Martin Lewandowski: KSW more popular than UFC in Poland

KSW reminded everybody that it’s king in Poland.

Based on KSW President Martin Lewandowski, there are not any qualifiers wanted when discussing the recognition of his promotion in its house nation, as he claims that it surpasses even that of the globally dominant UFC. This declare is backed up by the large KSW Colosseum 2 occasion that went down at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland, which reportedly had 50,000-plus in attendance.

On The MMA Hour, Lewandowski was requested level clean if KSW is greater than UFC in Poland, and he acknowledged that it’s.

“True,” Lewandowski stated. “Folks need to practice KSW right here in Poland. That’s what I heard additionally in U.S., some individuals need to practice UFC. ‘I’m going for UFC coaching.’ In order that’s what is occurring additionally right here after 19 years of being out there. I believe that’s the worth of being a frontrunner available on the market and the pioneer additionally as a result of we began MMA right here in Poland earlier than KSW, it was actual underground. So I believe that’s what makes us very distinctive and I believe Poland could be very distinctive on the world market, to be trustworthy.

“After all, the most important is U.S., however by way of the promotion, the best way how individuals deal with the fighters, and I have to say that that is many because of KSW, that we began this 19 years in the past.”

KSW held its first occasion in 2004 and has regularly emerged as one of many high promotions in all of Europe with its combination of homegrown stars (together with former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz, and present light-weight contender Mateusz Gamrot), Polish sporting heroes (comparable to World’s Strongest Man legend Mariusz Pudzianowski and bronze medal-winning Olympian wrestler Damian Janikowski), and persistently excessive manufacturing values.

The important thing to the promotion’s success, in accordance with Lewandowski, will all the time be the fighters and what they convey to the desk.

“Initially, the fighters, the heroes, with out them we couldn’t placed on such an awesome occasion and promote so many as a result of we’re speaking about offered tickets, not giveaways,” Lewandowski stated. “It was somewhat bit, possibly 100 lower than 50K, however we simply spherical as much as 50K, so first it’s the heroes.

“The second factor, which is among the most necessary I consider, from Day 1 once we began KSW it was essential for us not solely to get one of the best fighters available on the market and to match one of the best fights we might most likely have at the moment, but additionally the packaging. The manufacturing worth, all which you could mix when you concentrate on going to nice live shows and to see the good MMA fights. I believe this mixture provides you this distinctive customary, I have to say, as a result of we’ve been form of well-known for this manufacturing high quality for years and in addition, I believe we put somewhat bit extra consideration to the small particulars, together with the promotion. Even the theme, we did it in Colosseum, after all colosseum originates in Rome nevertheless it’s been well-known due to the gladiators, so we put every thing round that occasion. The whole lot was concerning the gladiators so we simply form of drift and we need to present and convey the individuals this actual colosseum vibe with the gladiators and loopy fights.”

Following the success of KSW Colosseum 2, Lewandowski’s promotion now holds the report for the 2 greatest MMA occasions ever to happen in Europe, with the primary Colosseum occasion in 2017 seating almost 58,000 followers. Provided that this present clearly attracted a broad viewers, Lewandowski was requested if there may be any curiosity in presumably reserving a present in North America.

“We’re not going to develop in America or simply struggle for this market as a result of it’s been taken by three promotions,” Lewandowski answered. “It’s a tricky market, so Europe is one thing we really feel OK, we perceive, we’re all European, so higher communication and in addition understanding on the sector.

“Sure, due to Mamed Khalidov, Mariusz Pudzianowski, these two guys who’re very well-known and fashionable within the Polish group, not solely within the U.S., however in Canada, wherever the Poles live. So positively it’s been in my thoughts. One of many Chicago Sears Area approached me and in addition Madison Sq. Backyard, they need to host KSW, however this can be a good dream, we have to work on that.”

As for the way he plans to proceed the large Colosseum sequence, Lewandowski preaches persistence because of the logistical effort it takes to place collectively such a sophisticated present. Whereas he’s entertained by the thought of getting a Colosseum occasion yearly, he doesn’t see it as being lifelike at this second.

“[KSW International Communications Manager] Alan Murphy introduced up a loopy concept for me at this time about doing it extra typically, however I’m contemplating as a result of to promote these 50K, or like we did beforehand 57K, actually it takes a yr of planning plus half of the yr of selling that occasion. … We have to simply put everyone, all our stars had been concerned in selling that present,” Lewandowski stated. “My first thought was coming each 4 years, similar to the Olympic video games, as a result of this additionally makes this occasion distinctive. Individuals are ready, like, ‘Oh, it’s coming. Not this yr, subsequent yr.’ If you do it yearly, it is perhaps like, ‘It’s simply common. KSW is doing June or July ‘Colosseum 35.’’ However now it makes it very distinctive and also you simply want to attend for it.”