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UFC legend announces shock comeback just weeks before 50th birthday despite admitting he has brain damage symptoms


UFC legend Mark Hunt has announced plans to make a comeback – despite previously admitting he has brain damage symptoms.

Heavyweight Hunt – who turns 50 in March – is an icon in New Zealand with a storied kickboxing and MMA career.

Mark Hunt celebrates his win over Sonny Bill Williams in 2022Credit: Getty

But he has not fought since November 2022, when he became the first to defeat All Blacks star-turned boxer Sonny Bill Williams.

Now, Hunt revealed he is looking to make a return in 2024.

He said on Instagram: “I’m looking forward to a good new year this year,’ Hunt said in a video message.

“[In] 2024 I’m looking at fighting again, three or four [fights] maybe. I’m taking some offers.

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“It’s especially a challenge at my age. I’m going to be 50 this year, but looking forward to the challenge and financially it will be great.”

Hunt has also opened the door to a move into bare-knuckle boxing.

He commented on the post: “3 fights and I will take the belt.”

Hunt had 29 MMA fights, nearly 50 kickboxing bouts and four in the boxing ring.

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And in 2017, Hunt admitted to suffering from brain damage symptoms.

He said: “My body is f****d but my mind is still here.

“I’ve still got my senses about me and I know what’s right and wrong, which is the main thing.

“Sometimes I don’t sleep well. You can hear me starting to stutter and slur my words. My memory is not that good anymore.

“I’ll forget something I did yesterday but I can remember the s*** I did years and years ago.

“That’s just the price I’ve paid – the price of being a fighter.”

Hunt has been fighting since 1999, and has competed as a boxer, a kick boxer, a wrestler and a MMA fighter.


Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk


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