Hunt roars: I’m not going anywhere
‘ I’ve still got a goal to be the best fighter in the world. ’ MARK HUNT
MARK Hunt has a clear message for anyone who feels he is a spent force inside the octagon – the ‘Super Samoan’ is not going anywhere.
Earlier this week, Hunt was confirmed to feature in his first mixed martial arts bout in New Zealand as the headline act for the UFC’s return to Auckland against explosive American Derrick Lewis on June 11.
It also doubles as yet another comeback mission for the Kiwi heavyweight after being on the receiving end of a brutal thirdround knockout to Alistair Overeem at UFC 209 three weeks ago.
The nature of the defeat – Hunt was out cold before he hit the canvas as well as suffering a nasty leg injury that was misdiagnosed as a broken tibia, plus his age, he turned 43 last Thursday – left many questioning his future in the sport.
But while Hunt admits the grind of training and recovering from fights has become tougher with age, mentally he feels as fresh as ever.
‘‘People saying I should hang it up at my age, those guys have never been fighters. They don’t understand the mentality of it,’’ the south Auckland-born veteran said.
‘‘There were a lot of times when I fought guys who are younger but I still beat them. Fighting’s a mind game. If the fight (against Overeem) wasn’t any competition and he just smoked me I’d consider giving it up but I’m not a quitter.
‘‘I’m still in the top 10, I’ve still got a goal to be the best fighter in the world.’’ GETTY IMAGES
The defeat capped a frustrating eight-month period for Hunt, beginning with the Brock Lesnar doping controversy that ignited his war on performanceenhancing drugs, which has reached the point where he has taken his employers and Lesnar to court.
It is a situation Hunt never wanted to be in, albeit one that seems to have consumed him. He can barely answer a question without mentioning his disgust for ‘‘steroid-using cheaters’’.
However, with four fights remaining in his deal, Hunt is adamant it will not distract him from his ultimate goal.
‘‘I’m not going to give up on a dream of mine, why should I?
‘‘I’m at the top of the world why would I want quit now. It’s never been in my nature to quit on anything. And especially after losing to a couple of cheats.’’
A showdown against Lewis, the hottest fighter in the division with six consecutive victories, is the perfect opportunity for Hunt to prove he still has plenty to offer.
Scheduled for five rounds, it would be a huge surprise to see it go even half the distance with both fighters possessing devastating knockout power in equal measure.
The similarities don’t end there, though.
Like Hunt, Lewis overcame a troubled upbringing as well as spending three years in prison before using MMA to turn his life around.
‘‘He’s been to jail a couple of times like me, now he’s fighting at the top end so you have to give him respect for that,’’ Hunt added.
‘‘If you can change your life from a negative to a positive in any aspect I think it’s great.’’