Mark Hunt

Mark Hunt
On November 2007 in Korakuen Hall
Born	Mark Hunt 23 March 1974 (1974-03-23) South Auckland, New Zealand
Other names	Super Samoan, The Doctor, Oceana Super Fighter
Nationality	New Zealander
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	261 lb (118.4 kg; 18.6 st)
Division	Super Heavyweight (kickboxing) Heavyweight & Super Heavyweight (MMA)
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Style	Boxing, Kickboxing
Fighting out of	Minto, New South Wales, Australia
Team	Oceania Super Fighter Gym Liverpool Kickboxing Gym Tony Mundine Boxing Club American Top Team
Trainer	Hape Nganoroa Marcelo Rezende Tony Mundine Ricardo Liborio
Years active	1999 – 2003, 2008 (Kickboxing) 2004 - present (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total	2
Losses	1
Draws	1
Kickboxing record
Total	43
Wins	30
By knockout	13
Losses	13
By knockout	2
Mixed martial arts record
Total	14
Wins	7
By knockout	4
Losses	7
By knockout	1
By submission	6
Other information
Notable students	James Te-Huna
Website	http://www.markhuntfighter.com/
Boxing record from Boxrec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mark Hunt (born 23 March 1974) Japanese: [Mākuhanto]; is a New Zealand kickboxer and mixed martial artist of Samoan descent, currently living in Sydney, Australia. Hunt competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is known for his raw strength, iron chin and knockout power. He won the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final. Hunt was the first to beat Wanderlei Silva after his 4 year undefeated winning streak in Pride Fighting Championship. He also holds wins over Wanderlei Silva, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, Ben Rothwell, and Mirko Filipović.

Biography

Early career

Hunt was born in St Helens Auckland, into a small, Samoan family. He and his family then relocated to a tough suburb within South Auckland, New Zealand. He was a troubled kid and had no intentions to be a professional fighter, until one late night altercation outside a nightclub in Auckland changed the course of his life. The brawl did not last long. Sam Marsters, one of the bouncers at the door was impressed by the young man's knockout power and invited him to his Gym to take up formal training. Later that year Hunt moved to Sydney, Australia, to train with Alex Tui. A few years later he settled in Liverpool Kickboxing Gym under Maori instructor Hape Ngaranoa.

K-1 career

In 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 K-1 Oceania tournament in February 2000. With a record of (15-4, 3KO) Hunt entered his first K-1 tournament as a heavy underdog.

He won the K-1 Oceania title by knocking out "The Coconut Crusher" Aumitagi in quarter finals, Rony Sefo in semis and Phil Fagan in the finals. After this impressive performance he was invited to Japan for K-1 qualifications. He lost his first international fight by unanimous decision against Jérôme Le Banner.

In 2001, Hunt returned to K-1 by winning the K-1 Oceania tournament for the second consecutive year. After that he took part of K-1 World GP 2001 in Melbourne, where he beat Japanese boxer Hiromi Amada, before suffering a close unanimous decision loss to reigning champion Ernesto Hoost. However, because of his exciting fighting style Hunt was granted a wildcard spot in the repercharge tournament for the K-1 World GP 2001 Finals, when Mirko Filipović had to pull out due to injury. He was drawn against Ray Sefo, who won the bout by outpointing Hunt. After the fight however, Sefo suffered an eye injury and was not able to continue, allowing Hunt to proceed in his place. Hunt then TKO'd Adam Watt to earn his place in the K-1 World Grand Prix Finals at the Tokyo Dome.

During the matchmaking for the K-1 Finals, Hunt surprised the crowd by choosing Jérôme Le Banner, whom he had just lost in the previous year, as his quarterfinal opponent. Hunt won the rematch by knocking out Le Banner in the second round and advanced himself onto the semi-finals facing Stefan Leko. Hunt knocked down Leko two times in the first round and went on to win the fight by unanimous decision. The stage was set for the final battle against Brazilian Kyokushin karate champion Francisco Filho. In the final Hunt defeated Filho by unanimous decision to become the K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 champion.

In 2002, Hunt went to Paris to fight Le Banner again for the third time what turned out to be one of the biggest battles in K-1 history. Le Banner, fighting in front of his hometown audience, knocked down Hunt in the second round but was in turn knocked down himself a few seconds later. In the final moments of the round, Hunt was knocked down for the second time again by the powerful Frenchman. In between rounds the towel was thrown in as Hunt could not continue.

On 17 December 2002, Mark Hunt returned to defend his K-1 World Grand Prix title. In quarter finals, entering the third round and behind on all scorecards, Mark was able to connect with a right cross that knocked out Stefan Leko and advanced him to the semi-finals against his career long nemesis Jerome Le Banner. Despite knocking down the Frenchman at the end of the third round, Hunt lost the fight by decision. It would to be his last K-1 World Grand Prix appearance.

In April 2008, FEG announced Hunt's return to K-1 and nominated him as the challenger of K-1 Super Heavyweight title held by Semmy Schilt. The match was held on 13 April 2008, in Yokohama, Japan at the K-1 World GP 2008 in Yokohama. Hunt lost the fight at the end of the first round by spinning back kick to the body.

Mixed martial arts career

Hunt's mixed martial arts career saw him fight in events 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. Hunt stepped in as a late replacement for Sakuraba, and won a split decision against an outweighed PRIDE middleweight (205 lb) champion Wanderlei Silva. Silva, renowned for his brutal punching and Muay Thai clinch game, was neutralized by the hard-hitting Samoan and knocked down several times in the fight. At the PRIDE Shockwave 2005 event, Hunt surprisingly defeated Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović via a split decision, after his earlier loss to him in K-1. At PRIDE 31: Unbreakable, Hunt defeated Japanese boxer Yosuke Nishijima in the third round with a powerful one-two punch.

Hunt's next fight was in the opening round of PRIDE's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix (PRIDE Total Elimination Absolute) on 5 May 2006. His opponent was Japan's Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, who he defeated by TKO in the second round. He then faced American catch-wrestler Josh Barnett at PRIDE Critical Countdown Absolute in the second round of the tournament. Hunt was immediately taken down by Barnett and ultimately lost to a kimura submission roughly two and a half minutes into the first round.

Following that fight, Hunt next lost to PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko at PRIDE Shockwave 2006. Hunt controlled Emelianenko most of the fight and even effectively countered an armbar early in the bout. Hunt's greatest chance of winning came when he was able to put Emelianenko in an americana. Unfortunately for Hunt, Emelianenko was able to fight through it and submit Hunt with a kimura.

On 21 July 2008, more than a year after his last MMA fight, Hunt returned to MMA to face Alistair Overeem at DREAM 5, and was submitted by an armlock in just over a minute into the first round.

Hunt was set to fight Jerome Le Banner at Dynamite!! 2008 but ended up fighting late replacement Melvin Manhoef after Le Banner pulled out. Despite the fact that he had a substantial weight advantage over Manhoef, he was knocked out in 18 seconds in the first round. This marked the first time he had been stopped by knockout due to punches to the head.

On 26 May 2009, Hunt fought former Dream Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi in the opening round of the Super Hulk Grand Prix at Dream 9. He lost by submission in the first round.

Hunt made his UFC debut on 25 September 2010 at UFC 119 against fellow UFC newcomer and undefeated prospect Sean McCorkle. Hunt trained with American Top Team for the fight. Photos that had emerged on the internet had shown that Hunt had lost a considerable amount of weight in comparison to that of his Pride days. He was defeated via Submission (straight armbar) at 1:03 of the first round.

Hunt's next fight in the UFC was against Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 127 on 27 Feb. in Sydney, Australia. Hunt defeated Tuchscherer in the second round via KO, earning Knockout of the Night. Also snapping his six fight losing streak and giving him his first victory in nearly five years.

Hunt followed this performance with a decision win over Ben Rothwell at UFC 135 on 24 September 2011.

Hunt is expected to face Cheick Kongo on 26 February 2012 at UFC 144.

Championships and Accomplishments

Kickboxing

• K-1
  • 2002 K-1 World Grand Prix Final 3rd Place
  • 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion
  • 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka Repechage B Champion
  • 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Preliminary Melbourne Champion
  • 2000 K-1 Oceania Grand Prix Champion
• World Kickboxing Federation
  • 1999 WKBF Australian Super Heavyweight Champion

Mixed Martial Arts

• Fight Matrix
  • 2004 Rookie of the Year
  • 2004 Most Noteworthy Upset of the Year vs. Wanderlei Silva on December 31
  • 2004 Most Lopsided Upset of the Year vs. Wanderlei Silva on December 31

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Knockout of the Night (1 time)

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing Record

30 Wins (13 (T)KO's, 17 decisions), 13 Losses Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2008-04-13 Loss Semmy Schilt K-1 World GP 2008 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan KO (Spinning back kick) 1 3:00 30–13 Fight was for Schilt's K-1 Super Heavyweight title. 2003-05-02 Win Gary Goodridge K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 30–12 2002-12-17 Loss Jérôme Le Banner K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 29–12 2002-12-17 Win Stefan Leko K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Left hook) 3 1:16 29–11 2002-10-05 Win Mike Bernardo K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Elimination Saitama, Japan Decision (Ext.R) 4 3:00 28–11 Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002. 2002-05-22 Loss Jérôme Le Banner K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Paris Paris, France TKO (Corner stoppage) 2 3:00 27–11 2002-03-03 Loss Mirko Filipović K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 27–10 2002-01-27 Win Tsuyoshi Nakasako K-1 Rising 2002 Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 2 2:55 27–9 2001-12-08 Win Francisco Filho K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (Ext.R) 4 3:00 26–9 Wins K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 championship. 2001-12-08 Win Stefan Leko K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 25–9 2001-12-08 Win Jérôme Le Banner K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 2 2:32 24–9 2001-10-08 Win Adam Watt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Fukuoka Final Fukuoka, Japan TKO (Doctor stoppage) 3 1:38 23–9 Wins K-1 World GP 2001 in Fukuoka championship and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2001. 2001-10-08 Loss Ray Sefo K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Fukuoka Semi Finals Fukuoka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 22–9 Despite defeat advances to the final due to an injury suffered by Ray Sefo. 2001-07-21 Loss Peter Graham K-1 New Zealand Grand Prix 2001 Auckland, New Zealand Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 22–8 2001-06-16 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Semi Finals Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 22–7 Despite defeat will be invited to K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Fukuoka. 2001-06-16 Win Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne Quarter Finals Melbourne, Australia KO (Right Hook) 1 2:52 22–6 2001-02-24 Win Peter Graham K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Preliminary Melbourne Final Melbourne, Australia KO (Right uppercut) 3 2:10 21–6 Wins K-1 Oceania GP 2001 in Melbourne championship and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Melbourne. 2001-02-24 Win Andrew Peck K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Preliminary Melbourne Semi Finals Melbourne, Australia KO (Right punch) 1 0:48 20–6 2001-02-24 Win Nathan Briggs K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 Preliminary Melbourne Quarter Finals Melbourne, Australia KO (Punches) 1 0:57 19–6 2000-07-30 Loss Jérôme Le Banner K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Nagoya Quarter Finals Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 18–6 2000-05-14 Win Fadi Haddara K-1 Revenge Oceania Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 18–5 2000-02-27 Win Phil Fagan K-1 Grand Prix 2000 Oceania Final Melbourne, Australia KO 2 0:30 17–5 Wins K-1 Oceania Grand Prix 2000 championship and qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix in Nagoya. 2000-02-27 Win Rony Sefo K-1 Grand Prix 2000 Oceania Semi Finals Melbourne, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 16–5 2000-02-27 Win Clay Aumitagi K-1 Grand Prix 2000 Oceania Quarter Finals Melbourne, Australia KO 2 1:56 15–5 1999-10-23 Loss Neilson Taione Superfighter 2 Sydney, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 Wins WKBF Australian Super Heavyweight title. 1999 Win Chris Chrispoulides Sydney, Australia Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
14 matches	7 wins	7 losses
By knockout	4	1
By submission	0	6
By decision	3	0
Draws	0

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	7–7	Ben Rothwell	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 135	02011-09-24 24 September 2011	3	5:00	Denver, Colorado, United States
Win	6–7	Chris Tuchscherer	KO (punch)	UFC 127	02011-02-27 27 February 2011	2	1:41	Sydney, Australia	Knockout of the Night
Loss	5–7	Sean McCorkle	Submission (straight armbar)	UFC 119	02010-09-25 25 September 2010	1	1:03	Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Loss	5–6	Gegard Mousasi	Submission (straight armbar)	Dream 9	02009-05-26 26 May 2009	1	1:20	Yokohama, Japan	Dream Super Hulk Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Loss	5–5	Melvin Manhoef	KO (punches)	Dynamite!! 2008	02008-12-31 31 December 2008	1	0:18	Saitama, Japan
Loss	5–4	Alistair Overeem	Submission (keylock)	Dream.5	02008-07-21 21 July 2008	1	1:11	Osaka, Japan
Loss	5–3	Fedor Emelianenko	Submission (kimura)	Pride Shockwave 2006	02006-12-31 31 December 2006	1	8:16	Saitama, Japan	For Pride Heavyweight Championship
Loss	5–2	Josh Barnett	Submission (kimura)	Pride Critical Countdown Absolute	02006-07-01 1 July 2006	1	2:02	Saitama, Japan	Pride Openweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Win	5–1	Tsuyoshi Kohsaka	TKO (punches)	Pride Total Elimination Absolute	02006-05-05 5 May 2006	2	4:15	Osaka, Japan	Pride Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round
Win	4–1	Yosuke Nishijima	KO (punch)	Pride 31	02006-02-26 26 February 2006	3	1:18	Saitama, Japan
Win	3–1	Mirko Filipović	Decision (split)	Pride Shockwave 2005	02005-12-31 31 December 2005	3	5:00	Saitama, Japan
Win	2–1	Wanderlei Silva	Decision (split)	Pride Shockwave 2004	02004-12-31 31 December 2004	3	5:00	Saitama, Japan
Win	1–1	Dan Bobish	TKO (kick to the body)	Pride 28	02004-10-31 31 October 2004	1	6:23	Saitama, Japan
Loss	0–1	Hidehiko Yoshida	Submission (armbar)	Pride Critical Countdown 2004	02004-06-20 20 June 2004	1	5:25	Saitama, Japan

Professional boxing record

0 Wins (0 knockouts, 0 decisions), 1 Losses, 1 Draw
Res.	Record	Opponnent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Draw	0-1-1	Joe Askew	PTS	4	2000-04-23	Wyong RSL Club, Wyong, New South Wales, Australia
Loss	0-1	John Wyborn	PTS	3	1998-08-21	Bondi Diggers Club, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

See also

• List of male kickboxers
• List of male mixed martial artists
• List of K-1 events
• List of PRIDE events
• List of K-1 champions
• List of kickboxing organizations

External links

• Official UFC Profile
• Profile at K-1