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Likely last UFC fight booked
Hunt will take on Justin Willis in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Adelaide on Dec. 2, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Hunt (13-13) is coming off a lopsided loss to Aleksei Oleinik at UFC Moscow on Sept. 15, when he fell via submission in the first round. He'll now head to Australia for the last fight of his UFC contract, and the New Zealand native will get the chance to retire with a career record above .500 in front of friendly crowd. Given Hunt's public battles with the UFC over their lack of harsh treatment for PED users, as well as the fact that Hunt turned 44 years old in March, this could very well be the final fight for the heavyweight under the UFC banner. Matchup-wise, Hunt is far more experienced than the 31-year-old Willis, who is a perfect 3-0 in the UFC and riding a seven-fight winning streak overall. Hunt will concede three-inch height and six-inch reach advantages to Willis, who most recently came away with a victory over Chase Sherman in April. It should be a fan-friendly contest that plays out on the feet, with a very high probability of the fight ending inside the final bell.
Hunt (13-13) is coming off a lopsided loss to Aleksei Oleinik at UFC Moscow on Sept. 15, when he fell via submission in the first round. He'll now head to Australia for the last fight of his UFC contract, and the New Zealand native will get the chance to retire with a career record above .500 in front of friendly crowd. Given Hunt's public battles with the UFC over their lack of harsh treatment for PED users, as well as the fact that Hunt turned 44 years old in March, this could very well be the final fight for the heavyweight under the UFC banner. Matchup-wise, Hunt is far more experienced than the 31-year-old Willis, who is a perfect 3-0 in the UFC and riding a seven-fight winning streak overall. Hunt will concede three-inch height and six-inch reach advantages to Willis, who most recently came away with a victory over Chase Sherman in April. It should be a fan-friendly contest that plays out on the feet, with a very high probability of the fight ending inside the final bell.
Quickly submitted in Round 1 in Russia
Hunt was defeated by Aleksei Oleinik via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:26 of Round 1 at UFC Moscow on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Hunt's game plan was obvious from the start. He came out throwing leg kicks and visibly hurt Oleinik's leg after only 3 kicks. Once Oleinik's movement was compromised Hunt uncorked an overhand right that would have knocked out most fighters. However, Oleinik took the strike and didn't seem rocked. In response he rocked Hunt with a right hand and then got a takedown. From there, "The Boa Constrictor" took Hunt's back and sunk in the choke. Hunt tapped very quickly and showed very little in the way of grappling or submission defense.
Hunt's game plan was obvious from the start. He came out throwing leg kicks and visibly hurt Oleinik's leg after only 3 kicks. Once Oleinik's movement was compromised Hunt uncorked an overhand right that would have knocked out most fighters. However, Oleinik took the strike and didn't seem rocked. In response he rocked Hunt with a right hand and then got a takedown. From there, "The Boa Constrictor" took Hunt's back and sunk in the choke. Hunt tapped very quickly and showed very little in the way of grappling or submission defense.
Booked against Oleinik at UFC Moscow
Hunt will take on Aleksei Oleinik in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Moscow on Sept. 15, Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hunt continues to fight at the age of 44, but unlike his last matchup against the much younger Curtis Blaydes, Oleinik is a reasonable opponent. Striking remains the primary strength for Hunt, but even at his advanced age, it's logical to expect his chin to hold up against a smaller heavyweight in Oleinik. It wasn't all that long ago that Hunt sported a takedown defense north of 80 percent, but those numbers are greatly skewed now due to the fact he was taken down 10 times by Blaydes. Oleinik, properly nicknamed "The Boa Constrictor," will look to get this fight to the mat in any way possible, where he'll employ his world-class jiu-jitsu skills. Hunt's chances of winning correlate directly with his ability to avoid this scenario.
Hunt continues to fight at the age of 44, but unlike his last matchup against the much younger Curtis Blaydes, Oleinik is a reasonable opponent. Striking remains the primary strength for Hunt, but even at his advanced age, it's logical to expect his chin to hold up against a smaller heavyweight in Oleinik. It wasn't all that long ago that Hunt sported a takedown defense north of 80 percent, but those numbers are greatly skewed now due to the fact he was taken down 10 times by Blaydes. Oleinik, properly nicknamed "The Boa Constrictor," will look to get this fight to the mat in any way possible, where he'll employ his world-class jiu-jitsu skills. Hunt's chances of winning correlate directly with his ability to avoid this scenario.
Can't handle grappling of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 221
Hunt lost to Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision (26-30, 26-30, 27-29) at UFC 221 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
Hunt smashed Blaydes with a handful of shots in Round 1 and it looked like he was poised to earn the stoppage, but Blaydes somehow survived and Hunt's inability to defend the takedown the rest of the way cost him the fight. Giving up a ton of size, strength, and 17 years in age, Hunt wasn't able to deal with the physicality of Blaydes. The Super Samoan has given every indication that he wishes to continue fighting and if that is the case, the UFC needs to be smarter about who they book him against. Hunt is still a draw and he still hits like a Mack Truck but the days of him defeating up-and-coming studs like Blaydes are over.
Hunt smashed Blaydes with a handful of shots in Round 1 and it looked like he was poised to earn the stoppage, but Blaydes somehow survived and Hunt's inability to defend the takedown the rest of the way cost him the fight. Giving up a ton of size, strength, and 17 years in age, Hunt wasn't able to deal with the physicality of Blaydes. The Super Samoan has given every indication that he wishes to continue fighting and if that is the case, the UFC needs to be smarter about who they book him against. Hunt is still a draw and he still hits like a Mack Truck but the days of him defeating up-and-coming studs like Blaydes are over.
Eyeing UFC retirement
Hunt reported Thursday that he plans to retire from the UFC following his three upcoming scheduled fights, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hunt is booked to battle Curtis Blaydes at UFC 221 on Feb. 11 in Perth, Australia and has two additional fights on the docket after that. When asked what his post-UFC plans look like, the 43-year-old stated that he may begin "fighting global fights for New Zealand, Australia and probably Japan."
Hunt is booked to battle Curtis Blaydes at UFC 221 on Feb. 11 in Perth, Australia and has two additional fights on the docket after that. When asked what his post-UFC plans look like, the 43-year-old stated that he may begin "fighting global fights for New Zealand, Australia and probably Japan."