Eddie Hall, the 2017 World`s Strongest Man known affectionately as “The Beast,” recently stepped into the cage, making a spectacular and swift debut in mixed martial arts. Competing at KSW 105 against five-time World`s Strongest Man and seasoned MMA veteran Mariusz Pudzianowski, Hall wasted no time, securing a knockout victory in a mere 30 seconds.
This dominant performance immediately positioned Hall as a fighter to watch, sparking discussions about potential future opponents. Post-fight, Hall himself entertained the idea of a rematch with Pudzianowski and even mentioned the formidable former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, as a potential challenger down the line – a notable shift from previous statements.
An Unlikely Challenger Emerges
However, the combat sports world often delivers surprises, and Hall`s rapid win seems to have drawn attention from an unexpected corner. Eric Esch, universally recognized as “Butterbean,” the boxing icon planning his own return to action in 2025 at the age of 58, has thrown his hat into the ring of potential Hall opponents.
Butterbean`s comeback plans initially included ambitious targets such as Jake Paul, Brock Lesnar, and Mike Tyson. Yet, his gaze has now also settled on both Mariusz Pudzianowski and the man who just defeated him.
Interestingly, Butterbean has a personal history with Pudzianowski, having faced him in an MMA bout some 15 years ago, resulting in a relatively quick 75-second defeat for the boxer. Witnessing Hall dispatch Pudzianowski in half that time appears to have piqued Butterbean`s interest in a potential showdown with either man.
“I’d love to fight Pudzianowski again,” Butterbean stated in a recent interview. “I’d love to fight Hall, too.”
Boxing Rules Only?
There is, however, a significant stipulation attached to a potential clash with Eddie Hall. Butterbean is specific about the terms: “If Hall wants to fight in a boxing match, I’m game. If he thinks he’s tough, I would show him who’s tough.” The challenge is explicitly for a boxing match, not MMA.
The reason for this condition is straightforward and relates directly to Butterbean`s current physical status. While he previously ventured into various non-boxing combat sports like Pride, K1, and Cage Rage (even noting the UFC`s historical weight limit above 265 lbs as a barrier for his participation back then, a weight he states he could now theoretically make), returning to mixed martial arts is no longer a viable option.
Butterbean revealed that he has undergone double hip replacement surgery. This medical reality means that grappling, takedowns, and the multi-faceted demands of MMA are simply not possible for him. The stand-up nature of boxing, however, remains a feasible platform for his planned return.
For Eddie Hall, this presents a unique proposition. While his most recent success is in MMA, he does have one professional boxing match to his name – a 2022 decision loss to his strongman rival, Hafthor Bjornsson. The question now is whether Hall, fresh off his MMA triumph, has any interest in stepping back into the squared circle to face a veteran boxing figure like Butterbean, despite the significant age difference.
An unexpected callout from a legendary, albeit significantly older, fighter adds an intriguing and somewhat ironic twist to Eddie Hall`s burgeoning combat sports career. A potential boxing match between “The Beast” and “Butterbean” would certainly cross generational lines and disciplinary boundaries, proving once again that in the fight game, potential opponents can emerge from the most surprising places.
