After Jon Jones stopped Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 214 to reclaim his light heavyweight title, he immediately set his sights on bigger game: former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Lesnar was quick to respond to Jones and suddenly, the UFC had the makings of a superfight on their hands.
Or, a superfight for some. For others, a potential Jones-Lesnar matchup would be less of epic clash and more of a race to the bottom. Chief among those opponents of the fight is the last man to stand across the cage from Lesnar, Mark Hunt.
Speaking recently on the Real Quick with Mike Swick podcast, Hunt exasperatedly discussed the potential fight, calling it a clash between “the two biggest cheaters in the world.”
“Look at these f**kers. You’ve got Jon Jones, for instance. That guy is the best, one of the best fighters in the world but he’s a cheater. . . Just like Brock Lesnar, you’re all a pack of frickin’ dog cheats, that’s all you are. Nothing else.
“So now the two f**king biggest cheaters in the world are going to fight! Oh f**k. . . I’m not gonna waste my money watching two cheaters fight. Why would I? They’re cheaters, in the end. That’s basically all they are. They should get nothing. I used to respect Jon Jones before this but I don’t respect him after this. When you get caught for doping, and he got caught for the same dope that Lesnar did, you shouldn’t - he’s not a martial artist, none of them are. They get no respect from me. None.
“I wouldn’t want to waste my f**king time watching that s**t.”
Hunt is the last man to have fought Lesnar, facing him UFC 200 in the WWE star’s return to MMA after an almost five-year retirement. Lesnar won a unanimous decision that night which was subsequently overturned when it was revealed he failed two USADA-issued drug tests before the bout. Hunt has since filed a civil suit against Lesnar, and the UFC, to settle his grievances.
Jones, of course, was also supposed to compete at UFC 200 against none other than Daniel Cormier but was removed from the card three days beforehand as a result of also failing a USADA drug test. Both Jones and Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene, though Jones also tested positive for Letrozole. Both men were suspended for one year; Lesnar was also fined $250,000.
And that is part of the problem for Hunt. Hunt says that though USADA is trying to clean up the sport, allowing Lesnar and Jones to fight each other just a year after both failing drug tests, isn’t deterring cheating in any way.
“I think the penalties should be enforced. There’s penalties there but they’re not really enforcing them. They’re not enforcing them to make them think twice. Guys nowadays, like that fool Brock Lesnar that I fought, he’s a f**king idiot. Not right now. I’m the idiot right now but he’s the one that’s a loser in the end because he’s the one that cheated.
“At the end of the day, he weighed up the options. He said, I’m gonna fight this fight and I’ll probably make about $15-20 million. I’ll get caught. I’ll probably have to pay a $250,000 fine, or $500,000 or whatever it is and I’ll walk away. He’s back again already!”
Lesnar may not actually return to fighting. His contract with the WWE does not end until spring and he is currently in negotiations so it is possible Lesnar stays retired from fight for good this time. However, even if he doesn’t come back, Hunt doesn’t think anyone should want him to anyway.
“Cheating is nothing to be proud of. That’s the wrong message. We don’t allow that as a society so why do we allow that, especially in fighting? Fighting is you hurting people.”
MUST-READ STORIES
Victory. Floyd Mayweather says Conor McGregor lasting 12 rounds would be “a victory for him.”
Touchy. Leonard Ellerbe tells critics of MayMac to “Mind your f**king business.”
Undercard. The undercard for MayMac has been announced featuring some big names.
Commentary. Carl Froch joins Dan Hardy on the Sky Sports commentary team for MayMac.
Dis-Armed. Mike Winkeljohn says Jon Jones had a serious injury two days before UFC 214.
VIDEO STEW
Floyd complimenting Paulie for trying to help Conor.
Floyd saying it’s not going past 4 rounds.
Schaub out there doing his thing.
Tim Kennedy on The Chive.
Gracie Breakdown of Brian Ortega-Moicano with the man himself.
LISTEN UP
Bushido Talk. DC and Jon Jones potentially squashing the beef discussion.
Submission Radio. Mike Winkeljohn and Stefan Struve interviews.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Okay, that is pretty boss.
Thank you @donatella_versace for this amazing gift this morning pic.twitter.com/SEoH3QlpPB
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 11, 2017
Well at least he’s honest about it.
We're only talking MMA because of Conor fighting Floyd in a match. That's it. https://t.co/2OJR32nRdu
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) August 10, 2017
If Francis Ngannou ever has beef with you, apologize.
Such a gentleman.
I'll be your sparring partner. pic.twitter.com/UhHhTBCrjC
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 10, 2017
Gallicchio would absolutely murder Phil.
I heard @CMPunk needs an opponent @ufc I would love to give him his walking papers #ufc #mma #bjj #ufc217
— Tom Gallicchio (@TomGallicchio) August 10, 2017
Juicy.
Just had to get this off my chest,I'm sure you guys will find out about this shit soon,plus I know they still follow me pic.twitter.com/U7jqKZCr4J
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) August 10, 2017
Werdum boldly still shilling for the most reviled man in MMA. Cash those checks.
Found it. The worst beef in MMA history.
Yo @BrendanSchaub your really talking about Conor beating Floyd?
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) August 10, 2017
Ain't happening
Irish Eyes Will Be Blackened
Yo! I promise you @TheNotoriousMMA will win one or more rounds. Plus, if there's a stoppage it's due to a Conor TKO/KO. Bet? https://t.co/AHow6Y7GMl
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) August 10, 2017
This aint Bow & Arrows.1 or 2 rounds?Give him a fucking participation trophy.I'm talking WIN/LOSE. This is aint a 3rd grade frisbee team https://t.co/ut0TrCT3DE
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) August 10, 2017
Yo! I promise you @TheNotoriousMMA will win one or more rounds. Plus, if there's a stoppage it's due to a Conor TKO/KO. Bet? https://t.co/AHow6Y7GMl
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) August 10, 2017
As critical as I am of Dandois, Coker should definitely pick her up.
Dear @ScottCoker ... I need To have a talk To u! I really need a new home And I am open To fight Any 145-girl on your @BellatorMMA roster!
— Cindy Dandois (@DandoisCindy) August 10, 2017
Those middle school level takedowns are not going to work against me @demianmaia #youshouldhaveretired https://t.co/3qfOM8rlRQ
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) August 10, 2017
Ever since I became a world title contender, the other contenders looking for new jobs. "The Natural born Barista" in his new habitat. https://t.co/v8jE7GZV27
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) August 10, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Anderson Silva (34-8, 1 NC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (13-3, 1 NC); UFC Shanghai, Nov. 25.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2012: Ben Henderson won a split decision over Frankie Edgar at UFC 150, retaining, in controversial fashion, the lightweight title he had controversially won from Edgar at UFC 144.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’ve got the time, Hunto tells some stories on that podcast that are interesting to say the least.
And so we are at the end of our first week off in a minute. Go out and enjoy your weekends people because die-hards don’t get too many of these empty Saturday nights, and they should be maximized. Only 15 days left until the big one.
Take it easy and see y’all Monday.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.