Manto sponsored fighter Maciej Kozakis is a Polish black belt and is one of the biggest talents coming out of the very strong Polish BJJ scene.

Maciej will be facing Ireland’s Darragh O Conaill at the upcoming Toukon Challenge on November 23 in London.

The Toukon Challenge is an elite, invitation only grappling event; Featuring exciting competitors from around the world. It is the first of its kind to appear in Europe, with an experienced team to execute a highly professional event. Viewers will have the chance to either attend the event or watch the live PPV on toukonchallenge.com.

Maciej, can you present yourself to the European BJJ community

Hi! My name is Maciej Kozak – 26 years old black belt from Poland, representing Grappling Kraków. I got my BB this year from Vagner “Boca” Guimaraes, and my coach is Maciej Szczudrawa. I am 2 x Grappling European CHampion, 4 X Polish National Champion, WPJJC bronze medalist and some more.

Tell us about training in the build up to your superfight with Darragh O’conaill

Everything is going well, I got good training here in Grappling Kraków, but also I visit some other cities to train with guys in Warsaw and Łódź. I do what I usually do: drilling, sparring, lift weights, conditioning. Everything should be fine in the day of a fight.

What can people expect to see from you at the Toukon challenge?

Things that you can always see in my fight, I always learn new stuff and I got some new elements, but it’s a 20 minutes match you have to play it right way. I like to fight the way that people like to watch it. To be honest I do it for my ego and only thing that can pump your ego is audience.

What do you know about your opponent?

I don’t know him, but I know he is very good, very experienced. I hear that in the past he used to train in the garage, and I like that – hard worker, self made man, dedicated to the sport. I respect it a lot, I was the same way.

What are the fights that you most looking forward too?

Toukon has many good matches to watch, even too much in my opinion. I like to see Lagarto, he is one of my idols in the sport. Sebastian Brosche is also a very good fighter, flexible and with good attitude. Luca Anacoreta moves the way I like to watch, Alex Cabanes is very smart fighter, Jimmy Svensson is heavy hitter. Man to much, just too much.

What are your future plans BJJ wise?

I have some tournament here in Poland in December, than I take a quick brake and came back to lift weights and working on technique. I probably skip Europeans and stay focus on some other European tournament to gain some confidence in BB division. Then we will see, I don’t like to have too far plans.

Feel free to give a shout out to your sponsors.

Thanks to my sponsors – MANTO, Armour Wear and all my friends who help me with my preparation in and out side the mat. One Love.