11-15-2015, 07:51 PM
Mark Hunt ends losing streak with first round knockout of Antonio Silva
Mark Hunt celebrates after knocking out Antonio Silva in the first round with a brutal right-hand.
Kiwi mixed martial arts star Mark Hunt has registered his first win in more than a year in a emphatic fashion, knocking out Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva in the first round at UFC 193 in Melbourne.
In a rematch of their epic draw in 2013, the Sydney-based Aucklander ensured there was no chance of it going to the judges this time as he floored the big Brazilian with a huge right-hand to the top of the forehead.
Following the pair's previous bout - one of the most brutal in UFC history - Silva was handed a nine-month suspension for elevated levels of testosterone and Hunt made it clear in the leadup to Sunday's showdown his actions had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Both men started cautiously before Hunt rocked Silva with a strong right kick to the body that reverberated around the Etihad Stadium.
Silva caught Hunt with a right hand of his own but it didn't deter the heavy-hitting 41-year-old, connecting with a lethal blow shortly after and lading two more before the referee stopped the fight.
"It was pretty satisfying. Thanks very much to all you guys for coming to support us," said Hunt, who improved his MMA record to 11-10-1. "I'm fit as a fiddle. I trained really hard."
It was Hunt's first victory since September last year and ended a two-fight losing streak following defeats to title holder Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic.
The Miocic loss was particularly brutal as the fight was stopped midway through the fifth round, prompting some to call for Hunt to retire.
But a gruelling eight-week training camp in Thailand transformed him into what he said was the best shape of his career.
And the results were there for all to see on Sunday.
Mark Hunt celebrates after knocking out Antonio Silva in the first round with a brutal right-hand.
Kiwi mixed martial arts star Mark Hunt has registered his first win in more than a year in a emphatic fashion, knocking out Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva in the first round at UFC 193 in Melbourne.
In a rematch of their epic draw in 2013, the Sydney-based Aucklander ensured there was no chance of it going to the judges this time as he floored the big Brazilian with a huge right-hand to the top of the forehead.
Following the pair's previous bout - one of the most brutal in UFC history - Silva was handed a nine-month suspension for elevated levels of testosterone and Hunt made it clear in the leadup to Sunday's showdown his actions had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Both men started cautiously before Hunt rocked Silva with a strong right kick to the body that reverberated around the Etihad Stadium.
Silva caught Hunt with a right hand of his own but it didn't deter the heavy-hitting 41-year-old, connecting with a lethal blow shortly after and lading two more before the referee stopped the fight.
"It was pretty satisfying. Thanks very much to all you guys for coming to support us," said Hunt, who improved his MMA record to 11-10-1. "I'm fit as a fiddle. I trained really hard."
It was Hunt's first victory since September last year and ended a two-fight losing streak following defeats to title holder Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic.
The Miocic loss was particularly brutal as the fight was stopped midway through the fifth round, prompting some to call for Hunt to retire.
But a gruelling eight-week training camp in Thailand transformed him into what he said was the best shape of his career.
And the results were there for all to see on Sunday.