An exciting match-up between two local fighters will kick off the KSW 40 card at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on October 22nd.
 
Paul Lawrence (3-1) hails from the respected Rush Fight Academy gym in North Dublin and trains under the tutelage of Irish fighting veteran Paul Cowzer. Lawrence established himself as a leading amateur fighter in Ireland before turning pro in 2015 where he stopped the vastly more experienced Viktoras Kontrimas in his debut. The 32-year-old is known for his KO power and this is something he feels could make for an early night.
 
"I am very happy to be fighting on KSW. It is about time we have a good promotion like KSW coming to Ireland who really looks after the fighter for a change. Fighting Konrad - he is a solid fighter in every aspect and is my toughest to date, but I welcome the challenge," said Lawrence. "Training been going amazing and I feel great mentally and physically. I believe I will get the win on the night. I will been leaving everything in the cage, this is such a big opportunity for me I will be taking it 100%! I am not one to be involved in boring fights and I expect this to be a high pace fight with a lot of excitement. And don’t forget I carry KO power in both hands so it could be an early nights work but either way I will be ready for three hard rounds if needed."
 
The Dublin-based Polish-born Konrad Iwanowski (5-1) is the number one ranked welterweight in Ireland. From Słupsk, Poland, Iwanowski moved to Ireland in 2005 when he was just 18 and it was here he began his MMA career. After a few years as an amateur he turned pro in 2013 and established an impressive 4-1 record in just over a year. Injury struck and he took some time away from competition but returned earlier in 2017 with a dominant first round stoppage win over French veteran Christophe Rea.
 
Now 30-years-old, Iwanowski says it is a dream come true to be competing in KSW and to represent both Poland and Ireland on October 22nd. But also sends a warning out to Lawrence and the welterweight division that when he steps into the cage the beast comes out!
 
"It is an honour for me fighting for KSW. I am representing my country and my adopted home of Ireland. This is one of my biggest dreams to come true," Iwanowski told us. "I want to reach my full potential in KSW and to amazing performances starting with KSW 40 in Dublin. I always respect my opponents but when I step into the cage I release the beast inside of me. Paul Lawrence is a great fighter but I am going to utilize my game plan and finish the fight as the winner."
 
KSW 40 will feature five-time world’s strongest man Mariusz Pudzianowski, the hotly anticipated rematch between Mateusz Gamrot and Norman Parke for the lightweight title, ’The Violence Queen’ Ariane Lipski defending her flyweight crown, plus many more top fighters and exciting match-ups to be announced over the coming weeks.
 
 You can buy tickets for KSW 40 at Ticketmaster.ie and you can also watch this event live from anywhere in the world on October 22nd at KSWTV.com.