ROUNDTABLE: Do you agree or disagree with the UFC’s decision to remove Mark Hunt from the UFC: Sydney card?

Do you agree or disagree with the UFC’s decision to remove Mark Hunt from the UFC Sydney card?

COLE HENRY, MMATorch Contributor

This is a weird situation. Mark Hunt has a right to be upset that he is no longer fighting, but he did state just a few days ago that he is suffering from memory loss and several other symptoms usually attributed to a long fight career, and head trauma. The UFC should not let a fighter compete if he is showing clear neurological problems, but something about this situation does seem a bit suspect.

Hunt has been publicly feuding with the UFC so it’s easy to blame them for holding some sort of a grudge, but I don’t think that’s the case here. The bottom line is that Hunt has competed several times since filing his lawsuit, so his claims that the suit is the reason for his removal seem a bit off. The UFC has a duty to protect fighters from themselves, as is often stated, and if the UFC allowed Hunt to compete after making his statements they likely would have faced a backlash anyway. To sum up my ramblings, I’ll say that I agree with the decision, but I do feel for Mark Hunt and hope that the issue is sorted out quickly.

RICK MONSEY, MMATorch Contributor

I can see it both ways but when it comes down to it I’m taking the UFC’s side.  The UFC has to play it safe.  Plus, Mark Hunt has been very vocal against the organization and Dana White.  So they’re probably it to eager to give him much slack.  I could see Mark Hunt Bellator bound soon.

JOHN HARRIS, MMATorch Contributor

I have to side with Mark Hunt on this one. What the UFC is doing by pulling him out of this fight for health concerns after Hunt recently stated he is having some memory loss sounds great but it has never been a part of the UFC’s agenda to do that in the past. I feel that is more a personal issue with Hunt currently pursuing a lawsuit against the UFC for having to compete against fighters on performance enhancing drugs. Hunt stated he passed all medical tests given to him by the UFC in preparation for the upcoming fight, a claim that has not been refuted by the UFC. It seems like Dana White picks and chooses which fighters he promotes and cares about their safety and I just do not think Mark Hunt is one of those fighters.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch Columnist

If the doctors removed him for legitimate medical reasons, I’m all for it. If it’s anything else, I’m against it. If it’s the UFC playing loose with the rules, I’m against it. However, Hunt claimed that greatest of all tragedies, that he misquoted himself. If he’s having memory issues and things of that nature, he should never fight again. If that was just him putting on a “woe is me” pity party or trying to play himself off as a super tough guy, he should never write another piece like that again. We all know Hunt is super tough; he doesn’t have to prove anything. If an unbiased, third-party doctor cleared him, Hunt should be allowed to fight. If he’s not cleared, I don’t want to see him fight.

ZACK HEYDORN, MMATorch Contributor

The Hunt vs. UFC battle belongs on a daytime soap opera. That said the decision to remove Hunt from the Sydney card is hard to judge given UFC’s track record with these things. If I have to pick though, I’m siding with Dana White on this particular move. After what Hunt said about his physical and mental health, it would have been irresponsible to have him fight. Hunt, in his own words, detailed all of the reasons why he shouldn’t be fighting. How could the UFC trot him into an octagon after that? If what Hunt says is true, his days of fighting should be over. He’ll be thanking UFC someday for helping him avoid a disaster even if that move was astronomically self-serving for the UFC.

NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS ROUNDTABLE: Is USADA doing more harm or good for the UFC?