Mark Hunt signs new six-fight deal with the UFC
UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt is currently in preparation for his upcoming bout against Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night in Japan on September 20, but he is starting to look towards his final run in the sport over the next few years.
Hunt informed UFC Tonight's Ariel Helwani that he's not going anywhere yet, but he has set a date for his retirement. The New Zealand heavy hitter recently signed a new six-fight deal with the UFC, but after he fulfills those bouts he expects to retire from combat sports.
Hunt has been a fixture in fighting for more than a decade where he was a multi-time kickboxing champion while also becoming the K-1 Grand Prix champion as well. He eventually transitioned to MMA where he fought in PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan before the promotion was bought out by Zuffa and he moved to the UFC where he's been ever since.
Hunt has been very vocal lately about ongoing contract negotiations with the UFC and his desire to make more money. It's unknown what the terms were for his new deal, but it was apparently enough to secure his services for at least six more fights before he calls it a career.
Hunt is returning to action following one of the most epic heavyweight fights in UFC history when he battled to a five-round draw with Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva last December. Hunt has been out since that fight dealing with a hand injury, but he's set to return to his old stomping grounds in Japan where he will face Nelson next month.
