UFC: Hunt to meet Miocic in Adelaide

Mark Hunt. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt will meet Stipe Miocic in Adelaide in May in his next appearance in the octagon.

Hunt, who lost his last fight via TKO against Brazilian Fabricio Werdum in an interim title bout at UFC 180 in Mexico in November, is expected to headline the first UFC event in Adelaide on Sunday, May 10.

MMA website Combat Press reported the details this morning and Hunt's head trainer Steve Oliver told the Herald it was the type of bout 'The Super Samoan' needed to get back on track.

"It'll be a tough fight but you get in the top five and it's every man for himself," Oliver said. "It doesn't matter who they are, if Mark can touch them on the chin, it's over."

Hunt, who sits fifth in the media-generated UFC rankings, is based in Sydney and remains a popular draw in Australia. The fourth-ranked Miocic (12-2) last fought when he lost via unanimous decision to Junior dos Santos in December, which snapped a three-fight winning streak for the Ohio-based brawler.

The 1.93m Miocic has a strong wrestling pedigree but is also a proficient striker and Oliver said it would suit Hunt if Miocic wanted to stand and trade with the 40-year-old Kiwi.

"We love that game," Oliver said. "As soon as I see a guy that likes to wrestle it makes me nervous but those guys in the top five really enjoy a challenge and that's great. It's what we want."

Hunt (10-9-1) will return to New Zealand next month to begin his training camp and he will relish the prospect of having a thorough build-up for this bout as opposed to his fight with Werdum where he took the title shot on three weeks' notice, filling in for champion proper Cain Velasquez who withdrew due to a knee injury.

In Mexico, Hunt had to battle with the high altitude, while he had no sparring in the lead-up and had to drop weight to be fit for the bout.

"It was the worst camp I've ever been in," Oliver said.

Hunt was also struggling with personal issues while he was in Mexico but Oliver said his mind was back on track.