'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQYQAAIBBAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAQAEBRIREzIHCAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABREAAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARECAAMEEkFSYv/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AwD8xbfZ83YYrAqjHou4LP3k3ixYTtXEvUp5PYo7KgXX5SB105kZtad2EXUpRwAcz5HkvMUpRVgaQGrD259mlc2ZleIKQEEEOka//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
UFC veteran Todd Duffee is making his MMA return nearly three and a half years after retiring.
On February 25, Duffee will make his KSW debut against Phil De Fries. The heavyweights fought back in December 2012 at UFC 155, with De Fries losing by first-round knockout. Ten years later, they will meet for the second time at KSW 79.
De Fries has won ten consecutive fights, becoming the KSW heavyweight champion and defending his throne seven times. He looks to continue his title reign by avenging his loss against Duffee.
During an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Duffee had this to say about De Fries:
“I think Phil is incredibly tough. I thought he was tough when we fought the first time. I can tell you what Phil said in his own interviews. He’s dealt with his anxiety, and he claims that his resurgence in his career has everything to do with his anxiety medication and managing his anxiety…”
Duffee then discussed how De Fries has changed since their fight in 2012:
“Has he changed? Yeah, he’s matured. He’s gotten a lot more physical, it looks like. He’s developed as a fighter, but he’s still pretty much Phil De Fries. You can only change so much. He’s definitely grown, I don’t know how much he’s changed.”
UFC veteran Todd Duffee believes he still has five or six years of fighting in him
Todd Duffee retired in September 2019 after a disappointing no-contest against Jeff Hughes, which was his first fight in two years. The hard-hitting heavyweight started a new life with a 9-5 job until he found himself itching to compete again. During the same interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Duffee had this to say about how much is left in the tank:
“My brain is still here, my reflexes are still here, and my physicality and athleticism is still here – and you’ll definitely see that on display (Saturday). I feel like I have five or six years. Like you said, I haven’t taken much punishment…”
Duffee made his UFC debut in 2009 with a pro-MMA record of 5-0. He went 1-1 in the UFC before parting ways with the promotion for two fights. He was then re-signed, securing two first-round knockouts before losing against Frank Mir and later facing Jeff Hughes in his last fight. The 37-year-old is now looking to rejuvenate his fighting career in KSW.
Check out the KSW 79 fight card featuring Todd Duffee vs. Phil De Fries:
