Eddie Hall showcases his strength during HISTORY’s Live Event ‘Evel Live 2’ at San Bernardino International Airport on July 7, 2019.
Eddie Hall is set to make his highly anticipated MMA debut in one of the biggest matchups in combat sports history, taking on MMA veteran Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 105 in Gliwice, Poland, on April 26. This clash of titans, featuring two former World’s Strongest Man champions, marks Hall’s first official foray into MMA after his viral 2-on-1 fight against the Neffati brothers in 2024. Hall previously faced fellow Strongman legend Thor Bjornsson in a boxing ring in 2022, suffering a unanimous decision defeat.
For Hall, fighting Pudzianowski is a dream matchup.
“I grew up watching Mariusz Pudzianowski lift stones and pull planes,” Hall shared in a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show. “He’s one of the key reasons I even got into Strongman. To now be competing against him, even in a completely different arena—MMA—it’s a huge privilege.”
Hall acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting Pudzianowski’s vast experience: “Mariusz has 16 years of experience and 26 or 27 pro fights. He’s putting it all on the line to fight me, and I respect that.”
Initially, Hall was training for a more traditional fight after his 2024 viral bout with the Neffati brothers. He had considered opponents like Brian Shaw, Martin Ford, and Mike Mitchell—other titanic figures in the Strongman world—but the plans fell through, leaving Hall with a sense of unfinished business.
“I decided to make a statement with my training and thought: who’s next? Mariusz Pudzianowski seemed like the perfect fit,” Hall explained. “I’ve been in talks with KSW for over a year, and now the fight is finally happening.”
Pudzianowski, 48, has a stellar 17-9 MMA record and is regarded as one of the most accomplished figures in the sport, although he enters this fight after two straight losses.
Unlike Pudzianowski’s usual MMA bouts, the upcoming fight against Hall will be a no-limit super heavyweight contest with no weight restrictions for either competitor. The match will consist of two four-minute rounds, a departure from the standard three five-minute rounds.
However, Hall expressed his dissatisfaction with the round structure, feeling that it heavily favors Pudzianowski’s cardio capabilities.
“I wanted two-minute rounds,” Hall explained. “Mariusz wanted five-minute rounds, and we compromised at four. I’m not happy about it. I’m 160 kg (352 pounds), and my fitness is nowhere near Mariusz’s. I’ve never fought in MMA before, and I know how physically demanding it is. Those four-minute rounds are a huge challenge for me.”
He continued, “This is one of Mariusz’s demands, and it gives him a significant advantage in terms of cardio, but I understand why he pushed for it. It’s a big challenge for me going in.”
KSW, the premier European MMA promotion since its inception in 2004, has become a significant stage for fighters like Pudzianowski. Hall, while not sure if he’s locked into an exclusive deal with the promotion, appreciates KSW’s flexibility when it comes to fighter freedom.
Despite his respect for Pudzianowski’s MMA career, Hall isn’t aiming for championship titles in the sport. Instead, he’s focused on entertaining fans with unique, larger-than-life matchups.
“I have no interest in being a ranked fighter,” Hall confessed. “The idea of fighting an average-sized guy doesn’t appeal to me. If I lose, it’s ‘Haha, you lost to someone half your size,’ and if I win, it’s ‘Well, you just beat someone half your size.’ It’s a lose-lose.”
For Hall, it’s all about the spectacle—the “freak fights.” “I belong in the world of giants,” he said. “Fighting Mariusz Pudzianowski and others like him is where I see my career in the fight world going. It’s not about fighting ‘Joe Average.’ It’s about fighting the biggest names and creating memorable moments.”
The countdown to Hall vs. Pudzianowski is on, and fans are eagerly awaiting one of the most unique matchups in MMA history.
