UFC

Parker's former promoter Dean Lonergan told RadioLIVE last week that fighting Hunt would be the perfect comeback fight for the former WBO heavyweight champion - who has lost his previous two bouts.

The 26-year-old lost to Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte respectively

Hunt - who has one fight remaining on his UFC contract - has lost three of his last four fights inside the Octagon, but more importantly has never fought a professional boxing fight in a 19-year combat sports career.

Last week Whittaker, who was already the interim middleweight champion, was given the overall title after mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre vacated due to health reasons.

The New Zealand-born Australian, Australasia's first UFC champion, has been scheduled to headline UFC 221 against American Luke Rockhold in Perth in February, which comes just under two months before April's Commonwealth Games.

Whittaker has already qualified for the 97kg wrestling division at the Games following his win at the Australian wrestling trials last month.

Born and raised in Shalvey, Tuivasa is the Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) heavyweight champion and is set on emulating his hero, Mark Hunt, in the highest levels of mixed martial arts (MMA).

Tuivasa, 23, travelled to Melbourne in June to challenge for Brandon Sosoli’s AFC championship belt and knocked him down after just 21 seconds, forcing an end to the fight.

Now the 1.88m 125kg Samoan fighter, based at Lions High Performance in St Marys, is working towards an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract. “That’s the ultimate goal,” Tuivasa said.

UFC revealed on Tuesday (NZT Wednesday) that Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance immediately after the high profile fight on July 10. What the substance was was not publicly known, but Lesnar's camp suggested an asthma medication was to blame.

Lesnar, 38, is returning to the cage after a successful spell wrestling with WWE.

The American hasn't fought MMA since late 2011, when he ended a four-year UFC run that included a two-year reign as heavyweight champion.

Lesnar announced Hunt as his opponent during an interview with American broadcasting giant ESPN on Tuesday (NZ time).

The 'Super Samoan' was the eighth-rated heavyweight fighter when the world's premier mixed martial arts organisation released their latest rankings on Tuesday (NZ time).

Hunt, 41, traded places with American Josh Barnett in the only change within the top 10 of the division in the media-generated rankings.

The 41-year-old Kiwi of Samoan descent added another highlight reel to his distinguished fighting career as he stopped Mir, a two-time former heavyweight champion, with a brutal right hand just three minutes into the first round.

Hunt's career seemed in jeopardy last May following a fifth-round stoppage to Stipe Miocic - his second-straight defeat. 

ABC repots the event is also offering local fighters a chance to show their skills on the world stage.

At the faceoff, Hunt and Mir accidently dressed the same, and despite a few laughs both men had their game face on.

Their heavyweight mixed martial arts fight could finish in brutal fashion.

With Hunt preparing to headline UFC Brisbane against Frank Mir this Sunday, White has opened up to Round 6 about that conversation, six years ago, when he tried to punt the hulking Sydney heavyweight.

For once, oddsmakers have the “Super Samoan” as the favorite for his fight this weekend against Frank Mir in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

“I’m actually the favorite? That’s great; that’s a first isn’t it? (Laughs)”

Maybe the world has finally stopped underestimating Hunt, ranked number nine in the UFC heavyweight division.