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What happened when World's Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski took on Butterbean

Mariusz Pudzianowski and Eric 'Butterbean' Esch provided one of the most ridiculous MMA match-ups in the history of the sport when they went head-to-head back in 2010.

Pudzianowski, a five-time winner of World's Strongest Man, had made the transition in MMA after finishing as runner-up to Zydrunas Savickas during the 2009 event.

After winning his first two outings in the sport, the Polish icon lost to Tim Sylvia by TKO before targeting an unexpected bout against professional boxer and wrestler Butterbean.

Butterbean had found worldwide fame after starring in Jackass: The Movie, during which he left Johnny Knoxville needing stitches after battering him in a department store.

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Butterbean went into the bout with decades of experience, having won 17 of his 23 MMA bouts as well as 77 of his 89 professional boxing events and three of his seven kickboxing outings.

Their main event at KSW 14: Judgment Day took place in Lodz, Poland, and came after current UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz' bout against Daniel Tabera on the card.

Butterbean said before the fight: "He has no boxing game whatsoever, he has no stand-up game whatsoever."

Before adding: "Mariusz Pudzianowski hits like a girl. Apparently that offended him and hurt his pride."

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Following the opening bell Butterbean had the better of the first minute and landed some strong left hands that seemed to hurt Pudzianowski.

After creating space between the pair, Pudzianowski saw his chance to takedown his opponent as the round reached halfway, with Butterbean unable to force his way back up.

As Pudzianowski began to unload on his helpless opponent, the American could be seen tapping the floor for mercy as the referee called an end to the encounter.

Butterbean said afterwards: "I never said he fought like a girl. I said he hit like a girl. His takedown was good. I can’t complain. He won."

Since that bout, Butterbean had a handful of further bouts before calling time on his career, with Pudzianowski forming a fine MMA career of 16 wins from 24 outings so far.

He was back in the news this week after he destroyed his 23-stone super heavyweight rival Serigne Ousmane Dia within seconds during their KSW showdown in Poland.

The 6 ft 1 in powerhouse was full of confidence following TKO victories in each of his last three bouts, and he went one better with a first-round demolition on Saturday.

Now unbeaten since 2015, Pudzianowski looks set to continue his career with KSW having fought three times already in 2021 after resting throughout 2020.