UFC: Hunt's camp keep talking tough

MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter Mark Hunt at training. Photo / NZME.

Mark Hunt's head trainer Steve Oliver believes the pressure will be squarely on Fabricio Werdum when the Brazilian meets Hunt for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 180 in Mexico City on Sunday.

Werdum (18-5-1) has developed in to one of the most talented fighters in the division in recent years, adding accurate striking to his world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.

The 37-year-old is the No 1 heavyweight contender and is riding a four-fight winning streak.

He was meant to meet Cain Velasquez for the title proper this weekend but the champion was ruled out of the event through injury, which gave Hunt the chance to fight for the interim belt on short notice.

The commonly-held perception around the traps is that Werdum will be able to take Hunt down and submit him but that gameplan would put Werdum within the Super Samoan's striking range where his knockout power is well-known.

Oliver acknowledged the odds were against Hunt (10-8-1) but said the Kiwi was an athlete who embraced adversity.

"We've been here many times before and if anyone can pull it off, it's Mark," Oliver said.

"Mark's style is that he's not going to have to look for it, Werdum's going to have to push the fight. Werdum's got to get past Mark's artillery to put him down.

"If he makes one mistake, [it's over]. The pressure's on Werdum; that's the beauty."
Given Hunt's predatory striking style and low centre of gravity, he is a tricky fighter to match up against, while the timing of his punches is what sets him apart.

"He's got a lot in his arsenal but I think what makes him a lot different and more dangerous is throwing the right punch at the right time," Hunt's striking coach Lolo Heimuli said.

Werdum beat Roy Nelson - a fighter of a similar build to Hunt - by unanimous decision in 2012 as the Brazilian demonstrated a lethal Muay Thai clinch that led to a barrage of vicious knees, courtesy of his kickboxing experience.

Hunt won't be susceptible to that style of attack given his kickboxing prowess as a former world champion, while he is quicker than Nelson defensively.

Velasquez, who is sidelined with a knee injury but will be in attendance this weekend, tipped Werdum to beat Hunt.

"I think Mark Hunt just has that knockout power and that's pretty much it," Velasquez told podcast the MMA Hour.

"I think Werdum, with his length, also if it goes to wrestling, if it goes on the ground, Werdum has it.

"I think on the feet, with the power that Hunt has, I think he has a good chance of winning it there; but I think that's pretty much it."

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