Mariusz Pudzianowski faces former two-division champ Mamed Khalidov at KSW 77

KSW has pulled the trigger on booking one of the biggest fights in company history between Mariusz Pudzianowski and Mamed Khalidov.

Pudzianowski (17-7) and Khalidov (35-8-2), who have fought a combined 49 times under the promotional banner, will meet in the KSW 77 main event on Dec. 17, the organization announced on Wednesday.

The event will takes place at Gliwice Arena in Gliwice, Poland, and will stream via online pay-per-view on the KSW website.

Pudzianowski, who is a multi-time “World’s Strongest Man” champion, is on the best run of his career at 45. He’s won his past five fights, all by knockout, including a highlight-reel finish of Michal Materla at KSW 70 in May.

After Pudzianowski won that fight, Khalidov entered the cage to set to the foundation for a showdown between them, and now it’s come to fruition.

Khalidov, 42, will have to overcome a significant weight discrepancy in the heavyweight bout. The former KSW light heavyweight and middleweight champion hasn’t fought since a December 2021 knockout loss to Roberto Soldic, and is coming off losses in four of his past five contests overall.

Despite his rough run, Khalidov is still dangerous. He’s finished 89 percent of his career wins by stoppage, and prior to his recent slump had gone on an incredible run of 34 victories in 35 fights.

Pudzianowski and Khalidov have both proven to be faces of the KSW organization at certain times, and now they will fight.