Mark Hunt

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Profile

Mark "Super Samoan" Hunt (born March 23, 1974) is a New Zealand/Samoan professional mixed martial artist and former 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion kickboxer.

He stands 5 ft. 10 in. (178 cm) tall and fights in primarily open weight bouts at approximately 284 lbs..

Hunt is a PRIDE veteran and currently competes in open weight bouts for DREAM.

PRIDE

Mark Hunt made his professional mixed martial arts debut for the PRIDE Fighting Championships at PRIDE: Critical Countdown 2004 against 1992 Judo Gold Medalist, Hidehiko Yoshida on June 20, 2004.

He entered the bout to much fanfare after having conquered the kickboxing world in 2001 by winning the K-1 World Grand Prix. Hunt fought through Yoshida's initial submission attempts but ultimately succumbed to an armbar at the 5:25 mark of round 1.

Four months later, Hunt returned to the PRIDE ring at PRIDE 28. He faced UFC veteran, Dan Bobish and picked up his first professional victory when he stopped Bobish with a kick to the body in 6:23 of round 1.

On PRIDE's New Year's Eve show, PRIDE: Shockwave 2004, Hunt faced PRIDE middleweight champion, Wanderlei Silva. Hunt outweighed Silva by approximately 80 lbs. and he used that advantage to power out of most of the grappling offense Silva tried to employ. At one stage during the fight, Hunt instituted what was later to be known as the "atomic buttdrop" as he lauched himself ass-first onto Silva who was in the butt-scoot position. The move sent Silva's legs almost behind his own head but did very little other damage. The close fight went to the scorecards where Hunt was given a dubious split decision victory.

One year later, Hunt met Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at PRIDE: Shockwave 2005. The bout was a quasi-rematch from a K-1 bout they had back in 2002, which Cro Cop won via decision. The outcome would be different in the MMA bout however, as Hunt roughed up Cro Cop for three rounds while managing to take several of Cro Cop's signature high kicks. The judges' returned a split decision verdict in favor of Hunt.

At PRIDE 31, Hunt knocked out former WBF Cruiserweight champion, Yosuke Nishijima in the third round with a punch.

In May of 2006, Hunt entered PRIDE's 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix and faced off against UFC veteran, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka in the opening round at PRIDE: Total Elimination Absolute. Kohsaka had his moments but was battered by Hunt badly in various stages with the cumulative damage forcing the referee to stop the bout in round 2.

In the quarter finals at PRIDE: Critical Countdown Absolute, Hunt was knocked out of the tournament when he was submitted by former UFC heavyweight champion, Josh Barnett with a kimura in 2:02 of round 1.

At PRIDE: Shockwave 2006, Hunt met the greatest test of his professional career when he faced PRIDE heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko. Hunt threatened early in the bout as he secured side control on Fedor and looked to work a submission. That did not pan out however and he was soon reversed and submitted by Fedor with a kimura.

DREAM

Following the demise of PRIDE, Hunt spent over 18 months away from mixed martial arts competition. He eventually returned to fight for the DREAM promotion - a Japanese promotion that fans had described as "Zombie PRIDE".

He faced Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Alistair Overeem at DREAM 5 and was submitted with a keylock from within Overeem's guard at 1:11 of round 1.

Hunt returned to the ring for DREAM and K-1's New Year's Eve show, K-1: Dynamite!! Power of Courage 2008. Originally scheduled to face K-1 kickboxer, Jerome LeBanner (a man he had fought three times as kickboxer) his opponent was changed to 185 lbs. kickboxer, Melvin Manhoef after LeBanner withdrew due to injury. Manhoef shockingly managed to do what no one thought anyone could as he knocked Hunt cold with punches in just 18 seconds of the first round.

The Manhoef loss pushed Hunt's record to a disappointing 5-5. His record slipped below .500 at DREAM 9 when he was submitted by Gegard Mousasi in the first round of DREAM's Super Hulk Tournament.