Hunt picks up 4th-round TKO win over Lewis at UFC Auckland
UFC Fight Night 110 belonged to "The Super Samoan."
Saturday's main event saw two of the heavyweight division's most powerful punchers face off and it was the older, wiser Mark Hunt who came out on top. Competing in MMA in his native New Zealand for the first time, Hunt picked apart Derrick Lewis for three rounds before finishing him off with strikes at the 3:51 mark of the fourth to excite the crowd at Spark Arena in Auckland:
Mark Hunt stops Derrick Lewis, the Super Samoan lives on! Lewis too tired and didn't question stoppage. #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/d8dWkBxcxp
— Ahmar Khan (@AhmarSKhan) June 11, 2017
Following the fight, an exhausted Lewis said he will "most likely" retire due to accumulated injuries and the fact he's getting married next week.
On the other side, the 43-year-old Hunt appeared to be rejuvenated after earning his first win since March 2016. Hunt had lost his last two, though one of those setbacks was changed to a no-contest when opponent Brock Lesnar was flagged in a pair of failed drug tests.
Fans expecting a slugfest may have been surprised by the tentative approach both men took to start the fight, likely due to their respect for the other's power. Hunt worked to close the distance while Lewis showed off his flexibility with some sharp kicks. One opened a cut on Hunt's leg, which matched up with a tattoo on his leg to create a unique visual:
Derrick Lewis kicked Mark Hunt so hard in the shin that it knocked the tooth out of his tattoo's mouth. #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/3WkpIKnzjA
— Mike Fridley (@mikefridley) June 11, 2017
Hunt's superior kickboxing technique became more evident as the fight progressed and it looked like he might finish Lewis near the end of the second round:
¡Cerca!!! ¿Se viene el KO? #UFCAuckland #UFCenVivo pic.twitter.com/k54fWBYvQn
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) June 11, 2017
The iron-chinned Lewis survived, but his output noticeably slowed in Rounds 3 and 4. Smelling blood, Hunt targeted Lewis' body and "The Black Beast" was left doubled over against the cage, prompting the referee to step in and wave off the bout.
With the loss, Lewis sees his division-best six-fight win streak come to an end. If his comments are to be believed, it could be a wrap for his fighting career as well.
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