UFC: Hunt ready for battler: ‘the blood will fall whether it is mine or his’

Cat--Smasher · 05-14-2012, 09:09 AM

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The importance of training at a top team is the benefits of making your game stronger, and having the top guys pushing you all the time. It’s such a blessing for me to have training partners like Bigfoot (Antonio Silva), Thiago (Tavares) and all the good guys at Top Team”, said.

“It has been hard but I am committed to the cause”, joked the 38-year-old athlete, who holds a professional record of 30 wins in 43 Kickboxing fights.

Struve has six wins by knockout in his career, but against K-1 vet, things seem to be harder. Having submitted 15 of his opponents, the Netherlander might bet on his ground game to define the match against Hunt.

“Like all my fights, they soon realize they have one option and that is to take me down or try to (laughs)”, warns Mark, who is coming from a win via knockout over French Check Kongo, at UFC Japan.

By the way, Japan is the stage where Mark Hunt got most of his conquests. The athlete went from being a kickboxer to a mixed martial artist in 2004 and, although he was defeated on his debut, he showed some potential.

On the five following bouts he got wins and ran through names like Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Cro Cop, both fights at Pride.

“Well, I have always known that I am a top level fighter it’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, and even when the fans say why I was brought over they just understand talent (laughs)”, explained.

Although he’s below athletes like Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum on the organization raking system, the New Zealander was one of the most popular names to replace Alistair Overeem on a title fight against the Brazilian Junior “Cigano” dos Santos, also at UFC 146.

“It was good to know I have the support so it was fun for the time”, said, dreaming about a title shot on the most important MMA championship of the world.

“I hope to get that chance to share the octagon with the world’s finest, I have always wanted that opportunity, I am not here to build up a good fight record, I am here to battle. Win, lose or draw... The blood will fall whether it is mine or his”.

Hunt ready for battler: ‘the blood will fall whether it is mine or his’ :: TATAME