It looks as if a pivotal heavyweight bout could be headed towards March 4’s UFC 209, which is slated to go down from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 3-ranked Alistair “The Reem” Overeem and No. 7-ranked Mark “The Super Samoan” Hunt have verbally agreed
It looks as if a pivotal heavyweight bout could be headed towards March 4’s UFC 209, which is slated to go down from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 3-ranked Alistair “The Reem” Overeem and No. 7-ranked Mark “The Super Samoan” Hunt have verbally agreed to terms regarding a bout for this event:
BREAKING: Verbal agreements in place for Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem at UFC 209 on March 4 in Las Vegas, per UFC.
Overeem is coming off of a stoppage loss to reigning champion Stipe Miocic last September at UFC 203. Prior to that he had been riding an impressive four fight win streak that included victories over former champions Junior Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski as well as Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson.
Hunt, on the other hand, has been dealing with a more complicated situation. He most recently competed at July 9’s UFC 200 where he dropped a decision loss to Brock Lesnar, although it has since been changed to a no contest due to Lesnar failing multiple drug tests. “The Super Samoan” didn’t take Lesnar failing his tests particularly well and he has lashed out on the UFC multiple times over the last few months.
In fact, he asked for a specific clause in his contract regarding opponents potentially failing drug tests, although as Okamoto noted, it’s unclear if the UFC has adhered to his requests:
As of last week Hunt was still asking for clause in future fight contracts re: drug testing penalties. Don’t know exact details on that yet.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has finally been dealt his punishment from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) for two failed drug tests before and after his UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt. Lesnar will be suspended for one year and will also pay a $250,000 fine in a settlement he reached with the Nevada attorney
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has finally been dealt his punishment from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) for two failed drug tests before and after his UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt.
Lesnar will be suspended for one year and will also pay a $250,000 fine in a settlement he reached with the Nevada attorney general’s office. The hulking WWE star tested positive for estrogen blocker Hydroxy-clomiphene twice during his match with Hunt, first in a June 28 out-of-competition test issued by the UFC’s anti-doping partner USADA, and the second directly after his co-main event bout with Hunt at the massive summer card, which he originally won by unanimous decision.
The win will be changed to a no contest, and the fine equals 10 percent of Lesnar’s then-record $2.5 million disclosed purse. The suspension almost definitely means the 39-year-old Lesnar, who had been out of MMA for almost five years when he shocked most by revealing his return in June, is finished fighting in the UFC.
His test failures have incited a monstrous backlash from Hunt, who has been irate in demanding half of Lesnar’s purse due to his belief his health was legitimately at risk. The fan favorite knockout slugger has publicly blasted the UFC for granting Lesnar a special exemption from the normal USADA returning procedure, supposedly turning down two fights and gearing up for a legal battle against his employers.
It remains to be seen what comes to fruition from that bitter battle, but Lesnar has been dealth essentially the same sit that former light heavyweight ruler Jon Jones received, interestingly enough, for testing positive for the same substance before his scheduled UFC 200 match-up with Daniel Cormier that was canceled.
Lesnar was allowed to fight, and he dominated. Was the punishment enough?
Fan favorite knockout artist Mark Hunt found himself embroiled in controversy this summer when he understandably spoke out against the UFC’s decision to grant former champ Brock Lesnar a USADA exemption allowing him to face “The Super Samoan” at July’s UFC 200. At the UFC’s supposedly historic event, the hulking Lesnar used his vaunted wrestling to ground
Fan favorite knockout artist Mark Hunt found himself embroiled in controversy this summer when he understandably spoke out against the UFC’s decision to grant former champ Brock Lesnar a USADA exemption allowing him to face “The Super Samoan” at July’s UFC 200.
At the UFC’s supposedly historic event, the hulking Lesnar used his vaunted wrestling to ground and control Hunt on the canvas, softening him up with a smattering of shots that ultimately would not force the Samoan veteran to subdue.
It was after the fight had taken place it was revealed that Lesnar had failed pre and post-fight drug tests for banned performance-enhancing substances clomiphene and hydroxy-clomiphene, a situation his provisional suspension from the NSAC and potential pending sanctions from USADA could not make up for given the fight had already taken place.
The topic had since disappeared amidst a long list of booming MMA discussion points involving UFC 205, but just because talk has died down about, that doesn’t mean the iron-chinned Hunt is going to give up his journey. Hunt recently spoke to FOX Sports’ Damon Martin about his desire to continue his quest after retaining top lawyer Christina Denning of Higgs, Fletcher, and Mack to help him win justice:
“I’m going all the way. You think this is about money? I’ve turned down two fights already. This is about what’s right. I wanted to put a provision in for the JDS (Junior dos Santos) fight, but they wouldn’t do it. These cheaters need to be punished. I would think that the commission would stand right by me. I don’t understand why they don’t do something about it.
“The contract I sign says no doping but how about enforcing these contracts with harsher penalties. I love fighting, this is my life and I love doing it but it’s really important to do this.”
Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports Images
Hunt then went into solid detail about how the promotion can atone for how he feels they wronged him – both in future bouts and for his brutally one-sided loss to a Lesnar who allegedly had banned substances in his system on fight night:
“A change in all future bout agreements, such that if a competitor’s caught doping then the proceeds from the fight, whether that’s just the purse or if there’s a win bonus or there’s pay-per-view proceeds, whatever compensation the cheating fighter receives, he wants a provision in all future bout agreements for him and he’d like to see it across the board that the compensation be forfeited to the non-cheating party. So that’s the first thing,” Denning explained when speaking to FOX Sports about what Hunt wants to accomplish.
“The second thing would be some sort of compensation with what happened at UFC 200. I can tell you with respect to the whole where he’s coming from and the rationale and purpose behind why he wants to see both those things happening is because right now, the UFC has an anti-doping policy that isn’t being enforced to its maximum potential in order to deter people from getting into the ring. In fact, what’s happening is fighters appear to be taking advantage of the system and doping and either knowing or risking or banking on the fact that they’re not going to get the maximum penalty imposed by the UFC. “
“The Super Samoan offered a stern belief about how he thinks the result at UFC 200 truly should be recorded. In his eyes, a win is not a win if you are endangering your opponent in an already perilous sport while being aided by banned substances:
“In my eyes he didn’t win nothing,” Hunt said about Lesnar. “Anyone who sticks needles in their ass didn’t win nothing. I’ve got a clear conscious when I wake up and look in the mirror everyday. I’m not cheating and pretending to be something I’m not. He’s a fake ass person and a fake ass cheater and that’s all he’ll ever be. Just like Lance Armstrong and the rest of these clowns.
“These guys who are cheating, get them out of the sport. This sport is different, it’s a business of hurting people. I lose an eye or I perish in the Octagon, which could happen, and if he’s doping, the penalty should be a lot harsher.”
Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports Images
Hunt’s counsel Denning put things in perspective with a brief yet succinct explanation of her client’s precarious position, focusing on a lack of compensation for fighters who are found to have faced and lost to opposition who juiced:
“He really wants to get out there and fight. I normally wouldn’t threaten a lawsuit, I would just file it but he really wants to fight. So if he’s forced to file a lawsuit, which he is ready to go but he wants to fight. So he’s in this uncomfortable spot where he’s under contract with the UFC, he’s being offered fights by the UFC, he wants to make a living to support his family in these fights and he files a lawsuit at his age, how long is that going to take? A couple of years? Some of his best years left of fighting.
“We’re being so open about it and talking about it because we’re hoping the UFC will consider putting these types of terms into bout agreements for the competitors. What we’re asking the UFC to do is not unprecedented.
“The guy who gets in the ring with the juicer is the one who should get the compensation and they really should get the win if it’s found that their opponent was doping.
“It’s doing nothing for my client’s career if he keeps fighting opponents who are on steroids and then the results are just thrown out as a wash.”
With his heart essentially on the sleeve, Hunt concluded his telling, emotional interview by emphasizing just what the fighters’ true worth to the UFC is, meaning the rules in place must actually work to serve protect him from any unnecessary and illegal harm in the cage:
“I can’t speak on what other fighters what to do, I can only speak for myself. I’m a fighter inside and out, I’ll fight everywhere. I’m a fighter in every sense of the word. This is just another fight for me. Without us fighters, these companies don’t exist,” Hunt said.
“What I’m trying to do here is make changes to my contract so if something happens, he’s banned for life or there’s no money. It’s pretty simple. It’s good you’re chasing down these cheaters, but how about enforcing it? They’re not doing anything about enforcing these rules for people who cheated. There’s no excuses. That’s rubbish. What kind of lies are these guys pulling here? It’s rubbish.”
He just wants to be compensated if his opponent ever fails another USADA drug test.
Hunt’s attorney, Christina Denning, confirmed on a recent edition of “The Luke Thomas Show,” that the UFC proposed Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos for UFC 206 in December.
“I flew out to Vegas, I believe it was in late September, and met with three attorneys on behalf of the UFC to try to talk about a resolution, because (Hunt) wants to fight,” Denning said. “Mark turned down the upcoming UFC 206 fight against Junior dos Santos because the UFC wouldn’t agree to the terms that we had proposed.”
That proposal states that Hunt would receive the entire fight purse of his opponent if that fighter fails his post-fight or pre-fight drug test.
Hunt’s dealt with that in several of his most recent fights, including a July battle with Brock Lesnar. Denning did add that she has not heard a definite “no” from the UFC about adding the possible provision, which could change the course of the promotion moving forward if allowed.
The 42-year-old Hunt fought dos Santos in 2013, losing via third round knockout. That snapped a four-fight win streak for him at the time.
Mark Hunt wants to compete again.
He just wants to be compensated if his opponent ever fails another USADA drug test.
Hunt’s attorney, Christina Denning, confirmed on a recent edition of “The Luke Thomas Show,” that the UFC proposed Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos for UFC 206 in December.
“I flew out to Vegas, I believe it was in late September, and met with three attorneys on behalf of the UFC to try to talk about a resolution, because (Hunt) wants to fight,” Denning said. “Mark turned down the upcoming UFC 206 fight against Junior dos Santos because the UFC wouldn’t agree to the terms that we had proposed.”
That proposal states that Hunt would receive the entire fight purse of his opponent if that fighter fails his post-fight or pre-fight drug test.
Hunt’s dealt with that in several of his most recent fights, including a July battle with Brock Lesnar. Denning did add that she has not heard a definite “no” from the UFC about adding the possible provision, which could change the course of the promotion moving forward if allowed.
The 42-year-old Hunt fought dos Santos in 2013, losing via third round knockout. That snapped a four-fight win streak for him at the time.
UFC and Pride FC veteran heavyweight Mark Hunt has experienced a rough time in 2016. Starting off the year with a vintage one-punch KO of Frank Mir, ‘The Super Samoan’ was paired with Brock Lesnar at UFC 200. Undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career, Hunt faced the former champion in the milestone pay-per-view event.
UFC and Pride FC veteran heavyweight Mark Hunt has experienced a rough time in 2016. Starting off the year with a vintage one-punch KO of Frank Mir, ‘The Super Samoan’ was paired with Brock Lesnar at UFC 200. Undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career, Hunt faced the former champion in the milestone pay-per-view event. Unfortunately for Hunt, Lesnar came to wrestle, and the bout ended up being one-sided in the favor of the WWE crossover. Humble in defeat, the former K-1 champ looked forward to returning in the near future.
Once USADA (United States Anti Doping Agency) revealed Lesnar’s failed drug test, Hunt’s attitude towards fighting took a 180. Suddenly irate with his employers and USADA, ‘The Super Samoan’ went on a series of scathing rants. Furious that Lesnar had been allowed to fight at UFC 200, Hunt pointed out the pro wrestler’s four-month USADA exemption during his tirades. The disgruntled knockout artist accused the UFC of knowingly harbouring a drug cheat, and revealed he’d be putting in action steps to create a fighters union.
Lawsuit & JDS Snub
Earlier this week Mark Hunt revealed he’s considering a lawsuit against the UFC for alleged racketeering. An interesting report surfaced later in the week that suggested a long-told fairy tale about Dana White offering to pay Hunt to ‘ride off in to the sunset’ was actually BS. Hunt’s attorney, Christina Denning, claims her client actually successfully sued the UFC for breach of contract when he crossed over from Pride.
As the history of beef between Hunt and the UFC grow, his attorney told Sirius XM’s Luke Thomas Show, as quoted by Bloody Elbow, ‘The Super Samoan’ turned down a big fight at UFC 206.
Credit: Matt Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Hunt Says No
“I flew out to Vegas — I believe it was in late September — and met with three attorneys on behalf of the UFC to try to talk about a resolution, because [Hunt] wants to fight. Mark turned down the upcoming UFC 206 fight against Junior dos Santos because the UFC wouldn’t agree to the terms that we had proposed.”
“The UFC folks, they haven’t shut any doors on us, they haven’t said, ‘We’ll never talk to you about a provision like this in the contract,’” Denning said. “I’m waiting for my phone to ring, for the UFC to call us and come up with a resolution. Normally, I’d just file a lawsuit. Or I’d just wait for the Lesnar hearing to file a lawsuit. But we’re coming down and talking about it, because we want to resolve it and he wants to fight. He just wants fair fights.”
‘JDS’ famously knocked out Mark Hunt with a spinning wheel kick at UFC 160, a loss which the K-1 legend has since expressed interest in avenging. UFC 206 continues to lose out on some monster opportunities, as both Hunt and Georges St-Pierre remain at loggerheads with the promotion.
Mark Hunt’s fairy tale journey through the world of mixed martial arts came to a screeching halt this year. Since the Pride FC days, ‘The Super Samoan’ has been a solid fan favorite. Joining the UFC in 2010, Hunt ignored the offer to have his contract bought out by UFC president Dana White. Instead opting
Mark Hunt’s fairy tale journey through the world of mixed martial arts came to a screeching halt this year. Since the Pride FC days, ‘The Super Samoan’ has been a solid fan favorite. Joining the UFC in 2010, Hunt ignored the offer to have his contract bought out by UFC president Dana White. Instead opting to roll the dice in the UFC octagon, the former K-1 champion encountered a tough debut on US soil. Submitted by Sean McCorkle at UFC 119, Hunt faced a do-or-die opponent in Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 126. Scoring knockout of the night at UFC 126, ‘The Super Samoan’ then went on to win a further three straight.
By 2013, Hunt was becoming a household name. The fan friendly one-punch KO artist stepped up to face Junior dos Santos at UFC 160. Although losing to the former heavyweight champion, ‘The Super Samoan’ put in a gallant effort during their exciting scrap. Facing Antonio Silva in a thrilling five round draw, Hunt would then become the first man to KO Roy Nelson in the UFC. Harrowing losses to Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic, and stunning wins over ‘Bigfoot’ and Frank Mir led Hunt to UFC 200 and Brock Lesnar. Here’s where the Pride veteran’s career has pretty much ended.
UFC 200/USADA
Losing a one-sided decision to Brock Lesnar at the milestone UFC 200 event was a tough pill to swallow, but one Mark Hunt took on the chin. Up until Lesnar’s failed drug test was revealed by USADA some days after the fact, ‘The Super Samoan’ remained gracious in defeat. The moment the WWE star’s USADA pop was announced, Hunt went off the rails. Blasting the UFC for ‘harbouring cheaters,’ and allowing Lesnar to receive a four-month pre-fight test exemption, Hunt all but wrapped up his UFC career with a serious of scornful rants.
Announcing he’d push for a fighters association, it was clear Mark Hunt had enough of competing against fighters on TRT or steroids (allegedly, in some cases). Now it looks like he’s taken it a step further, via MMAMania, as ‘The Super Samoan’ is now seeking legal advice in a possible lawsuit against the UFC:
Credit: Matt Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Hunt vs. UFC
“It’s the third time I’ve had to fight a steroid user. I don’t think the penalties are harsh enough. I don’t think it is a fair environment. I’ve probably fought more juicers than anybody. The difference is now is that I realized I can actually lose an eye or something and not be able to compete again. I know fighting is kind of hard and all, but when these losers are taking steroids it makes it even worse.”
Retaining legal service from Christina Denning from Higgs, Fletcher and Mack, a law firm based in San Diego, Hunt revealed he’s possibly seeking legal proceedings against the UFC. Here’s what his lawyer said on the situation:
“We’ve got the UFC granting an exemption from the four-month drug testing requirements in order for Lesnar to participate in UFC 200,” she began. “UFC 200 happened in July, I believe, and he didn’t sign on with UFC until June, a month before. However, Brock and the UFC had been in discussions for several months beforehand about Brock Lesnar’s possible participation in the UFC and everybody understood that he was planning on coming into the UFC. That causes you to wonder, well, why didn’t he sign on early and get into the program.”
“Well, I can’t say with certainty and I don’t want to throw out allegations that are unsupported, but one could suspect that the UFC and Brock Lesnar both knew that they were going to have a problem with these random drug tests and so they waited and sat on this announcement so he could get clean. And then he gets into the program and has a couple of results where he passes and then he starts taking whatever substance it is–and I’m not an expert on it–but he starts taking this substance knowing that this is a one-time stop in the UFC and he is now going back to the WWE, where he is part-time and not subject to any discipline there and it’s like this guy is invincible.”
RICO Act
“What’s concerning is the UFC”s decision to grant him this exemption when the anti-doping policy … there is specific and this is where the law comes in and you argue over vague terms, but it says there has got to be extraordinary circumstances for granting that exemption,” Denning continued. “I don’t know, I”m not an insider like you, but there are reports out there that I haven’t substantiated, that this is the only time the UFC has granted such an exemption. Then you have to factor in the fact that UFC 200 came around the time of the 4.2 billion dollar sale of the UFC was getting ready to close and they’ve already lost some money because of the doping violations.”
Hunt:
“You can say the UFC is trying to do everything they can to try and catch drug users, but then why would they give him a four-month exemption?” asked Hunt. “I think they actually knew. They actually knew the pro wrestler was on the juice. All those losers are juicing. It’s all fake. It’s not a natural competition. They can do whatever they want to look good for the audience because it’s all scripted. How do I know this? I did pro wrestling in Japan myself. I’ve taken a lot of fights on short notice, but this one they gave him a four-month exemption. They had the sale on. I’ve had enough of it and I shouldn’t have to suffer, neither should my family, because these guys are taking the juice. And lose out on money that I should be making because this dickhead is coming around here with his steroids. And why is it that they are not making penalties even more harsher for these guys because it’s a violent sport about hurting people.”
Denning:
“One of these things that we are exploring–and same with Brock Lesnar there is causative action against him as well–but one of the things that we are exploring is actually racketeering, RICO violations, because there is a pattern for the benefit of the UFC to gain monetary benefit off of engaging in this behavior. And it’s given that there is a pattern and Mark can speak to this, but not only Mark, whose fought three people that have tested positive and they asked him to fight some of them again, there are other fighters in the UFC, who do not take any banned substances, who have also been put in the same situation. And my understanding is for those persons, sometimes their next fight’s compensation is dependent on the outcome of what that result is.”
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