Updated ,first published
A heavyweight fighter known as the “Super Samoan” has been granted bail after being charged with a domestic violence offence.
Mark Hunt, 52, faced court on Wednesday, charged with one count of stalking or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm. The court heard he also allegedly texted a death threat to the woman.
He was arrested at a home in the Northern Rivers on Tuesday evening following reports of an alleged domestic incident, police confirmed, and spent the night in custody at Ballina Police Station.
Police will allege in court that he threatened to physically assault a family member at the property.
The court heard the complainant was helping Hunt with a task when he allegedly became aggressive, behaving in an “intimidating and berating manner”, causing “fear and distress” for the woman and a witness.
Police facts read to the court stated Hunt allegedly previously texted the woman a death threat, stating, “I’m just going to murder you in the end anyway.”
The defence disputed that this text was sent, and Hunt has not been charged in relation to it.
The police prosecutor opposed bail in court on Wednesday, arguing that Hunt’s history as a wrestler presented a “heightened” risk to the community and to the alleged victim.
The defence argued his sporting history wasn’t a factor for the alleged offending. “Just because he’s a retired UFC fighter does not mean he is a domestic violence offender,” the defence said.
The defence said Hunt was likely to plead guilty to the stalking and intimidation charge.
Judge Lisa Viney granted bail on the condition that he return to his residential address in Cobbitty, south-west of Sydney, and not contact the complainant.
His case will next be heard in Ballina Local Court on April 30 alongside an application seeking an Apprehended Violence Order for the woman’s protection.
Hunt hails from New Zealand with Samoan heritage. He has competed as a wrestler, a kickboxer in the K-1 championships, and a mixed martial arts fighter in the Pride Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the heavyweight division. His last UFC fight was in 2018.
He was once known as the “King of Walk-Offs” for leaving a fight before its official end.
Hunt is a born-again Christian and a vegetarian. He now promotes a tequila named after himself and other fighters.
In 2017, he filed a lawsuit against the UFC and its president, Dana White, for racketeering and fraud after his opponent, Brock Lesnar, tested positive for banned substances. A US court dismissed the claim in 2025.
White later went on to issue a public apology after he was filmed appearing to strike his wife.
In a high-profile 2024 civil court case in Ireland, MMA fighter Conor McGregor was found to have sexually assaulted and beaten a woman.
In 2023, NSW Premier Chris Minns was criticised for spending $16 million in taxpayer funding to bring three UFC fights to Sydney.
The decision was condemned by women’s safety advocates as financing an event which “glorifies violence”.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
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