Alex Simon, the reigning Australia’s Strongest Man, has issued a direct challenge to former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall for a blockbuster fight in the GLORY Kickboxing ring. The callout sets the stage for a unprecedented collision between two of the planet’s most powerful athletes in combat sports.
Simon, who makes his GLORY debut against veteran Errol Zimmerman at GLORY Collision 8 on 13 December, views a fight with Hall as a pivotal step towards his goal of claiming heavyweight gold. For Hall, fresh off a stunning 19-second MMA debut knockout at KSW 94, the challenge presents a lucrative and legacy-defining opportunity.
Simon’s Audacious Callout: “The Biggest Fight Out There”
In a recent interview, the 350lb Australian strongman left no doubt about his intentions. “I want big fights,” Simon declared. “I would like to invite Eddie Hall to challenge me in GLORY. For me, that is the biggest fight out there.”
Simon’s ambition is fuelled by a remarkable personal resurgence. After serving a prison sentence, he has rebuilt his life through strength sports and now combat. “I was just an Australian strongman; I went to prison, came out and now I’m fighting on the biggest stage in the world in kickboxing,” he stated, framing a potential Hall fight as the culmination of his journey.
Hall’s Explosive Transition from Strongman to Fighter
On the other side stands Eddie “The Beast” Hall, who shocked the combat world in May by obliterating fellow strongman legend Mariusz Pudzianowski in under 20 seconds at KSW 94. The victory, achieved with a devastating overhand right, proved his freakish power translates directly to the cage.
While Hall had previously been linked to a potential MMA bout with Dillon Danis, Simon’s kickboxing challenge offers a different and perhaps more stylistically straightforward path. A stand-up battle in the GLORY ring would play directly to Hall’s proven one-punch knockout power, avoiding the complex grappling of a full MMA contest.
The Road to a Potential Collision
For this dream match to materialise, several pieces must fall into place:
- Simon’s GLORY Debut: Alex Simon must first navigate his tough debut against the experienced and heavy-hitting Errol Zimmerman at GLORY Collision 8. A win immediately elevates his status in the promotion.
- Contractual Negotiations: As a free agent, Eddie Hall is not tied to any single promotion. A deal would need to be struck between Hall, Simon’s GLORY management, and event organisers, likely in Saudi Arabia where such spectacle fights are frequently staged.
- Rule Set Agreement: While Simon has called for a kickboxing match, Hall’s experience is in MMA. Agreeing on the specific rules—whether pure GLORY kickboxing or a modified stand-up format—would be a key point of discussion.
A Clash of Titans with Global Appeal
A fight between Hall and Simon represents more than an athletic contest; it’s a global spectacle. It combines the niche appeal of world-class strongman with the mass audience of combat sports, creating a must-see event built on sheer physical enormity.
For GLORY, securing such a fight would be a major coup, injecting massive mainstream attention into their heavyweight division. For the athletes, the financial rewards would be significant, potentially dwarfing traditional strongman earnings. For fans, it’s a rare chance to witness two human powerhouses settle the score with fists rather than feats of strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alex Simon?
Alex Simon is the current Australia’s Strongest Man and a new signee to the GLORY Kickboxing promotion. He makes his debut at GLORY Collision 8 on 13 December.
What is Eddie Hall’s fight record?
Eddie Hall is 1-0 in professional MMA. He won his debut by a 19-second knockout against Mariusz Pudzianowski at KSW 94 in May 2024.
Has Eddie Hall responded to the callout?
As of this writing, Eddie Hall has not publicly responded to Alex Simon’s specific challenge for a GLORY kickboxing match.
When could Hall vs. Simon happen?
If Simon wins his 7 December fight, negotiations could begin immediately. A potential timeframe would likely be mid-to-late 2025, depending on scheduling and deal terms.
Where would the fight take place?
While not confirmed, major spectacle fights like this are increasingly being hosted in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia a leading candidate due to its financial power in the current sports landscape.
Main image credit: Getty Images
