Paweł Pawlak

Paweł Pawlak (born February 8, 1989) is a Polish mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division of Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), where he is the current KSW Middleweight Champion. A professional since 2010, he has also fought in the UFC and Absolute Championship Akhmat.

Early career
Pawlak made his professional MMA debut in May 2010 in his native Poland. During the first three and a half years of his career, he amassed an undefeated record of ten wins, with all but one win coming by way of TKO or submission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pawlak signed with the UFC in late 2013. He made his debut against Peter Sobotta at UFC Fight Night 41 on May 31, 2014. Pawlak lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Pawlak was scheduled to face Dhiego Lima at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux on November 8, 2014. However, Pawlak withdrew from the bout citing an injury, and was replaced by Jorge de Oliveira.

In his second fight for the promotion, Pawlak faced Sheldon Westcott at UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 on April 11, 2015. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pawlak then faced Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 72. He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-UFC career
After the UFC stint, Pawlak has mainly competed in his native Poland and eventually fought for the vacant Babilon MMA Middleweight Championship against Adrian Błeszyński at Babilon 12 on February 7, 2020. The bout ended in a split draw.

After knocking out Filip Tomczak at Babilon 14, Pawlak proceeded to fight again for the vacant Middleweight Championship in a rematch against Adrian Błeszyński at Babilon 18 on November 27, 2020. He won the fight and claimed the title via unanimous decision.

Pawlak made his first title defense against Sergey Guzev at Babilon 21 on April 30, 2021. He successfully defended the championship via unanimous decision.

KSW
Pawlak faced Greco-Roman Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Damian Janikowski on September 4, 2021 at KSW 63: Crime of The Century. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night award.

Pawlak faced Cezary Kęsik at KSW 69: Przybysz vs. Martins on April 23, 2022. He won the bout via split decision.

Pawlak was then scheduled to face Bartosz Leśko at KSW 76: Parnasse vs. Rajewski on November 12, 2022. However, Leśko withdrew from the bout citing an injury, and was replaced by Tom Breese. Pawlak won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the first round.

KSW Middleweight Championship
Pawlak faced Tomasz Romanowski for the vacant KSW Middleweight Championship at KSW 83 on June 3, 2023. He won the bout and title via technical knockout in the fifth round.

Pawlak defended his title against Michał Materla on December 16, 2023 at KSW 89: Bartosiński vs. Parnasse, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
 * KSW Middleweight Championship (One time; current)
 * One successful title defence
 * Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Damian Janikowski
 * Babilon MMA
 * BAB Middleweight Championship (One time; former)
 * One successful title defense