UFC: Hunt in better mood at Mexican media day

Opponents Fabricio Werdum of Brazil and Mark Hunt of New Zealand pose for photos during the UFC 180 Ultimate Media Day. Photo /Getty Images

Two days out from the biggest fight of his MMA career, Mark Hunt was in a talkative mood.

The Kiwi will meet Fabricio Werdum for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 180 in Mexico City on Sunday and the rotund 40-year-old only needs to lose 3kg before tomorrow's weigh-ins.

Yesterday, Hunt was visibly distracted by what he termed "other issues" and looked withdrawn during a slew of media commitments.

A brutal combination of the weight cut, Mexico City's high altitude and the pressure of the title bout appeared to be weighing on his mind, among other things, but today he said his head was clear.

"Yesterday, if you'd got the news I did, you would've looked like I did. It wasn't a good time and that 24 hours was hard. I was screwed," Hunt said during a 40-minute chat with the media.

"It was personal stuff ... My mind is strong. I had a hiccup yesterday but I think I've cleared it."

Hunt will draw on his vast experience in combat sports to not let anything else bother him this weekend and when the introductions are made at the Mexico City Arena, you can expect to see a focused fighter.

"I want to knock this guy's face off," he declared.

The Super Samoan also said he didn't want to have the interim title put around his waist if he was to win this weekend because he wouldn't feel like the champion of the division.
"This isn't a title," the 10-8-1 Hunt said, "The only belt I want to put around this waist is the UFC champion's belt and Cain Velasquez has that."

Velasquez remains on the shelf with a knee injury, which he sustained after overcoming a shoulder complaint.

The American hasn't been seen in the octagon for more than a year and his withdrawal from UFC 180, where he was meant to defend his title against Werdum, forced the creation of the interim belt as Hunt was given three weeks to prepare to meet Werdum.

The 37-year-old Werdum (18-5-1) will start as a warm favourite against Hunt given he has spent the past 10 weeks in Mexico to acclimatise. Mexico City is about 2250m above sea level, while the thick air doesn't help an athlete train.

"I'm prepared, I've been here two months; I haven't seen my family. I don't mind who I am fighting but I want to fight," Werdum said.

Werdum's elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills have long been one of his traits but he is now well versed in Muay Thai kickboxing, which has helped his stand-up game.

"I feel very complete because I didn't like it when people would say that I was just a jiu-jitsu fighter but I do feel very good to fight against Mark Hunt in striking."

A confident Werdum even said he had the ability to stand and trade with Hunt who is known for his one-punch knockout power.

"I know Mark Hunt's striking is of a very high level; he's a specialist in striking in K-1 [kickboxing], however, of course, the level I'm at we are the same."

Given Velasquez and Hunt are vastly different opponents, it forced Werdum to change his preparation during the final three weeks of his training camp.

"It wasn't difficult because we have a very strong team so we changed the strategy very quickly," Werdum said. "The focus is the same but the strategy has changed."

- Daniel Richardson travelled to Mexico courtesy of Sky Arena and the UFC