UFC: Mark Hunt set to face Frank Mir

Mark Hunt. Photo / Getty Images.

Mark Hunt's next UFC appearance is set to be in Brisbane against former heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

Fresh off a first-round TKO win over Antonio Silva (19-8, 1 NC) at UFC 193 in Melbourne in November, Hunt is expected to be the headline act for UFC Fight Night 84 in Brisbane on March 20.

Mir, a submission specialist with an 18-10 career record, won two straight last year before dropping a unanimous decision to Andrei Arlovski (25-11, 1 NC) at UFC 191 in September.

With most of the heavyweight division booked in fights during the coming months, a bout between Mir and Hunt (11-10-1) makes sense as both men look to stay relevant in the title picture.

UFC officials haven't made a formal announcement about the fight but Fox Sports in Australia reported the bout had been verbally agreed to and a handful of overseas MMA outlets have also said it was in the works.

Hunt is pegged at No 9 in the media-generated UFC rankings, while Mir sits one spot below.

Hunt, who is based in Sydney, headlined the last event the UFC staged in Brisbane when he fought to an epic majority draw with Silva in December, 2013.

The Kiwi is nearing the end of his current UFC contract and another win would help his stock if the 41-year-old wanted to fight on past this deal.

Mir, a 36-year-old from Las Vegas, has been on the UFC roster since late 2001 and will pose an interesting challenge for Hunt if he can take the fight to the ground given his extensive submission game.