CBDLife sponsored athlete & KSW World Heavyweight champion Phil De Fries will look to defend his title once more this weekend, when he faces UFC veteran Todd Duffee at KSW 79.

The two will meet on Saturday February 25th at the in the main event at the Home Credit Arena in Liberec, Czech Republic in what will no doubt be fan friendly affair.

De Fries has been in the form of his career since joining KSW back in 2018- yet to lose a bout throughout his five year tenure. Having fought and beat the who’s who in the heavyweight division, for his 9th title defense the promotion had to search far and wide for an opponent, opting to sign Todd Duffee.

However, the American is no stranger to the formidable champ. The two met back in 2012 whilst both in the UFC; after a ferocious start from both men, Duffee landed the cleaner of the two and has his hand raised after a TKO stoppage in the first. A lot has been made of the bout being a rematch but De Fries feels far removed from their first encounter. Speaking to CBDLife Sponsored channel Fight & Talk, he said . “About this rematch, I couldn’t care less that he beat me 10 years ago, I’m over it! I was a totally different guy. I was depressed, anxious, now I’ve got over that that period of my life, I couldn’t care less that he beat me!”

Duffee’s last fight was back in 2019 and although he is adamant he’s not been out of the gym & just waiting for the right opportunity to come along, De Fries disputes this.

“I don’t think he’s telling the truth, you know. Who trains hard for four years when there’s no fight on? It’s not doable! There’s no bloody heavyweights at AKA anymore since Cain (Valazquez) and (Daniel) Cormier have gone- there’s no heavyweights… I don’t know what he’s talking about!” He said

Both men have developed monumental since their first encounter in 2012. the Champ struggles to see how Duffee will dethrone him.

I think I am different for the better & I think he is different for the worse. I wouldn’t wish injuries on anyone but he’s had a nightmare with tenures of injuries. I don’t think his training camp has been as good as mine. I think I am going to be ten times better, my head is in the right place and I think he is going to be worse.

“I don’t know how much he has developed as a martial artist. He is a guy who can punch extremely hard but that only takes you so far.”

Reflecting on the legacy his he built during his time at KSW, It’s great. It’s like bragging rights. But when I am preparing for a fight I forget all about that I don’t care about any of that, I will fight the guy in front of me to the best of my ability, it doesn’t matter what’s happened before that or after that. When the fight starts none of that matters…. but it is pretty awesome.”

You can stream KSW 79 LIVE on https://kswtv.com/