The Fight for Poland’s Heavyweight Mantle

Mariusz Pudzianowski (left) file photo: Peter Lockley/Sherdog.com

Since the Kita-Grabowski matchup was announced, the Polish MMA community has remained divided on whether the timing was appropriate. While some thirst for a bout to determine Poland’s top heavyweight, many fans fret over either fighter spoiling his chances at larger international recognition with a defeat.

Kita himself, however, sees no reason for opposition.

“My record isn’t perfect.” he says. “I think we can settle this in our own backyard. This fight with Damian is designed to make clear [who is the country’s best heavyweight]. As long as my [financial] conditions are met, I’ll fight. It can even be against a two-mouthed tiger.”

Grabowski represents the opposing viewpoint.

“Ever since the matchup was announced, I was against it,” he says. “To be honest, I’d rather fight Mousasi.”

His fears may not be unfounded if one recalls the fate of Jorge Masvidal. All but confirmed for Bellator’s second season, the Floridian was ultimately dropped because he lost a tune-up fight to the unheralded Luis Palomino. However, heavyweight talent is always at a premium, and Bellator has precious few heavyweights to stick into an eight-man tournament this summer. No matter the outcome of their bout, Kita and Grabowski may both wind up in a Bellator bracket in August. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said his promotion was “monitoring the situation” and would presumably make a decision once the Kita-Grabowski fight has concluded.

“

If I lose my left arm,
I’ll box with my right.
If I lose my right,
I’ll throw leg kicks.

”

-- Damian Grabowski

Despite being a fertile enough scene to produce two fighters like Kita and Grabowski, MMA in Poland remains in its infancy. For proof, look no further than the fact that their fight will be contested over two five-minute rounds. That practice has come under fire of late. In May, top Polish lightweight prospects Lukasz Sajewski and Marcin Held squared off under the Angels of Fire banner; Sajewski took a close and highly contentious decision win. Ultimately, however, the bout was too short to offer a real resolution between the fighters and simply left all parties concerned dissatisfied, save for perhaps the Sajewski camp.

Even when local promoters try to employ the three-round model, they are often stonewalled by trainers acting as managers. Sometimes even the fighters themselves object, arguing that inexperienced competitors are not conditioned enough to go three rounds. However, experience will not be an issue in the Kita-Grabowski duel. Even with 24 professional fights between them, Beast of the East still made the baffling decision to give Kita and Grabowski only 10 minutes with which to work.

Meanwhile, Pudzianowski continues to anchor shows for the top promotion in the country -- KSW. The fact that Pudzianowski’s pre-fight introduction proclaims him “celebrity, strongman and mixed martial artist” -- in that specific order -- shows that pure talent and promise are not enough for Polish fighters to make waves at this point. Recognition for non-celebrities that compete in MMA has proven elusive, no matter their skill level. Pudzianowski, much like Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson in the U.S. and Alex Reid in the U.K., dominates what little mainstream attention given to the sport. Needless to say, Poland’s two top heavyweights are not particularly thrilled by that reality.

“One time I was asked: ‘Do you train the same stuff as Pudzianowski?’” Grabowski says. “I said, ‘No, Pudzianowski trains the same stuff as me.’”

Grabowski admits that Pudzianowski’s profile has helped MMA reach a larger audience in Poland, and he has seen business pick up at his gym as a result. However, Kita’s reaction to the man the media ignominiously dubbed “The Red Balloon” was characteristically blunt.

When asked about Pudzianowski’s MMA exploits, the always-curt Kita feigned ignorance, asking, “Who is Pudzianowski?”