Overeem and out for MMA fighter Hunt

MARK Hunt suffered the most dramatic knockout defeat of his career as he was felled with a brutal knee to the head by Dutch giant Alistair Overeem during UFC 209.

The Australian-based heavyweight fell face first to the canvas after copping a huge blow in the final round of an evenly-matched contest.

"He's a tough guy, he's not been finished many times," Overeem said.

"It's a very proud moment."

A huge gash opened on Hunt's shin early in the first round after Overeem checked an attempted leg kick.

"The amount of blood coming out of there is incredible," commentator Joe Rogan said.

Hunt began painting the side of his opponent's body with his blood, landing bloody kicks to Overeem's thigh and arm.

The Dutchman was happy to stay within range and landed kicks of his own but neither fighter inflicted any major damage with their fists in a tight first round.

Overeem was far more effective early in the second round, landing repeated knees to the body as Hunt began to fatigue.

But the Sydney-based brawler responded with some solid elbows to the head which wobbled the taller man.

But Overeem found the finisher in the third.

He pinned Hunt against the cage and, after the New Zealand-born man dropped his head, delivered a vicious knee to his dome.