Brett Okamoto reported on SportsCenter today that Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem have verbally agreed to a fight on March 4, on the UFC 209 card. We last seen Mark Hunt take on Brock Lesnar back on UFC 200. Mark Hunt originally lost by decision. Brock Lesnar failed a pre-fight drug test and one on the day of the fight. This decision loss has been over turned to a no contest.
Mark Hunt seemed to be sticking to his guns and turned down a few fights during his lay off, Mark requested half of Lesnar’s purse, then later said he wanted it all. After an appearance on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hunt made his feelings well known. As I reported on the Lesnar article 5 days ago, the UFC reached out to Mark Hunt and said nothing could be done until Lesnar has his day in court. Makes you wonder if they offered Hunt some money or something to make it up to him.
We last seen Alistair Overeem take on Stipe Miocic, a fight that Overeem suffered a knockout loss in. Before that Alistair was riding a 4 fight win streak, beating Andrei Arlovski, Junior dos Santos, Roy Nelson and Stefan Struve. Alistair is currently the 6th ranked guy in the heavyweight division, Mark Hunt is the 13th. A win over Alistair could get Mark right back in the title hunt.
While there may be a verbal agreement. Ariel Helwani reported just minutes ago that Hunt still wants a clause in his contract covering failed drug tests and won’t fight until he gets one.