'The Mountain' Hafthor Bjornsson has given fans an update on his incredible, 18-kilogram weight loss by sharing an image of his trim new physique on Instagram.
The 2018 World's Strongest Man referenced a "killer morning session" in the gym and said his weight had dropped from 206kg to 188kg - shedding just under 40lb of bulk.
Not that we'd say it to his face, but Bjornsson looks far slimmer around the midriff than he was earlier this year. It's clear from his fighting stance that he's losing weight in preparation for his boxing bout against fierce rival Eddie Hall, scheduled for September 2021.
The Game of Thrones actor broke Hall's deadlift world record when he lifted 501kg at his gym in Iceland at the start of May. Now he's intent on shattering Hall's hopes - and chin - when the two step into the ring.
It will mark the culmination of a feud rooted in Hall's 2017 World's Strongest Man victory. Bjornsson complained about advantages he believes Hall was given, Britain's 'Beast' fired back with a firm defence - and the end result was an upset 'Mountain' saying he'd probably never compete in World's Strongest Man again.
Now they plan to settle their score in the ring.
To that end, Bjornsson's dramatic weight loss looks a clever move. While being able to benchpress a truck is undoubtedly a handy life skill for both men, carrying excess weight around a boxing ring can be incredibly draining.
Even the likes of heavyweight Anthony Joshua - practically a skinny waif when compared to the likes of Hall and Bjornsson - has actively reduced his muscle mass to improve his stamina and mobility.
Not that we're expecting much of the sweet science when the two do trade leather next year, given the seemingly very real bad blood between them.
Frankly, even 'The Viper' seemed to have less venom towards 'The Mountain' than Hall has.
Yet already dropping weight and getting into fighting shape over a year before the contest is scheduled to take place shows just how seriously the 31-year-old Bjornsson is taking this challenge.
At least Hall has plenty of time to hone his own fitness and sharpen his fighting skills before the two weightlifters drop their atlas stones, then begin trading leather between the ropes.
Featured image credit: @thorbjornsson via Instagram
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Boxing News, Eddie Hall, Boxing, Fight News, The Mountain, Hafthor Bjornsson