The fans have been pushing via Twitter, Facebook and every other social media tool to have fan favourite Mark Hunt step in to face Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146 if Alistair Overeem does not get licensed. At yesterday’s UFC on FUEL TV 2 post-fight press conference UFC President Dana White made it cleared that that would not be happening and Hunt would have to earn his way to a title shot.
“I have apologized and praised Mark Hunt for what he’s been able to accomplish in the situation that he was in. I think this fight with Struve is a good fight for him. If he beats Struve, he’ll break in and start fighting some of the top-five heavyweights in the world. But first of all, I’ve got to say, anything can happen in a fight, but in all reality, it’s not fair to Mark Hunt either to put the guy right in there with a Junior Dos Santos for a title shot. The guy (ideally) works his way up, he beats Struve, fights somebody in the top-five.”
Fans have seen in the past that asking for fights sometimes works, but when it comes to a title fight that does not make sense.
“They can keep rallying. That ain’t going to happen. Listen, Mark Hunt is going to have to fight one of the top guys. You don’t just jump right into the title shot.” White stated.
Hunt has been a roll lately, winning his last three fights against Chris Tuchscherer, Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo. Hunt is expected to face Stefan Struve at UFC 146.
