UFC Veteran Mark Hunt Addresses Domestic Violence Charges in Emotional Video Response

Former UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt posted a four-minute video on X on April 17, addressing the domestic violence charges that landed him in an Australian jail cell earlier this week.

"I wanna speak on this domestic violence s- they've put on me," Hunt began in the emotional video. The 52-year-old retired fighter insisted throughout the recording that no physical violence ever occurred during the incident that led to his arrest.

Hunt claims that while an argument took place, it never escalated to physical contact.

Watch the full video here:

Needed to speak on my DV charges as a lot of this hate towards me everyone makes mistakes and in every partnership people argue u take your partner with all there faults or walk away u don't put them in jail or keep a record and weaponise it against them . pic.twitter.com/Zq6kwX35dq

— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) April 17, 2026

The Arrest and Court Appearance

Hunt's social media statement came after he spent the night of April 14 at Ballina Police Station in New South Wales, Australia, according to local Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald.

Police arrested him at a home in the Northern Rivers region following reports of an alleged domestic disturbance.

He appeared before Judge Lisa Viney in Ballina Local Court on April 15, facing one count of stalking or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm.

Police also alleged Hunt previously sent the woman a text message containing a death threat.

"I'm just going to murder you in the end anyway," the alleged message read.

Hunt's legal team disputed that he ever sent such a message, and he has not been charged in relation to that specific text.

What Hunt Said Happened

Hunt claimed the incident stemmed from frustration over an ongoing lawsuit against the UFC.

"We got into a heated argument about a filing in a lawsuit we are doing, like the other times we have argued about it. We argue about it, we go away, sort it out, fix it, and carry on," Hunt explained in his video.

Hunt is also known for previously filing a lawsuit against his former promotion in Le vs. Zuffa LLC in which the UFC agreed to a $375 million settlement.

He continued, stating, "Every couple argues. Everyone has the same issues, but you shouldn't record or take a record of your partner when they're angry."

"Not a person was hurt," Hunt claims. "I didn't lay a hand on anybody. I just got frustrated. We got into a heated argument, and I left."

In a notable portion of his statement, Hunt expressed frustration that past arguments were being used against him.

"What's sad here is that not many people make a record about what's happened. That's why I feel kind of sad about it. A lot of these texts are being used retroactively. They aren't even part of what happened here a couple of days ago. They're just being brought up from the past of someone making a tab," Hunt claimed.

Hunt acknowledged his imperfections in the caption accompanying his video post. "Everyone makes mistakes, and in every partnership people argue, you take your partner with all their faults or walk away, you don't put them in jail or keep a record and weaponise it against them," he wrote.

The fighter also showed gratitude for support during his legal ordeal. "Thanks, my uso @allanuelese, for letting me stay at his place from a stinking jail cell to a comfy bed seki ma uso," Hunt posted on his Instagram Stories:

Bail Granted and Next Court Date

Prosecutors opposed bail for Hunt, arguing that his background as a professional fighter made him a risk to both the alleged victim and the community. The police prosecutor specifically cited Hunt's combat sports history when raising concerns about releasing him.

Hunt's defense attorney pushed back forcefully against this characterization.

"Just because he's a retired UFC fighter does not mean he is a domestic violence offender," the lawyer argued.

Judge Viney granted bail despite the prosecution's objections, imposing strict conditions on Hunt's release. Hunt must return to his residential address in southwest Sydney and is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim.

Hunt's domestic violence case is scheduled to return to Ballina Local Court on April 30. It will be heard alongside an application for an Apprehended Violence Order to protect the complainant. For now, Hunt remains free on bail, awaiting his next day in court.

Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 6:09 PM.