Hunt fighting out contract, wants 5 more fights, he doesn’t think in UFC
Mark Hunt: “Looking at trying to do some other things next year. I want to compete five more times, at least – because I still have the fire inside of me to do it – and go from there.”
UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt has suffered an often contentious relationship with the organization, most notably around Brock Lesnar.
Hunt lost a unanimous decision to Lesnar at UFC 200 in 2016, which was later changed to a No Contest. Prior to the fight, Hunto said he was certain Lesnar had been using Performance Enhancing Drugs. Under USADA guidelines, if a fighter leaves the UFC and thus is no longer subject to testing, then upon return, there is a four-month period of PED testing required before the first fight. New fighters have no such restriction. When Brock Lesnar decided to return, because he had not fought since 2011, years before the new PED policy was put in place, he was treated like a new fighter, and was not subject to the four-month test and waiting period.
When Lesnar did return, he was tested extensively. However, some of those test results came back after the fight had already happened. And Lesnar failed an anti-doping test for Clomiphene. He was suspended for one year by USADA. But in the mean time, Hunt had lost to yet another fighter who would later fail an anti-doping test. Hunt sued the UFC over the Lesnar fight, and is outraged that Lesnar later got a title shot. His displeasure is such that although he wants to fight on at age 44, it probably won’t be for the UFC. The final fight on his contract is vs. Justin Willis on December 2 at UFC Fight Night 142 in his adopted nation of Australia, with friends and teammates on the card.
It’s my last one, so I’m happy about that, said Hunt to John Morgan for MMAjunkie. I’m glad that the UFC has allowed me to do this. It’s great, so now I get to share the stage with Tai and Tyson again and all the Aussie boys, which is great.
I didn’t know much about [Willis]. I know he comes from a great camp, but … you know me. It could have been King Kong. I don’t give a damn. I’m in there. I just wanted to complete my contract, and that’s basically the bottom line. I’m happy where I’m at. I’m at peace with everything, and things are good.
So can the UFC bring him back into the fold?
I don’t think so, to be honest, said Hunt. Looking at trying to do some other things next year. I want to compete five more times, at least – because I still have the fire inside of me to do it – and go from there. We’ll see what happens.
Of course I feel like there’s more to do. Half the guys I lost to are freaking cheaters. There’s so much more to do, but it’s not my call. I never got the opportunities. After Derrick Lewis, I got No. 7, No. 9, now I’ve got No. 13. F*** it, I’m not going to get another shot, and that’s the way it is. I’m done with it. I’m at peace with it.
At the end of the day, it’s about fair play and an honest, even playing field. All these guys out there running around pretending to be top-enders, when they’re just shortcut takers, that’s a different level. I’ve spoke about it many times, and I think all the fighters should stick together on this sort of thing and make it an even playing field, but I guess not all of us are fighters all the way through. Some of us are just fighters when we go in the octagon.