Mark Hunt sues UFC, president Dana White and former opponent Brock Lesnar

Mark Hunt is suing the UFC after his UFC 200 opponent Brock Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance. Photo / NZ Herald.

Kiwi heavyweight Mark Hunt has revealed he's suing the UFC for $2.5 million.

Hunt has been outspoken in his fight to receive compensation after his UFC 200 opponent Brock Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance and now he's launched legal proceedings.

The 42-year-old filed the lawsuit in Nevada Distric Court today, alleging the UFC had "affirmatively circumvented and obstructed fair competition for their own benefit."

It's an awkward position for the power puncher given he's still contracted to the UFC and scheduled to fight Alistair Overeem in Las Vegas in March.

"I have filed a lawsuit against the UFC today," Hunt wrote on Facebook. "If the fight with Overeem doesn't go ahead you will all know why."

"I want the UFC to understand it's not OK to keep doing what they're doing," Hunt told ESPN.com.

"They're allowing guys to do this. They had a chance to take all the money from this guy, because he's a cheater, and they didn't.

"What message is that sending to the boys and girls who want to be a fighter someday? The message is, 'You just have to cheat like this and it's OK.' In society, if you commit a crime, you pay. Why is it different in MMA? It's hurt the business, so it's even worse. They need to be held accountable for this."

The 17-year MMA veteran spent the second half of 2016 blasting the UFC for its seemingly lax control over drug-abusing fighters.

"It's the third time I've had to fight a steroid user," Hunt told MMAmania.com in October.

"I don't think the penalties are harsh enough. I don't think it is a fair environment. I've probably fought more juicers than anybody.

"The difference is now is that I realised I can actually lose an eye or something and not be able to compete again. I know fighting is kind of hard and all, but when these losers are taking steroids it makes it even worse."

"I think it should be strict on all of them," the 42-year-old continued. "Any other sport is pretty harsh on steroids, but the difference in those sports is they aren't trying to hurt someone like you are in mixed martial arts. They are affecting time or other people, but with MMA you are hurting others."

Hunt sought legal advice before lodging a lawsuit against the promotion, adamant he was owed a huge sum of money for putting his body on the line against "juicers" on a number of occasions.

Litigation experts revealed Hunt's projected payout from the UFC could be even more than the sum taken back from Lesnar.

"The UFC upon the finding of a violation could take all of the money back from Brock. Not only the 2.5 million dollar purse, but anything he earned from pay-per-view," litigation expert Christina Denning said.

Hunt accused the promotion for taking away his love for the sport after a number of huge disappointments.

"To be honest, they are taking away my love for fighting. What I love to do is fighting. They are taking it away by giving me all these freaking cheaters.

It's not their fault, but it might've been their fault because they might've known. I want my release from my contract if things don't change. I don't even want to fight anymore. These cheaters have ruined everything."