Grzebyk's manager Gwozdz does not want Grzebyk vs. Khalidov in KSW

A fight between Andrzej Grzebyk and former KSW champion Mamed Khalidov would draw heavy interest, but it is not the direction Grzebyk's camp wants. His manager, Artur Gwozdz, made that clear in an interview with InTheCage.

His first reason is personal. Gwozdz said the two fighters like each other, and that he holds Khalidov in particular regard: Khalidov is the icon whose fights made him fall in love with MMA. His second reason is practical. He said he had a different idea for Khalidov's next opponent and believes KSW did too.

Career timing is the third factor. Gwozdz described Grzebyk as a fighter still chasing his ambitions and Khalidov as someone approaching the end of a long career. Putting him in against fighters who are much younger and in their prime, he said, is something he is not sure is worth it.

That does not mean he expects Khalidov to shy away. Gwozdz said he knows Khalidov's character and does not think he would turn down a fight because of an opponent's name.

He also pointed to a bigger rivalry inside KSW. Gwozdz said a fight between fighters from his group and those managed by Artur Ostaszewski will probably happen, because he intends to take all the belts from Ostaszewski's fighters.

For now, nothing is booked. Watch for KSW's choice of Khalidov's next opponent, and for any matchup that pits Gwozdz's fighters against Ostaszewski's.