UFC 180: Mark Hunt replaces Cain Velasquez in main event after knee injuries rules defending champion out

SYDNEY UFC fighter Mark Hunt has three weeks to lose 20 kilos after being named as Cain Velasquez’s replacement for a shot at the heavyweight title.

UFC - Mark Hunt v Antonio Silva

SYDNEY UFC fighter Mark Hunt has only three weeks to lose 20 kilos after being gifted a surprise shot at the world heavyweight title.

Speaking with The Daily Telegraph, Hunt revealed UFC boss Dana White rang him on Wednesday morning -- while he was dropping his kids to school in western Sydney -- with a request to replace reigning champ Cain Velasquez in the main event at UFC 180.

As a result, the Minto fighter will now head for Mexico City tommorrow (Thursday) -- the venue for his interim title fight with Fabricio Werdum -- so that he can not only acclimitase but drop the 20 kilos has has put back on since stopping Roy Nelson in September.

“I’ve really gotta hit the roads, drop some weight,’’ he laughed. “But what else is there to do? You don’t say no to an opportunity like this.”

Mark Hunt is heading to Mexiso for the big fight

The UFC announced today that heavyweight champion Velasquez has suffered a right knee injury during training and, as a result, has withdrawn from his championship fight against No.1 contender Werdum in Mexico City on November 15.

As a result, No.4 Hunt has been rushed into the slot after his outstanding walk-away knockout against the Nelson in Tokyo in September.

“I’m so unbelievably disappointed that this happened,” Velasquez told UFC.com. “To say I was looking forward to fighting in Mexico for the first time is an understatement.

Mark Hunt in action against Brazilian Antonio Silva

“I wanted to fight on that card so bad. Looks like it wasn’t meant to be and it’s not going to happen. I’m going to get my [right] knee fixed and get back to training as soon as I can.”

Werdum, meanwhile, was quoted saying: “I’m ready for whatever comes.

“I have been training in Mexico for nearly two months and accept the challenge that is presented to me. I’ll continue to prepare and will arrive ready to fight on behalf of all my Latin American fans,”

Incredibly UFC 180 sold-out in only eight hours, and will welcome more than 20,000 fans to Mexico City Arena.

Originally published as UFC 180: Mark Hunt replaces Cain Velasquez in main event after knee injuries rules defending champion out