Mark Hunt: Five Possible Opponents We Would Love to See Him Fight

Last Saturday, Samoan kickboxer and UFC fighter Mark Hunt claimed his first victory in five years.

His opponent, Chris Tuchscherer, was knocked out in the second round after Hunt hit him clean on the chin with an uppercut. Hunt casually walked away knowing his opponent was not going to get back up and the referee stopped the bout.

Although his record of 6-7 is nothing to brag about, Hunt still holds a fanbase he built in Pride when he provided entertaining fights versus Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Cro Cop. He won both.

He has since taken on some of the best fighters in MMA. Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi and Josh Barnett are just a few of the names on his resume.

If Hunt continues to fight in the UFC, and he should, the matchmakers should focus on giving the fans fights that will get them talking about the most exciting fights coming up in the heavyweight division.

No. 5: Joey Beltran (12-5)

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

MONTREAL- MAY 8: Joey Beltran and Tim Hague exchange blows in their heavyweight bout at UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Beltran is one of the toughest heavyweights in the UFC. His fights with Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione showed why fans love to see him fight. He isn't afraid to stand and bang, and his chin is granite.

In his bout with Barry, he took kicks to the head and shook them off like they were nothing. What he couldn't shake off were the leg kicks, and they were the ultimate factor in him losing a close decision.

A bout between Hunt and Beltran would be a great opening to a Fight Night event or a PPV card that features a solid main event. It would be a stand up war and one to remember.

No. 4: Mike Russow (13-1)

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Mike Russow (L) battles UFC fighter Justin McCully (R) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Im

Stylistically, this is the worst matchup on this list for Hunt. Russow is a great wrestler and knows how to get his opponents down. Hunt has always had problems with fighters that can take him down, and he usually doesn't get back up.

What makes this bout interesting is Russow's ability to take a good punch and come back and win. Everyone remembers his come from behind KO victory over Todd Duffee at UFC 114.

Russow is fighting Jon Madsen in March, but a bout between Hunt and the winner of that fight is possible.

No. 3: Cheick Kongo (15-6)

Kongo and Hunt are both former kickboxers. They have over 60 professional kickboxing bouts combined. This would be fireworks as long as it lasts.

Kongo is in need of a impressive victory. He has only had two victories since 2009 and has gone 2-2-1. If he goes into his next bout with his job on the line, a fight with Hunt could be one he doesn't hesitate to accept.

This one is guaranteed to be a stand up war, and it's one of the rare times where fans would get to see two professional kickboxers going against each other in the Octagon.

No. 2: Mirko "Cro Cop" Flipovic (27-8)

Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: A pensive Mirko Cro Cop of Croatia walks to the octagon before fighting Gabriel Gonzaga of USA in a Heavyweight bout of the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Manchester Evening News Arena on April 21, 2007 in Man

The second meeting between Cro Cop and Hunt was one of the most memorable Pride fights. Hunt took everything from axe kicks to flush head kicks and never flinched once.

Hunt won a close split decision in that bout, but had lost previously to Cro Cop in a kickboxing match in 2002.

One common setback between these two fighters is their will or lack thereof to want the victory as bad as their fans would hope. Both don't seem to want to win as much as when they met in their prime, but it could still be a fun fight.

Since they both have experience fighting each other in MMA and kickboxing, they might not be afraid to let their best weapons go and give fans another "Fight of the Night."

No. 1: Pat Barry (6-2)

Barry is another former professional kickboxer who eventually transitioned into MMA in 2008. He is 3-2 in the UFC and is coming off a victory over Joey Beltran.

Since Barry's ground game is almost non existent, this is a guaranteed stand up war. Both love to stand and trade punches and Barry loves throwing leg kicks. Barry has some of the most devastating and effective leg kicks in the heavyweight division.

What fans love about both fighters is they go into every fight looking for the knockout. They don't think about taking the fight to the ground.

Mark your calendars for this fight because it's most likely to happen next.