Kiwi UFC star Mark Hunt has set up a management company to help young athletes avoid the mistakes he made.

Casually dressed in one of Auckland's swanky Viaduct restaurants, Mark Hunt sports a diamond-layered wedding ring that immediately catches the eye.

An impulse buy he regularly takes off for sparring, it's just one outlandish error of judgment the Kiwi UFC star made during his 26-year career in combat sports.

"There's a $30,000 mistake right there," Hunt said, pointing to his ring.

With two contractual appearances left in the UFC, Hunt is starting to make plans for life after fighting by setting up a management company to help others avoid the many pitfalls in his brutal industry.

He remains determined as ever to claim the heavyweight title – his next fight is expected to be against a top five contender in Brisbane in March after a dominant first round TKO win in his rematch with 'Bigfoot' Silva last month. But, as the transition draws closer, the 41-year-old realises the need to make alternative plans. He can't fight forever.

His first step into post-fight life was his Juggernaut apparel and he's now teamed up with businessman Mark Keddell, who has come on board as director, to create a management arm of the same company.

Hunt has been there, done that, and wants to draw on those experiences to guide emerging prospects, as well as entertainers. With strong connections across Asia and America, Hunt believes not only can he get fighters in the door but help them carve out a successful sustainable career.

"I've talked about it for a while. We've just got to put a few contracts in place. I've already put 11 fighters into a company in Japan," Sydney-based Hunt said.

"There's so many crooks in this business. At the end of it the fighter gets the last bit. I want it to be different; I want the fighter to get what he deserves and not be cheated. If you get the right combination of fighter with team, they're unstoppable. Mike Tyson was one of the good ones before he got ripped off. There's a lot of fighters that make serious coin.

"I've fallen many times as a human, as a person, and as a fighter. I know the holes to steer away from and how to patch them up. If you have the right team you don't fall into those. All they have to do is worry about fighting. They don't have to worry about who is taking what from them.

"There's nothing worse than seeing a fighter lose because he's lost outside the ring."

Unlike many sports in Australasia that have systems to educate up-and-coming athletes about financial management, especially investment and superannuation plans, those in the fight arena are often left to find their own way.

This can lead to unexpected tax bills appearing and promoters who promise the world only to leave fighters bankrupt.

David Tua's slide from the top of heavyweight boxing to hardship provides a high-profile New Zealand example.

"The NRL and rugby they have camps where they teach the players how to spend their money," Hunt said.

"I've had to find out the hard way. It hasn't been easy. I've made many mistakes. I've lost millions of dollars – spent millions of dollars because no-one told me how to use it.

"When you get to the top that's when the battle begins. You've got to have your troops on point for when the sharks come circling. There's some really talented kids out there right now. They just need the right team behind them."