Mark Hunt expertly choked out at historic UFC event
The UFC’s historic first event in Russia has ended in defeat for Sydney-based fighter Mark Hunt, who suffered a stunning first round defeat to Aleksei Oleinik.
The Russian man gave home fans in Moscow plenty to cheer about at Fight Night 136 after trapping Hunt with a superbly executed rear-naked choke for the biggest win of his UFC career.
Oleinik withstood an early barrage as Hunt unloaded with a series of blistering leg kicks, followed by a massive right hand in their heavyweight showdown.
The Russian man put Hunt down briefly after catching him with a quick shot, before seizing on his big opportunity to take the former K-1 kickboxer onto the canvas.
Oleinik caught Hunt’s trailing leg and dragged him down onto the floor, before locking his forearm around the head of the ‘Super Samoan’.
Hunt did his best to keep the Russian from locking in the choke hold but as the big man began tiring, Oleinik pounced and the contest was as good as over.
Slipping a forearm underneath Hunt’s chin to lock up the rear naked choke, Oleinik have his rival no choice but to tap out with the end of the fight coming at 4:26 into the opening round.
“It doesn’t matter as long as he stands higher than me in the rankings,” Oleinik said about his next opponent.
For Oleinik it was his second win in a row and fifth submission victory since joining the UFC back in 2014.
As for Hunt, he has now dropped back-to-back fights with a 1-3 record in his past four outings.
“I got caught,” Hunt said about the submission.
“Congratulations to Aleksei. That’s just business, you win, you lose.”