The MMA scene is buzzing with anticipation for a major shake-up this April, as two titans of strength are set to clash at KSW 105. The event, dubbed the World’s Strongest Fight, will feature ex-World’s Strongest Man champs Eddie Hall and Mariusz Pudzianowski stepping into the octagon.
The showdown is scheduled for April 26 in Gliwice, Poland, and will consist of two four-minute rounds. This bout marks Hall’s first solo MMA fight after his victory over TikTokers Jamil and Jamel Neffati in a two-on-one match in 2024. Although Hall, the 2017 WSM titleholder, may not have as much experience as Pudzianowski, who transitioned to an MMA post-strongman career, he does have youth on his side, being 11 years junior to the 48-year-old five-time WSM winner.
In the lead-up to their fight, both competitors expressed mutual respect. Pudzianowski commented, “Eddie is not like some barroom brawler. He is a really strong guy who weighs 160kg [352lb] today and on April 26 I believe will be 150kg [330lbs],” according to The Sun.
“I know what it means because I come from the same source so for the first two minutes it will be an unstoppable steam engine. It’s only that I still have some of this strength and I have the experience before youth and some cunning. So if I do not let myself be caught by a cheap trick it should be fine.
“But let’s not underestimate it. He is a heavyweight and his hands weigh a lot.”
Hall, the strongman champion who’s also dabbled in boxing (taking a unanimous defeat to 2018 WSM winner Hafthor Bjornsson) since hanging up his lifting belt post-his WSM triumph, confessed to feeling “being scared” leading up to his scuffle with the strongman giant.
“I think being scared is a very natural trait. Even going into my strongman, you’d be scared, you’d be nervous,” he shared. “If you’re not scared, you’re not nervous then something’s not right. Let’s face it, I’m going up against Mariusz Pudzianowski; 26 professional fights, five times World’s Strongest Man. He’s a fierce, fierce man and to get in the cage and exchange leather with a man who’s had 26 fights? I’ve had one!
(Image: (Image: Getty))
“So I’ve got a lot to be scared of and the four-minute rounds has been a tough thing for me to accept as well. He’s got a lot of advantages but I’ve said ‘sod it’, why not let him have four-minute rounds? Let’s just get this done.”
In the run-up to their clash, Hall hasn’t been shy about his respect for Pudzianowski. On The Ariel Helwani Show, Hall reminisced about watching the towering Pole during his formative years, declaring he was “probably one of the main reasons why I even got into Strongman” and described facing off against him as “a massive privilege.”
Yet, Pudzianowski wasn’t always meant to be Hall’s adversary. Originally lined up were Hall’s good mate and four-time WSM champion Brian Shaw, muscleman Martin Ford, and freshly crowned 2023 WSM champ Mitchell Hooper.
After these fights fell through, a “miffed,” Hall decided he wanted “to do something with it – the next man in line was Mariusz Pudzianowski. I put lots of feelers out and have been in communication with KSW for over a year. It’s finally come to fruition.”
Pudzianowski steps into the ring with a 17-9 record (with one no-contest), although his last fight was a loss to Artur Szpilka in 2023.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
