As KSW 117 approaches, reigning KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries is set to defend his title. However, his recent statements reveal a more personal narrative: the champion openly discussed the pervasive anxiety that has significantly influenced his life and career. He also shared his strategic preparations for his upcoming bout against Marcin Wójcik in Warsaw on April 18th. De Fries and Wójcik are slated to headline the co-main event for the heavyweight title at XTB KSW 117, held at COS Torwar. This marks De Fries’ impressive 14th consecutive title defense.
Phil De Fries Aims for an Early Finish in KSW 117 Title Defense
This fight extends one of the longest active championship reigns in European MMA. De Fries’ 14th title defense not only solidifies his reign as the longest in KSW history but also sets a new record for heavyweight title defenses within the organization.
Wójcik is a formidable contender, not merely a stepping stone. He enters this fight following a victory over former UFC title challenger Augusto Sakai in December, marking his second appearance in the heavyweight division. This momentum adds considerable intrigue to the matchup.
In his interview, De Fries acknowledged the threat Wójcik poses. He referred to Wójcik as a “knockout machine” and indicated that his training camp has been adjusted accordingly. This has involved sparring with partners who possess similar physical attributes and fighting styles to Wójcik, deviating from his usual training with familiar partners like Mick Parkin and Tom Aspinall.
“I think it’ll be a record that stands for a very long time, 10 years champion of a major organisation, especially at heavyweight where you make one wrong move and you could be flatlined… I’m going for the finish, first or second round.”
Wójcik spent a considerable portion of his career in the light heavyweight division, where his movement and striking proved to be significant advantages. However, De Fries has successfully overcome a wide array of challenges throughout his KSW tenure, including a submission victory against Arkadiusz Wrzosek in June 2025 and a decision win over Augusto Sakai in June 2024.
Overcoming Anxiety
De Fries spoke candidly about his years-long struggle with severe anxiety. He described persistent compulsions, such as repeatedly checking doors and appliances, and a constant fear associated with everyday phone calls, to a point where managing normal life became overwhelming. He eventually sought online information about his symptoms, consulted a doctor, and began medication. Within a few months, he experienced a significant lifting of his anxiety. He continues to take medication and believes this change coincided with a marked improvement in both his personal life and his performance in the cage.
“Life wasn’t enjoyable to me. The doctor prescribed these pills and they said it’ll take three months to work, and in three months my anxiety just lifted. I honestly couldn’t believe how good normal felt. My win streak coincides with beating anxiety completely, so I am scared to come off them. When the anxiety lifted, I remember walking out and thinking, ‘This isn’t so bad. I can enjoy this moment a bit. I can enjoy the energy, the arena.’”
He explained that prior to receiving treatment, he competed without a sense of calm, feeling that he was acting purely on instinct rather than truly processing his surroundings. Now, he feels capable of strategic thinking within the cage, accumulating genuine experience, and even finding enjoyment in aspects of fight week and fight night. For a champion already in the midst of a historic reign, this is a significant development, suggesting that he believes his peak performance years are yet to come.
Wójcik brings a dynamic combination of speed, power, and a distinct style that differs from many of De Fries’ recent opponents. Nevertheless, De Fries remains the dominant force in the KSW heavyweight division.
Watch KSW 117
KSW 117 is scheduled for April 18th at COS Torwar in Warsaw, Poland. The event will feature Adrian Bartosiński defending his welterweight title against Andrzej Grzebyk in the main event, with Phil De Fries and Marcin Wójcik vying for the heavyweight championship on the same card. The lineup also includes notable bouts such as Salahdine Parnasse vs. Marian Ziółkowski, Artur Szpilka vs. Errol Zimmerman, and a middleweight title clash between Paweł Pawlak and Mamed Khalidov, offering a compelling mix of championship contests, established fighters, and cross-promotional appeal.
