KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett are on collision course, and the pair offered their early thoughts on the matchup in KSW’s latest promo for KSW Epic.

The pair will meet in a heavyweight submission grappling match at the event, which takes place February 24 in Gliwice, Poland. And the two veterans of the cage – and the mat – are in confident mood ahead of their eagerly anticipated clash.

“I’m always looking for an excuse to travel the world. And when that excuse also gives me the opportunity to break somebody’s arm, it’s even better!” said Barnett.

“In this case, I get a chance to get in the ring with the KSW heavyweight champion, Phil De Fries.”

For De Fries, it’s a chance to pit his wits against a legend of the game, who has entertained crowds across the world in MMA, grappling, and professional wrestling.

“I love Josh Barnett, I’ve known (about) him since I was a boy. It’s an honour to share the cage with him,” said De Fries.

“His legacy is fantastic. He’s been the UFC champion. He’s fought all over the world. He’s a household name in MMA.”

But “The Warmaster” is looking to take some shine from the reigning KSW heavyweight champion, who has dominated all-comers since arriving in the promotion back in 2018.

He’s just been a glacier out there, big white and slow,” laughed Barnett.

“But (he’s) heavy, and splits the earth in two when he puts his pressure into it.

“I see myself on top most of this match. And, once I’m on top, he’s not gonna be able to get rid of me.

“My job is to get him so crossed up and sideways and exhausted that he’s not even going to know what I’m going to hit him with.

“My job is to show him that he’s got a lot more to grow if he wants to come out there and beat me. I don’t know what it is I’m going to be able to isolate first – his neck, an arm, a leg – but given enough time, it’ll be mine.

“You’re gonna see exactly what it is that makes me who I am.”

KSW

De Fries has been perfect inside the KSW cage, having defeated all 10 of his foes to date. Eight of those wins came inside the distance, with De Fries using his smothering ground game to either submit or TKO his opponents. This submission grappling matchup won’t count towards his MMA record, but the Englishman is confident the match will see him dominant in familiar fashion on February 24.

“In this fight, I’m just gonna show my physicality, my brute strength,” he explained.

“I’m 135 kilograms at the moment. I think I’m just gonna be too much of a physical specimen for poor old Josh.

“It’s only going to add to my legacy, you know? Now, it’s going to put competitive grappling on my resume.

“And I’ve got a big callout for after I beat Josh, so keep your eyes on it!”

De Fries’ teammate and training partner, UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, also featured, as he backed his teammate to defeat former UFC champ Barnett.

“Josh Barnett’s an absolute legend. But Phil’s younger than him, he’s in his prime right now. Phil’s gonna squash him.”

And De Fries gave his own prediction for how the night is going to pan out – all the way to his post-fight celebrations.

“I’m gonna go bulldog choke again, it’s kind of my signature move,” he said.

“It’s gonna be a clash of styles. I think we’re very similar, but I think I’m stronger. I’m not going to lose this match.

“Early takedown, early submission, great victory, big callout, lots of beers!”