Worlds collide at KSW 50 when Olympic medalist Damian Janikowski (3-2) meets UK reality TV star & combat sports veteran Tony ‘The Rhino’ Giles (6-1) on September 14 at The SSE Arena, Wembley.
Janikowksi became a Polish national hero at the London 2012 Olympics when he captured a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. Then in 2017 the accomplished wrestler transitioned to MMA and made his debut at the historic KSW 39 event.
The 30-year-old started off his career in MMA with three emphatic stoppage victories in a row and registered wins over former KSW, BAMMA, and EFC champions. Despite his lack of experience in MMA, from the beginning, Janikowski constantly fought opponents with years more cage time than himself and his three-fight-win-streak was halted at KSW 45 when he faced Michal Materla, long considered one of Europe’s top middleweights, and then he suffered another defeat to Serbian striker Aleksander Ilic at KSW 47.
Now Janikowski returns to London with the hope of recreating his 2012 Olympic heroics and get back to winning ways inside the KSW arena. However, standing in his way is the extremely confident Tony Giles who sees this as his big chance to make a name for himself to combat sports fans around the world. The London native is no stranger to the limelight and has been the focus point of a number reality TV shows and fly on the wall documentary series such as ‘Gypsies Next Door’.
Giles is also a combat sports veteran with a background in kickboxing and has posted a undefeated 6-0 record in the famous UCMMA promotion in England. While this is easily Giles’ biggest fight to date, and his skills will certainly be tested, the Londoner will have a huge support in attendance to cheer him on and he will have confidence in his striking given Janikowski’s past two TKO losses.
An interesting test for both fighters and true clash of different cultures and styles. The UK’s Phil De Fries (17-6) will defend his KSW heavyweight title against Damian Grabowski (22-5) in the main event. Two of Europe’s top stars Tomasz Narkun (16-3) and Roberto Soldic (16-3) will defend their respective light heavyweight and welterweight titles against yet-to-be-announced exciting opponents and Norman Parke (27-6-1) & Marian Ziolkowski (21-7-1) will compete for the KSW interim lightweight title.
Tickets for KSW 50 can be bought through AXS.com and Ticketmaster.co.uk and will be available to watch live around the world via online PPV on www.KSWTV.com.
KSW 50 Fight Card Main Event
KSW Heavyweight Title
Champion Phil De Fries (17-6) vs. Damian Grabowski (22-5) Co-Main EventKSW Light Heavyweight Title
Champion Tomasz Narkun (16-3) vs. TBA
KSW Welterweight Title
Champion Roberto Soldic (16-3) vs. TBA
Interim KSW Lightweight Title
Norman Parke (27-6-1) vs. Marian Ziolkowski (21-7-1)
Middleweight: Damian Janikowski (3-2) vs. Tony Giles (6-1)
Middleweight: Antoni Chmielewski (32-17) vs. TBA
More fights TBA