Where to now for Mark Hunt?

Mark Hunt

But before Hunt had even staggered to his feet after a vicious flying knee and a hail of fists to the face, Australia’s silence was deafening.

The message was clear.

Hunt is a Kiwi again.

At 40 years old with a 10-9-1 record, Hunt’s best days are well and truly behind him. So what’s next for the former kickboxing world champion?

Keep fighting in the UFC –

After his last fight, a devastating knock-out win over Roy Nelson, Hunt said he could keep fighting for years.

“I’m one of the old guys, but you can’t get rid of me yet,” he said.

“I just want a shot at that title, that’s all I need. This ain’t about money for me as a fighter anymore, I’m about chasing my dreams.”

Sure, he just had a shot at the interim title and came up short, but you wonder what he could’ve done with a decent preparation.

He had about four weeks to drop 20kg, he left his wife and kids on two days’ notice and fought in Mexico City which is 2km above sea level. We’d love to see him have a crack at some of the top ranked guys with a proper build-up.

Besides, he’s one of the most entertaining fighters on the planet. There weren’t many complaints when UFC head-honcho Dana White drafted him in after Cain Velasquez got injured because he’s guaranteed to put on a spectacle.

He delivered against Werdum, knocking the Brazilian down in the first round on the weekend. In September he became the first person to knock-out Roy Nelson and who can forget his epic battle with Antonio “Big Foot” Silva last year. Not bad for a bloke who was on the UFC scrapheap a couple of years ago.

He might be old, but he’s still got pulling power.

Pack it in, get fat –

He’s been fighting for over half his life, maybe it’s time to put his feet up and eat steak every day.

Who would blame him?

Spread the gospel –

Hunt is a deeply religious man, saying “my life is all about God and understanding more completely what He wants.”

At the moment, he’s fighting while spreading the word, but a future spent devoting himself exclusively to the church is a distinct possibility.

Make another fortune in Japan –

You might not recognise him if you walked past him on the street, but in Japan, Mark Hunt is proper famous.

His fame – and a small fortune – stem from time in Japan’s Pride Fighting Championship in the early 2000s before he joined the UFC.

The Japanese made Mark Hunt action figures and he even has a crazed super-fan/stalker.

Become a trainer –

The 40 year old is a close mate and training partner of fellow Australian-based Kiwi fighter James Te Huna and if Hunt decides not to get in the cage again, he could maintain a presence in the fight game by becoming a trainer.

Penrith based Te Huna would be a perfect fit.

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