HUNT TURNING DOWN FIGHTS UNTIL UFC CHANGES CONTRACT WORDING
Mark Hunt weighed in on the NSAC’s handling of Brock Lesnar’s drug test failure after UFC 200 and he isn’t happy about it.
The heavyweight doesn’t think the punishment was nearly as harsh as it should have been and expressed his disdain to MMAFighting.com. “It’s not harsh enough considering he gets the same [punishment] as Jon Jones and Jones didn’t fight,” Hunt said. “Would that penalty have sufficed if I had died or been maimed?”
He also isn’t too pleased with how the UFC has handled the situation and feels he can’t do anything to change his situation. “Like I said, if you’re not going to make it an even playing field or a fair go, you’re not going to put a clause in my contract that says that which makes me a feel a bit more better, well then why should I?” he said. “I’m already in a contract I can’t get out of.”
Hunt has said he will sit out until the UFC rectifies the situation and that he has turned down several fights already. “I am still waiting on UFC,” he said. “Will they allow my clause or [will] we get into a lawsuit so the whole world can watch?”
The UFC has yet to respond to Hunt’s most recent criticism and we will follow up with the story as it continues to develop.
Cervantes Analysis: I understand his frustration with the way the NSAC and the UFC handled the situation, but I doubt he’ll get what he’s asking for. The UFC is notorious for not restructuring contracts that give greater leverage or benefits to fighters and Hunt isn’t a fighter who has the star power to make those types of demands. He’ll likely have to sit out until he and the UFC can come to some form of understanding, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls it a career at this point.
FRIDAY NOTEBOOK ITEMS…
-Julianna Pena told Bloody Elbow that if the UFC does not grant her a title shot, she will quit.
-Mickey Gall told MMAJunkie that Sage Northcutt would be “stuffed in a locker” in Gall’s hometown.
-In an interview with ESPN, Ronda Rousey blasted Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather for their “worship of money.”
-Nate Diaz has been fined $50,000 for throwing water bottles at Conor McGregor back at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference.
NOW CHECK OUT YESTERDAY’S UPDATE: THURSDAY NEWS DIGEST 12/15: Lesnar & Jones suspensions, Liddell concerned about Rousey, Bellator weigh-ins, CageSport (w/Hiscoe’s Analysis)
(Jonathan Cervantes has been an avid fan of MMA since 2009 when he saw GSP vs. B.J. Penn 2. He has practiced tae kwon do, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling in the past and is currently a student majoring in entrepreneurship at the University of San Francisco. He writes the MMATorch News Digest on Fridays and Saturdays. Michael Hiscoe writes MMATorch News Digests Sunday through Thursday each week.)
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