Mark Hunt’s long legal battle with the UFC, its CEO Dana White, and fighter Brock Lesnar has finally ended. On April 22 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling, dismissing all of Hunt’s claims. This lawsuit began after Hunt fought Lesnar at UFC 200 in July 2016, a fight that stirred controversy due to Lesnar’s use of banned substances.
The UFC 200 Fight and Lawsuit Origins
At UFC 200, Brock Lesnar returned to the UFC after a five year break, facing Mark Hunt in a heavyweight bout. Lesnar won by unanimous decision, but the result was later changed to a no contest when Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene, a banned substance, in both pre-fight and post-fight tests. Lesnar was fined $250,000 and suspended for one year by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Hunt filed a lawsuit in 2017, claiming the UFC and Dana White knew Lesnar was doping but allowed the fight to happen anyway. He accused them of fraud, battery, aiding-and-abetting battery, and civil conspiracy, seeking millions in damages for the harm he believed the fight caused him.
Court Battles and Final Ruling
The lawsuit saw several twists over the years. It was first dismissed in 2019, but an appeals court revived some claims in 2021, including fraud and battery. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey dismissed the case again, ruling that Hunt could not prove the UFC or White knowingly booked him against a doping opponent. Hunt appealed this decision, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has now affirmed Dorsey’s ruling.
Court House News initially reported the judgment, which stated:
“Unfortunately, Hunt does not point to any evidence in the record of any physical, emotional, economic, or reputational damage or harm attributable to Defendants-Appellees’ conduct. Indeed, while maintaining that such evidence does in fact exist, Hunt acknowledged both in his reply brief and at argument that evidence of damages has not yet been adequately presented. [T]he nonmoving party may not merely proceed in the hope that something can be developed at trial in the way of evidence to support its claim. Absent evidence of damages resulting from Defendants-Appellants’ allegedly wrongful conduct, we must affirm.”
This ruling means Hunt’s case is closed, and he may also need to pay legal fees for the UFC.
For these clowns 🤡 that think 🤔 they know 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 open yo ears and shut yo mouth and listen to judge jonny the judges in the ninth circuit are incorruptible and thats a FACT
What u are watching right there is HISTORY not just combat sports but all contact sports
The HUNT… pic.twitter.com/YvRJiQJA9k— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) March 6, 2025
Hunt’s Career and Legacy After UFC
Mark Hunt, a fan favorite known for his knockout power, left the UFC in 2018 after losing his final fight to Justin Willis. Since then, he has competed in boxing, notably scoring a knockout victory over Sonny Bill Williams in 2022. Throughout his legal battle, Hunt has been vocal about his belief that the UFC unfairly treated fighters, especially regarding doping issues. Despite this loss in court, Hunt’s legacy as a fighter who stood up for fairness in MMA remains strong among fans.
