Eddie Hall Admits Fear Ahead of MMA Clash With Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 105
Eddie Hall Steps Into the MMA Ring—And Admits He's Feeling the Pressure
It’s not every day the strongest man on the planet admits he’s rattled. Eddie Hall, who lifted his way to the World's Strongest Man crown back in 2017, is about to step into a very different kind of arena. This time, instead of deadlifts and monster trucks, he’ll face off in an MMA cage against none other than Mariusz Pudzianowski—another giant who’s not just a strongman legend but a proven MMA veteran. The nerves? Yeah, Hall says they’re very real.
Let’s get one thing clear: Hall isn’t being dramatic, he’s just brutally honest. Leading up to his MMA debut at KSW 105, he’s been open about how big the jump really is. Sure, the man has lifted half-ton barbells and pulled trucks on TV, but MMA is a total mental rewrite. There’s no platform to grip, no easy repetitions to memorize. Each round is a puzzle, and the opponent—this time, the five-time World’s Strongest Man Pudzianowski—knows every trick in the book. Pudzianowski isn’t new around the MMA block, either. With 27 fights and plenty of wins, his transition from strongman to the octagon happened years ago, and he’s only got quicker, nastier, and sharper since then.
Hall spent his training camp learning how to strike, defend, and move on the mat. Still, what really gets into his head is just how technical MMA can be, especially with opponents like Pudzianowski who have European combat sport backgrounds. The idea of being outgrappled or caught off guard is something that keeps Hall up at night. He admitted he can’t shake the thought that brute strength isn’t always the winning card here; it takes a mix of smarts, stamina, and tactical thinking.
The Unknowns of Combat Sports: Even the Strongest Can Feel Vulnerable
Though both Hall and Pudzianowski have been household names in strength sports, only one has spent over a decade throwing real punches and defending against takedowns. Pudzianowski’s combat resume stretches beyond his MMA record. He’s a four-time European Champion in combat sports, and when you see him weigh in lighter than Hall, it’s not for show. That lighter frame means more agility, and Hall knows it. He openly worries about his ability to keep up with the fast footwork and longer gas tank that MMA pros bring to the table.
All eyes are on KSW 105 for this very reason. The strength world is buzzing because the fight feels like more than just a contest—it’s a test of what happens when two disciplines collide, when muscle meets martial arts. Pudzianowski has spent years fusing those skills, fighting, wrestling, and learning the hard way. For Hall, this is the acid test of his own adaptability. Can a man built for raw power translate that into the chess game that is MMA?
Hall’s openness about his anxiety doesn’t just make him relatable. It puts a spotlight on something fans often overlook: when pros cross over into new territory, they don’t get to bring their old trophies with them. The nerves are real no matter how many medals you’ve got. If Hall pulls off this debut, it’ll be because he faced those fears head-on—and for now, he’s not pretending otherwise.