KSW legend Mariusz Pudzianowski has finally received an opponent for the upcoming KSW Colossseum card on May 27th and it is big, literally.
The promotion has pitted ‘Pudz’ against another former strongman competitor in Tyberiusz Kowalczyk in what should be a unique and explosive affair that will surely peek the interest of Polish fans of all sporting interests.
38-year-old Kowalczyk, a European champion strongman winner, made his MMA debut in 2014 with a first round KO over Tomas Vaicickas. He did not compete again until 2016 but followed up with two more first round wins including a submission victory over UK based veteran Tomasz Czerwinski.
Pudzianowski was last in action at KSW 37 where he halted a two-fight-skid with a first round TKO win over Polish rapper and MMA fighter Popek Monster.
A press release from the promotion read:
The anticipated clash of two of the most decorated Polish strongmen turned mixed martial artists co-headlines the monumental KSW Colosseum event on May 27th. At the Warsaw’s National Stadium former 5-time World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski (10-5, 4 KO, 2 Sub) faces his long-time foe Tyberiusz Kowalczyk (3-0, 2 KO, 1 Sub) in the spectacular heavyweight showdown.
The undefeated in MMA, “Tyberian” has amassed a short, but very impressive resume in MMA. The 38-year-old giant needed just the combined four minutes to dispatch all of his three opponents as he knocked out Tomas Vaicickas, Akop Szostak and submitted Tomasz Czerwiński. At the biggest MMA event in Europe Kowalczyk vows to knock out Pudzianowski inside the first round.
Much more experienced Pudzianowski has been one of the most recognizable Polish athletes for the last decade. The 40-year-old built a respectable record in MMA of ten victories in sixteen professional fights, including wins over former UFC fighters Sean McCorkle, Oli Thompson, Rolles Gracie as well as Judo Olympic champion and Pride veteran Paweł Nastula.