The co-main event of UFC 160 on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas may end up determining the next title contender for the UFC heavyweight title as former champion Junior dos Santos faces Mark Hunt.
Hunt (9-7) has the current longest winning streak in the UFC heavyweight division as he has won four in a row including a knockout of the night win at UFC on FUEL TV 8 against Stefan Struve in March.
If Dos Santos wins on Saturday night, he will get a title shot but the UFC has not make the same statement when it comes to Hunt. However, he feels that a win will secure him a title shot.
“It’s the pentacle for any fighter to be the world champion of fight for it,” Hunt said in his UFC 160 Pre-Fight Interview. “The opportunity is what I have always wanted. If I defeat Junior dos Santos, I will fight for the world title.”
Both fighters are known for their knockout power as the have combined for seventeen career knockouts and they have combined to win five knockout of the night bonuses in the UFC. However, Hunt feels that Dos Santos will not stand up and trade with him on Saturday night.
“I do think he is going to try to take the fight to the mat once he realizes I have a huge arsenal.”
Hunt has taken on several notable fighters in his career including Wanderlei Silva, Mirko Cro Cop, Josh Barnett, Fedor Emelianeno, Alistair Overeem and Gegard Mousasi. Dos Santos is another big name fighter for him to take on and he believes he can win on Saturday night.
“He was the world champion but we are top level. I have been fighting top level my entire career. As a fighter, I have taken on the best at the top level and I can defeat Junior dos Santos.”