Mark Hunt collects first round knockout win over Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 – UFC news
Mark Hunt, the Kiwi heavyweight pounder, authoritatively grasped a knockout win over the French proud, Cheick Kongo, in just the first round of the three-round bout held at Saitama Super Arena on February 25, 2012.
UFC has returned to the Asian region after the passage of 11 long years and organised a special edition, UFC 144, which was headlined by the bout between Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson with UFC lightweight title on the line.
Mark, the ‘Super Samoan’, is a kick boxer and recently entered the mixed martial art sport. He has a huge experience and resume that can easily intimidate even the toughest competitors. The 37-year-old has won seven of his total 14 brawls and four of them
by knockout.
Hunt has brawled on behalf of various kick boxing platforms and is also the winner of K-1 World Grand Prix 2001. The Kiwi boasts win over Wanderlei Silva, Ben Rothwell, Mirko Filipovic and others. His opponent for Saturday night was Cheick Kongo, the 36-year-old
heavyweight who spars alongside Quinton Jackson, Michael Bisping and others.
Kongo also possesses a kick boxing background and has won 21 of his total 23 bouts. After entering the UFC the French brawler has won 17 of his 25 bouts; 10 of them by kayo, three by submission and four by decision. Both men entered the octagon to put up
a great show but Mark did not allow Kongo to use his huge height and throw raw powered fists.
In just 2 minutes and 11 seconds of the first round, Mark threw the decisive punch of the brawl which knocked out Kongo’s senses. Initially Cheick progressed with a flying knee directed towards Hunt’s chest but the Kiwi was able to evade it and blasted a
huge right hand that almost numbed the 6foot-4inch Kongo.
The moment was appropriate and Mark went in to nail the fallen opponent by cornering and unleashing a wave of powerful right punches that provoked match referee Herb Dean to intervene and halt the bout in Mark’s favour.
After the swift end to the brawl Hunt happily exclaimed, “I'm the former K-1 world champion. You ask me if I think I had an advantage. Yeah, I did.”
Hunt, who was overshadowed by Kongo’s huge height, has collected his third consecutive win and Kongo was unable to defend his two-win streak. Mark now has eight wins, five of them by KO and Kongo, has collected his career’s seventh loss.
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