Latest news with #KSW
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phil De Fries: The silent reign of MMA's most dominant heavyweight champion ever
KSW champion Phil De Fries lives in Sunderland, a city in the northeast of England, which was once the most famed shipbuilding town in the world. Like the vessels that once launched from his hometown's docks, De Fries is built to weather storms — and he's sailed through heavyweight waters longer than most are aware of. Advertisement At one stage of his life he was a social worker, but unbeknownst to most of his colleagues he was enduring significant mental struggles of his own. In the midst of his psychological peril as a 20-something young man, he debuted in the UFC. Five fights and 15 months later he was a free agent again. It was after a loss to Satoshi Ishii in Japan that De Fries sought expert advice. Although the defeat forced him back to the regional scene, it allowed him to find his feet again and rid himself of the anxiety that had so heavily hamstrung his career. Then the big leagues came calling again. A victory on the premier Russian promotion of the time, M-1 Global, began his current 14-fight winning streak. A quick dispatch of Pride powerhouse James Thompson in Bellator established De Fries as the best of the British before KSW declared interest. Phil De Fries aims for an astounding 12th heavyweight title defense Saturday at KSW 107. (Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (NurPhoto via Getty Images) His assignment for his debut was Michał Andryszak, a Polish giant who was considered one of the hottest prospects in Europe. Advertisement 'At the time, a lot of people were telling me that KSW want a Polish champion,' De Fries recalls. 'This is a promotion that's bigger than the UFC in Poland, so that was in the back of my head before I made my debut.' The bout didn't even last four minutes. Seven years and 11 title defenses later, De Fries is the longest-reigning champion in the history of the European promotion and arguably the most dominant heavyweight champion the sport has ever seen. His tally for heavyweight title defenses with KSW outnumbers the combined total of Fedor Emelianenko's reign in Pride, Stipe Miocic's title wins in the UFC and Ryan Bader's championship victories in Bellator. Champions can often look for favorable circumstances when it comes to competition. But on Saturday, De Fries welcomes a new challenge in the shape of undefeated prospect Arkadiusz Wrzosek, a towering Pole who will enjoy home advantage for the clash at KSW 107 in Gdansk, Poland. Advertisement De Fries has effectively lapped the competition on several occasions, outlasting generations of contenders during his heavyweight title reign. Despite his dominance, he's always been a humble and unassuming champion, which makes it all the more surprising when he describes what keeps him motivated at the age of 39. 'Honestly, it probably comes down to ego,' De Fries says. 'I don't even like losing rounds in the gym. In fact, I hate it. That kind of sucks because I'm training a lot with Mick [Parkin] and Tom [Aspinall], and I think Tom is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment, and Mick is improving every day. I can honestly say that every round I've ever lost has left a scar on my heart. With these young guys that I've been fighting lately, it hurts even more. I feel like I've got something to prove. And honestly, losing to this guy would kill me.' While De Fries held the status of the best U.K. heavyweight for a number of years, Aspinall's ascent in the UFC has sent the Wigan man's stock soaring. And even though De Fries is one of the top earners in the sport, especially outside of the UFC, he admits he envies the career trajectory of his teammate. Advertisement 'If I could swap careers with Tom Aspinall I probably would,' De Fries says. 'He'll be a multimillionaire. He'll be set for life, and he's a nice guy, too. He's worked for all that and he deserves that. At the same time, as much as I would love all the money he'll make, I would hate to be properly famous. He can't go anywhere! He's this really humble, normal guy, so I bet he really misses just going down to the park and not being harassed for selfies.' Unlike Aspinall, De Fries is afforded the luxury of a double life. In Poland, he's mobbed by fans — 'feeding my ego' as he calls it. Back home, he's just Phil. Those within the hardcore fanbase sometimes stop him, but other than that, he's free to enjoy anonymity. Advertisement He loves a pint. He enjoys the outdoors, package holidays and an occasional McDonald's visit. He can catch pigeons with his bare hands and enjoys the mental release of table-top miniatures provided by the medieval-themed game Warhammer. De Fries is happiest when he's spending time with his daughters. He wrote a children's book in an effort to teach them how to be kind. (Both could also catch pigeons with their bare hands before their 5th birthdays.) His seven-year stint with KSW has completely changed his life. When he signed with the promotion, he was still working security shifts at night while trying to match the training output of his full-time adversaries during the day. He is an undeniable success story, but he's not finished yet. Advertisement 'I try not to smell the roses,' he explains. 'I don't want to start patting myself on the back, so I set new goals. My heart is set on being a 10-year champion. It's seven years and four months now. I'd love to make it to 10 years, mark it with a retirement fight and then just get out of there with loads of money. 'KSW gave me a Rolex for making it five years as champ,' he adds. 'Imagine what they'll give me for 10 — a mega-Rolex? I can't wait!' Sunderland may no longer launch ships, but it's still home to one of the toughest vessels ever built. When the belt is defended once more, De Fries will make the long trip back to Sunderland — to the only place where he's not primarily a champion, but a dad with pigeon-catching daughters and some Warhammer to paint. And what will he busy himself with when it's all said and done? 'I'll do nothing, I get so tired these days … I'll probably just eat McDonald's and get fat.'
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Eddie Hall reveals dream opponents for next fight after brutal 30 second KO of Mariusz Pudzianowski
EDDIE HALL has revealed who he would like to fight next after knocking out Mariusz Pudzianowski in less than 30 seconds on his MMA debut. The former World's Strongest Man champion, 37, made his pro-MMA debut on Saturday as KSW 105 in Poland, taking just 27 seconds beat fellow strongman champ Pudzianowski. Advertisement 5 Eddie Hall has hinted at who he would like to face next in his MMA career Credit: Instagram @eddiehallwsm 5 Hall knocked out Mariusz Pudzianowski in less than 30 seconds on his MMA debut But despite decimating KSW icon Pudzianowski, Hall has no intention of becoming a standout in the Polish promotion's heavyweight division. Instead he has revealed that he wants to "have fun", revealing what his ideal next opponent would be like. He said: "Maybe Mariusz will do the rematch with two-minute rounds. "I've got no aspirations to be number one in KSW. That's just not for me. I want to come and have fun. Advertisement READ MORE MMA NEWS 'I hold my hands up' Eddie Hall apologises for illegal move in 30-second MMA fight win "I want to fight my heroes. I want to fight the freaks of the world." He went on to joke that he would find it "comical" to fight UFC icon Conor McGregor. He said: "I would love to fight Conor McGregor. I think the weight difference would be absolutely comical. "There is weight classes for that reason. It would be dangerous, on Conor's behalf." Advertisement 5 Hall joked that he would like to fight Conor McGregor Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Brit Hall certainly has the right people on his side if he does want to continue his career in MMA, having sought advice from a UFC champion. The Beast, who shed 45kg from his usual 195kg weight for the fight, was helped by Tom Aspinall and his dad Andy in the build up to his breezy win over Pudzianowski. Advertisement Eddie Hall brutally wins MMA debut in 30 seconds as he crushes ex-strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski Speaking after the win, he revealed: "I think Tom and Andy would be very happy with that performance. "I've done little bits of training with Tom and, like I've said in the past, getting in the ring with Tom is very humbling. "You think you can fight, you think you can wrestle and then you get in the ring with Tom and he just treats you like a little girl. "Tom wished me best [of luck]. He messaged me this morning and said, 'Good luck with the fight, don't forget to enjoy it.' Advertisement "Being in their presence - Andy Aspinall, as well, is a phenomenal coach. "Andy can explain something once and you'll watch it and you know what to do. "So, you know, just those little few sessions of having Tom and Andy definitely paid dividends. They made a big difference." 5 UFC champ Tom Aspinall helped Hall prepare for his MMA debut Credit: Getty Advertisement
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Eddie Hall reveals dream opponents for next fight after brutal 30 second KO of Mariusz Pudzianowski
EDDIE HALL has revealed who he would like to fight next after knocking out Mariusz Pudzianowski in less than 30 seconds on his MMA debut. The former World's Strongest Man champion, 37, made his pro-MMA debut on Saturday as KSW 105 in Poland, taking just 27 seconds beat fellow strongman champ Pudzianowski. 4 4 But despite decimating KSW icon Pudzianowski, Hall has no intention of becoming a standout in the Polish promotion's heavyweight division. Instead he has revealed that he wants to "have fun", revealing what his ideal next opponent would be like. He said: "Maybe Mariusz will do the rematch with two-minute rounds. "I've got no aspirations to be number one in KSW. That's just not for me. I want to come and have fun. "I want to fight my heroes. I want to fight the freaks of the world." He went on to joke that he would find it "comical" to fight UFC icon Conor McGregor. He said: "I would love to fight Conor McGregor. I think the weight difference would be absolutely comical. "There is weight classes for that reason. It would be dangerous, on Conor's behalf." 4 Brit Hall certainly has the right people on his side if he does want to continue his career in MMA, having sought advice from a UFC champion. The Beast, who shed 45kg from his usual 195kg weight for the fight, was helped by Tom Aspinall and his dad Andy in the build up to his breezy win over Pudzianowski. Eddie Hall brutally wins MMA debut in 30 seconds as he crushes ex-strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski Speaking after the win, he revealed: "I think Tom and Andy would be very happy with that performance. "I've done little bits of training with Tom and, like I've said in the past, getting in the ring with Tom is very humbling. "You think you can fight, you think you can wrestle and then you get in the ring with Tom and he just treats you like a little girl. "Tom wished me best [of luck]. He messaged me this morning and said, 'Good luck with the fight, don't forget to enjoy it.' "Being in their presence - Andy Aspinall, as well, is a phenomenal coach. "Andy can explain something once and you'll watch it and you know what to do. "So, you know, just those little few sessions of having Tom and Andy definitely paid dividends. They made a big difference." 4
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Eddie Hall reveals UFC champ made ‘big difference' in stunning 30-second KO of Mariusz Pudzianowski in MMA debut
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EDDIE HALL has revealed how training with a UFC champion made a "big difference" in his stunning mixed martial arts debut. The Brit strongman made his pro-MMA debut last Saturday at KSW 105 in Poland against fellow World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski. 4 Eddie Hall won his professional MMA debut in 30 seconds at KSW 105 Credit: KSW 4 Hall obliterated fellow World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski in 30 seconds Credit: KSW 4 'The Beast' claims his training with interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall made a 'big difference' in the fight Credit: YOUTUBE@TOMASPINALL Hall, 37, needed a mere 30 SECONDS to stop the five-time WSM and KSW veteran, who he finished with a barrage of unanswered ground and pound. 'The Beast' sought the advice and wisdom of Tom Aspinall and the interim UFC heavyweight champion's dad, Andy, in the months that preceded his Polish punch-up with Pudzianowski. And he can't help them enough for helping him have his hand raised. He said: "I think Tom and Andy would be very happy with that performance. READ MORE ON EDDIE HALL BEAST MODE Eddie Hall KNOCKS OUT Pudzianowski in stunning upset in MMA debut at KSW 105 "I've done little bits of training with Tom and, like I've said in the past, getting in the ring with Tom is very humbling. "You think you can fight, you think you can wrestle and then you get in the ring with Tom and he just treats you like a little girl. "Tom wished me best [of luck]. He messaged me this morning and said, 'Good luck with the fight, don't forget to enjoy it.' "Being in their presence - Andy Aspinall, as well, is a phenomenal coach. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Eddie Hall admits he doesn't know who he wants to fight next Credit: KSW "Andy can explain something once and you'll watch it and you know what to do. "So, you know, just those little few sessions of having Tom and Andy definitely paid dividends. They made a big difference." Eddie Hall has hilarious staredown with Mariusz Pudzianowski ahead of MMA debut Despite decimating KSW icon Pudzianowski, Hall has no intention of becoming a standout in the Polish promotion's heavyweight division. When asked what's next for him, he said: "Maybe Mariusz will do the rematch with two-minute rounds. "I've got no aspirations to be number one in KSW. "That's just not for me. I want to come and have fun. "I want to fight my heroes. I want to fight the freaks of the world."
The Irish Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Eddie Hall reveals UFC champ made ‘big difference' in stunning 30-second KO of Mariusz Pudzianowski in MMA debut
EDDIE HALL has revealed how training with a UFC champion made a "big difference" in his stunning mixed martial arts debut. The Brit strongman made his pro-MMA debut last Saturday at KSW 105 in Poland against fellow World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski. Advertisement 4 Eddie Hall won his professional MMA debut in 30 seconds at KSW 105 Credit: KSW 4 Hall obliterated fellow World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski in 30 seconds Credit: KSW 4 'The Beast' claims his training with interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall made a 'big difference' in the fight Credit: YOUTUBE@TOMASPINALL Hall, 37, 'The Beast' sought the advice and wisdom of And he can't help them enough for helping him have his hand raised. He said: "I think Tom and Andy would be very happy with that performance. Advertisement READ MORE ON EDDIE HALL "I've done little bits of training with Tom and, like I've said in the past, getting in the ring with Tom is very humbling. "You think you can fight, you think you can wrestle and then you get in the ring with Tom and he just treats you like a little girl. "Tom wished me best [of luck]. He messaged me this morning and said, 'Good luck with the fight, don't forget to enjoy it.' "Being in their presence - Andy Aspinall, as well, is a phenomenal coach. Advertisement Most read in MMA JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 Eddie Hall admits he doesn't know who he wants to fight next Credit: KSW "Andy can explain something once and you'll watch it and you know what to do. "So, you know, just those little few sessions of having Tom and Andy definitely paid dividends. They made a big difference." Advertisement Eddie Hall has hilarious staredown with Mariusz Pudzianowski ahead of MMA debut Despite decimating KSW icon Pudzianowski, Hall has no intention of becoming a standout in the Polish promotion's heavyweight division. When asked what's next for him, he said: "Maybe Mariusz will do the rematch with two-minute rounds. "I've got no aspirations to be number one in KSW. "That's just not for me. I want to come and have fun. Advertisement "I want to fight my heroes. I want to fight the freaks of the world."
