A REJUVENATED Mark Hunt has finally shed light on the “personal problems” preceding his most recent world title bout in Mexico, revealing: “I was about to board a plane and head home”.

Set to headline Australia’s first UFC event of 2015 — against Stipe Miocic in Adelaide on May 10 — Hunt insists he is now free of all the physical and mental dramas which plagued his title bid.

While refusing to make excuses for the second round TKO against Brazilian Fabricio Werdum — “I took the fight and lost, that’s it” —- the always honest fighter told The Daily Telegraph in a wideranging interview that he’s in a far different space now.

media_camera UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt says he is now free of physical and mental dramas.

Apart from having to lose 20kg in 22 days for the interim title blockbuster, which was also fought at altitude in Mexico City, Hunt spoke cryptically in fight week of being “in a bad place”.

Asked yesterday about his headspace prior to UFC 180, Hunt responded: “Oh, damn, it was crazy ... absolutely ridiculous.

FIGHT KNIGHTS

MAIDEN FIGHT

“I had some personal issues, people trying things. I thought I was about to lose my whole family.

“It wasn’t a good time for me. A crazy time. I was about to board a plane and take off home.”

Quizzed on exactly what the problems were, Hunt continues: “Personal stuff, private stuff”.

So what kept the UFC cult favourite from leaving?

media_camera Mark Hunt in action against Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva of Brazil.

“Because to disappear from a fight like that, schucks, that would be ridiculous,’’ he continued. “I know there were people thinking I was going to do the runner but ... no.

“The whole reason I fight is for my family. Everything I do is for them.

“And thankfully all that stuff has been sorted now. I’m moving forward. I can’t wait for this camp.”

Elsewhere, Hunt also spoke openly about everything from that Werdum knee and fighting Miocic to weigh in — gasp — as light as 110kg for the Adelaide card.

THE WORLD TITLE LOSS

Asked what he’d learned from watching replays of the Werdum bout, Hunt replied: “I haven’t watched it.

“I know I made a mistake so what’s the point of watching it again? All that does is leave you going ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ and I don’t need that.

“I was trying to beat Fabricio to his counter and he put a knee in my lips. That’s it.

“I was out for a few seconds and woke up with him punching me in the face. I was thinking, ‘oh, damn’.”

media_camera Mark Hunt was in “a bad place’’ during fight week.

THE HEAVYWEIGHT BELT

Hunt insists he can again be fighting for a title before the end of the year — potentially as the headliner for UFC 193 in Melbourne this November.

“I don’t think I really lost anything from the Werdum fight,’’ the Sydneysider says. “I’m ranked five. Miocic is four. The way I see it, I drop him and they have to give me Junior Dos Santos.”

And as for a second bout with Werdum?

media_camera UFC celebrities George Sotiropoulos, Junior Dos Santos and Ross Pearson.

“I’ve never lost a rematch,” Hunt grins. “Not in MMA, not in kickboxing, never.

“So the next time we dance, it’ll be Fabricio going to sleep.”

STIPE MIOCIC

Of his Adelaide Fight Night opponent Hunt says: “I’m going to knock him out cold ... put him to sleep.

“I mean, man, he’s world class. There’s no couch potatoes at this level

“But having 11 weeks to prepare, it definitely beats starving yourself to death in Mexico.

“I’m actually looking forward to this camp. Cannot wait to get into it.”

WEIGHT

Despite usually walking around above 140kg, Hunt says he is already down to 132kg after three weeks working out in his zuu fitness program.

media_camera UFC’s Ross Pearson, Dana White, Junior Dos Santos and George Sotiropoulos.

So instead of scraping in under the 120kg heavyweight limit, the 40-year-old insists he will be “down to 110kg” against Miocic — who last fight went five rounds with No. 1 heavyweight contender Junior Dos Santos.

DRUG CHEATS

STILL on Hunt and the UFC cult favourite says drug cheats will be “forever looking over their shoulder” following the sport’s introduction of new hard line doping guidelines this week.

Following a spate of recent positive tests —- the list of which includes superstar Anderson Silva and adopted Aussie Hector Lombard —- UFC officials this week outlined a drastic new doping program to take effect from July 1.

media_camera Hector Lombard wrestling with Josh Burkman in a welterweight fight during the UFC 182 event.

When implemented, every rostered UFC fighter will be subjected to random, year-round, out-of-competition testing — with promised penalties of anywhere from two years to twice that for first-time offenders.

“And I’m not going to judge anyone for what they do,’’ Hunt said. “If you want to cheat, hey, that’s up to you.

media_camera Middleweights Nick Diaz and Anderson Silva at a fight in Las Vegas.

“But those guys, they’re going to be looking over their shoulder all the time. And when you do get caught, everything you’ve done, your whole reputation, it comes into question.”

Asked if he worried about taking on juiced-up rivals, Hunt laughed: “Oh, man, drug cheats can still get knocked out.”

LEADING LADIES

AUSTRALIA’S two leading female fighters, Bec Rawlings and Alex Chambers, are among nine locals granted places for what shapes as a solid UFC Fight Night card for the company’s Adelaide debut in May.

media_camera Manly's Bec 'Rowdy' Rawlings. Pic: Richard Walker

From the top down, the bouts read: Mark Hunt v Stipe Miocic, Robert Whittaker v Brad Tavares, Anthony Perosh v Sean O’Connell, Jake Matthews v James Vick, Bec Rawlings v Seohee Ham, Dylan Andrews v Bradley Scott, Alex Chambers v Kailin Curran and Vik Grujic v Brendan O’Reilly.

media_camera Bec Rawlings is one of nine locals granted places for what shapes as a solid UFC Fight Night card.

FAN SIGNING

AUSTRALIAN fight fans will be able to watch UFC 184: Rousey v Zingano with rising lightweight Jake Matthews. The Celtic Kid will be at Sydney’s The Star next Sunday, watching the card in the casino’s sports bar while also taking part in both a Q & A and fan signing session.