Mark Hunt has to drop 20kg in 22 days for UFC 180

MARK Hunt must shed more than 20kgs — and in a hurry — after accepting the opportunity of a lifetime for UFC 180. Will he be ready in time?

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 03: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been desaturated.) Mark Hunt poses during the UFC Fight Night media session at SKY TV Gym on September 3, 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

MARK Hunt must shed more than 20kgs — and in a hurry — after accepting the opportunity of a lifetime.

And while he has just 22 days to prepare for his UFC interim heavyweight title shot against Fabricio Werdum, fan favourite Hunt is making no excuses.

“I’m not fit at all and it’s hard. I’ve had a month off and I’ve gone from training two or three times a day to zero training but there’s no excuses,” Hunt told News Corp Australia.

“I’m going to be there and I’m aiming for the win and that’s all I’m interested in.”

Hunt, a Sydney-based warrior who fights out of Auckland, New Zealand, learnt on Wednesday morning that he would step in for Cain Velasquez, who suffered a right knee injury in training and was forced to withdraw from the championship fight.

“I was head hunted,” Hunt said.

“But time’s not on my side, I’m 40 years old so I think I was the first option.

“Regardless of whether I was training or whether I put on weight or not, it’s an opportunity and I’m thankful they gave me the shot.”

After 34 days of R & R following his stunning victory over the iron-chinned Roy “Big Country” Nelson, Hunt stepped back into the gym just hours after receiving the call.

“I’m focusing on losing weight because there’s a bit to lose,” Hunt said.

“I’ve put on 20 kilos and that’s easy to lose.

“But it’s not going to fall off, unless I cut one of my arms off,” he joked.

And while he faces an uphill battle to be fit for the biggest fight of his career, Hunt believes he will have no problems shedding the weight required.

Another curve ball for Hunt is a 16-hour flight to Mexico City, where he will fight Werdum on November 15.

Mark Hunt must drop 20kg in 22 days.

“Three weeks ... there’s never enough time to go to another country and acclimatise for a fight, but I’ll deal with it how I deal with it. I’ll try my best and that’s all I can do, really,” he said.

“There’s still enough time, otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the fight.

“As I said, there’s no excuses for me at this level. I’ve got the opportunity and I’ve got to take the good with the bad and there’s no excuses for not making weight.

“Before I even knew about the challenges that lie ahead — the altitude and the weight loss — I was in there 100 per cent.

“When the opportunity comes knocking, you take it because it comes hardly ever.”

Hunt will fly to Mexico City on Saturday and ramp up preparation for the fight of his life.

“I’m excited. Not many people get this chance ... it’s a once in a lifetime (opportunity) and I’m excited about it. And I’m thankful,” he said.

“This means everything. I’ve been fighting for 24 years, and in two different sports, and I won the K1 world title and now I’m fighting for another world title. I’m no stranger to this sort of business.”

Hunt was not the only one taken by surprise this week.

Werdum was relaxing in Mexico when he learnt of Velasquez’s withdrawal.

“He (Dana White) said: ‘I have good and bad news for you, Fabricio,” Werdum told MMAFighting.com.

“The good one is that you will still fight for the title on Nov. 15, and the bad news is that Velasquez is out with a knee injury, and you will fight Mark Hunt instead.’”

A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a brown belt in Judo, Werdum possesses plenty of firepower for the five-round encounter.

But Hunt is only concerned for his own game.

Asked what was Werdum’s real strength, Hunt replied: “It doesn’t matter.”

“Werdum is one of the best fighters in the world.

“Everyone’s well versed in everything, but this is the division where you are going to get knocked out, so it doesn’t matter.”

And there won’t be any extra butterflies when Hunt steps into the octagon.

“Of course everyone gets nervous and I get nervous as well,” Hunt said.

“But I’m probably more nervous about my training. That’s the main thing, I haven’t had much time to train.

“There’s always nerves about fighting at the top level but I’m one of the best in the world.”