Hunt counts down to his UFC exit
MAKE the most of Mark Hunt in the UFC because the Kiwi heavyweight does not plan to stick around for much longer.
Hunt is scheduled to meet ninth-ranked American Curtis Blaydes at UFC 221 in February, one of three fights remaining on his current contract.
But once that deal is up, the ‘‘Super Samoan’’ has revealed he will not be seeking a renewal.
‘‘Three fights left, this will be one of them, I got two left and then see you later,’’ Hunt told Submission Radio.
‘‘That will be the end of my career in the UFC.’’
At 43, Hunt is very much at the tailend of his illustrious combat sports career. But regardless of his age, it is hardly surprising that he wants out after having his patience tested by the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.
First there is the ongoing lawsuit he took against the UFC, its president Dana White and former opponent Brock Lesnar.
Hunt claims all three parties knew Lesnar was using performance-enhancing drugs ahead of their bout in July 2016 but allowed him to fight anyway.
He lost by unanimous decision but the result was later overturned to a no-contest after Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance.
More recently, Hunt was pulled from last month’s event in Sydney following a first-person article in Australian website PlayersVoice, where he admitted to slurring his speech and memory loss.
Hunt reiterated his claims that he was cleared to fight by two Australian brain specialists. However, it was only after visiting the Lou Ruvo Centre for Brain Health in Las Vegas that he was given the green light by the UFC to resume his career.
Hunt has never been shy about voicing his frustrations with the company but he appears to have had enough.
‘‘It was kind of depressing, to be honest because there was nothing wrong with me – you can probably hear that,’’ Hunt said of being removed from the main event at UFC Fight Night.
‘‘You probably know the path I’ve had with the UFC, but you GETTY IMAGES know, it’s business. I haven’t done nothing wrong, I just don’t like to be treated like s...
‘‘Even if I’m an employee or whatever and I speak my mind about it and, you know, I’ll go from there. So like I said, three fights left and I’ll move on.’’
Leaving the UFC does not mean Hunt will stop fighting altogether, though.
He remains one of the more popular heavyweights in MMA and there are a couple of options he could pursue. One potential Getty Images home is Bellator, the UFC’s main competitor in the United States which has 41-year-old heavyweight great Fedor Emelianenko on its books.
He could also sign with Rizin in Japan where he has a huge following from winning the K-1 title in 2001 and his days in the Pride and Dream promotions.
‘‘Of course, I’m looking at going and fighting global fights for New Zealand, Australia and probably Japan. It depends on what happens.’’
Yet while he may only have three fights left in the UFC, Hunt has not given up on getting his hands on the heavyweight belt.
Hunt (13-11-1, 1NC) admits to knowing little about Blaydes (8-1, 1NC), one of the division’s rising stars who will be looking for his fourth-straight victory.
But having ended Derrick Lewis’ six-fight winning streak in June, the fifth-ranked Hunt feels another strong performance should be enough to earn him a date with a top contender.
Win that bout and the possibility of fighting for the crown in his UFC swansong is not out of the question.
‘‘I’m still chasing the dream of that world title,’’ Hunt said. ‘‘I’m in a good position to get a finish in this fight, beat this guy, then move on to the top end.’’