Hunto: I want 50% of Lesnar’s purse or release from contract
Mark Hunt: “The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off. What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice? Nothing.”
When the hardcore fanbase learned that former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar had failed a PED test, the general reaction was “I’m not surprised motherf@$%er.”
However, for Mark Hunt, who lost to Lesnar at UFC 200, there was not a single funny thing about it. This is painful to watch. Imagine what it felt like.
Adding to the frustration, Lesnar earned $2,500,000, the highest contracted payout in UFC history, plus a cut of the PPV.
Hunt says he has asked UFC officials for 50% of Lesnar’s purse, and if he doesn’t get that, he wants an immediate release from his contract. Hunt said he has not yet received a response to his demand.
“The cheaters get a slap on the wrist and walk off,” said Hunt to Ariel Helwani for MMA Fighting. “What penalty or deterrent is there to make them think twice? Nothing. And the [Nevada Athletic Commission], why should these [expletive] get anything? They are not the ones who had to fight with Lesnar or lose. I lost.”
While every sympathy must be extended to Hunt, if Lesnar’s $2,500,000 was as it appears to be a flat purse, not dependent on win or loss, then it is difficult to see the moral basis upon which Hunt should get half of it. The test was administered by USADA not the NAC, which often fines 20% for PED test failures. Hunt is right that an AC getting a percentage of the purse money seems unjust given who that it is the fighter who takes the beating. However, this does seem to be the convention in law. If someone gets drunk and runs into your car, they may get a fine or jail time or both, but you don’t get the money. Thus, it still remains difficult to see the basis on which Hunt wants half of Brock’s pay, under the threat of leaving the league.
H/T BBC Brasco