Eddie Corridor had a profitable MMA debut, however it wasn’t with no few hiccups.
On Saturday, the previous World’s Strongest Man gained his MMA debut, knocking out fellow World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski in simply 30 seconds at KSW 105. However whereas “The Beast” took dwelling his first official win contained in the cage, he additionally discovered a number of issues. For starters, Corridor was not able to go when the official tried to begin the spherical, resulting in some confusion on the outset of the motion.
“My dangerous,” Corridor stated in a post-fight interview posted to his TikTok. “I assumed you’ve your drink, after which the referee says the foundations, and you then contact gloves. It’s completely different right here in Poland. My apologies. That’s my inexperience. That is my first MMA struggle. So my apologies for that.”
Corridor rebounded rapidly, and as soon as the struggle began, it didn’t take lengthy for “The Beast” to make his presence recognized. Although Pudzianowski was the much more skilled fighter, Corridor got here out sizzling, gorgeous Pudzianowski with an early mixture. Pudzianowski tried to take Corridor down, however “The Beast” flung his fellow strongman to the canvas and battered him with punches till the referee intervened.
Nonetheless, throughout Corridor’s barrage, a number of punches strayed to the again of Pudzianowski’s head, one thing the 48-year-old famous following the loss. And for that, Corridor additionally confirmed contrition.
“I type of threw that first jab, he bounced again, and I might see the worry in his eyes,” Corridor stated. “So I threw a one-two, it was that fast, he dropped his guard, and I caught him with that second one. That’s when his eyes rolled, and I simply saved that stress on, threw him round, and simply saved plowing my fist into his head as arduous as I might. …
“Clearly, when he was on the ground, I used to be simply hammerfisting,” Corridor stated. “You simply lose — once more, my apologies, [it was] my first struggle. I believe I hit him a few times behind the top. Then I heard the ref shout at me, and it clicked, after which I went again to the face. So once more, my apologies. My expertise — I wouldn’t wish to be hit behind the top, so I’m sorry, Mariusz. However this stuff occur. It was an accident.”
Following Corridor’s win, the query rapidly turned to what’s subsequent for MMA’s latest attraction? Earlier than the struggle, KSW CEO Martin Lewandowski recommended the winner could be a enjoyable matchup for PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, and whereas Corridor didn’t shoot that concept down, he did make it clear what he’s in search of in his subsequent MMA foray.
“Jon Jones,” Corridor stated in a separate post-fight scrum (h/t Marcin Mic). “Simply kidding. No Jon Jones. I’ve received to step again. I’ve received to guage. If the rematch with Mariusz is there, I’d love to do the rematch with Mariusz. Two-minute rounds, like we agreed on the primary time. However I’ve received no aspirations to be a ranked fighter. I don’t wish to be No. 1 in KSW. So I’m going to take fights that make sense to me. If they’ll discover me one other World’s Strongest Man that desires to struggle, I believe that is smart. I don’t wish to struggle KSW No. 1.”
