FRIDAY NEWS DIGEST 8/1: Hunt upset with idea of Lesnar vs. Jones, Bisping and Florian endorses Lesnar-Jones, Conor-Mayweather undercard

By Cole Henry, MMATorch contributor

Brock Lesnar (artist Grant Gould © MMATorch)

Mark Hunt upset about the idea of a Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar fight

Mark Hunt is not a happy man and hasn’t been for quite some time. He has fought a string of fighters who have had problems with performance enhancing drugs, and has even sued the UFC after claiming that they placed him in danger by booking him against Brock Lesnar.

Lots of talk has come up recently about a potential super fight between Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar, two fighters who have both tested positive for banned substances in the past. Mark Hunt obviously has an opinion on the matter.

Speaking on Mike Swick’s podcast, the popular Samoan heavyweight did not hold back his words. He admitted that Jones and Lesnar are both good fighters, but he also labeled them as cheats. He questioned the legitimacy of the USADA if they allow two guys who have failed so recently to compete against each other, and stated that he believes that punishments should be more severe.

Kenny Florian, during a discussion on last week’s “UFC Tonight,” endorsed Jones vs. Brock Lesnar. “The titles aren’t always the biggest fight you can get. That’s the fight you want to go for. Looking at what he’s done so far, that’s a fight I’d like to see him.” Fellow panelist and UFC Middlweight Champion Michael Bisping agreed: “It’s a freak show. Of course you want to see it.”

Cole’s Analysis: Hunt has a reason to be upset, but it’s always seemed like maybe he doesn’t really understand his own situation as well as he should. Saying that the USADA shouldn’t allow Jones and Lesnar to fight doesn’t really make a lot of sense.

If they are booked and do compete, it will only be after both men have completed suspensions. Cheating is a problem in this sport, and something should be done about it, but Mark Hunt has just always come off more as a bitter person than as someone who is really looking to make a change in the sport.

With that being said, I am not in his position, and honestly wouldn’t want to be. The idea of a lab-altered Brock Lesnar throwing down punches on my face doesn’t sound very appealing. Still, though, if booking this fight becomes a reality, I feel confident in saying that these comments here by Mark Hunt will not be taken into consideration by those doing the booking.

Michael Bisping says Jones is so impressive, he’s scary

On FS1’s “UFC Tonight,” UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping gushed about Jon Jones. “Jones is now the first man to stop DC,” he said. “He can be so impressive and he’s scary. It was an amazing finish.

Unaware of Jones having an arm injury at the time of his statement, Bisping critiqued Jones’s use of jabs. “I was a little frustrated by Jones in the fight. He wasn’t using the jab as a fundamental way to keep DC from coming in on him. He wasn’t playing to his strengths. For a shorter guy like Cormier, to be landing his hooks, says something. He wasn’t feinting in, but he was winning.”

Undercard announced for Mayweather/McGregor card

Main Card

  • Champion Gervonta Davis vs. Francisco Fonseca for IBF junior lightweight world championship
  • Champion Nathan Cleverly vs. Badou Jack for WBA light heavyweight world championship
  • Andrew Tabiti vs. Steve Cunningham for vacant USBA cruiserweight title

Undercard

  • Shawn Porter vs. Thomas Dulorme
  • Juan Heraldez vs. Jose Miguel Borrego

Fight Announcements

James Gallagher vs. Jeremiah Labiano announced for Bellator’s return to Dublin
Takanori Gomi vs. Dong Hyun Kim booked for UFC Fight Night 117
Lil’ Nog vs. Jared Cannonier announced for UFC Fight Night 120
Anderson Silva vs. Kelvin Gastelum announced for UFC Shanghai


NOW CHECK OUT YESTERDAY’S UPDATE: THURSDAY NEWS DIGEST 8/10: St-Pierre signs bout agreement, Jon Jones’s injured arm, Gilbert Melendez moves to featherweight, Mayweather-McGregor

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