KSW’s dominant heavyweight king Phil De Fries has thrown down the gauntlet to Eddie Hall, offering the former world’s strongest man a shot at his title – complete with a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ on the rule set. The proposal could see grappling taken off the table or rounds shortened to level the playing field, giving Hall the heavyweight championship opportunity he’s long craved.
Proposed tweaks to make Hall vs De Fries competitive
De Fries, who recently inked a new four-fight deal with KSW, didn’t mince his words. “I’ll fight him for the title in any rules he wants,” he told Bloody Elbow. Acknowledging Hall’s size and striking power, De Fries even suggested removing grappling or reducing round lengths – potentially swapping five five-minute rounds for five two-minute rounds – to prevent Hall from gasping out in later rounds.
Eddie Hall’s journey from strongman to MMA hopeful
Since stopping Mariusz Pudzianowski in his last MMA outing, Hall has set his sights on heavyweight gold. While he’s gearing up for a boxing bout with Tommy Fury on June 13, the 2022 World’s Strongest Man champion remains fixated on an MMA crown. Facing De Fries could be the perfect bridge between Hall’s crossover spectacle fights and his ambition to be a bona fide MMA titleholder.
Implications for the KSW heavyweight division
A Hall vs De Fries showdown would be a seismic event for KSW and the wider MMA community. De Fries is on the cusp of his 14th title defence at KSW 117 against Marcin Wojcik, but his willingness to put the belt aside for a novelty clash shows a promotional eye for crossover appeal. For KSW, hosting a blockbuster featuring a global strongman icon could elevate the Polish promotion’s status on the world stage.
Whether Hall accepts the challenge remains to be seen, but De Fries has signalled he’s ready to grant this extraordinary request – complete with a gentleman’s pact to ensure ‘Big Eddie’ gets his dream shot at heavyweight gold.
FAQ
When could a Hall vs De Fries fight take place?
No date is set yet. It would likely occur after De Fries’s scheduled defence at KSW 117 in June, once Hall completes his boxing match with Tommy Fury.
What rule changes has De Fries suggested?
De Fries proposed removing grappling entirely or shortening rounds to two minutes to balance Hall’s cardio and wrestling inexperience.
How many title defences has Phil De Fries made?
Phil De Fries has defended his KSW heavyweight title 13 times and is preparing for his 14th defence against Marcin Wojcik.
What is Eddie Hall’s MMA record?
Hall has a perfect 1-0 MMA record, having stopped fellow former strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski in his debut.
