That loss to Sean McCorkle in the opening bout of UFC 119 pushed the heavyweight’s losing streak to six and dropped his record to 5-7 overall.
While the first six of those setbacks all came against major stars and established names, including Josh Barnett, Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem, offering little resistance against the unbeaten journeyman from Indianapolis seemed to justify the UFC brass’ initial inclination to buy out the remaining fights on Hunt’s contract and allow him to ply his trade elsewhere.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the now 44-year-old combat sports veteran washing out of the UFC — he started winning and developed a cult following amongst hardcore fight fans.