KSW announced today that the legendary Mamed Khalidov (34-4-2), who last year turned down an offer from the UFC will return to the cage for the first time since his main event win at KSW 39: Colosseum in front over almost 58,000 people last May. There he faced the then welterweight champion Borys Mankowski but now he faces a new test in the shape of current KSW light heavyweight champion Tomasz Narkun (14-2) and it will happen at KSW 42 on March 3rd in Lodz, Poland.
Khalidov’s current 14 fight win streak stretches back to 2010 and includes wins over Luke Barnatt, Melvin Manhoef, Kendall Grove, Jesse Taylor, and Matt Lindland. Overall the 37-year-old has lost just once in his past 34 fights and has posted an incredible 20-0 unbeaten streak in the KSW arena.
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Looking to end that run is 205lbs champ Tomasz Narkun. Standing at 6’3″ and nine years his junior, Narkun is arguably the most dangerous opponent Khalidov has faced. Narkun won the light heavyweight title at KSW 32 when he finished Goran Reljic via first round TKO. He has since defended his title three times, all first round stoppages. ‘The Giraffe’ has a 100% finishing ratio with 11 submissions and 3 TKO/KO’s on his record and vows to do everything he can to end Khalidov’s run.
“I am a true mixed martial artist and I love sporting challenges, so when I was offered this bout I took it instantly,” said Narkun. “Mamed is an MMA legend in this part of the world and facing him is both an honor and a demanding challenge. But I think my skill set stack up really well against him and I’ll do everything in my power to win this bout on March 3rd.”
KSW 42 will also feature Michael Materla (22-4), former heavyweight champ Karol Bedorf (14-3), KSW legend Lukasz Jurkowski (16-10), lightweight champ Mateusz Gamrot (13-0, 1 NC), and flyweight champ ‘The Violence Queen’ Ariane Lipski (10-3).