UFC: Mark Hunt 'ready to die' in the cage

Mark Hunt lands a right-handed punch against Antonio Silva in their UFC heavyweight bout. Photo / Getty

Mark Hunt says he's "ready to die" in the cage and has dared opponent Frank Mir to try to break his legs in their heavyweight clash in Brisbane this Sunday.

Hunt was responding to inflammatory comments from former UFC champion Mir last week.

Mir, a jiu-jitsu expert, said he would end Hunt's decorated career if the Sydney based kickboxer tried to fight through his notorious leg lock submissions.

"When I say continue fighting, I mean if he taps, he can continue on (with his career). Kneebars and heel hooks at his age could take him out of competition for an extremely long time," Mir said.

Kiwi-born Hunt responded in kind on Thursday during a cross promotion with the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team.

The two UFC stars will battle at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in front of a crowd predicted to sell out.

A win for either could see them surge back into the heavyweight title picture.

Hunt said he was content if his life ended in the cage but wasn't sure if Mir was.

"Good, break my legs, at least they will be broken at work," Hunt said.

"I am ready to die in there. I am ready to give my life in there to be the best fighter on the planet and I don't know if he is.

"That is the only way to feel. I feel I am the best fighter in the world and I am ready to go that much further than he is on Sunday.

"I didn't get this far worrying about what people say.
"It is an idle threat. That's his game.

"I'll show him my respect on Sunday when I am punching his face in.

"If I end it there that's what it is and if he's going to break my legs then break them."

The two fighters will square off for the first time on Saturday at the weigh-ins for UFC Brisbane event.

- news.com.au