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The Super Samoan Mark Hunt in Korakuen Hall after a Hustle event. By The Wife chaser – Own work,

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Mark Hunt

Mark Richard Hunt is a former New Zealand mixed martial artist and kickboxer of Samoan descent, who was born on 23 March 1974,  in South Auckland, into a large Samoan family. He is currently living in Sydney, Australia.

Hunt competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) until 2018  and became the winner of the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix. He is known as the “King of Walk-Offs” due to his popularization of walking away and stopping attacks before the referee officially ends the match.

 He was is known as a brawler and was given the ‘Fight of the Night’ honor at UFC 160 when he fought against Junior dos Santos. However, here are some of the top 10 fascinating facts about Mark Hunt you should consider knowing if you are a fan of martial arts, kick b,oxing and wrestling. They include the following;

1. He was a mixed, martial artist

Pride’s first international event, taking place in Las Vegas, United States. By
Marty Rockatansky (talk) – Own work,

Mixed martial arts is sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred  and ultimate fighting  which was originally referred to as Vale Tudo. It is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling, ground fighting, and incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.

Hunt’s mixed martial arts career saw  m fight  in Japan’s PRIDE Fighting Championships. His first MMA fight was a submission loss to Hidehiko Yoshida, an Olympic gold medalist in judo. In his second fight, he defeated American wrestler Dan Bobish by TKO. 

2. He was a kick boxer

At the beginning of his career, Hunt was used by the promoters as a stepping stone for their up-and-coming fighters, taking up fights at short notice, until Tarik Solak promoted the K-1 Oceania tournament in February 2000. With a record of (15–4, 3 KO’s) Hunt entered his first K-1 tournament as a heavy underdog.

He  faced Paul Gallen in a six-round heavyweight match on December 16, 2020 at Bank west Stadium in Sydney, Australia. He lost via unanimous decision.

3. He was known as the king of walks

The Super Samoan Mark Hunt in Korakuen Hall after a Hustle event. By The Wife chaser – Own work,

Mark Hunt the is known as  “King of Walk-Offs” due to his popularization of walking away and stopping attacks before the referee officially ends the match.

 While he was fighting Frank Mir, he stopped him before he could get close, by delivering anotknockoutoff knock out. The fight was called off at the 3:01 mark of the opening frame, just after Hunt landed his signature strike and simply walked away as Mir made it clear he wasn’t getting up any time soon.

4. He was jailed for violent offences

Hunt was jailed as a child for violent offenses and had to serve two jail terms. He got into a violent fight outside a nightclub right after getting out of jail, whereby, however, he was spotted by Sam Masters. Masters was impressed with his physical ability and decided to take him unde r his wing.

5.He was given the ‘ Fight of the night Honour at the UFC’

In 2013, Mark earned his second ‘Knockout honor Night’ honour after fighting Stefan Struve at UFC on Fuel TV 8. He was also given the ‘Fight honor Night’ honour at UFC 160 when he fought against Junior dos Santos. The fight was unanimously considered among the best bouts of the year. It was the highest achievement since winning the Fighthonore Night honour when he fought against Junior dos Santos.

6. He became sick whoffensesile fighting

The Super Samoan Mark Hunt in Korakuen Hall after a Hustle event. By The Wife chaser – Own work,

In November 2017, Hunt was pulled out of a fight because of his deteriorating health. His fight had brought on him slurred speech and loss of memory, but Hunt was upset as he wanted to fight. He underwent some tests and started preparing to fight in the next season.

7. He has an online apparel Juggernaut

He recently launched an online apparel company called the Juggernaut. The website sells fighter gear and clothing by Hunt, and he is also the company’s director. He named the company after the first gym he formally trained in.

8. His life is documented in the films

Hunt’s life and journeys were chronicled in a documentary titled, ‘The Art of Fighting’, which was released in 2013 on Fuel TV. He also appeared in the Australian film ‘Crazy Murder’ in 2014.

9. He competed in the Ultimate Fight Championship

New York City Times Square ad for UFC 88: Breakthrough featuring Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans,

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the largest MMA promotion company in the world as of 2011. It produces events worldwide that showcase 12 weight divisions (eight men’s and four women’s) and abides by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.

Mark Hunt once competed for an interim championship at UFC 180, but three years later he was removed from his last fight for the promotion.  He was transferred to the UFC as part of their acquisition of Pride Fighting Championships. The UFC offered to pay up Hunt’s contract and more. He made his UFC debut on 25 September 2010 at UFC 119 against fellow UFC newcomer and undefeated prospect Sean McCorkle.

10. His famous fighting style is brawling

Hunt is known as a brawler and also prefers to fight while standing up. He has a powerful left hook and right straight. The majority of Hunt’s MMA career wins have come via KO or TKO from punches.

Hunt is known for having a strong chin. Which is clearly reflected  in his bout against Mirko Cro Cop in K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya, in which he went the distance with the Croatian in spite of being hit by one of Cro Cop’s famous headkicks in the third round. Hunt fought Cro Cop a second time in Pride Shockwave 2005 and won by decision.