Roy Nelson vs. Mark Hunt targeted for UFC Fight Night 51 in Japan

A heavyweight bout between sluggers Roy Nelson (20-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC) and Mark Hunt (9-8-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC) is expected to be part of September’s UFC Fight Night 51 event in Japan.

The long-rumored bout, which UFC President Dana White confirmed with mmaplanet.jp, is expected to serve as the main event. UFC officials haven’t made a formal announcement.

UFC Fight Night 51 takes place Sept. 20 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, just outside Tokyo. The event is expected to stream on UFC Fight Pass.

Hunt is ranked No. 8 and Nelson is No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings.

Nelson was riding high soon after winning “The Ultimate Fighter 10? and going on a 4-1 run from 2011-2013. However, the 37-year-old ex-IFL champ then suffered back-to-back decisions losses to Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier, and his job with the UFC was in jeopardy. However, back in April, he scored a first-round knockout of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and earned “Performance of the Night” honors.

He now meets Hunt, who had resurrected his career and moved into title contention following a recent four-fight UFC winning streak that included three knockouts, one of which came over Stefan Struve. However, the 40-year-old PRIDE vet then suffered a knockout loss to former champ Junior Dos Santos, and in his most recent bout, he fought to a majority draw against Antonio Silva (in a “Fight of the Night” performance) in December.

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 51, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Roy Nelson)