KSW sent Fightful.com the following:
Golden Boy steps in against Kleber Koike Erbst at KSW 44
There has been a change to the KSW 44 card in Gdansk, Poland on June 9. The original co-main event featured the rematch between Marcin Wrzosek and Kleber Koike Erbst for the vacant featherweight title. However, a couple of days ago Wrzosek suffered a pectoral muscle tear and was forced out of this rematch. As a result the 'Golden Boy' Marian Ziolkowski will step in against Erbst in a 68kg catchweight fight.
27-year-old Ziolkowski made his pro MMA debut in 2011 and has since been a main stay on the Polish MMA scene. During that time he has wracked up seventeen finishes making him one of the most dangerous and experienced fighters bursting through the Polish scene. Now he will be looking to recreate this form in his KSW debut against his toughest opponent to date in Kleber Koike Erbst.
Fighting out of Japan and of Brazilian heritage, Erbst has been one of the top featherweights in the world over the past decade. The 28-year-old has only lost one fight since 2009 and is 19-1-1 since then with wins over Miguel Torres, George Hickman, and Anzor Azhiev. He also holds an impressive tally of twenty one career stoppages - nineteen via submission.
I have been watching Ziolkowski for years now. He is a very exciting fighter with the rare ability to both submit and knock his opponents out. This is a big opportunity for him in his KSW debut and I am very curious to see how this fight plays out stylistically," said KSW Director of Sports Wojslaw Rysiewski. "In accepting this challenge on short notice Erbst has shown the heart and mentality of a true champion. There is a lot at stake for both fighters in this one."
KSW 44 Info:
Five times world's strongest man Mariusz Pudzianowski (12-5) and former KSW heavyweight champion Karol Bedorf (14-3) will finally square off in a fight that is years in the making! Pudzianowski is arguably in the best shape of his MMA career and comes into this contest having won his past three fights. Sidelined through injury for the past year, Bedorf will be chomping at the bit to get back into the cage and will see this as the perfect opportunity to move a step closer to get his heavyweight title back. Fans will finally see these two behemoths meet in the middle of the KSW arena!
Two of Europe's hardest hitting fighters will also collide on June as former KSW champ Michal Materla (25-6) meets the well-travelled veteran Martin Zawada (28-14-1) in a clash that is certain to provide a highlight reel finish while Polish actor Tomasz Oswiecinski (1-0) will compete against internationally famous bodybuilder and fitness model Erko Jun (0-0) in what will be a massive crossover fight that will have the whole fitness world watching. Also on the card will be very important fights for Irish stars Paul Redmond (14-6) and Chris Fields (12-7-1) as they face Gracjan Szadzinski (7-2) and Wagner Prado (13-3), respectively.
KSW 44 will be live around the world on June 9 on www.KSWTV.com and is not to be missed.
KSW 44 Fight Card:
Karol Bedorf (14-3) vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski (12-5) - watch promo
Michal Materla (25-6) vs. Martin Zawada (28-14-1) - watch promo
Tomasz Oswiecinski (1-0) vs. Erko Jun (0-0) - watch promoKleber Koike Erbst (23-4-1) vs. Marian Ziolkowski (19-6-1)
Filip Wolanski (11-2) & Daniel Torres (7-3)
Chris Fields (12-7-1) vs. Wagner Prado (13-3)
Gracjan Szadzinski (7-2) vs. Paul Redmond (14-6)Lukasz Rajewski (7-3) vs. Leo Zulic (8-2)
Sebastian Przybysz (3-1) & Dawid Gralka (6-1)
*Bout order to be finalized
