Mark Hunt, the veteran UFC heavyweight with so-called "dynamite in his hands", sat, exhausted and dejected, on his stool today after a comprehensive beating by Curtis Blaydes at Perth UFC 221.
The shame of it for Hunt, the 43-year-old from South Auckland with only two fights left in his UFC career and who lost this one by unanimous decision, was that he had Blaydes down in round one, courtesy of a right hand which was quickly followed up by several more.
But as Hunt went in for the kill as he has so often in his career, Blaydes, back on his feet, expertly defused the threat by ducking under a left hook and taking his opponent to the floor where the pair saw out the round.
It set the tone for the two rounds after. Hunt, who had a big height and reach disadvantage, attempted to quickly close the distance at the start of the second and third rounds only for the 26-year-old Curtis to quickly take him down and completely dominate.
The American has a wrestling background and his ability and strength on the floor was plain to see. Twice he savagely slammed Hunt to the floor.
