Mark Hunt explains why he turned down UFC's $450,000 offer 'to go away'

BRISBANE, Australia – Mark Hunt’s MMA journey has been anything other than prototypical. A standout kickboxer, Hunt made his MMA debut in the PRIDE ring, where he faced almost every big name in the organization.

Hunt (11-10-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC), who headlines Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 85 event, ended his run in Japan, which included a stint in PRIDE successor DREAM, on a five-fight losing skid. All of those defeats came by stoppage, and it appeared the heavyweight’s MMA career had hit a dead end.

When the UFC purchased PRIDE, the company acquired Hunt’s contract. It’s long been known the UFC tried to buy out Hunt’s deal, but in the “Daily Telegraph,” UFC President Dana White discussed the lengths the promotion went to in order to convince him to leave.

“We thought that was enough money to make him go away,” White said after revealing the promotion offered Hunt $450,000.

Instead of taking the payday and moving on to the next phase of his life, Hunt showed that he’s a fighter to his core.

“He told me something like, ‘No way, (expletive) that (expletive). I love fighting. It’s who I am,’ White said.

After losing his first UFC bout via armbar to Sean McCorkle in 69 seconds at UFC 119, Hunt went on a tear. He rattled off four straight wins and entered the title picture.

He’s headlined multiple cards, as he does against Frank Mir (18-10 MMA, 16-10 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 85, which takes place at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The card airs on FOX Sports 1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

The decision to not walk away has paid off in a major way for the New Zealander. He’s made $275,000 in fight-night bonus money alone. When combined with his pay, Hunt has come out well ahead in a situation where most would have called him crazy.

Check out the above video as he discusses his reasoning.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 85, check out theUFC Rumors section of the site.