Mark Hunt sees knockout tear continuing against Brock Lesnar at UFC 200

By Jesse Granger

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 | 2 a.m.

When UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt lands a devastating punch, he doesn’t pounce on his wounded opponent like most.

He simply turns his back and walks away with his fist raised in the air. That’s because when Hunt lands a clean shot, his opponent doesn’t get up.

The nearly 300-pound “Super Samoan” will once again step into the spotlight on July 9 when he welcomes former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar back to the octagon at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.

Hunt enters the fight riding a two-fight win streak after first-round knockouts of Frank Mir and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva that earned him a fight in the co-main event of what is expected to be the biggest fight card in UFC history.

“I think it’s great, and I think it was already one of the biggest events and just to be a part of it is a blessing,” Hunt said. “It’s certainly because Brock is as famous as he is, and it’s great news.”

Lesnar will be fighting in the UFC for the first time since a Dec. 30, 2011 loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141.

The 38-year-old lost the belt to Cain Velasquez in 2010 after tying the UFC record with two successful heavyweight title defenses.

After a five-year hiatus, it’s unknown how well Lesnar will perform but what can’t be questioned is the WWE superstar’s drawing power.

Lesnar has headlined four of the top-10 selling pay-per-views in UFC history, including UFC 100, which sold a record 1.6 million.

“He’s a big name in the sport,” Hunt said. “There will be a lot more people watching because of Brock Lesnar so it will be a big day for me and the sport. In terms of people watching it will definitely be the biggest fight of my career.”

Hunt is currently around a minus-160 betting favorite in the fight at most Nevada sports books, with Lesnar coming back at plus-130.

“It’s great for my stock,” Hunt said. “It does nothing for my rankings, or to get me closer to a title, but it’s going to be a great fight.”

On some occasions, Hunt has been well over the 265-pound heavyweight limit as fight week approaches, even cutting nearly 25 pounds in one day before his fight with Roy Nelson. But Hunt says this time everything is on schedule and he will be ready.

“The fight camp is going great,” Hunt said. “I’ve had no injuries and I’m really looking forward to the fight.”

Heading in, the fight looks reminiscent of early UFC events when many fights were a matchup of contrasting styles.

Lesnar, a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion at the University of Minnesota, will be looking to get the fight to the mat as soon as possible.

In Lesnar’s losses, he has looked extremely uncomfortable exchanging punches. That could be trouble facing Hunt, who is regarded as one of the hardest hitters in the sport.

“We are very opposite in our styles but I think all of the top-end fighters are well versed in everything now,” Hunt said.

Hunt’s last five wins have all come by way of knockout, and the former K-1 kickboxing champion has nine knockout victories in his MMA career to join with 13 more in kickboxing.

Hunt isn't mincing words on what he wants to do inside T-Mobile Arena.

“I envision myself punching him in the face and him flying out of the octagon.”

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.