Eddie Hall has adopted a ‘carnivore’ diet to help him lose weight for his upcoming MMA debut next week.
The 2017 World’s Strongest Man winner is set to face off against five-time champion Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 105 in Gliwice, Poland on April 26. Hall is expected to weigh in at 341lb, slightly less than 60lb heavier than his opponent’s heaviest recorded fight weight.
Hall’s prior combat sports experience includes a boxing match with Hafthor Bjornsson, which he lost by decision, and a 2v1 MMA ‘Freak Fight’ where he defeated two brothers simultaneously. However, his fight next week marks his first official MMA competition after roughly two years of training in the sport.
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Carnivore Diet Key to Eddie Hall’s Weight Loss for MMA Debut
To reach peak physical condition for fighting, Eddie Hall has implemented a very specific eating plan. He is eliminating vegetables and focusing solely on meat, eggs, and dairy with the ‘carnivore diet,’ a regimen that has sparked debate among some followers.
This diet has aided his weight reduction from 170kg (approximately 374lb), and he anticipates fighting at 155kg (341lb). In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow before the fight, he stated: “For this fight preparation, I`m strictly eating meat, eggs, and dairy on the carnivore diet.”
“It’s proven to be a highly effective diet, helping me maintain muscle mass while reducing body fat. My energy levels are incredibly high, and my endurance is phenomenal, so it’s been largely due to this diet.
“I haven’t restricted quantities at all; I simply eat meat, eggs, and dairy as much as I desire. The body fat has naturally decreased. At the start of my preparation, I weighed 170kg, and I’m now down to 158kg. I might even lose a bit more if I’m very strict, potentially reaching a fighting weight of around 155-156kg.
“I feel great, and the most crucial aspect for my training isn’t just weight, but my fitness level. Can I sustain four-minute rounds and recover in 90 seconds to repeat? Currently, the answer is yes. I don’t intend to lose excessive weight because my cardio is already in place.”
Eddie Hall Prioritizes Size and Strength for MMA Fighting
The common approach when transitioning from strongman competitions to boxing or MMA is to drastically cut weight to enhance cardio. Hafthor Bjornsson lost over 110lb to compete against Hall, showing a significant physical transformation from his strongman days.
While Hall is considerably lighter than his peak weight of 434lb when he deadlifted over 1100lb, he still retains substantial size. At 6’2″, he is relatively short for a strongman but maintains significant muscle mass even at 341lb.
“I am strong, and I firmly believe that bringing that strength into MMA makes you a greater threat,” he explained. “Mariusz demonstrated this early in his MMA career, fighting around 140kg; his sheer size and strength intimidated opponents.
“I’ve never heard a fighter say after a match, ‘I wish I had been weaker for that fight.’ Never. As long as you are sufficiently fit, maximizing your strength is always beneficial.”
