“Jesus loves knockouts” – remember this witty line Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh once said? It was during the UFC 194 Fight Week, and the Irishman and his team were watching Mark Hunt KO Roy Nelson. The Samoan is a legendary name in the realm of combat sports and was known for possessing a terrifying knockout power. The New Zealander who last fought for the UFC in 2018 then tried his hand at boxing, finding major success there as well. So how did ‘The Super Samoan’ find so much success in combat sports? Well, according to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Hunt has a biological secret that is helping him out.
Speaking to his guests Yannis Pappas & Chris Distefano, the podcast host revealed on the Joe Rogan Experience #2249 that having a large head is actually a beneficial advantage in combat sports, one that legends such as Mark Hunt and Brock Lesnar enjoyed throughout their MMA run. According to the UFC commentator, a larger head means that one would be able to take more shots compared to the ones with normal-sized heads.
He said, “It’s way better to have a big head. 100%. Guys with bigger heads, traditionally, for a fact, take a better shot. Look at guys like Mark Hunt—one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. K-1 Grand Prix Champion, fought in the UFC, fought in Pride—a legend, head the size of this table. Brock Lesnar—head the size of this table.” Another factor that helped Mark Hunt, according to Joe Rogan, was the fact that the combat sports legend was a Samoan.
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USA Today via Reuters MMA: UFC 209-Hunt vs Overeem, Mar 4, 2017 Las Vegas, NV, USA Mark Hunt blue gloves looks on against Alistair Overeem not pictured during their bout at UFC 209 at T-Mobile Arena. Overeem won via third round KO. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports, 04.03.2017 19:15:40, 9918333, T-Mobile Arena, Mark Hunt, KO, Alistair Overeem, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJoexCamporealex 9918333
The Samoans are known for being massive and tough. According to Joe Rogan on his podcast, Mark Hunt made sure that he lived up to the expectations that one has with a Samoan fighter. In mixed martial arts, ‘The Super Samoan’ built a record of 13 wins, 14 losses, a draw, and a ‘no contest’ (no result). However, one thing on his resume that hurt him the most was the one no-contest against Brock Lesnar. After all, it became the reason behind him suing the UFC.
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Mark Hunt’s unsuccessful lawsuit against the UFC
In 2017, Mark Hunt filed a legal case against the UFC, which came to an end in 2023, but not in the way the former fighter expected. The heavyweight accused the UFC and Dana White of being involved in fraud and cover-up of possible doping by his rival, Brock Lesnar. Back then, ‘The Beast’ defeated Hunt via unanimous decision at UFC 200. It all took place after Lesnar had just returned to MMA after spending a long time in the WWE.
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Due to his prestige, the American received an exemption to compete and did not need to undergo the four months of anti-doping tests required at the time. However, after the fight, the former heavyweight champion was caught undergoing an anti-doping control after testing positive for banned substances, and his victory became a ‘no contest.’ Lesnar was also suspended for one year by the USADA and the Nevada Athletic Commission.
But Mark Hunt was not satisfied with this and filed a lawsuit accusing Dana White and the UFC of possibly covering up Brock Lesnar’s doping. Without the evidence needed to prove his theory, the former fighter saw U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey conclude that the veteran failed to prove that those involved had knowingly cheated on him at the time of the fight. So, the fighter retired from the competition with the no contest still being a part of his resume. But what do you think? Do you believe in Mark Hunt’s claims? Let us know in the comments.