Sydney's Mark Hunt could be next in line for a UFC title bout

Sydney-based mixed martial artist Mark ‘Super Samoan’ Hunt (10-8-1) could be the next contender in line to take on the winner of the bout between current champion Cain Velasquez (14-1) and Fabrício Werdum (18-5-1) who are set to fight in the main event of UFC 180.

After an impressive first round knockout victory over UFC veteran Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson (20-10) in Japan last month, the Sydneysider has been promoted to fourth place on the UFC heavyweight rankings, which places him in direct title contention.

The UFC may want him to fight once more before he gets a shot at the title, and a number one contenders bout against third-ranked Travis ‘Hapa’ Browne (16-2) could very well be on the cards.

Should the UFC want to organise a bout between Hunt and Browne in 2015, the fight would most likely be the main event of a UFC on Fox card, and may take place in Australia.

However, should current number one contender Werdum have to pull out of the championship bout for whatever reason, Hunt would be the logical contender to take his place.

Second-ranked Junior Dos Santos (16-3) has already lost to the current champion Velasquez twice, and is also already booked to lock horns with fifth-ranked Stipe Miocic (12-1) on December’s UFC on Fox 13 card in Brazil.

This only leaves third-ranked Travis Browne in contention, however Browne is coming off the back of a loss in which he got dominated for five full rounds against Werdum back in April.

Win, lose or draw, the fact that Mark Hunt is competing out of Australia will have broad positive repercussions for mixed martial arts in this country.

This would include greater domestic interest in mixed martial arts and increase the financial viability of organising big name fights or pay-per-view events here. Greater audience interest could potentially inspire future athletes to pursue a career in the UFC.

UFC president Dana White has expressed his interest in expanding the company internationally and with the majority of champions coming out of the American continents, an Asian Pacific title contender would drastically increase the profile of the UFC in those regions.

Should Mark Hunt win the belt he would become the first ever UFC champion to compete out of Australia in the 21-year history of the competition.

Hunt has all the skills to be a champion, and has proven he has the power to knockout any heavyweight in the division with multiple knockout victories, including becoming the first ever man to knockout Roy Nelson.

Both the champion Velasquez and current number one contender Werdum have shown they are vulnerable to the big right hand, and if Hunt could find his range he could pull off what would be the biggest win of his fighting career.

Hunt is also well known for his humble and respectful approach to martial arts and would make a fantastic ambassador for the UFC and mixed martial arts in general.