UFC proving popular in Mexico

Fans cheer as fighters hold open training sessions during the UFC 180 open workouts at the Interactive Museum of Economics, Mexico City. Photo / Getty Images

UFC 180 was meant to be all about Cain Velasquez.

The UFC's heavyweight champion, who was born in the US but holds strong Mexican roots, was seen as the big ticket item to boost interest in the UFC's first trip to Mexico City.

But Velasquez's body continues to fail him and he had to pull out of his title defence against Brazilian Fabricio Werdum.

The UFC needed another headline act to help carry the card so they whistled up Mark Hunt from family time in Sydney and the Super Samoan will meet Werdum for the promotion's interim heavyweight belt on Sunday.

Mexico is one of the world's biggest strongholds for boxing due to the long list of fighters who have represented the country at the highest level for many years.

But make no mistake about it, the UFC is a big drawcard in this corner of the globe.

UFC 180 sold out in less than a day as more than 20,000 tickets were snapped up and although Velasquez won't compete this weekend, the Mexico City Arena will still be full.
Thanks to a two-decade long career in combat sports, Hunt has a huge following wherever he goes and yesterday was no different in Mexico.

More than 500 people packed the courtyard of the Interactive Museum of Economics as Hunt was introduced to a vocal crowd as he completed a rapid open workout where he hit a few pads with striking coach Lolo Heimuli.

Open workouts, which are held a few days before the event to help generate further public interest, are often seen as a chore by fighters, particularly those who are trying to drop weight, and Hunt's appearance lasted little more than a minute.

"I don't think I have to work out hard here, my job has to be done in the octagon," Hunt told a large media contingent.

"It's great to be in Mexico City ... It's been a whole 24 years of fighting for Mark Hunt, two different fight sports, at the top of both so it's come to a climax here."

The former champion kickboxer and his team travelled to the open workout with a police escort as they dodged the Mexico City traffic, which is nothing short of driving in a video game on speed.

While MMA may never rise to the heights of boxing in Mexico, combat sports are clearly something the locals love.

"That's good because the UFC's made it a big deal," Hunt said. "Mixed martial arts has come a long way since when I started and my ride's nearly done here so it's great to be a part of this."

After arriving in Mexico needing to lose around 20kg, Hunt yesterday remained 4kg away from making the UFC's heavyweight limit of 120.6kg ahead of tomorrow's weigh-ins.

Fitness trainer Alex Flint has performed a near miracle to strip Hunt down this far. Flint's snappy twice-daily workouts have helped the kilograms disappear but the altitude of Mexico City, which sits at 2250m above sea level, has been a challenge. The thick air, caused by pollution, is another thorn in Hunt's side.

The extensive media commitments have also taken a toll on the placid Hunt, while a lack of carbohydrates in his diet has worn the 40-year-old down.

Hunt, who often speaks cryptically during interviews, appeared to have other things to worry about than the fight yesterday.

"I've got a lot of issues going on but my pupose is here to get closer to fighting Cain and that's about it. I have other issues going on but we'll have to deal with those later."

When Hunt was pressed on those "other issues" he declined to comment.

- Daniel Richardson travelled to Mexico courtesy of Sky Arena and the UFC