A heavyweight fighter known as the “Super Samoan” has been charged with a domestic violence offence.
Mark Hunt, 54, was arrested in his home in Ballina, in the Northern Rivers, on Tuesday evening and charged with one count of stalking or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm.
He will face bail court later on Wednesday.
Hunt hails from New Zealand with Samoan heritage. He has competed as a wrestler, a kickboxer in the K-1 championships, and a mixed martial arts fighter in the Pride Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the heavyweight division. His last UFC fight was in 2018.
He was once known as the “King of Walk-Offs” for leaving a fight before its official end.
Hunt is a born-again Christian and a vegetarian. He now promotes a tequila named after himself and other fighters.
In 2017, he filed a lawsuit against the UFC and its president, Dana White, for racketeering and fraud after his opponent, Brock Lesnar, tested positive for banned substances. A US court dismissed the claim in 2025.
White later went on to issue a public apology after he was filmed appearing to strike his wife.
In a high-profile 2024 civil court case in Ireland, MMA fighter Conor McGregor was found to have sexually assaulted and beaten a woman.
In 2023, NSW Premier Chris Minns was criticised for spending $16 million in taxpayer funding to bring three UFC fights to Sydney.
The decision was condemned by women’s safety advocates as financing an event which “glorifies violence”.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
Read the full article here
