Eddie Hall, the former World`s Strongest Man, proved his mettle in his professional mixed martial arts debut on Saturday. Facing off against five-time World`s Strongest Man champion Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 105, in an event billed as “The World`s Strongest Fight,” the contest delivered a quick and decisive outcome, ending with Hall victorious in just 30 seconds.
Despite possessing significant physical advantages—being 67 pounds heavier and 11 years younger than Pudzianowski—”The Beast” was considered a sizable betting underdog heading into the fight. This was primarily due to the disparity in MMA experience; Pudzianowski boasted 27 prior professional fights, while this marked Hall`s first official foray into the cage. However, Hall quickly demonstrated that experience alone wouldn`t be enough.
The fight began with immediate action. Hall landed a powerful right hand shortly after the opening bell, which caused Pudzianowski to visibly stumble backward. Capitalizing on the moment, Hall pressed forward aggressively. When Pudzianowski attempted a double-leg takedown, Hall showcased his strength by easily tossing his opponent aside. He then secured top position and began unleashing ground and pound, forcing the referee to halt the bout swiftly, just half a minute in.
Reflecting on his impactful debut win, Hall expressed surprise at the rapid finish. “Shocked myself to be honest,” he commented, adding, “Mariusz is a formidable opponent, but like I said, I’ve got the hardest punch on the planet.” Looking towards future matchups, Hall indicated he`d be open to a potential rematch or facing other unique figures in the combat sports world, specifying his interest in fighting his “heroes or the freaks of the world.”
