With UFC contract almost up, Mark Hunt shares plans for the next chapter of his career

When Mark Hunt battles Justin Willis in the co-main event of UFC Adelaide this weekend, it will mark the final obligation on his current UFC contract. Do not expect him to re-sign with the promotion.

Speaking to MMAjunkie ahead of his fight, Hunt explained that he’s happy to be parting ways with the UFC, and that he will continue to fight outside the promotion.

“I just wanted to complete my contract, and that’s basically the bottom line,” he said. “I’m happy where I’m at. I’m at peace with everything, and things are good.”

“[I’m] looking at trying to do some other things next year. I want to compete five more times, at least — because I still have the fire inside of me to do it — and go from there. We’ll see what happens.”

While Mark Hunt is ready to leave the UFC behind, he still feels like he has more to accomplish.

“Of course I feel like there’s more to do,” Hunt said. “Half the guys I lost to are freaking cheaters. There’s so much more to do, but it’s not my call. I never got the opportunities. After Derrick Lewis, I got No. 7, No. 9, now I’ve got No. 13 [in Justin Willis]. F*** it, I’m not going to get another shot, and that’s the way it is. I’m done with it. I’m at peace with it.”

The main priority for Mark Hunt, of course, is getting paid.

“Of course it’s about money,” he said. “You don’t want to get beaten up for nothing. You’d be stupid to do that.

“I don’t really give a shit what people say or those idiots that say, ‘I do it because I love it.’ Yeah, right. Let me punch you in the head for free. Of course it’s about the money. Fighting is for poor people to get out of there. Don’t give me any rubbish about, ‘I do it because I love to do it.’ Bullshit. Let me kick you in the face for nothing, man. Come on.”

Where do you think Mark Hunt will end up after his final UFC fight this weekend?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 11/27/2018.