Phil De Fries may be the most overlooked legend in MMA today. After joining KSW in 2018, the British heavyweight has compiled a dominant 14-fight win streak and 11 title defenses, becoming one of the most successful champions in European MMA history.
His path wasn’t easy. After a brief stint in the UFC, De Fries battled mental health struggles and rebuilt his career. Wins over names like Satoshi Ishii and James Thompson eventually led him to KSW, where he debuted by defeating Michał Andryszak in under four minutes.
Now, he defends his title once more at KSW 107 in Gdansk against undefeated Polish knockout artist Arkadiusz Wrzosek. De Fries has already surpassed heavyweight legends like Fedor Emelianenko, Ryan Bader, and even current Tom Aspinall in title defenses.
Despite his dominance, De Fries remains humble and largely under the radar. In Poland, he's a celebrity. Back home in Sunderland, he's just “Phil,” a dad who paints Warhammer miniatures and can catch pigeons barehanded with his daughters.
Whether or not he gets the recognition he deserves, De Fries has carved out a legacy few can match. If he wins again on Saturday, the quiet king will continue his reign—one title fight at a time.
