At 42, heavyweight slugger Mark Hunt has inked a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.
The new contract was announced on Wednesday’s new edition of FOX Sports 1’s “UFC Tonight.” Specific terms of the agreement were not revealed.
However, New Zealand’s Stuff.co.nz reported the deal is for six fights over 30 months and is of the “multi-million dollar” variety and will make the Kiwi one of the nation’s “highest-earning athletes.”
Hunt (12-10-1 MMA, 7-4-1 UFC) told Stuff.co.nz that he’s happy with the new deal but told UFC President Dana White financial reward isn’t his only goal for the moment.
“It’s not about the money,” Hunt said. “Of course I had to get paid for my work, but I want that title. Dana gave me a message, and we talked about it. There were some back-and-forth negotiations.
“I think I still deserve a title shot, and in the end, I thought six fights should do it. I’m glad to finish my career at the top end with the UFC. I want to bring the gold Down Under.”
Hunt, of course, has previously proven that cash isn’t always exactly his primary focus, as he outlined earlier this year why he declined White’s $450,000 offer to walk away from the UFC prior to his octagon debut.
Hunt is currently ranked No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings.
Hunt was in action most recently at at March’s UFC Fight Night 85 event in Australia, where he scored a first-round knockout over former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir. “The Super Samoan” now owns a two-fight winning streak in the UFC, a run that includes two first-round knockouts.
For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
