Mark Hunt is considering a New Zealand fight while the Kiwi heavyweight opens on his post-UFC projects

Mark Hunt may be leaving the UFC, but the legend of Kiwi combat sports persists and plans to fight next year, including New Zealand.

Hunt (13-13-1) will complete the final fight of his current contract with the mixed martial arts giant against American Justin Willis (7-1) at the UFC Fight Night on Sunday in Adelaide.

Despite his 45th birthday in March, the "Super Samoan" is not yet ready to hang up and still plans to fight five times before retiring to important venues throughout his career.

"I am looking forward to finishing my career here with the UFC, but I am trying to do other things next year," he said. Things.

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"I'm trying to compete in five other countries: New Zealand, Melbourne – Melbourne where I started my career – Japan, Korea and, hopefully, Russia.

"It could be boxing, kickboxing or MMA, we'll see what happens."

A native of Auckland, Hunt has been based in Australia for more than 20 years and the kiwi fighting sports community will not fail to rejoice in what would be a rare sight in his country.

Hunt celebrated his first fight in New Zealand last year with a TKO win over Derrick Lewis. Previously, the last time he fought on those shores was a kickboxing bout against Australian Peter Graham in 2001.

A return to Japan would also be a good way to end his career.

Hunt has a huge customer base in Japan, stemming from his triumph at the K-1 World Grand Prix in 2001, which he won in front of 80,000 people, and his subsequent success in promoting Pride.

Although there has been a lot of ups and downs since then, Hunt has imposed himself as one of the most feared heavyweights in the UFC.

But he did not hide that he was ready to move on and confirmed that he would not ask for a contract extension after his fight with Willis.

Hunt has lost his last two fights, but after a grueling training camp in Thailand, he is ready to stage a show.

He admitted to knowing nothing about Willis, ranked 15th, who leads a series of seven consecutive victories. But like most of his opponents, he expects that he will try to fight on the ground.

"I know he's coming from a big camp, so he has to be a wrestler, he'll try to beat me and we'll get out of there."

The Adelaide card represents a changing of the guard for the heavyweights of this part of the world, under the star of Hunt's protégé, Tai Tuivasa, against the former champion Junior dos Santos.

The event also includes the UFC Kiwi Kai Kara-France's debut against Elias Garcia.

Hunt was grateful to be able to share his team-mates, Tuivasa, and the Australian heavyweight Tyson Pedro.

And given the number of Australasian fighters who make a name for themselves in the UFC, Hunt believes that sport is in good hands.

"I think it's good news and that the new generation of fighters is coming, it's up to these guys to play now," Hunt said.

"Good times for Oceania, good times for Australia and New Zealand."