Mark Hunt

Derrick Lewis vs. Mark Hunt

Round 1
England's Marc Goddard is the referee for tonight's heavyweight main event, with judges Howie Booth, Barry Foley and Charlie Keech scoring at cageside. A slow opening minute sees Hunt trying to work his way inside on the taller man, while Lewis fends off the heavy-handed striker with kicks to the lead leg and body. Hunt keeps pressing out from the center, backing up Lewis to the fence, and finally the "Super Samoan" lunges in to connect with a sweeping left hand. Lewis has a pair of head kicks bounce off Hunt's right shoulder, then backpedals away when Hunt threatens to throw hands again. Hunt is feinting now and getting Lewis to bite. Lewis misses on another left high kick but pops Hunt with an uppercut behind it. Hunt steps in with an overhand right, sprawls on a shot from Lewis and hits the "Black Beast" with an uppercut. Hunt charges inside again, and Lewis slips to a knee while backing up. Lewis jumps up before Hunt can capitalize, and now the heavyweights reconvene in the center of the cage. Hunt pushes Lewis backward with a chopping leg kick, then has to back up as the American tries a flying knee. Hunt catches a body kick in the closing seconds and kicks back at Lewis' back leg.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hunt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hunt
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Lewis

Round 2
Hunt takes up the center of the cage again and stalks Lewis around the outside. Lewis blasts his way back to the middle with an awkward leaping kick. Hunt is soon on the march again, keeping his hands in Lewis' face as the "Black Beast" circles with his back to the fence. Hunt continues to work his leg kicks, and Lewis is starting to check the strikes now. Hunt takes a finger to the right eye from the outstretched hand of Lewis, but the Kiwi says he's good to continue. Hunt whiffs as he steps into the pocket with a big overhand right, but it's Lewis landing a counter right hook that backs up the K-1 vet. Lewis continues to fire kicks at the head of the shorter man, this time pulling up just short with a switch kick. Hunt, meanwhile, resumes walking Lewis around the perimeter, still landing leg kicks as they enter the last two minutes of the round. Lewis eats a right hand and starts to circle away, and Hunt lunges after him with another big right hand. Lewis looks to have cleared the cobwebs before Hunt can capitalize on the sequence, and now Lewis is scoring with counter right hands as Hunt marches after him. Hunt pops Lewis with a few more punches, then appears to think the round is over and turns to walk away. As he's called back by referee Goddard, Lewis nearly lands a left high kick, but Hunt dodges it and finishes the round with another combination at the fence.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hunt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hunt
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Hunt

Round 3
Lewis' hands are hanging low as he circles to his right in the opening minute of round three. Hunt stays measured, walking down the "Black Beast," always keeping Lewis on the outside. Lewis appears to poke Hunt in the eye again, but there's no complaint from Hunt. An uppercut scores for Lewis, but his follow-up punches go wanting as Hunt ducks and dips away. Hunt comes forward again, deflecting a lead uppercut from Lewis, who is suddenly looking very tired. Lewis gets Hunt to back up with a partially landed left hook, but "Hunto" is soon on the advance again. Hunt lands a leg kick, sticks a jab, now midway through the round and possibly the fight. Lewis tries to push Hunt away with a front kick, then shoots for a double and gets brushed aside by the local favorite. Lewis blocks an overhand right but comes away from the exchange with his hands on his hips. Hunt goes to the body with a right hook, now a left uppercut, and Lewis continues to back up with his hands held low.
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Hunt
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Hunt
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Hunt

Round 4
Lewis continues to hold his hands very low, breathing with his mouth open as he moves slowly around the outside. Hunt follows him from the middle, looking to land a big right hand, but Lewis continues to evade the power punches. Hunt lands a heavy leg kick, flashes a jab and comes over the top with a right hand. Lewis backs up Hunt momentarily with a tired left hand, but Hunt comes straight back with a body punch. Lewis looks to be struggling just to remain vertical as he stumbles backward around the edge of the cage. Hunt catches him with a big right hand to the jaw but lets Lewis off the hook with no follow-up offense. Lewis tries a last-dich leaping knee and right hand, comes up short and has to back up to the wall again. Hunt starts to unload with uppercuts and elbows as Lewis covers up and doubles over. Referee Goddard is telling Lewis to fight back, but Lewis is clearly finished, offering no intelligent defense, and the fight is stopped. Mark Hunt collects a fourth-round technical knockout of Derrick Lewis before an ecstatic New Zealand crowd.

The Official Result
Mark Hunt def. Derrick Lewis via TKO (Punches) R4 3:51