Mark Hunt recorded his third UFC walk-off knockout in the first round against Frank Mir at Fight Night Brisbane.
The New Zealender has become known for his punching power. Every time he swings one of his arms through the air, the chances are high that could be the end of the fight just moments later.
Mir felt the brunt of that Saturday night (Sunday afternoon in Queensland, Australia), and Hunt just knew he had put Mir’s lights out. He’s had some practice.
“I got Frank and he was still in the dark lanes when I saw him,” Hunt said. “He wasn’t there when I saw him so I just left it. He was out and somewhere else. He was blacked out.”
Hunt now has six KOs of his seven career wins, finishing some of the toughest men in the heavyweight division.
Here are the Fight Night Brisbane Talking Points:
Hunt still has another run at the title left in him
After another historic night in the Octagon, Hunt was asked what he thought should be next for him following another big win over a top 10 opponent.
The only losses on Hunt’s record in the UFC have come against the division’s elite. “The Super Samoan” would love to run one of those fights back because he has a pretty good history the second time around.
“I’d fight any of the top guys,” Hunt said. “I could rematch any of those guys – (Junior Dos Santos), Stipe (Miocic), Fabricio (Werdum). I’ve never lost a rematch so I’d like to rematch any one of those guys. It doesn’t matter where we can party. I can party anywhere.”
If he were to win against a Top 5 guy, Hunt could be right back at the front of the line for a title elimination fight or even a title shot.
Neil Magny improves stock; shows mettle
Hector Lombard landed an amazing 50 significant strikes in the first round against Neil Magny, coming within a punch or two away from a stoppage win in the first round.
But Magny is a fighter, inside and out of the Octagon. The former military man has put in his time and has seen a lot in his 14-fight UFC career, and he wasn’t prepared to give up when his back was against the wall versus Lombard.
The win for Magny gives him 10 victories in his last 11 fights and positions him for a potential jump in the rankings as he continues to pursue a title shot.
“If I had my way I would just wait for a Top 5 opponent and then make a title run before the year is over,” Magny said.
Jake Matthews continues to prove prospect status
Every judge had Johnny Case ahead two rounds to zero against Jake Matthews, but the Australian wasn’t about to lose on home turf.
His coaches have helped him develop a new round-by-round mindset and he approached the third round like a whole new fight.
“Each round, especially this camp, we’ve been working on resetting myself. If you’re winning the fight, each round is zero-zero again when the fight starts again,” Matthews said. “When you think of it that way, you don’t get too overconfident when you’re winning, and you don’t get too hurried and make mistakes if you’re down on points.”
Matthews is now 4-1 in the UFC and slowly climbing the lightweight ladder. He’s ready for whatever the UFC has next for him.
“I’m not in a hurry. We always have a talk about who we want next, but we trust in the UFC matchmakers,” Matthews said. “They’re the best in the world at what they do and we trust that they’re going to ease me along , and as long as I can keep fighting guys that are just a bit higher up the rankings than me, I’ll keep working my way up the rankings.”
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