Eddie Hall anticipated a much tougher challenge in his mixed martial arts debut against fellow strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski on Saturday night, but the fight ended in just 30 seconds.
The 2017 World`s Strongest Man winner, Hall, finished the five-time WSM champion Pudzianowski rapidly at KSW 105 in Gliwce, Poland. Pudzianowski, known as the Polish powerhouse, had significantly more experience in the cage, but at 48 years old, he hadn`t competed in almost two years.
Hall possessed a substantial weight advantage, weighing 67lb more than his opponent. He quickly demonstrated the power that comes with that size, landing a significant punch early in the bout. This allowed him to take Pudzianowski down and finish the fight with ground strikes.
Hall Found the Bout Easier Than Expected
From the moment the opening bell sounded, Eddie Hall and Mariusz Pudzianowski met in the center of the cage. This approach worked perfectly for Hall, who landed a heavy punch that left his opponent visibly unsteady.
Following the punch, Hall was able to control Pudzianowski on the ground despite the Pole`s considerable weight (around 267lb), securing the win with ground and pound. After the fight, Polish media asked Hall if the contest felt easier than he had predicted.
“Of course,” Hall replied. “I expected it to go longer, perhaps eight minutes [the fight was scheduled for two four-minute rounds]. I had dedicated a lot of training to groundwork, wrestling, and striking, so I was prepared for more action.”
“But make no mistake, I am extremely pleased to get the victory. Thirty seconds of intensity? I`m happy with that result and will gladly take it.”
He added, “I hold the record for the most powerful punch on the planet, and if that connects with someone`s face, it doesn`t matter who they are – they`re going down.”
Eddie Hall Expresses Interest in a Rematch, With a Condition
Despite achieving a relatively straightforward win, Hall is open to facing Pudzianowski again in a rematch, particularly after having his debut against such a notable opponent. Both men are former World`s Strongest Man titleholders, and their initial meeting drew massive attention globally.
However, Hall suggested one major change for a potential second fight: implementing two-minute rounds instead of the standard four-minute rounds. As a very large man himself, weighing over 330lb, he believes shorter rounds would facilitate a more exciting fight with bursts of high intensity rather than longer, potentially slower rounds.
“Perhaps Mariusz would agree to a rematch with two-minute rounds,” he commented.
“I don`t have aspirations to become the top fighter in KSW. That`s simply not my objective. I want to come here and have fun. I want to fight my heroes. I want to fight the unique individuals, the `freaks` of the world.”
