Take a dive into the series, Inside the KSW Vault. Many amazing fighters, including Michal Materla, have spent years perfecting their craft and showcasing their skills on the premier stage for European MMA, KSW. Follow along as we take a look at the many fighters, and events, past and present, which have contributed to making KSW what it is today. Check out these previous installments of the series:

Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Jan Blachowicz

Francis Carmont

Popek Monster

Mateusz Gamrot

Jakub Wiklacz

Michal Materla

Looking Back at Mariusz Pudzianowski

Very few long-term professionals in the world of mixed martial arts can say they have spent 99% of a 16-year career with the same organization, since their debut appearance. Not only did this monster of a man dominate in the KSW cage since his debut in 2009, but entered the sport already as a five-time World’s Strongest Man. The monster of a man is none other than Mariusz Pudzianowski. 

Successes Prior to Entering MMA

Prior to his 27-fight KSW career, Pudzianowski entered the world of mixed martial arts already as a champion. Pudzianowski was massively successful in the world of Strongman. With five claims to the World’s Strongman Man title (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008), no other man would collect so many titles. With his father a former weightlifter, it was always in Pudzianowski’s blood to compete in Strongman. Beginning his strengh training at the age of 13, Pudzianowski would begin his successes at the age of 16, competing professionally in weightlifting competitions. Just prior to his World’s Strongest man successes, Pudzianowski would experience some very major legal issues. 

Mafia Run-In

In 2000, Pudzianowski would be sentenced and served 19 months of a prison sentence. He was accused of assault and theft for beating up and stealing the jewelery of a “mafia boss” in Lowicz. In interviews given to Polish media, Pudzianowski stated he was angered by seeing this boss attack an 18-year old man. He also stated the theft was retaliation for the attack. The incident would cause Pudzianowski to miss the several Strongman competitions in that timeframe, but returned in time to win his first World’s Strongest Man in 2002. 

Mixed Martial Arts Career

A man of many talents, Pudzianowski would enter the KSW cage after obtaining his master’s degree in international relations in December 2009 at KSW 12. In the highly-anticipated debut, Pudzianowski would score a quick 43-second knockout victory to claim his debut victory. Proving nay-sayers wrong very quickly in his career, Pudzianowski would score a unanimous decision win at KSW 13 in May 2010. His next bout, the third of his career, would be his only matchup outside of the KSW cage, saw him face a former UFC champion in Tim Sylvia. Though Pudzianowski would suffer the loss to the much more seasoned veteran, Pudzianowski would return to his winning ways at KSW 14, earning the TKO victory over another big striker, “Butterbean” Eric Esch. 

Moving Along in KSW Career

British veteran James Thompson would prove to be a difficult task for Pudzianowski in 2011. In their first meeting, Thompson would lock in the arm-triangle submission at KSW 16 in May 2011. In the very next KSW event of KSW 17 in November 2011, it looked like Pudzianowski had his revenge. The scorecards read majority decision for Pudzianowski, but the matchup was later changed to a “no contest.” At this time, KSW was using a two-round system. If there was a tie after the second round, a third round would be utilized. The scorecards were misread stating Pudzianowski was the winner. Two days later, KSW would have a press conference advising there was a “communication error” and the cards should have read one for each fighter and the third judge with a draw. This ultimately led to the matchup being marked as a “no contest.” 

2012-2019

Pudzianowski would rebound nicely from the Thompson debacle to again appear in May and September, this time in 2012 and this time with two victories. From 2012 to 2019, Pudzianowski would earn a record of 10-5 with six of those wins coming by way of KO/TKO. Though he would never compete for a championship during this prime of his MMA career, Pudzianowski would remain one of the faces of the organization alongside Mamed Khalidov. 

2020-2025

Though COVID would have an effect on Pudzianowski’s start of this run, he would return to action as soon as possible earning three-straight victories in 2021, all three victories by finish. 2022 would see Pudzianowski face the biggest names of his career, earning a victory of legend Michal Materla at KSW 70 and suffering a defeat at the hands of Khalidov in the main event of KSW 77 in December 2022. This first-round defeat would unfortunately be the first of three-straight losses to end his career where it currently stands, 17-9 (1 NC.) 

Though he never held a championship in KSW, that just goes to show the true legendary figure that Pudzianowski in the organization. He main evented several times and was the center of attention at KSW events even moreso. If there was a heavyweight who ever deserved a KSW hall of fame spot, it would be the World’s Strongest Man. 

 

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