Mark Hunt explains rationale for Australian flag on UFC Fight Night 33 poster

New Zealander Mark Hunt said there’s a simple reason he’s digitally draped in an Australian flag on the fight poster for December’s UFC Fight Night 33 event: His adoptive home has been far more supportive of his fighting career.

Hunt (9-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC) meets fellow heavyweight contender Antonio Silva (18-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 33, which takes place in the Queensland capital at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The bout is slated for Dec. 7 (but airs live in the U.S. on Dec. 6 due to the time difference).

Hunt is the star attraction of the event and has featured prominently in the organization’s promotional efforts. The 39-year-old “Super Samoan” had won four consecutive bouts and was on the brink of a title shot until a May loss to ex-titleholder Junior dos Santos. A win over Silva could get him back in the mix, and he’ll surely be the crowd favorite.

He said that’s a big reason he was OK with the fight poster featuring an Australian flag, rather than one for New Zealand.

As he wrote on Facebook:

Jus so u know I said It was ok to rep the Australian flag,even though I’m a kiwi.ive been living in Australia for nearly 20 years wife kids are Australian.i call Australia my home.and one of the main reasons Im really proud to rep the Australian flag is cause NZ has never recognized my achievements in my sport the only man to ever win the k-1 world title outside of Europe and will be the only one man to ever do it.i been fighting for 23 years 15 years at the top of the world,and what recognition does NZ give me nothing,so don’t ask me why anymore,I have jus told u.

Hunt launched his MMA career in 2004 and fought primarily for PRIDE before signing with the UFC in 2010. Additionally, he became a fan favorite during a pro kickboxing career, which spanned from 1999 to 2008 and included a K-1 world title in 2001.

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 33, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.