Could we be moving closer to another major crossover superfight in the world of combat sports?
This past weekend, former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall made a stunning mixed martial arts debut at KSW 105, where he faced five-time World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski. The highly anticipated bout saw Hall secure a dominant victory, finishing Pudzianowski in just 30 seconds.
Speaking after his impressive debut, Hall indicated that he is not finished with MMA yet. However, he clarified that his goal isn`t to become a ranked competitor. Instead, he`s interested in fights that are exciting, make sense financially, and particularly those against “the freaks of the world.”
This perspective naturally brings Francis Ngannou into the conversation. Ngannou is widely recognized as the lineal heavyweight champion in MMA and is considered one of the most formidable fighters to ever compete in the cage. Even before Hall`s debut, KSW CEO Martin Lewandowski had suggested that the winner of Hall vs. Pudzianowski would be an excellent opponent for Ngannou. Hall appears receptive to the idea, provided the financial terms are right.
In a recent interview, Hall addressed the potential matchup, acknowledging the immense challenge. He stated that facing someone like Ngannou would require considerable preparation, including extensive training for six to nine months with top-level athletes and camps. He emphasized that the financial incentive would need to be substantial, as he would be “literally putting your life on the line” by stepping into the ring with Ngannou.
Hall admitted that Ngannou would likely outclass him in nearly every aspect of fighting. However, he pointed to the unpredictable nature of combat, where a single, well-placed punch from someone with his power could potentially end the fight. While he doesn`t believe he`d have “zero chance,” the significant financial reward would be the primary driver for him to take such a high-risk bout.
Hall signed a two-fight contract with KSW, with a rematch against Pudzianowski initially planned for his second fight. However, Pudzianowski seemed less than enthusiastic about a rematch after his quick loss, which Hall understands. If the Pudzianowski rematch doesn`t materialize and a fight with Ngannou isn`t next, Hall mentioned other potential opponents that pique his interest.
Chief among these is Dillon Danis. Hall noted that Danis recently called him out over a supposed fight that fell through, which Hall denies ever being linked to previously. However, he is now more than willing to make that fight happen.
Hall views a potential clash with Danis as fitting the “freak fighting” mold he`s interested in. He highlighted the spectacle of someone with limited striking experience facing a world champion, referencing Danis`s elite jiu-jitsu skills. He sees the entertainment value in pitting a world-class jiu-jitsu practitioner against a 150 kg former World`s Strongest Man, stating, “I think that is entertainment. I think that is something people want to see.” He even expressed a desire to “rip Dillon Danis’s arms and legs off his torso.”
Should none of these options work out, Hall suggested he could revert to another form of combat he enjoys: fighting two opponents simultaneously.
He explained that 2-versus-1 fights excite him, recalling a successful experience last year. Hall felt he was “in his element” during that bout and thoroughly enjoyed it. He acknowledged the inherent danger of facing two individuals, noting they have “double the trouble” despite potentially weighing less individually. Hall believes not many people would take on such a challenge and feels the concept of 2-on-1 fights still has significant appeal for audiences.
