Mark Hunt is anticipating an all-out brawl when he tests his UFC heavyweight title credentials in his fight against Roy Nelson in Japan on Saturday.
The fight is the first of Hunt's most recent six-fight deal with the UFC, with a win against the highly ranked Nelson catapulting the Sydney-trained Hunt into title contention. Hunt and Nelson will headline the UFC Fight Night event.
"I'm glad the UFC has seen the light and seen how much a good commodity I am for them," Hunt said. "It gives me the opportunity to try and chase that title. Roy is top 10 in the world. I'm going to put his face out the window, that's all I'm interested in. I've fought top level guys in the past 17 years, so it's nothing new to me."
The New Zealand-born Hunt heads into the fight as the sixth-ranked heavyweight, two spots ahead of Nelson. The winner would almost certainly be pitted against former champion Junior dos Santos in a title elimination fight, as Hunt eyes Cain Velasquez's belt.
"A win would be another step closer to a championship shot," Hunt said. "I can't really make plans because none of us are guaranteed of tomorrow. I haven't looked at [Nelson's] fights. I don't care what he's up to. I'm just interested in what I'm doing, and that's putting some hurt on him."
Hunt hasn't won since knocking out Stefan Struve in Japan last year, while Nelson won performance of the night in his last fight when he beat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in April. Hunt has introduced zuu training to his regime ahead of the Nelson fight.
"It's hard on the mind and body," Hunt said. "I'm a lot stronger mentally and physically. I'm going to [win] by jump-kicking Nelson in the face. I expect a war and I expect him to bring it like I'm going to bring it. If it doesn't bring it, it's a whole lot of disrespect."
The fight will be shown on Fuel TV from 5pm on Saturday.
