Mariusz Pudzianowski: "Brock Lesnar is just another man like me."
by Natalia Baage on April 09, 2010

Everybody is wondering who is going to be the next heavyweight champion after defeating Brock Lesnar. While he's not in the UFC, World's Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski may just be the man for the job.

Randy Couture, Frank Mir and Heath Herring could not stop Lesnar. The challenger has to be someone who rivals Lesnar in power, speed and agility. While some are saying that Shane Carwin might succeed, Pudzianowski might also have a shot.

"He's just another man like me," Pudzianowski said of Lesnar. "Look, every fighter can be beaten. It's a matter of time and training, and you just have to have the desire and will to succeed. There are just a few steps to prepare."

While Pudzianowski only has one professional MMA fight under his belt, he defeated his opponent via submission due to strikes at 0:43 seconds into the first round in December 2009. The new Polish fighter has a second fight scheduled for May 7. Then he will make his U.S. debut, facing former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia on May 21.

In Pudzanowski's first fight, he leg-kicked and punched his opponent, hurting and dazing him before he eventually fell to the mat. Pudzanowski swarmed on him, throwing hammerfists and brutal punches until the ref interfered and ended the fight.

The Polish fighter seems to have a similar attributes as Lesnar. Both men are very large and muscular, and have beaten opponents by smothering them on the ground. However, Pudzanowski does not have anywhere near the amount of training as Lesnar. The UFC champion is a NCAA Division I wrestler and has been competing in MMA since June 2007. Pudzanowski, on the other hand, just recently began his MMA career at the very end of 2009, and is a 4th kyu green belt in Kyokushin Karate. With more training and a good camp behind him, the athletic Pudzanowski may have the ability to make a name for himself in MMA.

So will fans ever see Pudzanowski in the UFC, maybe even to face Lesnar?

"I think people ask me questions like that because of Brock Lesnar," UFC President Dana White said at a press conference prior to UFC 111. "The reason we made the decision to bring Brock Lesnar in is because he was such a good wrestler. This guy had a serious wrestling pedigree, so we took a shot. And at the end of the day, to be honest with you, I never thought Brock would be as great as he is. The guy's an incredible athlete and he blew me away with what he's been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. So, no, we probably wouldn't look into this guy yet."

 |  (51) Comments Mickey knox: I like Pudz chances, but I agree with Dana 100%. We really need to see him in a couple more fights to see if he can even hang with the likes of Sylvia. I think it would be interesting to see Strikeforce pick him up first, which is probably very likely. Put him in against Hershel Walker.:D D_V: i am not impressed yet. we'll see what he looks like against sylvia. Mtx: Agree with both you guys. I like Pudz chances, but we still need to see more of him before thinking to put him against Brock. I think lots of things are going to be answered once he faces Timmay. I like this guy so I hope he does well, but its still to early to talk about a fight against Brock. The Hitman: It's tough to judge seeing how he only beat one guy and he was a chump. Sylvia fight will show alot. Wandering_Minstrel: I believe DV said it elsewhere, but I don't think he will have the time to gain the skills necessary to beat someone like Brock. Brock is big, yes, but he also has an excellent base (wrestling) and he's already got a couple of years of experience over Pudzian. Sure, Mariusz has years of experience in Kyokushin, but that does not equate to real MMA training. As all of you have said, I shall be watching his next fight to see where he's really at. 1jmercurio: In his first fight mariusz defeated najman actually in about 15 seconds! Here comes the freight train! Natalia Baage: Would you rather see: 1) Pudz in the UFC? 2) Pudz fight Lesnar in an exhibition fight? nygiant: I can't believe what I just read. Seriously, a world class wrestler with WAY more experience, agility, power, strength...against a 1 fight win bodybuilder. Poonannies GO HARD: can Pudaksdjdif make 265? what does he fight at? yes brock would kill this guy... id rather see lashley vs brock. but brock would beat him too... and i fucking hate brock. c'mon shane!! D_V: he's only 277, as of last fight, so I doubt he'll have trouble making 265 guys. Lesnar is 290 right now, apparently. Storm: yeah, when cutting it is generally ALWAYS water weight unless u are changing weight classes.... this SHW to HW isnt a real change imo. however, i am curious to know how much water weight he has. it seems like it would be a hard cur for him just from looking at him.
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!