A current UFC heavyweight fan-favorite shared his feelings on his lengthy career, a former UFC heavyweight is trying his hand at boxing, and a major female fighter is changing divisions. Huh?
Finding the proper response to much of the news finding its way into our social media feeds is becoming a tougher task every day. Nothing is surprising, and there’s always more to the story. Leaving us with one reply: “huh?”.
Last week, Mark Hunt wrote an article detailing some of the issues he’s faced throughout his career in combat sports, Gabriel Gonzaga announced he’s coming out of retirement to box next month, and Valentina Shevchenko says she’s headed to flyweight.
The reason “huh?”, in its various forms, is such a quality reply is simple. The word is as versatile as a response gets, and while it may require some explanation, “huh?” is sometimes the only way to react to the news of today. Defined by Merriam-Webster as an interjection that’s “used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply”, “huh” or “huh?” can mean a lot of different things.
Despite some of the follies of human evolution (see: Struggling with Sign language), the development and growth of “huh” is something we should embrace. To be the change we want to see in the world, here are a few MMA stories last week that made us go “huh?”.
Mark Hunt shares story, beliefs in revealing piece
Covering topics like dying in a fight, steroids, and more, UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt shared some harrowing details and strong opinions on his career, and MMA in general. Huh.
The “Super Samoan” doesn’t hold back, unsurprisingly, and mainly takes aim at those who’ve used performance-enhancing drugs in MMA, and beyond. Referring to them as cheats and cheaters throughout the piece. He also shares his thoughts on fighter pay, and some advice for his sons. Namely, avoid the fight game.
But, the toughest part of the piece is reading the ways in which fighting is impacting Hunt’s life to this day. The dangers of fighting, while we are always learning more, are no secret. That doesn’t make passages like the one below any easier to read about a fan-favorite.
“Sometimes I don’t sleep well. You can hear me starting to stutter and slur my words. My memory is not that good anymore. I’ll forget something I did yesterday but I can remember the shit I did years and years ago. That’s just the price I’ve paid – the price of being a fighter.” – Mark Hunt via Player’s Voice
The biggest problem with that part, is that the final section of Hunt’s piece has a heading that reads: I’m not ready to walk away yet. The 43-year-old Hunt, who is 13-11-1 (1) in his professional MMA career, feels as though he’s still one of the best fighters on the planet. Shooting for another run at the UFC heavyweight belt, he has some goals regarding contract clauses and those who pop for PEDs, as well.
Currently slated for a headlining bout in Sydney against Marcin Tybura in November, Hunt still wants to fight. Despite the cheats. Despite the pay. And despite the damage. It’s never easy for a fighter, or any athlete, to know when to retire. But, after reading something like that, there’s only one thing to say.
Mark Hunt, please stop fighting.
Valentina Shevchenko is headed to flyweight
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, former bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko indicated that she is headed toward the new UFC flyweight division for her next bout. Huh.
Something fans have been hoping for since Shevchenko made her UFC debut, the birth of the women’s 125-pound division opens-up great bouts for Shevchenko and more. The promotion is currently airing The Ultimate Fighter 26, which will end with a female flyweight champion being crowned by the end of the year. Regardless of who comes out on top, Shevchenko’s plans for a division change impact the title-race right away.
“Because 125 is like much closer weight for me, it’s my real weight category, and even at like 135 I feel comfortable and I feel like 125 I will be able to use all my techniques and all my skills because I will fight with the same-sized opponents as me.” – Shevchenko on Submission Radio
Coming off of another tough loss to bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, Shevchenko is in a tough spot in the grand scheme of things in the fading women’s 135-pound division. Drawing talent from both the 115 and 135-pound divisions, flyweight could be the place to be for female MMA fighters sooner rather than later. With fighters like Shevchenko already joining the fray, we’re excited to see what’s next.
*cough* Start adding some muscle, Joanna *cough*
Gabriel Gonzaga will make his boxing debut next month
Another day, another MMA fighter is trying their hand at boxing. Except this time, the details and matchup actually kind of make sense. Huh?
Former UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga is coming out of MMA retirement to make his boxing debut next month. Rather than boxing the greatest boxer of all-time, or some other ridiculous matchup, Gonzaga is boxing Alando Pugh. Pugh has a professional record of 1-10-1.
“RPE is excited to have an athlete of Gonzaga’s caliber making his pro debut on our NEF 4 boxing event,” said promoter Jose Antonio Rivera in an official press release. “We are happy that boxers and MMA athletes trust us in terms of what we are trying to do to help them build their careers.” – via MMA Mania
It’ll be interesting to see how Gonzaga does, and where the 38-year-old could go from here. Even if it’s just a one-off, it’s interesting to see another attempt at a combat sports crossover. It’s also nice to see some seemingly proper matchmaking, especially compared to other bouts that’ve been made and speculated about. Don’t forget, Bigfoot Silva is slated to kickbox Rico Freaking Verhoeven in October.
Mark Hunt shared some strong opinions, and personal struggles, with the world in a must-read piece about his lengthy combat sports career. Former UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga is extending his career, just not his MMA one, as he’ll make his boxing debut next month. Hopefully, we’ll treated to Valentina Shevchenko’s UFC flyweight debut soon, which will likely come with a shot at the belt. Huh.
Huh? for the road
Video: Boxer gets punched in the nuts by opponent’s son during weigh-ins https://t.co/uBrfdemusI
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) September 15, 2017
