Mark Hunt granted license in Las Vegas, still can’t fly there

While Mark Hunt remains in limbo waiting for his visa in order to board a plane to Las Vegas, the Nevada State Athletic Commission appears confident on his return. The commission granted Hunt a license to fight earlier today, as reported by MMA Fighting. Rumored backup plan Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson was also granted his license to fight should he be needed. But apparently Nelson is still negotiating a deal were he to fight as  replacement.

None of that will matter if Hunt fights as planned, and the visa issues have been haunting him since he first attempting to board a plane to America. Hunt is reportedly being held back by a 2002 arrest.

Set to face Junior dos Santos in the co-main event at UFC 160, legions of fans campaigned for Hunt to get the spot when Alistair Overeem was plucked due to injury. Now, the only thing that remains is to get Hunt on his flight to Vegas. He remains hopeful and somewhat optimistic:

“I’m still waiting. I think I should be getting one on Monday. Hopefully Monday.”

Not the best of news for the many Hunt fans. But it’s hard not to root for Hunt, the former K-1 knockout artist that came into the UFC with a barely .500 record Four fights and four knockouts later, he’s knocking on the door of an incredible shot at the UFC title. At the moment, all of that rests on his ability to simply board a plane.