Mark Hunt has three weeks to lose more than 16 kg and compete for interim belt

Famous for his physical type, M. Hunt must fight the scales until November 14th. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

When cutting Cain Velazquez of UFC 180 was announced on Tuesday night (21), the Ultimate organization acted quickly and simultaneously announced that Mark Hunt would be his replacement in the fight against Fabricio Werdum, which would be valid for the interim heavyweight belt. Currently weighing almost 137 kg, Hunt readily accepted the duel offered, but will only have three weeks to cut more than 16 kg and guarantee himself in the title fight in Mexico.

“Don’t think I hesitated. My only challenge is to make weight”, said the “Super Samoan”, in an interview with the “MMA Fighting” website. Problems with the scale are nothing new for us. Mark Hunt, even if it operates in the category with the greatest difference between the minimum and maximum limit. In his last combat, on September 20th, against Roy Nelson, the New Zealander arrived the day before the fight surrounded by suspicion, after the news circulated that he would be almost 8,6 kg overweight less than 24 hours before the weigh-in. Contrary to expectations, however, Hunt made weight on the occasion.

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At 40, Mark Hunt has a professional record of ten wins, eight losses and one draw. The “Super Samoan”, as he is known, had a remarkable stint at K-1 and spent his entire career in Japanese events and, more recently, in the UFC. In today's main MMA organization, there were five wins, two losses and one draw. On November 15th, against Fabricio Werdum, he fights for a belt for the second time in his career. In the first attempt, still for the extinct PRIDE, Hunt ended up submitted by the Russian Fedor Emelianenko.