Ex-UFC star Mark Hunt arrested on domestic violence charge

Hunt allegedly threatened a woman in the past via text, telling her: 'I'm just going to murder you in the end anyway'

Published Apr 16, 2026  •  Last updated 25 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Mark Hunt of Australia waits for a start of a round in a heavyweight bout against Alistair Overeem of the Netherlands during UFC 209 at T-Mobile Arena on March 4, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Steve Marcus /Getty Images

Ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight fighter Mark Hunt has been arrested in Australia for alleged domestic violence.

Article content

Hunt, 52, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of stalking or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm, and later released on bail, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Article content

Article content

He was detained at a home in Northern Rivers in New South Wales after police received reports of an alleged domestic incident. Hunt spent the night at Ballina Police Station.

At a court appearance, police alleged Hunt threatened to physically assault a family member at the home, stating the MMA fighter became aggressive and behaved in an “intimidating and berating manner,” which caused “fear and distress” for a woman and a witness, per the Sydney Morning Herald.

Hunt allegedly threatened the unnamed woman in the past via text, telling her: “I’m just going to murder you in the end anyway.” His lawyers disputed the text, arguing he hasn’t been charged in relation to it.

Prosecutors fought bail over his career

Prosecutors opposed giving Hunt bail, citing that his history as a fighter presented him as a “heightened” risk to the victim and the community.

Article content

Hunt’s lawyers argued, “Just because he’s a retired UFC fighter does not mean he is a domestic violence offender.”

The defence lawyer said Hunt will likely plead guilty to the stalking and intimidating charge.

Hunt was bailed on condition that he return to his home in southwest Sydney and not contact the victim. He’s scheduled to return to court on April 30.

Mark Hunt punches Brock Lesnar during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Rey Del Rio /Getty Images

Hunt fought in UFC from 2010-18

Nicknamed the “Super Samoan,” Hunt was a heavyweight who had an eight-year, 18-fight UFC career between 2010 and 2018, per ESPN.

Hunt headlined five UFC events during his career, including a career highlight fight for the interim heavyweight championship against Fabricio Werdum at UFC 180.

His last UFC fight was an unanimous loss decision to Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night: Dos Santos vs. Tuivasa on Dec. 1, 2018 in Adelaide.

While fighting for UFC, Hunt unsuccessfully sued the promotion, its president Dana White, and fighter Brock Lesnar after it was revealed that Lesnar failed drug tests before and after their July 9, 2016, fight at UFC 200. Hunt lost the bout, but it was later ruled a no-contest after Lesnar’s positive drug tests.

In 2025, the Ninth Circuit of Appeals upheld the ruling in favour of the UFC and White after Hunt first sued in 2017.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Article content