On paper, Brock Lesnar is the underdog for people who are going to bet on UFC 200’s co-main event, when he takes on ‘Super Samoan’ Mark Hunt. And understandably so, too; former UFC Heavyweight Champion Lesnar has not been inside the Octagon since 2011 when diverticulitis issues forced him to retire.
On the other hand, Hunt has been active long before and long after Lesnar came and went and came back again – though in almost three times as many fights as Lesnar has had, Hunt has failed to win a single title, which Lesnar did in only his third UFC match. Here are the UFC betting odds for their bout on Saturday, July 9th:
Brock Lesnar 1½ (+190) +145
Mark Hunt 1½ (-230) -165
How do these two behemoths match up? Let’s take a look at the numbers below:
Brock Lesnar
• Country: USA.
• Age: 38 years old.
• MMA record: 5 wins (2 by KO, 2 by submission, 1 by decision)-3 losses (2 by KO, 1 by submission).
• KO percentage: 60%.
• Submission percentage: 20%
• Decision percentage: 20%
• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 265 pounds (heavyweight).
• Reach: 81”
• Leg reach: 0”
• Strikes landed/minute: 3.5
• Strike accuracy: 73.4%
• Strikes absorbed/minute: 2.5
• Defense: 49.5%
• Takedown average: 3.8
• Takedown accuracy: 57.1%
• Takedowns defended: 60%
• Submission average: .6
• Team: DeathClutch Gym.
• Rank: Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
• Trained by: Rodrigo ‘Comprido’ Medeiros, Curt Henning, Dean Malenko.
• Active: 2007-2011, 2016.
Mark Hunt
• Country: New Zealand.
• Age: 42 years old.
• MMA record: 12 wins (9 by KO, 3 by decision)-10 losses (4 by KO, 6 by submission) -1 draw.
• KO percentage: 75%.
• Submission percentage: 0%
• Decision percentage: 25%
• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 260 pounds (heavyweight).
• Reach: 74”
• Leg reach: 43”
• Strikes landed/minute: 3.2
• Strike accuracy: 44.1%
• Strikes absorbed/minute: 2.6
• Defense: 53.1%
• Takedown average: .6
• Takedown accuracy: 55.5%
• Takedowns defended: 69.3%
• Submission average: .2
• Team: Oceania Super Fighter Gym, Liverpool Kickboxing Gym, Tony Mundine Boxing Club, American Top Team, Oliver MMA.
• Styles: Boxing, kickboxing.
• Trained by: Hape Nganoroa, Marcelo Rezende, Tony Mundine, Ricardo Liborio, Marco Gigante Villela, Steve Oliver, Jayson Vemoa.
• Active: 2004-present.
The bare facts that people who bet on UFC must know is that Hunt is a heavy hitter with 9 KO wins – two of which have been deemed Knockout of the Night – whereas Lesnar notoriously doesn’t enjoy being hit in the face. Mind you, nobody other than Tyler Durden likes getting punched in the face, but its effect on Lesnar seems to be the opposite of ‘hulking up.’ Conversely, Hunt has never submitted anyone in his career, while Lesnar is a grappler first and foremost. In summary, if fans who bet on UFC believe Lesnar can avoid Hunt’s haymakers and take the Samoan down and put his back to the ground, then your money should be on the underdog.