Mark Hunt agrees to face Alistair Overeem at UFC 209 on one condition
Mark Hunt has verbally agreed to meet Alistair Overeem at UFC 209 on March 4 in Las Vegas, but the fight isn't finalized just yet.
While both competitors have agreed in principle for the matchup taking place at the T-Mobile Arena, Hunt is still awaiting the UFC's decision on adding a clause to his contract in case Overeem tests positive for a banned substances surrounding their fight.
Hunt has been at odds with the UFC ever since his bout with Brock Lesnar at UFC 200 when the former heavyweight champion was given a four-month waiver from drug testing leading into their fight. Just weeks after their bout, Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance and was ultimately suspended for one year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Since that time, Hunt has been asking for the UFC to add a clause to his contract that would punish a fighter caught cheating by taking their entire purse — show and win money — and turn that over to their opponent.
So while Hunt has agreed to meet Overeem in March, he says the fight won't go forward unless the UFC adds this clause to the bout agreement.
“My clause will protect me in this instance and take the financial gain of the opponent of caught cheating, ” Hunt said on his website.
“That deterrent will protect me and other fighters. I’m pushing for this clause, I want to fight and I am ready. If the fight doesn’t go ahead it’s not my doing. I will not fight without this clause. I’ve already fought three dopers in a row and I’m not going to fight again without security. All I want is a fair go and an even playing field."
Hunt has been steadfast in this request, which included seeking an attorney for potential legal action after the Lesnar situation unfolded.
“This was the final straw. I'm not going to keep fighting dopers," Hunt told FOX Sports in November. "Why should I? The contract doesn't say I should be fighting dopers. If it does we should call it the ultimate fighting (expletive) cheating competition."
If the fight does come together, it will be an opportunity for Hunt to avenge a loss to Overeem from 2008 when he was submitted in the first round with a keylock.
Hunt definitely relishes the opportunity to face Overeem again, but whether or not this fight happens remains in the UFC's hands if they decide to add the requested clause to his contract.
“Overeem was one of my losses over a 7 fight losing streak when I was fighting battles outside the ring as well as inside, ” Hunt said.
“I couldn’t have beaten a wooden chair at that time in my life. I’ve never lost a rematch and I’m not about to.”
