Mark Hunt set to face Curtis Blaydes at UFC 221 in Perth

Mark Hunt will lock horns with Curtis Blaydes at UFC 221 in Perth, Australia.

Mark Hunt will return to Australia to take on top-ten heavyweight Curtis Blaydes at next year’s UFC 221 pay-per-view on February 11, UFC confirmed on Wednesday.

Hunt, a former K-1 world champion, was originally scheduled to face Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night 121 in his hometown of Sydney but the 43-year-old was removed from the event after the UFC raised concerns over his health and safety.

Hunt claimed in a personal blog for the Players Voice that he had started slurring his words, although the combat sports veteran said his comments weren’t meant to be taken seriously.

Hunt is also currently embroiled in a lawsuit with the UFC, as the knockout artists claims that Dana White knew Brock Lesnar was using performance-enhancing drugs prior to last year’s co-headlining bout at UFC 200. Hunt lost the fight via unanimous decision, but the result was overturned to a No Contest after it was revealed that Lesnar tested positive for PEDs.

After being examined by UFC officials, Hunt has been cleared to fight again and the New Zealand-born talent looks forward to his return. His opponent, 26-year-old Blaydes, made his professional MMA debut in 2014 and is currently riding a four-fight win streak.

Hunt, a former UFC interim title challenger, was brutally knocked out by Alistair Overeem at UFC 209 but rebounded with a TKO win over Derrick Lewis this past June.

UFC 221, which features Hunt vs. Blaydes on the main card, takes place on Feb. 11 at Perth Arena in Perth, Australia.