The KSW 117 gala promises to be one of the most important events in the world of Polish MMA, and the evening’s clash electrifies fans from the first announcements. Paweł Pawlak will face the legend of the organization – Mamed Khalidov. This matchup is not only a fight for the middleweight belt, but also a symbolic clash of two generations and different fighting styles.

Pawlak has proven in recent years that he belongs to the top of the division. His consistency, physical strength and skill development made many experts see him as the future category dominator. Khalidov, on the other hand, is a character who needs no introduction – his experience, creativity and ability to end fights in the least expected moments have made him a KSW icon.

This clash carries a huge emotional burden. For Pawlak, this is a chance to definitively confirm his position. For Khalidov – perhaps another opportunity to prove that he still belongs to the absolute elite. The pace of the fight, pressure and tactical intelligence can play a key role in this fight.

Who will win the fight Paweł Pawlak vs. Mamed Khalidov

Predicting the winner of this fight is not easy. Paweł Pawlak presents a very solid, orderly style, based on pressure and control of the opponent. He is able to impose his own conditions and effectively neutralize the opponent’s advantages. His stamina and physical strength could prove crucial, especially in the later rounds.

On the other hand, Mamed Khalidov is an unpredictable player. His repertoire of techniques is extremely wide – from spectacular kicks, through lightning submissions, to unsignaled strikes ending fights. Even in difficult moments, he can turn the tide of a duel with one move.

If the fight lasts longer, the advantage may shift to Pawlak. However, if Khalidov finds his opportunity earlier, everything could end quickly.

Where and when will the Paweł Pawlak vs. fight take place? Mamed Khalidov

Fight Paweł Pawlak vs. Mamed Chalidow will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, during the KSW 117 gala. This event will attract the attention of MMA fans from all over Poland and abroad, offering a spectacle at the highest sports level.

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Result of the fight Paweł Pawlak vs. Mamed Khalidov

The main event of the gala was suspenseful for a long time, but ultimately it ended without leaving any doubts. Paweł Pawlak defeated Mamed Khalidov by technical knockout one second before the end of the fourth round, defending his middleweight championship belt after a performance in which he combined tactical discipline, patience and great consistency. It wasn’t a victory based on one dash, but on systematically breaking down the opponent from minute to minute.

From the beginning of the fight, a clear contrast in styles was visible. Khalidov tried to surprise with unconventional actions, spins and sudden breaks, while Pawlak focused on calm, distance control and very consistent work with simple means. Mamed’s frontal kicks were particularly problematic, with which the champion regularly broke the challenger’s rhythm and deprived him of the opportunity to freely build action. Khalidov was looking for his own solutions, but for a long time he could not find the right moment to really violate Pawlak. Even if from time to time he tried to get deeper into the exchange, the current champion read his intentions very well and avoided the most dangerous threats.

Over time, Pawlak’s advantage began to become more and more visible. Already in the second round, the first signs of fatigue could be seen on Khalidov’s side, as he was increasingly unable to cope with the pressure and repetition of his opponent’s attacks. Mamed still had his moments – he was able to land a right hand, tried to force chaos and looked for unconventional strikes – but it was Pawlak who consistently took the fight on his terms. Even when there were short breaks after accidental kicks to the groin, when the fight resumed, the picture of the fight remained the same: the champion returned to calm, methodical work, and Khalidov had to look for increasingly difficult answers.

The third installment only confirmed that Pawlak had the fight under full control. He continued to harass his opponent with kicks, successfully avoid his spins and did not allow himself to be drawn into chaos that could give the challenger a chance to break through. When Mamed lost his balance after one of the punches and found himself on the ground, Pawlak immediately took advantage of the situation, working from above and adding more punches. Khalidov kept trying to find individual opportunities, but it became increasingly clear that he needed to chase the fight rather than control it.

The fourth round turned out to be decisive. Pawlak brilliantly took advantage of his opponent’s mistake, overthrew him and from that moment on he almost completely took over on the ground. He controlled the position at the net, moved to better and better positions, smashed Khalidov with short elbows and did not give him any space to reverse the situation. Mamed tried to look for the balacha, but it was a sign of desperation rather than a real takeover of the initiative. With each passing second, the challenger’s situation was getting worse – a large cut appeared on his face near his right eye, and more blows were falling from above. At the end of the round, Khalidov was terribly damaged and was unable to defend himself effectively, so the referee stopped the fight literally a second before the bell.

It was a very mature and impressive performance by Paweł Pawlak. The champion did not allow himself to be seduced by his rival’s style, he did not take unnecessary risks and throughout almost the entire fight he consistently implemented a plan based on pressure, kicks, control and the ground floor. Mamed Khalidov showed moments of creativity and tried to look for a breakthrough in his typical way, but this time he had to acknowledge the superiority of a player better prepared tactically, physically and mentally. For Pawlak, it was not only a successful defense of the belt, but also one of those victories that strongly strengthens the position of the champion.