Following a swift and decisive, albeit controversial, victory in his mixed martial arts debut, former World`s Strongest Man Eddie Hall is making it clear he intends to remain active in combat sports. However, securing a relevant and willing opponent appears to be proving a complex challenge for `The Beast`.
Hall`s recent foray into MMA saw him face fellow strongman veteran Mariusz Pudzianowski. The bout concluded in just 30 seconds with Hall claiming a rapid TKO win. The ending was met with some debate, as Pudzianowski suggested an illegal strike to the back of the head led to the finish. Despite the brief controversy, the focus quickly shifted to Hall`s future in the ring or cage.
Expressing a desire to compete again sooner rather than later, Hall has indicated an openness to various combat formats, particularly those categorized loosely under the “freak show” or high-profile crossover event banner. Unlike traditional fighters, Hall doesn`t appear driven by a desire to climb rankings or pursue championship belts. His stated motivations lean towards engaging in unique, entertaining spectacles, generating public interest, and, frankly, making money.
This unconventional approach leads to discussions of equally unconventional matchups. Recently, Hall revealed that talks had occurred regarding a potential boxing or MMA encounter with the much smaller, and often controversial, MMA personality Dillon Danis. Given Hall`s typical competitive weight, which can exceed 350 lbs, and Danis`s usual fighting weight around 170 lbs or less, a direct confrontation presents a monumental size disparity, potentially exceeding 180 lbs depending on the specific context.
Hall himself recounted the conversation his team had with Danis`s representation. According to Hall, the feedback was direct and unequivocal, effectively shutting down the prospect. The agent reportedly expressed concerns about the vast size difference, citing that Hall would likely dominate the significantly lighter Danis comprehensively. Hall, ever the showman, publicly goaded Danis following this revelation, suggesting the rejection indicated a lack of willingness on Danis`s part to take such a severely mismatched fight.
The technical reality of a combat sport contest with such an extreme weight variance is considerable. While rulesets can attempt to mitigate risks, the sheer mass and power differential between a peak strongman competitor like Hall and a fighter multiple weight classes below him present significant safety concerns and make competitive parity highly improbable. The quick dismissal of the proposed Danis fight by his own representative underscores this practical obstacle, regardless of any perceived hesitation from the fighter himself.
Despite the door closing on a fight with Danis due to an insurmountable *too-large* size difference, Hall simultaneously continues to voice ambitions for a different kind of massive challenge: facing former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. This potential matchup represents the opposite end of the spectrum – a clash between two of the most physically imposing figures in combat sports and strength athletics, a true heavyweight vs. heavyweight “mad fight” as Hall describes it.
While fan speculation about a Hall vs. Ngannou bout has circulated previously, Hall`s repeated mention confirms it as a personal aspiration. Such a fight, whether under boxing or MMA rules, would undeniably be a colossal event, pitting immense power against immense power. It fits Hall`s stated goal of participating in “out of this world, absolutely crazy things.”
In summary, Eddie Hall remains eager to test himself in combat sports following his successful MMA debut. However, the unique challenges posed by his size and profile mean finding appropriate dance partners is anything but straightforward. While potential opponents like Dillon Danis are dismissed due to overwhelming weight discrepancies, ambitious targets like Francis Ngannou remain on Hall`s radar as he seeks his next high-impact, unconventional combat sports spectacle.
