sets his sights on securing a grappling victory over Barnett.
“The Warmaster,”, a Seattle native known for his extensive MMA career and a UFC heavyweight title win 22 years ago, has shifted his focus towards other combat sports disciplines in recent years. His competitive activity included a mixed-rules first-round knockout of Shoma Shibisai in December 2022 and a grappling encounter with renowned grappler Gordon Ryan at a QUINTET event.
Statistically, both De Fries and Barnett pose significant threats on the ground. Throughout his 43 professional MMA bouts, Barnett has secured 19 submission victories, while De Fries himself has achieved 14 submission wins in his 30 career fights.
The KSW Epic event, featuring this grappling exhibition alongside other anticipated matchups, will be broadcasted through online pay-per-view on February 24th.
