KSW

What is KSW?

KSW is the promotion that runs professional MMA events across Poland and, increasingly, the rest of Europe. Martin Lewandowski and Maciej Kawulski started it in 2004, and it has since grown into the country’s premier fighting organization and one of the continent’s leading ones.

The name breaks down simply. Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki translates to “Martial Arts Confrontation,” and most fans and broadcasters just use the initials.

Two things define KSW’s identity. The first is scale. Rather than running frequent small cards, the promotion builds a handful of large galas each year and stacks them with title fights and spectacle. The second is its role as a talent factory. Polish and Eastern European fighters build their names in the KSW cage, and several have moved on to the UFC and other global promotions.

For an English-speaking fan, the shortest way to place KSW is this: it is the biggest MMA organization in Europe that most casual American viewers have never watched.

How KSW works

The promotion’s calendar centers on big events rather than a steady stream of small ones. Under its Viaplay deal signed in 2021, KSW committed to around 12 events a year, most staged in Polish arenas, with occasional shows in the Czech Republic, France, the United Kingdom, and Croatia.

Early KSW was built around one-night four-man and eight-man tournaments, a format it later spread across multiple events. Today it runs a conventional weight-class system with a champion in each division.

The current divisions are:

Division	Upper weight limit
Heavyweight	120 kg (265 lb)
Light heavyweight	93 kg (205 lb)
Middleweight	84 kg (185 lb)
Welterweight	77 kg (170 lb)
Lightweight	70 kg (154 lb)
Featherweight	66 kg (146 lb)
Bantamweight	61 kg (135 lb)
Women’s flyweight	57 kg (126 lb)
Women’s strawweight	52 kg (115 lb)

One rule sets KSW apart from the UFC on the business side. Its fighters are allowed to compete for other promotions, so a KSW champion can also take bouts elsewhere. That open approach is unusual among the sport’s larger organizations.

KSW vs the UFC

Most people who search for KSW already know the UFC, and the natural question is how the two relate. Both are major MMA promotions, but they operate on different scales and with different philosophies.

The UFC, founded in 1993, is the largest MMA promotion in the world and runs dozens of events a year across many countries. KSW is regional by comparison, centered on Poland and Europe, and stakes its reputation on fewer, larger shows.

	KSW	UFC
Founded	2004	1993
Base	Poland	United States
Reach	Mainly Poland and Europe	Global
Schedule	Around 12 big galas a year	Dozens of events a year
Roster focus	Polish and European talent	International
Fighter exclusivity	Fighters may compete elsewhere	Exclusive contracts
Signature	Stadium shows, heavy production	Rankings-driven sport at global scale

The clearest illustration of KSW’s ambitions came in 2017. KSW 39: Colosseum drew 57,776 fans to the national stadium in Warsaw, the largest live crowd for an MMA event in European history and the second largest anywhere, behind only Pride Shockwave in 2002.

Fighters KSW is known for

Mamed Khalidov is the promotion’s biggest homegrown star, a middleweight who became a cultural figure in Poland over more than a decade with the organization. Heavyweight Phil De Fries is another fixture, holding the title through an unusually long reign with more than a dozen defenses.

KSW has also worked as a springboard. Jan Blachowicz fought in the promotion before joining the UFC, where he went on to win the light heavyweight title, and lightweight Mateusz Gamrot made the same jump. Welterweight Roberto Soldic left KSW for ONE Championship in 2022.

That movement points to the promotion’s place in the sport. Talent is developed at home and tested against imported opponents, and the best fighters go on to the largest stages in MMA.

Where to watch KSW

KSW streams its events on KSWTV, the promotion’s own platform, and through Viaplay in the markets where the streaming service holds rights, including Poland, the Nordics, the Netherlands, and parts of the English-speaking world. Availability changes by region and broadcast deal, so the current card page on the promotion’s site is the most reliable guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KSW stand for?

KSW stands for Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, which is Polish for “Martial Arts Confrontation.”

Is KSW bigger than the UFC?

No. The UFC is the largest MMA promotion in the world. KSW is the largest in Poland and one of the biggest in Europe, but it works on a smaller, more regional scale.

Is KSW only for Polish fighters?

No. KSW is built around Polish and Eastern European talent, but its rosters include fighters from Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and other countries.

Which KSW fighters have gone to the UFC?

Jan Blachowicz and Mateusz Gamrot both competed in KSW before signing with the UFC, and Blachowicz later won a UFC title.

What was the biggest KSW event?

KSW 39: Colosseum in 2017, which drew 57,776 fans in Warsaw, the largest MMA crowd in European history.

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Sources

1. Wikipedia. “Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki.” Accessed August 2026.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konfrontacja_Sztuk_Walki
2. Sports Illustrated. “KSW Is Delivering a Spectacular Card in Warsaw.” 2023.
   https://www.si.com/mma/2023/06/02/ksw-is-delivering-a-spectacular-mma-card-in-warsaw
3. Sofascore. “KSW organisation profile.” Accessed August 2026.
   https://www.sofascore.com/mma/organisation/ksw/19946
4. MMAtown. “What Is KSW? Europe’s Wildest MMA Promotion, Explained.” 2025.
   https://mmatown.com/blog/what-is-ksw-europes-wildest-mma-promotion-explained-ccun0hwn
5. Viaplay Group. “Viaplay secures exclusive KSW rights in 10 countries.” 2021.
   https://www.viaplaygroup.com/news/news-releases/viaplay-secures-exclusive-ksw-rights-10-countries
6. Bloody Elbow. “KSW 39 stadium show reportedly breaks UFC 193 attendance record.” 2017.
   https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/5/27/15704306/ksw-39-stadium-show-reportedly-breaks-ufc-193-attendance-record

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