WITH UFC 193 less than a week away, the excitement around the mixed martial arts world has hit fever pitch.
Etihad Stadium plays host to what could potentially be the largest event in UFC history and, with superstar bantamweight champion ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey in town, there is every possibility the UFC will break the all-time attendance record for an MMA card.
A crowd of over 60,000 is predicted to turn out for the fight, and with Rousey’s star atop the UFC 193 tree, the previous attendance record of 55,724 is well within the organisation’s sights.
The normally unflappable Rousey knows she is the star of the show, and feels the self-proclaimed ‘sporting capital of the world’ is the best place to break the all-time record.
“I’m very conscious of it,” Rousey said in relation to the attendance record.
“It’s an ambitious goal, but Australia’s the perfect place to try and do that. The people have a real appreciation for fighting that is unrivalled.
“They have the ability to come and show their support for a historic event.”
A once-in-a-generation star, Rousey believes her opponent – fellow American Holly Holm – does not stand a chance against her, and neither does anyone else on the planet.
“I would die to win, I would risk my life for it. That’s why I always win, because I’m willing to sacrifice more than the other person.”
Ronda Rousey is the dominant favourite to take out the main event of UFC 193, with Sportsbet offering the best price of all the bookmakers on the highly popular ‘Rowdy’ one.
Ronda Rousey is the $1.06 favourite to retain her belt at UFC 193 with Sportsbet.
While Rousey is the undoubted star of the show, hometown hero Mark Hunt will have plenty of patriotic support on fight night.
Mark Hunt is facing off against Antoni ‘Bigfoot’ Silva in a rematch of their epic UFC Fight Night 33 bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre that ended in a draw.
It was a five round slugfest that concluded with both men out on their feet but refusing to yield – if any fight deserved a rematch, it is this one.
Many dubbed the clash ‘the greatest fight of all-time’ and now the heavyweight duo are due to resume hostilities at UFC 193.
The man they call ‘Super Samoan’ is in the greatest shape of his life after switching to a vegan diet and believes it will give him the edge needed to overcome Silva at the second attempt.
“To be a fighter at this level, you need to be better.” Hunt said.
The 41-year old has shed an incredible 20kg prior to the bout.
“I’ve had to change everything and that’s why I’m in the best shape.”
Hunt has struggled his entire UFC career to make his fighting weight, but the super slugger believes this time he will leave his fighting strictly to the octagon and not the scales.
“I was probably 142kg and I’m about 122, 123 now,” Hunt revealed.
“The last time I fought I had to lose 10kg on weigh in day. That took it out of me”
“Now, I’m right on schedule for the weight cut and I’m in a position where I don’t have to worry about it.
“Every fighter knows about saunas, hot suits and salt baths and it takes a toll on you physically and mentally.”
The leaner and meaner Hunt has the online bookmakers on his side, with William Hill installing the ‘Super Samoan’ as the $1.41 favourite heading into the match.
Hunt’s opponent, veteran MMA superstar Antonio Silva has not let himself go in the aftermath either.
The man they call ‘Bigfoot’ wants a victory at UFC 193 after the uncommon yet widely applauded drawn result at UFC Fight Night 33.
“A draw is not very common in MMA, but it was a great fight.” Silva said.
“We were looking for the knockout all the time. I fell to one side, he fell to the other. It was a great battle. This time I want to win.”
This time the 36-year old Brazilian does not want to have the decision go to the judge to determine the outcome of the fight.
“Of course it’ll be great if I can get it done in the first two minutes, but I want to be ready for anything. I don’t like to leave it in the hands of the judges, we never know what they’re thinking.”
Silva is the $3.09 outsider with Sportsbet to upset Hunt at UFC 193.
UFC 193 takes place at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on the 15th of November, which looms as a huge event for the company.
The sport of MMA was banned in Victoria up until earlier this year, and the UFC will be hoping the grand entry of Ronda Rousey at Etihad Stadium will be the perfect place to showcase what the sport has to offer.
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