KSW star Mariusz Pudzianowski continued his impressive unbeaten streak in the promotion by knocking out Michal Materla with a devastating uppercut in their fight.
The 45-year-old has now racked up five knockouts in his last five fights. His finish of Materla, who had a record of 30-8 heading into the bout, came just under the two-minute mark of the first round. Landing a big right hand just seconds before, Pudzianowski fired off an uppercut that dropped Materla.
Materla was unconscious before he even hit the mat, with Pudzianowski landing one follow up punch before the referee stepped in to stop the fight. Medical staff rushed into the cage for Materla's aid as he was out cold after the brutal punch.
Five-time World's Strongest Man winner Pudzianowski first competed in MMA in 2009. With his latest win improving his professional record to 17-7, Pudzianowski reflected on his MMA achievements after the win whilst thanking Materla for helping him start in the sport.
"First of all I would like to give thanks to the KSW bosses and to Michal, that I got the chance 13 years ago to go learn everything from him. I went to Szczecin to learn and I had to work so hard to get that chance," he said. "You have to work hard to make it, they were always laughing at me and calling me a 'red balloon'. That red balloon somehow survives."
Pudzianowski teased a fight with former KSW middleweight champion Mamed Khalidov after his win. Khalidov entered the cage and congratulated Pudzianowski, a moment that overwhelmed the former strongman. "I can't believe what's happening," he said. "To stand next to Mamed, my jaw just dropped now I may face him in the cage."
Asides from a future fight against Khalidov, Pudzianowski has also suggested he would be open to an MMA clash against former strongmen Thor Bjornsson or Eddie Hall next. Bjornsson and Hall met in a boxing match earlier this year but neither have fought in MMA.
What were your thoughts on Mariusz Pudzianowski's brutal knockout win? Let us know in the comments section below
Also on the KSW 70 card, former Chelsea goalkeeper turned MMA fighter Ricardo Prasel provided a massive upset win against UFC veteran Daniel Omielanczuk. Prasel took some heavy punches early on, but secured an ankle lock that forced Omielanczuk to tap.
Irish fighter Tommy Quinn suffered a horrific dislocated elbow when he posted his arm as Albert Odzimkowski slammed him to the mat in their fight on the preliminary card.
