Mark Hunt secures UFC World Title fight in Mexico City

Mark Hunt secures UFC World Title fight in Mexico City

Kiwi UFC Heavyweight Fighter Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt to fight for World Interim Title

Auckland, October 27, 2014 - The New Zealand born UFC fighter Mark Hunt (10-8-1) has arrived safely in Mexico City, Mexico ahead of the biggest fight of his life.

Defeat World No. 1 Fabricio Werdum (18-5-1) and Hunt becomes the interim UFC Heavy Weight World Champion.

Champion Cain Velasquez (13-1) was to defend his title against Werdum, but was forced to withdraw with a knee injury. Meaning that if Hunt secures a win against Werdum, Velasquez will have first crack at the Super Samoan.

UFC promoters rushed to organise a replacement fight, calling up Hunt as a late notice replacement.

Werdum and Hunt will face off at UFC180 on November 15.

Hunt has travelled from his home in Australia to Mexico for high altitude training, with coaches Steve Oliver and Lolo Heimuli.

Odds are stacked against Hunt, who must drop 18kgs in less than 3 weeks.

But head coach Steve Oliver says “If anyone can do it, it’s Mark. I’ve never seen someone with such superior confidence as Mark, and he might have every odd in the world against him and then he will go out there and surprise everyone and not only knock the guy’s head off, but make it look easy”.

Hunt says "I feel blessed to have this opportunity to fight for another world title. This is something that doesn't happen often to people. First K1 and now UFC -- how can I say no, even though it's on short notice? I’ve dropped everything to fly to Mexico so I can best prepare myself for this fight. I have to get into shape and acclimatise to that environment, which is really important.”

ENDS

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