They are going to run it back one more time. After their ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in March this year, KSW legend Mamed Khalidov (34-5-2) and KSW light heavyweight champ Tomasz Narkun (15-2) will lock horns once again in the main event of KSW 46 at Arena Gliwice in the city of Gliwice, Poland on December 1.
Khalidov’s legend grew over the years as he amassed an incredible undefeated run of twenty fights in KSW between 2007 and 2017. This run included wins over fighters from many generations and backgrounds from all over the world. Fighters like Michal Materla, Melvin Manhoef, Borys Mankowski, Matt Lindland, Kendall Grove, Maiquel Falcao, Jesse Taylor, and Ryuta Sakarai all challenged Khalidov and lost.
Then on March 3, 2018 Khalidov took on a new challenge in the form of KSW light heavyweight champion Tomasz Narkun, a fighter much bigger and nine years his junior, a fighter with all six KSW wins coming in the first round. The two met at a catchweight and after two explosive rounds where Khalidov knocked Narkun down a number of times it looked like the streak would continue. But then at the beginning of the third and final round, after an exchange and a slight scramble, Narkun locked in a triangle forcing Khalidov to tap for the first time ever in KSW. The streak was over. Khalidov lost his first fight in KSW.
“I finally lost! I can’t tell you how happy I am about it. Finally!” said Khalidov in the cage following the fight. As the months lead on, Khalidov vacated the middleweight title saying he didn’t want to hold up the division. As a result the middleweight tournament, which began at KSW 45 over the weekend, was formed. The 38-year-old had his sights only on one challenge. A rematch with the only man to defeat him in KSW. A rematch with Tomasz Narkun.
At KSW 45 it was finally announced. Mamed Khalidov vs. Tomasz Narkun II will happen at KSW 46 on December 1in Gliwice, Poland. The pair came face to face in the cage and looked deep into each others eyes. Both men knowing the challenge that awaits but with an air and wonder of how the pieces will fall this time around. A rematch not to be missed.