Mariusz Zbigniew Pudzianowski, alias Pudzian, Dominator – the best strongman in the whole history of this sport. Eight time Polish Strongman Champion, six time European Strongman Champion (in2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009),  five times World Strongman Champion (in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008), three times World Team Pair Strongman Champion (in 2003, 2004, 2005) and the winner and finalist of many strongman competitions. Today the competitor of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

Mariusz Pudzianowski, as He says himself as a strongman he has achieved everything he could, and that’s why he decided to take up a new sports challenge. As he trains martial arts as an amateur for several years, he tried his hands in MMA.

Mariusz began his adventure with MMA in December 2009. From the perspective of several official fights (less or more successful ones) a question of whether the change to MMA was Pudian’s good decision immediately raises? Should Mariusz, feeling that as a strongman he has already done everything that is possible, however choose a different discipline than MMA?

 We turned to Jarosław Dymek – Mariusz’s multiple rival at the championships and a pal at trainings with these and other questions

What in your opinion made Pudian regain lifting?

Jarosław Dymek: Mainly that Mariusz started to lose that he is really greedy for money.

Does it mean that in MMA Mariusz gets more money?
JD: Yes, he gets more in MMA. 

Is that good or bad for your discipline in Poland and in the world?

JD: It is very bad. That he left, has no impact. The bad thing is that he went somewhere else, to the other sports discipline. Until now, in the world of sport and people dealing with martial and strength sports they burnt with sympathy, comprehension and respect to strongman. Now everyone want to check up himself with a strongman. Strongman lost its prestige when the World Champion lets weak competitors to kick his bottom. 

What did you expect from Mariusz’s starts in Mixed Martial Arts?

JD: I had a skeptical approach to this from the very beginning. On the other hand I thought that his stubbornness, which helped him in strongman will also help him in MMA. Unfortunately I made a mistake.

How do you live through his defeats?
JD: At the last gala, sitting near the ring, as the only one I think I on the Englishman. However during the fight other people joined me. We simply want Mariusz to stop making a fool of himself and finish that farce in a ring.

Does he, regarding his predispositions and age has any chance to play the key role in armwrestling?
JD: With his predispositions and strength, he showed for all these years, I think armwrestling could bring him more glory than MMA. 

And it is quite hard not to agree with some Jarek’s opinions. As it must be admitted that his stubborness not necessarily sits well with good results. Last Pudzian’s fight showed that there is still a long way in front of him to become successful in Mixed Martial Arts. Mariusz should rethink if it is worth to incur MMA or with his predispositions to take up another sports discipline, perhaps such a martial sport as armwrestling.

We asked about the connection of armwrestling and Mariusz Pudzianowski in the source of armwrestling in Poland so the Chairman of Federation Armwrestling Poland – Igor Mazurenko:
 
 Igor Mazurenko – As the boos of the Polish armwrestling – have you ever feel like you want to invite Pudzian to the table before?

I have already asked Mariusz a few times about it, but then he started as a strongman and as he said himself could not take part in professional armwrestling because of two reasons: first – he takes off actively as a strongman, second – his elbow injury makes him unable to train the discipline.

What do you think of his chances, how much training does he need to win with the bests? Is this possible form the methodical point of view.

In contrast to MMA I see in Mariusz more chance than in anyone else. He’s had his bones and muscle already prepared. I want to remind everyone that Pudzian is very fast, which is a key advantage in armwrestling. He also has incredible strength. I will never forget how quickly Mariusz carried the heavy cases, each time breaking world records. Given his previous strength preparation, the ability to instantly return to strength training, speed and known to all perseverance in the pursuit a goal, I think that under the guidance of a professional during a year he could begin to compete with the leaders of the world armwrestling.

Wouldn’t it be nice to see Mariusz Pudzianowski at a professional tournament with the best armwrestling lead? I personally like such a scenario, and you?