Pudzianowski-Thompson, Khalidov-Lindland Greenlit for KSW 16

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Former World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski tipped the scales at 123 kilograms (270.6 pounds) before his fourth MMA outing against James Thompson at KSW 16 on Saturday in Gdansk, Poland.

Thompson missed the contracted 127-kilogram (279.4-pound) catchweight by 200 grams (0.4 pounds) at Friday’s official weigh-in. However, Pudzianowski immediately agreed to a fight, so the Englishman did not need to cut the remaining weight.

Both fighters were in good spirits during the weigh-in. In a recent interview, Thompson called the Pole “an extremely ugly creature.” In response, Pudzianowski brought him a mirror so, as he put it, the Brit could realize his own ugliness. Thompson was to quick respond.

“Mariusz invents his own jokes,” Thompson said. “You’re actually an attractive -- but slightly retarded -- man.”

In the event’s co-headliner, Mamed Khalidov and Matt Lindland each missed weight by 200 grams (0.4 pounds) for the 85-kilogram (187-pound) catchweight bout. They elected not cut additional weight and agreed to fight. The Chechen-born Pole is coming off a 33-second armbar victory over James Irvin at March’s KSW 15. Lindland has not fought since his December knockout loss to Robbie Lawler in Strikeforce.

KSW 16
Saturday, May 21
Ergo Arena
Gdansk, Poland

* Mamed Khalidov (85.2, 187.4) vs. Matt Lindland (85.2, 187.4)
Mariusz Pudzianowski (123, 270.6) vs. James Thompson (127.2, 279.8)
** Jan Blachowicz (93.3, 205.3) vs. Toni Valtonen (93, 204.5)
Michal Materla (84, 184.8) vs. James Zikic (83.9, 184.6)
Artur Sowinski (70, 154) vs. Cengiz Dana (69.7, 153.3)
Attila Vegh (94.2, 207.2) vs. Grigor Aschugbabjan (94.3, 207.5)
*** Marcin Różalski (101, 222.2) vs. Sergey Shemetov (105.5, 232.1)

* Khalidov and Lindland agreed not to cut the remaining weight
** Blachowicz missed weight by 300 grams (0.7 pounds); Valtonen agreed to fight
*** Shemetov has two hours to cut 500 grams (1.1 pounds)