Mark Hunt stuns UFC world, KO's Roy Nelson with one punch
There was little question going into Saturday night's main event from Japan that the two hardest hitters in the heavyweight division were squaring off when Mark Hunt took on Roy Nelson. Maybe the better inquiry, however, was which one of them could withstand the punishment doled out by the other?
As it turns out, Hunt had the magic punch to finally put Nelson's lights out. Hunt knocked out Nelson in the second round of the main event at UFC Fight Night 52.
The two heavyweight behemoths squared off in the center of the Octagon as soon as the fight started, ready to throw down with serious power. Nelson tagged Hunt with a couple of quick combinations early as he started to load up on his right hand, which swung down at his opponent's head like a sledgehammer on a few occasions.
Nelson wasn't able to land flush, although he did pop Hunt with several punches to back off the former K-1 Grand Prix champion early. While he typically prefers the standup battle, Nelson even put Hunt down on the mat while fishing for a choke, but the New Zealander shrugged him off and brought the fight back to the feet.
Once Hunt tasted Nelson's power it seemed as if his confidence bloomed, knowing he could stand in the pocket and trade punches with his fellow knockout artist. As the second round hit the midway point, Nelson looked winded and Hunt went on the pursuit.
Hunt found his opening with Nelson backed against the cage and he unloaded a short uppercut that blasted the former "Ultimate Fighter" winner directly in the chin. Unlike the other 12 UFC fighters who were unable to put Nelson away, Hunt did it with one punch.
As soon as Hunt's fist connected, Nelson face planted on the canvas and the referee swooped in for the stoppage. It was an incredible walk-off finish as Hunt racked up his fourth knockout since joining the UFC in 2010.
For the biggest part of his fighting career between MMA and kickboxing, Hunt called Japan home and he certainly brought down the house on Saturday. The win also put Hunt in a good position in the division to get a top-five opponent for his next fight.
"Rematches are always good for me," Hunt said. "So anyone in the top 10."
The knockout certainly hurts Nelson beyond the fact that he'd never been finished since coming to the UFC. At 38 years of age with a 1-3 record in his past four fights, Nelson is faced with a tough future. He likely will remain a draw as one of the most popular fighters in the heavyweight division, but his days of chasing the title may have come to a close on Saturday night in Japan.
Full Results for UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson:
MAIN CARD:
MAIN EVENT: Mark Hunt def. Roy Nelson by knockout at 3:00, R2
Myles Jury def. Takanori Gomi by TKO (strikes) 1:32, R1
Yoshihiro Akiyama def. Amir Sadollah by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards)
Miesha Tate def. Rin Nakai by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kiichi Kunimoto def. Richard Walsh by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Jon Delos Reyes by TKO (punches) at 3:48, R1
PRELIMS:
Masanori Kanehara def. Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards)
Katsunori Kikuno def. Sam Sicilia by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:38, R2
Hyung Gyu Lim def. Takenori Sato by TKO (elbows) at 1:18, R1
Kyung Ho Kang def. Michinori Tanaka by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Johnny Case def. Kazuki Tokudome by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:34, R2
Maximo Blanco def. Daniel Hooker by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)