MMA

Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

posted February 27, 2013 by Rich Klein

UFC on Fuel TV 8: Struve vs. Hunt

UFC on Fuel TV 8: Five facts you should know before Hunt takes on Struve

1: When/Where? Mark Hunt will battle with Stefan Struve in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel TV 8 this Saturday, March 3rd, from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The main card begins at 10 pm.

2: The Skinny The two were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 146. The Super Samoan was riding 3 fight win streak when he was called upon to fight Stefan Struve in May 2012, unfortunately a knee injury sidelined him and has been on the shelf since.

3: Expect a Finish Stefan Struve is a finisher. Of the Dutchman's 25 victories, 23 have come by way of submission(16) or KO/TKO(7). That is an amazing rate. Not only that, but there is perhaps no heavyweight more on fire as of late than Struve. He is currently on a 4 fight win streak with all of them being finishes, with 3 coming in 2012 alone. His most recent victory came when he KOed undefeated up-and-comer Stipe Miocic. Before that, he submitted power-hitter Lavar Johnson with an armbar. And with Hunt's known history of poor submission defense, it wouldn't be surprising to see "Skyscraper" take this fight to the ground considering his active guard.

4: Don't Sleep on Hunt Mark Hunt hits very hard. When the New Zealand native walks into the cage, make no mistake, he's not coming to grapple, he's coming to knock someone's head off. Don't let his 8-7 MMA record throw you off, Hunt is a world class kickboxer and multiple time K-1 champion. Before his recent injury woes, Hunt revived his career by going 3-0, knocking out 2 of his opponents. And while Struve may have Hunt's kryptonite(submissions), the Samoan surely has his seven foot opponent's. Struve's 3 UFC losses have all come from crumbling knockouts.

5: Hunt Returns to Japan Mark Hunt is returning to the area that made him famous. At Pride Shockwave 2004, Mark Hunt, in only his 3rd MMA fight, ended Wanderlei Silva's 4-year undefeated streak in the Saitama Super Arena. Not to mention, unleashing his famous atomic butt drop during the bout. His next fight at the dome? He defeated legend Mirko Cro Cop. Can Hunt add another impressive win to his Saitama record?