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Former WBC title challenger Artur Szpilka admits he’s back on track after MMA debut win at KSW 71

Artur Szpilka has faced some tough moments in recent years, including devastating knockout defeats against Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora. Nevertheless, his MMA journey has started with a win.

Back in 2016, Artur Szpilka squared off against Deontay Wilder in a bid to become the first Polish boxing world heavyweight champion. 

Despite frustrating the Bronze Bomber for nine rounds, he eventually fell to a devastating defeat after the American landed an almighty right hand.
Two more major defeats followed over the next three years, as Szpilka lost against compatriot Adam Kownacki before being brutally knocked out by Derek Chisora in London.
In 2021, Szpilka's boxing journey came to an end following the fifth defeat of his professional career - a first round knockout against Lukasz Rozanski.

Over the last few months though, the 33-year-old switched his focus to MMA and last weekend, the man known as The Pin, enjoyed a victory on his debut at KSW 71.

Szpilka impressed the crowd as he produced a second round TKO victory over Ukraine's Sergey Radchenko - a familiar foe, considering the two men squared off in the boxing ring two years prior, with the Pole winning a controversial decision.

Speaking to KSW following his debut win, Szpilka said: "I was concentrated. I tried stand-up fighting, while my coach telling me to take him down. I felt strong there.

"A rematch always has extra emotions. I'm happy because I lived through some tough times. But I'm back on the tracks where sport defines my life. I have a wonderful team."

When asked about his ground game, the fighter said: "It's hard to say. It was all done on instinct rather than knowledge. I was hitting with elbows, it's hard to say after three months of training.

"I'll be able to tell you more after a few fights. For now I want to thank Sergey for the fight. I'm happy from that and that's it."

Looking ahead to his next fight, he added: "I'm not in a hurry. I'm going to take it steady. In boxing, I approached fights too recklessly and it looked how it looked. But I always gave it my all.

"When Artur Szpilka come out to fight, the emotions are always there."

PHOTO CREDIT: KSW

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