Strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski returned to the cage on Saturday as part of KSW 83. Emanating from the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland, the 46-year-old heavyweight met boxer turned mixed martial artist Artur Szpilka.
Pudzianowski, a five-time World’s Stronger Man titleholder, will make his 26th walk to the cage. After suffering a first-round knockout against Mamed Khalidov in his last outing, ‘Pudzian’ will look to get back into the win column. Prior to his defeat in December, Pudzianowski was on a five-fight win streak, all coming by way of knockout. His opponent, Artur Szpilka, enters the bout as an accomplished boxer who has so far looked solid in his first two MMA fights, winning both via TKO.
Things were quite intense during the pre-fight face-off on Friday between Pudzianowski and Szpilka. That intensity continued inside the cage as the two behemoths looked for a highlight-reel-worthy knockout in their first appearances of 2023.
As the opening bell sounded, ‘Pudzian’ immediately came out determined to assert his dominance by slamming Szpilka to the canvas. The size difference between the two men was ever-present as Pudzianowski easily moved into the mount and proceeded to drop bombs for the duration of the round. Szpilka went back to his corner following the first looking understandably dejected, but he was far from done.
Coming out for round two, Szpilka landed a perfectly-placed left that caught Pudzianowski on the button 30 seconds into the round. ‘Pudzian’ immediately dropped allowing Szpilka to unleash a fury of ground-and-pound strikes forcing the referee to step in and call for the stoppage.
Official Result: Artur Szpilka def. Mariusz Pudzianowski via TKO (strikes) at 0:31 of Round 2
Check Out Highlights From Artur Szpilka vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 83 Below:
It's actually happening!!
🇵🇱💪 𝐏𝐔𝐃𝐙𝐈𝐀𝐍 vs. 𝐒𝐙𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐊𝐀 🥊🇵🇱
XTB #KSWColosseum2 pic.twitter.com/tTQGAF5HL3
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) June 3, 2023
Se não for pra sair assim, nem me chama!
O Artur Szpilka tá chegando em GRANDE estilo para enfrentar o gigante Mariusz Pudzianowski! 🔥
Você curte as emoções do KSW 83: Colosseum II ao vivo na minha tela!#KSWnoCombate #KSWColosseum2 #KSW pic.twitter.com/ieQtrbNN0R
— Combate (@combate) June 3, 2023
ENTRADA DE MARIUSZ PUDZIANOWSKI #KSWColosseum2 pic.twitter.com/LRHx724WjL
— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) June 3, 2023
Szpilka derrota a Pudzianowski por TKO en el R2 #KSWColosseum2 pic.twitter.com/v7PBez6qPK
— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) June 3, 2023