Despite visa issues, officials 'confident' Mark Hunt will keep UFC 160 slot

Despite visa issues that still have him stuck at home in Australia, heavyweight Mark Hunt is still expected to headline next week’s UFC 160 event.

“As you know, Mark has experienced a visa issue that we are working through at the moment,” UFC Director of Communications Dave Sholler today said during a media call for the event. “To put anything to rest, we are confident that the issue will be resolved, and we anticipate Mark competing in the co-main event of UFC 160.”

Hunt (9-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC), an injury replacement for Alistair Overeem, is slated to fight ex-champ Junior dos Santos (15-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) at the May 25 event, which airs on pay-per-view from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.

This morning sources close to the fighter told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) Hunt was stuck in Australia and working with a UFC immigration lawyer to sort out the mess. During today’s call, Hunt said the problem arose from “a stupid misunderstanding” and “something that happened a long time ago,” referencing a past legal issue.

Sholler, though, is confident Hunt will be in the U.S. by the end of the week and didn’t give any details on a possible Plan B.

“Out team is working through the issue and we anticipate Mark making his way to the U.S. this weekend,” he said.

Hunt said he felt sluggish in a previous bout in Las Vegas because he arrived in the country just four days prior to the event. He hopes that’s not an issue at UFC 160, where the former PRIDE fighter looks to continue his recent career resurgence and pick up his fifth straight UFC victory. UFC President Dana White previously said a dominant performance could earn Hunt a shot at the belt.

“I’m just running out of time to get over there and acclimatize,” Hunt said.

For the latest on UFC 160, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.