Former UFC heavyweight Todd Duffee’s retirement is coming to an end, as he’s signed with KSW. Not only that, he’s jumping right into a title shot.
After Duffee revealed the news Wednesday on “The MMA Hour,” KSW announced that he will meet heavyweight champion Phil De Fries on Feb. 25 at KSW 79 from Home Credit Arena in Liberec, Czech Republic.
🚨 IT. IS. OFFICIAL!!! 🚨
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 🤩 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵
🏆 KSW Heavyweight Title Fight 🏆
👑 Phil De Fries vs. Todd Duffee 🇺🇸#KSW79 | February 25 | Liberec 🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/F7iSRrxSX4— KSW (@KSW_MMA) January 25, 2023
The bout will mark 37-year-old Duffee’s return to MMA after more than three years away from the sport. He last competed in September 2019 when his UFC Fight Night 158 bout with Jeff Hughes ended in a no contest caused by an accidental eye poke. Duffee (9-3) had two different UFC stints and dealt with multiple long layoffs because of injuries and other issues outside the cage.
De Fries (22-6), KSW’s heavyweight champion since April 2018, is looking for his eighth consecutive title defense. The 36-year-old also is looking for revenge as Duffee owns a first-round TKO win against him, which took place 11 years ago at UFC 155.