UFC: Rousey rumours aren't true - Hunt

Mark Hunt beat Antonio Silva earlier in the UFC event headlined by Ronda Rousey's shock loss. Photo / Getty

Veteran UFC fighter Mark Hunt has scoffed at suggestions Ronda Rousey deliberately lost her headline fight against Holly Holm in Melbourne last month.

The previously unbeaten Rousey lost her bantamweight title in front of more than 56,000 fans at UFC 193 at Etihad Stadium when Holm knocked her out with a stunning kick in the second round.

Hunt, who enjoyed a first round TKO over Antonio Silva that day, has dismissed claims made by former WWE star and two-time world heavyweight champion turned podcaster Taz, that Rousey's defeat was arranged and part of a wider strategy designed to accommodate her increasingly busy career schedule.

"I don't think so. Fighting is fighting and there's no scripted bullshit," said Hunt who is in Auckland to promote his book Born to Fight.

"It's real and one person has to lose and that's what happened. She lost that fight against a better prepared fighter and that was it.

"Both Ronda and Holly are really great girls. Holly had already been baptised in fire, as a world champion in boxing, but Ronda is predominantly a beginner.

"She'd only had 12 fights before that and she's a great fighter nonetheless and one of the best and was undefeated until that fight, but she had the wrong plan."

Hunt paid credit to both fighters but took time to praise Rousey for her trail-blazing work in raising the profile of women's mixed martial arts.

"Both of them are great fighters. I give Ronda props for being a pioneer for women," he said. "She's led the way and if it wasn't for Ronda Rousey they wouldn't be doing what they are doing.

"She gets paid through movies and everything else and I give her credit for laying the platform for the rest of the women so they can have equal opportunities as fighters. She makes more than the guys anyway so she's doing well."

After having initial doubts about whether to release the book, Hunt is pleased with how his story has been received after realising the positive impact it has had on many of his fans.

Based in Australia, the 41-year-old is enjoying being back in his home city and understands that his journey from troubled teen to global superstar can inspire young Kiwis from similar backgrounds.

"That's the main reason I wrote the book. I don't like to be airing my rubbish out in public but I know there's a lot of people struggling with life.

"I'm a Kiwi and a lot of people here in New Zealand can associate my story with theirs.

"I've had people reach out to me at book signings, saying "your book saved my life" and I'm thankful that I can touch people like that."

Hunt admits his time as a professional fighter will come to a close in the coming years, but says he will trust his instincts about when to bow out of the octagon.

"In [my mind] I can fight forever. I'm the best fighter on the planet, in [my mind]. On paper it probably ain't true but it's just a matter of proving it.

"When I stop feeling like that is when I stop fighting."