Brock Lesnar (5-3-0) vs. #8 “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt (12-10-1)
Mark Hunt has been on quite a roll in the Heavyweight division, defying the effects of age and time and knocking out Frank Mir in his previous fight. He’s shown that his power rivals that of any fighter on the planet, and that his power isn’t disappearing anytime soon. Hunt’s takedown defense is also often underrated, and helps keep Hunt in his wheelhouse: standing on the feet, throwing bombs. Lesnar never showed a great chin, and if Hunt catches Lesnar, is could be a disastrous night for the NCAA champion Lesnar. Add in the fact that Hunt has had nine fights since Lesnar’s exit from the UFC, and Lesnar’s still lacking MMA experience base, and this fight begins to look quite lopsided.
All of that being said, Brock Lesnar is going to win this fight.
I appear to be in the minority here, but I simply believe that while Hunt does have quality takedown defense, Lesnar is a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler and a NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling champion, and will be able to get Hunt to the ground without much difficulty. Is it possible Hunt catches him as Lesnar shoots in? Sure, but I’m not expecting that. Rather, I expect Lesnar to take Hunt to the ground, and once that occurs, Hunt is stuck there, and Lesnar has always shown an affinity for ground and pound. You’re either in the camp that Lesnar’s diverticulitis truly hamstrung his UFC career, and that he’s finally at 100% as he makes his return this Saturday, or you believe that Lesnar’s a wannabe MMA fighter coming from the world of professional wrestling who will be taught a lesson by the veteran Mark Hunt. I’m solidly in the pro-Lesnar camp here, and I believe he’s going to prove a lot of people wrong this coming Saturday.
Prediction: Lesnar wins by TKO in Round 1.
