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Mark Hunt, angry and depressed at what he feels is a company which condones the use of performance-enhancing drugs, says he probably won't fight in the UFC again.
Hunt, speaking exclusively to the Herald in Auckland today, is taking a stand following Brock Lesnar's two failed drugs tests which came to light after Lesnar's points victory over Kiwi Hunt in UFC 200 this month.
It is the third time Hunt has fought an opponent who has subsequently tested positive for drugs. Lesnar, a WWE wrestling star, appears set to escape the violation without a fine or the loss of any of his reported $3.5million from the fight.
That is unacceptable to Hunt, a 42-year-old who is contracted to the UFC for five more fights but doubts he will see them. Instead, Hunt, who believes he has four or five fighting years left, is looking to start a union to protect fighters' interests, but more particularly their health. He said it was possible for a fighter such as him to die in the octagon should the use of performance-enhancing drugs continue to go unchecked.
"It's an unsafe working environment," Hunt said. "They're doing nothing about cheating or performance-enhancing [drugs]. They're helping it, they're condoning drugs, is what I think. I think there should be some criminal [charges]. Every other sport has it sorted out. Every other sport frowns on cheats and drugs.
"It's a pattern here, and probably the next time - if I did fight - I could die," he said. "I have nothing against fighting, obviously, I love what I do. If it's an even playing field then it makes it fair... the guy was caught doping and he gets my [heavyweight ranking] position of No 8 and he gets all the money, it's ridiculous."
Hunt had lobbied for Lesnar's bonus to be stripped and given to him, but said today he wasn't worried about boosting his own bank balance, more about upping the sanctions for those who transgressed.
"I don't give a rats' about money, it's not like any of us are going to take it with us.
"The reason why I said to take his money is because guys are cheating to make money.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11683923
Hunt, speaking exclusively to the Herald in Auckland today, is taking a stand following Brock Lesnar's two failed drugs tests which came to light after Lesnar's points victory over Kiwi Hunt in UFC 200 this month.
It is the third time Hunt has fought an opponent who has subsequently tested positive for drugs. Lesnar, a WWE wrestling star, appears set to escape the violation without a fine or the loss of any of his reported $3.5million from the fight.
That is unacceptable to Hunt, a 42-year-old who is contracted to the UFC for five more fights but doubts he will see them. Instead, Hunt, who believes he has four or five fighting years left, is looking to start a union to protect fighters' interests, but more particularly their health. He said it was possible for a fighter such as him to die in the octagon should the use of performance-enhancing drugs continue to go unchecked.
"It's an unsafe working environment," Hunt said. "They're doing nothing about cheating or performance-enhancing [drugs]. They're helping it, they're condoning drugs, is what I think. I think there should be some criminal [charges]. Every other sport has it sorted out. Every other sport frowns on cheats and drugs.
"It's a pattern here, and probably the next time - if I did fight - I could die," he said. "I have nothing against fighting, obviously, I love what I do. If it's an even playing field then it makes it fair... the guy was caught doping and he gets my [heavyweight ranking] position of No 8 and he gets all the money, it's ridiculous."
Hunt had lobbied for Lesnar's bonus to be stripped and given to him, but said today he wasn't worried about boosting his own bank balance, more about upping the sanctions for those who transgressed.
"I don't give a rats' about money, it's not like any of us are going to take it with us.
"The reason why I said to take his money is because guys are cheating to make money.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11683923
