Shark hunt

There was a fight announced this week, scheduled for the 31st October. As an MMA blog, you would assume that I’m talking about some big, upcoming UFC title fight… I am not. This fight is between Mark Hunt, a fighting legend, against a former Cronulla Sharks rugby league player, Paul Gallen.

First of all, I think this is a joke and an insult to the legacy of Mark Hunt. Let’s look at the pedigree of the two fighters. Mark Hunt was found outside a South Auckland bar where he was having a scrap and knocking people out left, right, and centre. A local trainer saw what was happening. Impressed, he asked him if he wanted to train and fight. A week later, Hunt had his first kickboxing fight where he won by KO and got a 6 pack of beer for his trouble. Hunt then went to Australia and fought in the K-1. At the start, he was used as a steppingstone for more experienced fighters until Tarik Solak ran the K-1 Oceania Tournament. This was an 8-man kickboxing tournament and Hunt won the tournament with 3 KO’s. Hunt still had to prove himself though as many saw this victory as a fluke. However, Hunt repeated the performance the next year, winning 3 fights in a night again leading to him entering the international fight scene. Hunt lost a decision to LeBanner and Hoost but because of his exciting fight style, was awarded a wildcard spot as one of the other fighters had to pull out. This led to one of the great K-1 fights between Hunt and Sefo. Though a thrilling fight, Hunt ended up losing but Sefo could not continue due to an eye injury. Hunt then KO’d Adam Watt to earn a spot in Tokyo for the K-1 World GP (this biggest kickboxing event in the world at the time). Hunt beat LeBanner and Leko by KO to reach the final against Francisco Filho. Hunt won the K1 GP via decision to become to first and only non-European fighter to win the K-1 GP. Hunt had a few more K-1 fights but at the end of the day, the management of K-1 didn’t like a chubby Samoan being the champ so they paid him out of his contract and Hunt went on to have a MMA career. 

Although Hunts MMA record doesn’t look too impressive on paper, the man was a killer. Hunt fought the best and had a UFC title shot. Yes, he had some losses, but he was known as the king of the walk off knockout. This was due to Hunt landing a big shot and just walking off not jumping on them for a few ground and pound shots like other fighters – Hunt would just turn and walk away or even step over them while the ref stopped the fight. So, you can see the man is a career fighter and a handful for any fighter on the planet.

Gallen is a different story. Gallen played 348 games for the Cronulla Sharks at prop. Gallen’s had his first fight for the charity ‘Rugby v League’ fight. Then had a second fight the next year against a former All Black. Gallen then retired from league and turned Pro in boxing and fought on the undercard of the Geale V Wood, where he won after being knocked down in round 1. He had another win and followed up two more fights against a league player, followed by an Aussie Rules player. Gallen has racked up 10 fights, with 9 wins, and 1 draw.

Yes, Hunt has passed his best and had holes in his game. In the UFC people knew not to stand with him so they would take him down and once their he was largely ineffective against a skilled opponent. However, what Hunt had on his side was crazy power and great timing. Hunt is one of the hardest punches MMA has seen. Possessing some amazing timing and a staggering ability to soak up damage, Hunt proved a formidable opponent for even the best heavyweight. Gallen was an enforcer on the league field, known as one of the hard men. He took this into boxing, where his toughness is not disputed. However, Hunt is also one of the toughest people on the planet so that doesn’t really have an effect on the fight. 

So how does this fight go? Hunt is 46, he’s older heavier, taller, and more experienced (46 years, 5ft10 120kg) compared to Gallen (38 years, 5ft 7 105kg). But Hunt is 120kg on a good day, his walk around weight is a bit higher and I would guess he has been walking around a bit lately. For Gallen to stand a chance in this fight he has to keep Hunt moving around and not letting him set his feet for his punches, standing directly in front of Hunt is about as safe as standing in front of an avalanche with snow shovel. Hunt’s great timing and power these are things you are born with and Gallen does not have anywhere near the natural talent as Hunt. If Gallen cannot keep Hunt moving, allowing Hunt to throw his bombs, then it will be a relatively quick fight. There is a concern of a rope a dope (Gallen letting Hunt punch himself out until he runs out of puff) then Gallen could take advantage later in the fight. But Hunt has experience, and this is a fight in his backyard with a lot of pride at stake. I can’t see Hunt having too much trouble as Gallen is not a highly skilled fighter than can use skill to avoid Hunts power. Gallen will stand in front of Hunt sooner or later and will get hit harder than he thought possible and he will get knocked out.

In short, Hunt wins. There are concerns of accumulative damage over a long career and fitness, but I think Gallen just does not have the skill to trouble Hunt. With the one provision that Hunt is turning up to fight not just for a paycheck.

Gareth Lewis
Head MMA Instructor