KSW is set for their first show of the year is less than two weeks. KSW 53: Fight Code will take place Saturday, March 21, 2020, in Lodz, Poland. The event can be seen worldwide on KSWtv. It can also be viewed on the DAZN app. Within the last week, there have been a few huge matchups announced. This all happened in addition to Karol Bedorf, initially stated to be on the card, being removed from KSW 53 entirely.
Karol Bedorf Off the Card
Former heavyweight champion, Karol Bedorf (15-5), will be stepping down from the crowded heavyweight division to venture into the light heavyweight world. With Tomasz Narkun reigning over the light-heavyweight division, this could be a fresh, new challenger for the champion. Scott Askham has mentioned moving up to battle Narkun in his attempts to become a double champion of the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. This move will allow Askham to continue focusing on the middleweights while breathing new life into Bedorf who is on a two-fight losing streak.
Double Champ Makes His Return
KSW’s lightweight and featherweight champion Mateusz Gamrot (15-0) will make his non-title return to action. The double champion will battle in the lightweight division against Brazilian Edimilson Souza (18-5.) Souza, a former UFC and Bellator veteran, will make his KSW debut. With 15 of his career 18 victories coming via knockout, Souza will bring dangerous knockout power to the promotion. He has been lacking activity the last few years with only two bouts in the last four years. Gamrot himself has taken some time off, not competing since December 2018. With interim titleholders in place, Gamrot will need to hit 2020 running if he wants to get his undisputed crowns back.
Hot Slovak Prospect Meets KSW Veteran
Slovak prospect Vojto Barborik (12-1) will make his KSW debut as he battles grinding fighter Daniel “Tucanao” Torres (10-4.) Torres will be making his fourth appearance in the KSW cage where he currently holds a 2-1 record. Most recently he is coming off of a decision victory over Filip Pejic at KSW 51 in November 2019. That bout was Pejic’s first loss since losing in the UFC back in 2016. Barborik will make his first steps toward world recognition when he enters the spotlight for the first time. Torres may not want to venture to the mat with Barborik–a fighter who has nine of his twelve victories coming via submission. Four of his last five bouts have ended in the first round as well. With the way this matchup is setup, this bout could steal fight of the night.
