Most fans are probably aware of the noted UFC icon Conor McGregor’s recent trouble with the USADA. McGregor missed the USADA deadline to enlist himself in their testing pool. This has now put a question mark on his planned return at the last UFC PPV of this year scheduled for the second half of December. Amidst such a situation, the UFC CEO, Dana White, came to the rescue of the fans. White revealed that he has a method by which he can get McGregor to compete as per their pre-planned schedule. White’s words probably had most UFC fans scratching their heads. But the ones following the sport for a long time probably realized how exactly he could make this happen.
The UFC saw a massive business opportunity when they fixed the former UFC Heavyweight champ and WWE star Brock Lesnar’s return bout against the famed, Mark Hunt at UFC 200. However, due to Lesnar’s schedule, he missed the USADA deadline like McGregor as well. This had White negotiating an exemption from the USADA tests for Lesnar. He got Lesnar to compete straight away inside the UFC 200 octagon. However, what most fans don’t know is that Lesnar’s rival Hunt sued the UFC, its then-parent company ‘Zuffa’, and the head honcho, White, following this fight. The case took six long years to finally reach its conclusion, which was given out by the United States District Court in Nevada today. We’ll definitely take a keener look at what this entire lawsuit is all about. But first, let’s know some more about the former UFC Heavyweight, Mark Hunt’s economic condition.
Mark Hunt: Net worth & UFC payouts
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Despite possessing a pretty average 8-8-1-1 record in his 18 UFC fights, a large chunk of UFC audiences loved Hunt’s fighting style. He had a knack for finishing his opponents instead of winning via decisions. The UFC audiences loved his KO-artist persona and heavy striking that put his rivals to sleep, many times in the first round of his bouts only.
Most UFC fans might know that the payout of a fighter largely depends upon their ability to sell fights. Mark Hunt’s popularity among the UFC community ensured that he received good remunerations for his fights under the promotion. ‘The Richest’ details that his net worth currently stands at around $960,000. Also, here’s a list of the base salaries that he received from the UFC for the following UFC fights.
Date | Category | Description | Amount |
2015 | Salary | Salary from UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt | $160,000 |
2014 | Salary | Salary from UFC 180 | $160,000 |
2014 | Salary | Salary from UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson | $210,000 |
2013 | Salary | Salary from UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Bigfoot | $260,000 |
2013 | Salary | Salary from UFC 160 | $160,000 |
2013 | Salary | Salary from UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann | $210,000 |
2012 | Salary | Salary from UFC 144 | $20,000 |
2011 | Salary | Salary from UFC 135 | $18,000 |
2011 | Salary | Salary from UFC 127 | $87,000 |
But, Hunt was never really satisfied with his UFC payouts. He is also one of those voices who has bashed the promotional authorities multiple times owing to their meager fighter payouts. Well, his own salary table given above may have several fans supporting his narrative now.
Will Mark Hunt have to pay legal fees to the UFC? Dana White gives out hints
After an enthralling night of the Dana White Contender Series, the UFC CEO appeared at a press conference where he talked about a number of issues. He also faced a question related to the coveted Mark Hunt lawsuit against him along with the UFC and Zuffa that reached its conclusion recently. However, a smile of victory adorned the 54-year-old face as he answered this question pretty gleefully.
He hinted that Mark Hunt losing a lawsuit against the UFC isn’t something unseen. This time his defeat came after he sued the UFC, White, and Zuffa for allegedly making him fight against a fighter who they knew was juiced up. This 2017 lawsuit ended in a defeat for Hunt when the United States District Court judge Jennifer A. Dorsey found Hunt’s proof insufficient to support his charges of the trio misleading him to fight Lesnar at UFC 200, despite knowing about his recent steroid usage.
White said Hunt has lost “so many” lawsuits against the UFC, although a large chunk of fans might know only one or two. But he also revealed that ‘The Super Samoan’ will have to accept a heavy toll for his loss.
Although White didn’t reveal the amount, most fans might have realized that Hunt would have to pay the UFC a heavy amount. White said, “He’s gonna have to pay some legal fees”. But, the smile that accompanied his words might cause fans to think that Hunt’s payable amount is quite a large one.
Has Mark Hunt ever paid money to the UFC for losing a case?
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Well, White’s words, Hunt has lost “so many” lawsuits against the UFC, aren’t true entirely. But, they definitely carry some truth. There are a number of reports detailing the fact that Hunt’s recently concluded 2017 lawsuit has already gone through the scrutiny of the United States District Court in Nevada. In 2019, the UFC authority trio demanded a sum of $388,235 from Hunt as compensation for the attorney fees and costs related to the case. They also came out victorious in their claims. The U.S. District Court rested Hunt’s case in 2021, sighting the same reasons as now, but with an allowance to contest it once again if he wished so.
‘MMA Fighting’ reported that Hunt decided to re-contest the case and applied for the same at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He and his legal team also became successful in their attempt, which had this case reopened in the U.S. District Court in Nevada. Hence, it isn’t clear whether he paid the ordered amount of $388,235 to the UFC or not. Even if he didn’t, it’s quite understandable that his loss this time will inflate the amount of his compensation to a much higher number. This can never be good news for ‘The Super Samoan’.
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However, a large chunk of UFC fans are probably speculating about the amount Hunt will have to pay the UFC trio post his second defeat in the same lawsuit. Since it brought Dana White to a smile, how much do you think the amount might be?
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