Last week MMA fans found out that UFC Heavyweight Mark Hunt was having trouble traveling to the U.S. due to issues obtaining a work visa. A 2002 arrest seems to be what’s giving Hunt difficulties in making it to Las Vegas to fight Junior dos Santos. Hunt has remained confident that he’ll eventually be able to board his flight, but as of Tuesday he’s still in New Zealand.
On today’s episode of UFC Tonight, Ariel Helwani confirmed that Hunt still has not been able to get a flight to the States, but the UFC is not too worried about the fight being cancelled. However, they are making sure they’re prepared. Helwani reported that UFC brass has reached out to Roy Nelson to step up in the event that Hunt is unable to travel. Nelson is scheduled to apply for a fighter’s license at an upcoming NSAC meeting to ensure he’ll be ready if Mark’s issues aren’t resolved.
Roy Nelson is coming off an impressive first round KO of Cheick Kongo at UFC 159. After only two minutes in the cage, Nelson landed his infamous overhand right on Kongo to get the stoppage. Nelson has faced dos Santos once in the past at UFC 117. The fight went to a decision after 15 minutes and an incredibly one-sided bludgeoning saw JDS get the win.
UFC 160 is set to go down in only 10 days on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. In the main event, Heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez will look to earn his first successful title defense against Antonio Silva.