Pudzian, Dominator, Super Mariusz (Super Mario ), Pyton (Python ), and Duży Pyton (Big Python ) are some of the many nicknames of five-time World's Strongest Man winner Mariusz Pudzianowski.

Pudzianowski will be making his MMA debut in the Polish promotion KSW in December 2009, at KSW VII , against fellow Pole and professional boxer Marcin Najman.

The World's Strongest Man

Born on February 7, 1977, thirty-two-year-old Mariusz stands at 1.86 metres (6'1"), and weighs an impressive 142 kg (313 lbs).

Pudzianowski started strength training since he was thirteen, and at sixteen he entered his first national bench press competition and bench pressed 160 kg (353 lbs). Two years later, he joined the four wheel club and set a lift of 205kg (452lb).

He entered his first World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition on 1999, and achieved major success in 2000, finishing fourth. He won his first WSM title in 2002, and retained his title in 2003.

He would go on to win the WSM title again in 2005, 2007 and 2008, and was runner up in 2006 and 2009.

Steroids

Pudzianowski placed third in the 2004 WSM contest, but was was disqualified after an illegal performance enhancing substance was found in his body. He never disputed the violation.

It is uncertain what his long term goals are in MMA, but if he wishes to fight regularly in the USA, he surely must fight clean, due to regular drug testing.

However, drug testing in Japanese promotions is still considerably lax, and he may find the prospect of fighting there more appealing.

Skills

Pudzianowski has trained in Kyokushin Karate since he was eleven, and is currently a fourth kyu green belt. He also claims to have seven years of competitive boxing experience to his name.

Recent training pictures appear to suggest that he has been practicing wrestling and ground and pound.

That makes sense I'd say; when you say "world class striker," his body type isn't exactly the first thing that would jump to mind—his bulkiness and sheer size would not lend much in the way of speed or nimbleness.

One notable issue is his lack of any grappling background, but how much training will be necessary to solve that? Consider how Bob Sapp of 2002 was able to escape most of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's submission attempts just by sheer strength.

Honestly, picture a fighter trying to triangle choke Pudzianowski.

Outlook

If he intends to fight in the USA, one can assume that Pudzianowski has intentions of fighting clean, due to regular drug tests performed by the athletic commissions.

A second problem fighting in the US would be that he would either be fighting in the talentless superheavyweight division, or else he would be cutting massive amounts of weight to get to 265 lbs.

Japan may be a more realistic option: lax drug testing, and no upper weight limit on the heavyweight division.

Fedor vs. Pudzianowski on Dynamite 2010 anyone?