Pudzianowski Stops Jun, Racic Becomes Inaugural Bantamweight Champion at KSW 51

There's life in the old dog yet

Pudzianowski gets the TKO win over Erko Jun. What a fight #KSW51 pic.twitter.com/AvtzvYE7Fh
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) November 9, 2019

Popular Polish strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski halted a two-fight skid with a stoppage of social media star Erko Jun in the Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki 51 headliner in Zagreb, Croatia, on Saturday.

Both heavyweights began the fight looking for a finish on the feet in the opening stanza. Jun appeared to be in control in Round 2, as he landed ground-and-pound from top position until a standup was ordered due to the Bosnian fighter grabbing the cage. Pudzianowski (13-7) then got a takedown of his own and pounded out Jun (3-1) on the mat, earning a stoppage at the 1:43 of the second frame.

He did it!!! Former king @BorysMankowski puts the past behind him with an emphatic submission win over Vaso Bakcevic!!! #KSW51 pic.twitter.com/Qtzuz1BPoX
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) November 9, 2019

In the co-main event, Borys Mankowski earned a first-round submission against Vaso Bakocevic in a 160-pound catchweight affair. Once the fight hit the canvas, Mankowski took over, as he secured an anaconda choke at the 3:36 mark of the opening stanza.

Is it.... Is It..... IS IT Nah. So close..... @StasiakMMA slips out the back door. #KSW51 pic.twitter.com/spiiBb1Euj
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) November 9, 2019

Earlier, Antun Racic and Damian Stasiak fought for the inaugural KSW bantamweight title. From get-go, the fight was a grappling-centric scrap. When they fight went to the feet, the two traded heavy shots in the middle of the cage. Stasiak was also deducted one point for kneeing a grounded opponent in the fourth round. In the end, it was Racic who claimed the belt with a unanimous decision triumph.

Elsewhere on the card: Daniel Torres beat Filip Pejic by unanimous decision; Ante Delija earned a TKO over Oli Thompson 2:58 into Round 2; Cezary Kesik tapped Aleksandar Ilic with a rear-naked choke 4:27 into the second frame; Ivan Erslan defeated Darwin Rodriguez by TKO at the 1:29 mark of Round 1; Roman Szymanski outpointed Milos Janicic; Krystian Kaszubowski captured a split verdict against Ivica Truscek and Sebastian Przybysz took a three-round decision over Lemmy Krusic.