9 Things WWE Fans Need To Know About Lesnar's UFC 200 Opponent Mark Hunt

Brock's in for a stern test at UFC 200.

By Andy H Murray /

John Locher/AP

Brock Lesnar makes his long-awaited mixed martial arts return this Saturday, 9th July, when he faces fellow heavyweight Mark Hunt at UFC 200.

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The fight is sure to be a highlight on one of the most talent-stacked cards in Ultimate Fighting Championship history. Occupying the co-main event spot just below Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier’s Light Heavyweight Championship bout, Lesnar vs. Hunt is one of the most talked about fights of the year, and not just because it’s Brock’s first MMA fight in close to five years.

Mark Hunt might not look like much at first glance. A portly 42-year-old with an MMA record comprising 12 wins, 10 losses, and 1 no contest, a casual fan could be forgiven for not taking Hunt too seriously going into this fight, but there’s so much more to the tough-as-nails New Zealander than mere numbers.

Hunt isn’t just one of the sport’s premier heavyweight fighters, but also one of it’s most interesting characters.

Here are 10 things you need to know about him ahead of the big fight...

9. His Violent Background

Mark Hunt worked his way to the worlds of boxing and kickboxing before eventually making his way to MMA in 2004, but his roots in combat sports come from humble beginnings.

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A troubled child who served two jail terms for violent offences, Hunt had no intention of ever becoming a professional fighter until a late night scrap outside an Auckland nightclub changed his life forever.

Knocking several aggressors out in a matter of seconds, one of the club’s bouncers approached Hunt, and, impressed by his stagger knockout power, invited him to his gym to take-up formal training. Hunt won his first Muay Thai kickboxing match one week later, receiving a six-pack of beer as payment, and the rest is history.

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