Mariusz in K-1 - I WOULD PAY TO SEE THAT!!!

[Rafael D.]

This is translated from Warsaw's Life in a recent interview with Pudzian.

Mariusz Pudzianowski is thinking about a proposition from a japanese federation K-1.

"K-1 has made me an offer some time ago, I can't really talk about the details, but if they made it worth my while to quit the sport of Strongman, I would definitely take their challenge" - says Pudzian.

He Likes To Fight

"I'm not afraid of a challenge. I trained in karate, kyokushin and boxing" - says Pudzian.

One of the stars of K-1 is Bob "The Beast" Sapp, former football player. "I know Sapp. I would not be afraid to take this guy on. "The Beast" is not as terrifying as people think - says Pudzian.

I personally think that he would need to loose a little in his weight. As of now, he probably has to much mass to be a succesfull puncher. Although if he hits you once and good, that might be enough. Anyway, just something interesting I thought you would like to know.

[DaneGarreau]

Lol.

IMO, it would be quite irresponsible to let Mariusz jump in the ring with the likes of Michael McDonald, Ernesto Hoost, Bob Sapp, Semmy Schiltz, Gary Goodridge, Cabbage, Jerome LeBanner or any other top k1 fighters.

When amateur fighters get in the ring with experienced professionals, bad things happen.

[Mac Smith]

I honestly think he would get his ass handed to him!! Not by Sapp, who has gotten his ass handed to him on many occasions. Someone like Ernesto Hoost (sp?) or Micheal McDonald would beat the crap out of Pudz. Although he's trained in these sports doesn't mean he's that good at them. I've trained in boxing but I have no desire to fight James Toney or even Chris Byrd even though I am much bigger and stronger than both of them. He and Sapp would make a good fight because neither would have great technique IMHO... just my 02.

No doubt Pudz is a good athlete, but that doesn't mean he can/will dominate any other sport by strongman. Remeber Micheal Jordan's foray into baseball. Or maybe people don't recall Gerrit Badenhorst's tryout with the Dallas Cowboys in the late 90's. The list goes on and on. I'd like to first see some amatuer fights involving Pudz before I'm convinced.

[Billy Wolt]

i think Pudz has done more than just trained at those fighting styles. From what i understand, he is very good.

I would pay to see it though.

[lhprop1]

Lol.

IMO, it would be quite irresponsible to let Mariusz jump in the ring with the likes of Michael McDonald, Ernesto Hoost, Bob Sapp, Semmy Schiltz, Gary Goodridge, Cabbage, Jerome LeBanner or any other top k1 fighters.

When amateur fighters get in the ring with experienced professionals, bad things happen.

From what I understand, he's far from an amateur. What is he, a 3rd or 4th deg black belt and alternate to the Olympic boxing team?

Given some time to train properly for K1, he'd be a force.

And Sapp regularly gets taken to school by guys less than half his size. Sure he's big, but against a smart, experienced fighter, he's average at best.

[DaneGarreau]

From what I understand, he's far from an amateur. What is he, a 3rd or 4th deg black belt and alternate to the Olympic boxing team?

Given some time to train properly for K1, he'd be a force.

And Sapp regularly gets taken to school by guys less than half his size. Sure he's big, but against a smart, experienced fighter, he's average at best.

I have not heard anything about his credentials, only that he was a Polish Boxing Champion.

Where did you see that he was a black belt? and an alternate to the OLY Boxing team.

[JohnWietzel]

Given Pudz training methods for strongman and domination in that sport, I'd have to expect if he were to switch to K1 fighting he'd give it his all in the same way. I wouldn't expect him to be foolish about who he would start out against or overestimating his capabilities. I'd think he'd find some great trainers for that sport, then train twice as hard as his trainers wanted him to. When he got in the ring the speculation could end on whether he'd be any good or not, but I still think he'd be stepping in prepared. I just think that's one of the traits of any elite level athlete. They are going to bust their arse and do what they can to be the best they can be, regardless of the sport. Some athletics are good for their strengths, some are not.

Given that he was a Rugby player and a boxing champ (though I don't know what level, I assume amateur level similar to being a golden gloves champ in the US) I'd think he would know how to take a punch and deliver one.

I also don't think he'd have to lose his size or weight. He still moves pretty well at his size, so I don't think it would hinder him much.

Regards,

Sensless

PS I"d love to see it!

[Jesse Marunde]

i beleive Mariusz would do quite well in MMA or K1. of course he would lose to the best. one cant expect to cross over and instantly dominate such a competative sport, I honestly beleive he could train to be very good in short order.

They called me as well, I turned them down. Focus on the task at hand...

[Luke Paskins]

I've no doubt that you could well Jesse, if you chose to do K-1...but I reckon you're doing too well at strongman to switch :-)

Do you think you would have that specific type of aggression to knock a guy out? It can be pretty hardcore :IMHO:

Rock on man!

[Alex Devenyi]

Mariusz is a black belt in my karate style (Kyokushin), in which we do a lot of full-contact sparring without gloves or protective gear. I'm not sure how long he's done it or how often he trains nowadays, but a black belt in Kyokushin is a tough thing to get. My instructor just got his nidan (2nd degree black belt) and had to fight continuously for 50 straight minutes to get it against 20-25 different opponents.

If he slimmed down some, got back into training seriously, and gave it his all, I think he'd be able to hold his own and beat a few fighters, but he probably won't be dominating like he is in strongman.

[Jamie McEwan]

If he trimmed down? I seriously doubt that his mass would hinder his performance. All this talk about people being big and therefore immobile is ridiculous. Strongman is all about mobility.
I'm not saying that he'd do amazingly in K-1, but I will say that I think his size/strength wouldn't make him less of a fighter.

[Kÿle Vezeau]

Mariusz's mass would be an asset in K1, he has VERY good control over it (strength to bodyweight ratio and general conditioning) and it would make him harder to push around by others.

If you want to see mass and brute strength vs pure technique check out Sapp vs Minotauro, one of my favorite fights of all time. Minautoro finally wins it but damn near gets cripple a few times trying. (first minute of the fight is PRIME)

Let's not forget that Sapp Knocked out Ernesto Hoost TWICE, first round and second round.

[Luke Paskins]

Sapp is a very big guy, but he's also pretty fast in short bursts...I would love to se a rematch between him and Ray Sefo or him and Semmy Schilt...Francois Botha...Jan Nordtje...Jerome Le Banner...

Marius would ned to lose maybe 10 kg but no more, he's all fitness is Marius...I don't know where you guys have been looking if you missed that :-)

[Paul Savage]

wasnt pudz like 285 at wsm?? i dont think his size would hurt him at all, he's extremely fast, very fit, an obviously aint lacking in strength - if the man choose mma i think he would be very dangerous, if he sunk in an arm bar, without a doubt it would be tap or snap

i dont get how people say bob sapp is average at best when hes beat some of the best in the world - thats a long way from average, give credit where its due - the guy trains hard, hes came a long way

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

All I know is that if Maruisz took on a big guy like Zulu or the like he'd absolutely freaking cream them.

[Mac Smith]

"Just because you can box, doesn't mean you can step into the ring with Ali"

You guys are jocking Pudz WAY too much!!!! I agree the man is a freak at strongman, maybe the best ever. But we all know that Micheal Jordan is by far the best basketball player ever, but his foray into baseball proved that he can't dominate all sports. There have been several football greats that tried boxing, ALL FAILED!!! The list goes on and on.
Randy Moss, Tony Gonzalez, Julius Peppers, and Terrell Owens play in the NBA summer leagues every year, but every NBA insider agrees that although these guys are tremendous athletes they wouldn't make an NBA fulltime roster. I know someone will bring up Dione Sanders and Bo Jackson, maybe Pudz is like them. But I think the chances are, he isn't. No disrespect to Pudz, but I think it takes a special person to be a full time fighter, whether it's boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or the like.

[dave barron]

Mac, I'd agree with you if we were talking basketball, or baseball, or tennis or some sport where pure skill was required. But MMA, and to a lesser degree K-1, is like strongman - dedication, aggression and genetics are THE most important factor for success. Somebody with relatively little skill set can develop the motor skills and endurance and get by on sheer determination. Bob Sapp was no great shakes athletically, and he's done very well. Marius would have the edge on him in speed (and in technique, is he's done karate seriously for yeasrs) and be close to Sapp in pure force.

[Paul Savage]

mac - 'no disrespect to pudz, but i think it takes a special person to be a full time fighter'

since pudz is a 3 x worlds strongest man, im pretty sure that makes him more than a special person

[scott_van_ingham]

Mac, I'd agree with you if we were talking basketball, or baseball, or tennis or some sport where pure skill was required. But MMA, and to a lesser degree K-1, is like strongman - dedication, aggression and genetics are THE most important factor for success. Somebody with relatively little skill set can develop the motor skills and endurance and get by on sheer determination. Bob Sapp was no great shakes athletically, and he's done very well. Marius would have the edge on him in speed (and in technique, is he's done karate seriously for yeasrs) and be close to Sapp in pure force.


close to saps force? r u smokin weed my friend,, this is the worlds strongest man , he is more powerful than sapp would ever be, dnt forget sapp has bodybuilding muscles built on hypertrophy training,

like flex wheeler or paul dillett,

mariusz is prob 30odd % more powerful and so much fitter, quiker...

[Jonathan Macfarlane]

Everyone has a point. We'd just have to wait and see.

I still think Pudz beats Sapp. And Zulu. And any giant guy. But Fedor? Hell no

[Kÿle Vezeau]

close to saps force? r u smokin weed my friend,, this is the worlds strongest man , he is more powerful than sapp would ever be, dnt forget sapp has bodybuilding muscles built on hypertrophy training,

like flex wheeler or paul dillett,

mariusz is prob 30odd % more powerful and so much fitter, quiker...

Sapp trains for BRUTE strength with heavy singles and doubles, and 350 lbs of "bodybuilder muscles"

I have no doubts that Sapp is stronger than Mariusz.

[Mike Westerling]

Sapp trains for BRUTE strength with heavy singles and doubles, and 350 lbs of "bodybuilder muscles"

I have no doubts that Sapp is stronger than Mariusz.

I would guess mariusz and sapp would be close in bench and arms and maybe squat. I doubt sapp could come close on deadlift or strength endurance. I have no doubt mariusz could train to be a force at K1 though. Maybe not the best in the world but who knows?
-Mike

[Jamie McEwan]

I think Bruce Wayne would beat all of them.

[Josh Kamins]

Bruce Wayne, screw that.... I say Chuck Norris

[Mac Smith]

Mac, I'd agree with you if we were talking basketball, or baseball, or tennis or some sport where pure skill was required. But MMA, and to a lesser degree K-1, is like strongman - dedication, aggression and genetics are THE most important factor for success. Somebody with relatively little skill set can develop the motor skills and endurance and get by on sheer determination. Bob Sapp was no great shakes athletically, and he's done very well. Marius would have the edge on him in speed (and in technique, is he's done karate seriously for yeasrs) and be close to Sapp in pure force.


I too agree with your assessment Dave, but Sapp is a very good athlete. Injury and a poor agent caused his demise in the NFL. He was actually a very good offensive lineman. I would venture to say that Sapp's strength level is on par with that of a top level powerlifter. With proper training, he would destroy Pudz in pure strength movements. His conditioning has seemed to be his downfall in K1 comps. But I'm not hear to debate Sapps merit. I actually think a fight between him and Pudz would be nothing more than a street brawl, and turn out to be a non technique slugfest. I much rather see a 'real' fighter like a Hoost or someone like that because it's the technique and ring generalship that makes them great, not the overwhelming physical presence. I just think everyone is soooo intoxicated by Pudz that they will not or cannot face the fact that he is not the second coming. Pudz is a great strongman. I just don't agree that he would be great at MMA or K1. Next thing we know someone will start a thread claiming that Pudz would be the greatest defensive lineman since Reggie White if he played football, or the greatest shot putter, or greatest olympic lifter, or greatest wrestler, etc, etc. Let's us leave the man to what he is dominate at, Strongman!!! All this speculation is just that, speculation! No one will ever know what Mariusz is capable of outside of strongman until he does something else.

[Mike Westerling]

I too agree with your assessment Dave, but Sapp is a very good athlete. Injury and a poor agent caused his demise in the NFL. He was actually a very good offensive lineman. I would venture to say that Sapp's strength level is on par with that of a top level powerlifter. With proper training, he would destroy Pudz in pure strength movements. His conditioning has seemed to be his downfall in K1 comps. But I'm not hear to debate Sapps merit. I actually think a fight between him and Pudz would be nothing more than a street brawl, and turn out to be a non technique slugfest. I much rather see a 'real' fighter like a Hoost or someone like that because it's the technique and ring generalship that makes them great, not the overwhelming physical presence. I just think everyone is soooo intoxicated by Pudz that they will not or cannot face the fact that he is not the second coming. Pudz is a great strongman. I just don't agree that he would be great at MMA or K1. Next thing we know someone will start a thread claiming that Pudz would be the greatest defensive lineman since Reggie White if he played football, or the greatest shot putter, or greatest olympic lifter, or greatest wrestler, etc, etc. Let's us leave the man to what he is dominate at, Strongman!!! All this speculation is just that, speculation! No one will ever know what Mariusz is capable of outside of strongman until he does something else.

I'm starting to think someone here isn't a big Pudz fan-lol!
-Mike

[Paul Savage]

sapp is very strong as far as brute force - im not sure of his max lifts but in an article of his training + diet etc it talks of him doing triples with over 800 on deadlifts

[Mac Smith]

I'm starting to think someone here isn't a big Pudz fan-lol!
-Mike


I am actually a fan of Pudz. I admire the fact that he is never the biggest guy in the comp but he is the only guy that is good at ALL Events, he has very few weaknesses. I admire that. I just seems that so many are blinded by this guys strongman prowess that they think he can walk on water. Sometimes people have a tendency to make their heroes seem more than human. I've heard on these forums that so many athletes would dominate other sports but then end up failing. I'm just going to reserve my judgement until I see Pudz in K1.

Truth be told though, Savickas is my favorite current strongman, followed by three guys with football backgrounds (Pope, Marunde, Haugen) and of course Kirit (the man has no ACL's how can you not respect the guy). Oh, I almost forgot about Glassman. Pudz is the man in strongman, that's for sure. But I don't think he is the worlds greatest athlete like some make him out to be. BUT DON'T GET ME WRONG, I REALLY DO ADMIRE HIS ATHLETICISM AND STRENGTH! I would give my left nut to have half the strongman talent that he has.

[dave barron]

I too agree with your assessment Dave, but Sapp is a very good athlete. Injury and a poor agent caused his demise in the NFL. He was actually a very good offensive lineman. I would venture to say that Sapp's strength level is on par with that of a top level powerlifter. With proper training, he would destroy Pudz in pure strength movements. His conditioning has seemed to be his downfall in K1 comps.

I didn't know that about Sapp - I just assumed he wasn't athletic enough to make it in the big show, my bad. I'm with you as far as watching someone like Hoost though - way more impressive to see skill and speed over force. Pudz isn't my favorite strongman either, but he definitely has that competiive X-factor. Most of the top guys in any combat or strength sport seem to have that same "something else" mentality - Kaz, Capes, Mark Hunt, Ken Shamrock and, I think, Pudz have what it takes "upstairs".

[Bartek M.]

Im glad this never happened!

Id rather see him kicking butt in strongman!

[DaneGarreau]

Not that this has anything to do with Mariusz.

Check out the old UFC Ultimate Knockout tape. Greg Stott, who some might know as a pretty decent 100%RAW Powerlifter makes the mistake of getting in the octagon with Mark Kerr. Kerr drops him with one knee. Stott is very strong(obviously no where NEAR mariusz), but the human jaw is not designed to be hit, it doesn't matter how strong you are.

[Paul Savage]

unless your chuck liddell that is

[Justin Lo]

wow, I'd pay to see Pudz in K1. Would he do well against the heavy hitters? Probrably not. But I bet his strength, agility and speed would carry him further than most people think.

Put him up against any K1 "gimmick" - Akebono, Ologun, or any "giant" they currently have - and he will probrably tear them apart.

Althought, like Sapp, I think his physical talent is more fit for MMA

[Jeff King]

:EP: I think a match with Mariusz vs. Bob Sapp would be a big draw if they promoted it right. Especially in Japan where K-1 is based and Sapp is an icon and fighting WSM with Mariusz's boxing and karate (K - 1 is kickboxing only) ....Very interesting! :EP:
-JEFF

[Aron Wykle]

unless your chuck liddell that is

chuck liddell is probably one of the most over-rated fighters ever.

but i still love him.

[Aron Wykle]

i vote for Mariusz vs. Hunt... See how solid Hunt's chin is.

[Paul Savage]

chuck annoys me cuss it seems that no matter how many times someone hits him in the face, as hard as they can with perfect form, he doesnt even blink - an then he lands one shot, good form or not, an hes either knocked the guy completely out cold, or is about to do so

could just be that he retired randy though..god damnit!

[Kÿle Vezeau]

i vote for Mariusz vs. Hunt... See how solid Hunt's chin is.

Solid enough to get hit in the face by cro cop and win by decision. :EP:

Mariuzs vs Cabbage would be cool.

I have NO idea why cabbage's name was mentioned earlier with a line up of Great names. :confused:

[Aron Wykle]

Solid enough to get hit in the face by cro cop and win by decision. :EP:

Mariuzs vs Cabbage would be cool.

I have NO idea why cabbage's name was mentioned earlier with a line up of Great names. :confused:

Cabbage is looking pretty skinny latelly, and i heard he did alright at ROTR. (if you ignore the face taht he lost)

[JD Derks]

OK, I don't know anything about pudz' creds. But I do know a few mma fighters and have competed a few times. All these guys do is train to fight or are fighting. stand up, ground game, submissions. There is a lot going on in there. I am not knocking Pudz at all, but it would take ALOT of intense training. But if he does fight, I wish him the best of luck.
Jesse, dude you kick ass bro

[Jessejobe]

K1 is not just kickboxing anymore. BJ Penn fought there, and Rampage Jackson is talking of signing with them.

Jesse Jobe

[Kÿle Vezeau]

Cabbage is looking pretty skinny latelly, and i heard he did alright at ROTR. (if you ignore the face taht he lost)

He's lost to Tank Abbott by 1st round KO, and to Butterbean within the past year.

[ChrisD]

Mike Tyson of the late 80's would win.

[Aron Wykle]

He's lost to Tank Abbott by 1st round KO, and to Butterbean within the past year.

he actually broke his arm in his fight vs. butterbean and he still fought. i think he was coming off a winning streak/come back before that, and i heard the reffing/rules for that fight were questionable, like Arona vs. Fedor. We know Fedor would kill him with legit rules.