UFC veteran Phil De Fries signs with KSW

British heavyweight Phil de Fries has signed a four-fight deal with KSW.

De Fries released a statement to MMA Fighting underlining his excitement with the new deal and revealed that he is currently in talks with the Polish promotion with a view to setting a date for his promotional debut.

“I’m very excited to be signing with KSW and to show the fans what I’m capable of,” said De Fries.

“I’m feeling the best I have ever felt in my career both physically and mentally. I am very grateful to KSW for the opportunity to fight for them on the largest stage in Europe. We’re in talks now about my debut.”

De Fries (14-6) is coming off a first-round submission victory over fellow British heavyweight, James Thompson, at Bellator 191 in November.

The 31-year-old performed on some of the biggest stages in the world during his tenure with the UFC from 2011 to 2013. “F-11” tallied a record of 2-3 with the promotion with victories over Rob Broughton and Oli Thompson. His first UFC loss came against current champion, Stipe Miocic. Todd Duffee and Matt Mitrione accounted for his other defeats, which prompted his exit from the promotion.

Since leaving the UFC, De Fries has collected a record of 5-3 with notable wins over former Strikeforce heavyweight contender, Brett Rogers, and Russian prospect, Anton Vyazigin. He fought three times in 2017, suffering just one defeat to undefeated Russian, Ivan Shtyrkov.