UFC cult hero Mark Hunt’s dream of a super-fight with Mike Tyson has been short-lived, with the boxing legend rubbishing claims they are in talks for a Saudi Arabia showdown.
Hunt, who won 13 of his 27 fights in the cage, has turned to boxing in his twilight years and most recently shocked Sonny Bill Williams with a fourth round knockout in November 2022.
On Wednesday, the Sydney-based heavyweight disclosed plans to compete in bare knuckle boxing before taking on boxing legend Tyson to round off his career.
‘It could all be coming to fruition,’ Hunt, 49, told News Corp.
‘And, geez, at this age? It’s crazy.
Mike Tyson has distanced himself from talks of a fight against Mark Hunt
The UFC cult hero claimed his team are in talks over a mega-fight
‘I grew up watching Tyson. I was a big fan, and I’m still a big fan. Imagine that – three Bare Knuckle fights, then finishing the career off fighting Mike Tyson.
‘Far out, that would be a dream come true.’
Hunt claimed that talks over a fight against Tyson are at a very early stage, but a source from Iron Mike’s camp has told Daily Mail Australia that no talks have taken place with Hunt or his management.
The source added that the former heavyweight champion is not interested in a fight against the 49-year-old now or in the future.
Hunt parted ways with the UFC in 2018 and lost a litigation having sued the company after past opponents tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.
Hunt admitted that the only reason he is still fighting the main reason he is still fighting.
But sources close to Tyson insist the boxing legend has no interest in fighting Hunt
‘I’ve gotta pay for this lawsuit,’ he said.
‘That’s the only reason I’m fighting into my 50s, to pay for this. It’s expensive.’
Hunt is an Aussie MMA pioneer and has fought against the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Brock Lesna, Sefan Struve and Frank Mir.
Tyson made a sensational return to the ring in 2020 when he took on fellow retired great Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout that ended in a draw. He has not fought since.