Laïd Zerhouni had a night to remember at KSW 101, the final event of the year for Poland’s KSW promotion. Held in Nanterre, France, the event delivered action-packed fights, but it was Zerhouni’s middleweight matchup against Alain Van De Merckt that left everyone talking.
Zerhouni Delivers a First-Round Stunner
Zerhouni came into the fight determined to bounce back after a tough loss earlier this year. From the opening bell, he showed just how ready he was. Barely two minutes into the first round, he unleashed a storm of punches that had Van De Merckt struggling to defend. Pinned against the cage, Van De Merckt tried to hold on, but a powerful left hand from Zerhouni ended the fight.
BA-BOOM! 💥 🇫🇷 Laïd Zerhouni drops the hammer at XTB #KSW101 with a vicious KO!
Pure destruction.😮
XTB #KSW101 | @RMCSportCombat & @CANALPLUS_SPORT & KSWTV pic.twitter.com/FkcRGPDuUl
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) December 20, 2024
The knockout was more than just a win for Zerhouni—it handed Van De Merckt his first-ever loss. The former Levels Fight League champion was making his debut with KSW after a promising career start. Earlier this year, he was lined up for a shot at a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series but had to pull out due to unexpected issues. This fight was supposed to mark a fresh beginning, but Zerhouni had other plans.
For Zerhouni, this victory was the perfect way to finish the year. His previous fight, though a thrilling “Fight of the Night” bout, had ended in a loss. This time, Zerhouni made sure the result went his way, showing his skills and strength in front of the crowd.
The night wasn’t just about Zerhouni. Marcin Held scored a solid win with a submission in the co-main event, while Salahdine Parnasse kept his lightweight title by stopping Wilson Varela with a second-round TKO.
KSW 101 wrapped up a busy year for the promotion, which has already announced two big events for 2025. With performances like Zerhouni’s, it’s clear that the competition will only get more exciting. This win not only gives Zerhouni momentum for the next year but also puts him in the spotlight as someone to watch
