A potential high-profile superfight in the world of combat sports appears to be moving closer to reality.
Recently, former World`s Strongest Man Eddie Hall stepped into the MMA cage for the first time to face five-time World`s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 105. This eagerly awaited `freak show` bout saw Hall secure a dominant victory, defeating Pudzianowski in just 30 seconds.
Speaking after his successful debut, Hall confirmed his intention to continue in MMA but clarified he has no ambition to become a ranked competitor. His focus, he stated, is on participating in entertaining and sensible fights, particularly against other well-known figures or `freaks of the world`.
This sets the stage for a possible encounter with Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou is widely recognized as the premier heavyweight in MMA and one of the most physically imposing fighters ever. Even before Hall`s recent fight, KSW CEO Martin Lewandowski suggested that the winner of the Hall vs. Pudzianowski contest would be an excellent opponent for Ngannou. Hall himself seems receptive to the idea, provided the financial offer is sufficient.
Hall discussed the immense challenge of facing Ngannou with Ariel Helwani, acknowledging, “You’re basically chucking me in with the wolves.” He stressed the need for significant preparation time, estimating six to nine months of training with top-tier athletes and camps. Hall highlighted the inherent risk, stating, “You’re literally putting your life on the line,” and therefore, the financial compensation would need to be substantial to justify the risk.
Despite Ngannou`s clear technical advantage, Hall found the prospect intriguing due to the unpredictable nature of fighting. He mused that while Ngannou would likely “outclass me in every single way possible,” the possibility of landing a single knockout punch exists. Hall concluded, “So I wouldn’t be going in thinking I’ve got zero chance, but it would have to be a big-money incentive for me to do that, and literally put my life on the line going in the ring with someone like Ngannou.”
Hall`s current contract with KSW includes a second fight, initially planned as a rematch with Pudzianowski. However, Pudzianowski appeared less enthusiastic about a second meeting after the quick loss, which Hall understands. Should the rematch not happen, Hall is open to other matchups. A notable name he mentioned is Dillon Danis, who recently challenged Hall. Hall denied any prior arrangements with Danis but is now eager to make the fight a reality.
Hall views a confrontation with Danis as the epitome of `freak fighting` – pitting a highly skilled jiu-jitsu world champion against a massive strongman. He believes this contrast would be highly entertaining and expressed a strong desire for the fight, stating his intent to physically dominate Danis.
As a final alternative if other options don`t materialize, Hall mentioned his interest in returning to 2-on-1 fights, recalling a previous experience. He described feeling “in my element” during such a bout and acknowledged the inherent danger while noting its entertainment value and the unique challenge it presents.
Wesley Dunham