UFC: Hunt set for lengthy stint away from the cage

Mark Hunt hits Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva with an elbow due to injuring his hands during yesterday's clash. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt has no problems with meeting Antonio `Bigfoot' Silva again, it just won't happen until well in to next year.

After the pair fought to a thrilling majority draw at UFC Fight Night 33 in Brisbane on Saturday, people immediately questioned whether there would be a rematch.

Both fighters were taken to hospital after the five-round war and weren't available to speak to the media but Hunt confirmed today in a phone interview with 'The MMA Hour' on website MMAFighting.com that he would need a lengthy stint out of the octagon due to a badly broken left hand.

"The doctor said at least six months before I can start hitting anything,'' Hunt said. "I've got like 12 screws in my hand.''

There were concerns around one of Hunt's legs after it copped a vicious kick from Silva (18-5-1) during the bout but the 'Super Samoan' said it was just badly bruised and the broken hand was his only major ailment from the brawl that earned 'Fight of the Night' honours.

Hunt also told 'The MMA Hour' he had no concerns about the fight being scored 47-47 by two of the judges, which led to the majority draw, while the third judge gave him the bout 48-47.

"I didn't really mind a draw anyway ... I just thought I could have done a lot more things.''

Hunt, 9-8-1 for his MMA career, also revealed during the interview he may have contemplated retirement if he had of lost. But at 39, he still wants to fight for the world title, which is currently held by Cain Velasquez.

"I want to be the best fighter on the planet again in a different sport,'' Hunt said as he referred to his world championship title in K-1 kickboxing from 2001. "So I'm not going to put that aside.''

Following the event in Brisbane, Tom Wright, who is the UFC's director of operations for Canada, Australia and New Zealand, said the MMA promotion wanted to hold a show in Melbourne next year and the rematch between Hunt and Bigfoot would be an ideal main event.

Currently, fighting in a cage is illegal in Victoria, but it's understood that ban is close to being overturned.