SPORTS-Mark-Hunt-i-le-fusuaga-ma-Roy-Nelson-WEB

Mark Hunt is one of the most beloved heavyweights of all time among hardcore MMA fans. Charismatic, professional, strong, and technically sound are just some of the traits that endear him to fans. When it was announced Cain Velasquez would have to have knee surgery it was a no-brainer that Dana would not call off the event. White didn’t have a lot of options for a new main event with the injury bug going around and available fighters already holding weaker UFC cards together.

Enter Mark Hunt, the Super Samoan.

Fans have begged Dana White for the opportunity to see Hunt fight for at the championship and now he finally will get that chance. He will replace Cain Velasquez and step in to face Fabricio Werdum for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.

An event in Mexico with an Hispanic superstar like Velasquez to headline, well a sell out was a foregone conclusion. Only time will tell if not having Cain will hurt the event’s ticket sales, but we are guessing not much, and that there is no better replacement than Mark Hunt if you want fans to be interested in the event again.

Remember this headline?

Mark Hunt nearly 20 pounds over heavyweight limit with less than 24 hours until UFC Fight Night 52 weigh ins.

I can assure you UFC fans do. Hunt was insanely overweight and the cut down to heavyweight seemed like a long-shot, but he did it – and then he knocked out the once granite chinned Roy Nelson. This time he is three weeks out from the event and weighs in at just around or above 300 pounds. In three weeks he basically has to lose 35 pounds, or 12 pounds a week roughly. A monumental task and one that leaves you asking, “where’s Mike Dolce at right now”.

Hunt’s weight cut is doable, but how hard is it going to be cut the weight safely and be in actual fighting condition. Let’s not forget that Mark is not a spring chicken at 40 and has been known to lose steam as the rounds go on in some of his fights. His fight with Bigfoot Silva that ended in a draw was one of the best heavyweight bouts of all time and he poured it on Silva for five full rounds. Maybe Hunt will show us all he gets better with age like Randy Couture? There is one more obstacle in his path besides weight, though.

Mexico City has an elevation of over 7,350 feet, which is roughly 2,000 feet higher than Denver, Colorado where athletes go to train because of how much harder the elevation makes your body work. Mark will have to compete at an altitude like that he will be pushed to the limit in.

Mark Hunt takes on Fabricio Werdrum, plus his own weight and stamina on November 15, 2014 at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City. Also on the card are Joe Lauzon, Kelvin Gastelum, Diego Sanchez, and Jake Ellenberger.

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