Mark Hunt is likely to return to the octagon in November.

There is still some way to go before Brock Lesnar returns to the UFC but Mark Hunt would not be surprised if they rolled out the red carpet for the convicted doper.

The drums have been beating over Lesnar's potential return to mixed martial arts for the last two weeks.

First of all, the UFC was forced to deny the professional wrestling star had re-enrolled in the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug testing pool.

The speculation then went into overdrive when ahead of his grudge match against Daniel Cormier this weekend, former light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones said he would love fight Lesnar. To which Lesnar told the Associated Press: "Would I fight Jon Jones? Anytime, anywhere."

READ MORE:

* Lesnar ready to fight Jones

* Greatest UFC rivalry to reach its peak

Hunt has waged a war on doping since it was revealed Lesnar failed multiple drug tests prior to their bout last July and has filed a civil lawsuit against him and the UFC, accusing them of willfully circumventing the system.

The 'Super Samoan' said they were not far from the discovery phase and talk about a Lesnar comeback has only left him more determined to continue his fight outside the octagon.

"That's why we're going to court, because of people like this coming in and cheating," said Hunt, who recently released an updated edition of his popular biography 'Born to Fight', which details the events of the Lesnar bout and his ensuing battle with the UFC.

"I won't be surprised whatever they do, look what's happened so far.

"It's just a joke these days with cheaters all over the place.

"It's the best cheater that gets away with it wins and that's the worst thing about this whole scenario."

Hunt lost to Lesnar at UFC 200 that was changed to a no-contest following the American's doping violation.

Lesnar was suspended for a year which, while originally set to expire this month, was frozen after he notified the UFC and USADA of his retirement form MMA in February.

A former heavyweight champion and one of the most popular names in UFC history, Lesnar would need to rejoin the testing pool and serve the remainder of his suspension before returning, while he also under contract with the WWE until next year.

However, a bout with Jones, arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA, would be one of the biggest ever UFC events and a possible showdown in 2018 cannot be ruled out.

Jones first needs to get past Cormier, his first fight in more than a year after their initial rematch was cancelled when he too failed a doping test prior to UFC 200.

"They're both drug cheats," Hunt added of Jones and Lesnar.

"Instead of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, let's call it the ultimate cheating competition - may the best cheater win.

"There's no respect from me for these guys at all as martial artists, none at all."

Meanwhile, Hunt revealed his next fight will likely take place in Sydney on November 19.

Following his impressive win over Derrick Lewis in Auckland last month, the Kiwi had hoped to fight in Japan in September and had reached out to second-ranked heavyweight Fabricio Werdum.

Werdum beat Hunt in 2014 for the interim heavyweight title but Hunt said the Brazilian was unwilling to accept a rematch.

"I asked Werdum and his team but they don't want to do it so that's them out and there's no one else available in the top 10," he said.

"So I think I'll have to wait until Sydney to find a fighter that's available."