Szpilka challenges for KSW interim title

Artur Szpilka has his first MMA title shot. The former boxing world-title challenger will face interim heavyweight champion Štefan Vojčák at XTB KSW 124 in Gliwice on December 19. KSW has confirmed the bout for the main card at PreZero Arena. Vojčák will defend the belt for the first time; Szpilka is ranked No. 4 in KSW's heavyweight division.

Szpilka's route to a title shot

Szpilka moved from professional boxing to MMA in 2022. He challenged for the WBC heavyweight world title in 2016. His KSW run has not been straightforward: Arkadiusz Wrzosek stopped him after just 14 seconds in May 2024. Szpilka has since won three straight, submitting Errol Zimmerman, stopping Michal Martínek by TKO and beating Augusto Sakai on points in July.

The Sakai result was Szpilka's first decision win in MMA. His next opponent is not merely a higher-ranked heavyweight but the man holding the interim belt.

Vojčák's first defence

Vojčák won the title only in September at KSW 121, stopping Marcin Wójcik by TKO in round four. Before that, he submitted Wrzosek in the second round. The Slovak lost by TKO to undisputed champion Phil De Fries in 2025. CS.C covered the story behind his interim title fight.

Vojčák presents Szpilka with a different test from his recent opponents: his last two wins came by different routes, one submission and one strike finish. Szpilka's boxing remains central to his game, but he must also deal with Vojčák in the clinch and on the ground.

Two title fights at KSW 124

The heavyweight bout is not the main event. Paweł Pawlak and Piotr Kuberski will unify the middleweight titles at the top of the card. De Fries remains the undisputed heavyweight champion, while Vojčák defends the interim title against Szpilka. De Fries' undisputed belt is not at stake in Gliwice.

XTB KSW 124 takes place at PreZero Arena in Gliwice on December 19. The official event page lists KSWTV and CANAL+ as broadcast platforms.