UFC veteran Mark Hunt lost uncle in Christchurch shooting (Updated)

On Friday, March 15, 50 people were murdered in a mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, marking one of the most devastating attacks in the country’s history.

New Zealand is the birth nation of UFC heavyweight veteran Mark Hunt, and ‘Super Samoan’ revealed in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning that his uncle was one of the victims of the attack.

“The support here in New Zealand has been so great, we’re lost for words,” Hunt posted on Facebook. “I live in Auckland but went down to Christchurch after hearing about the shooting. Sadly I lost my uncle in the shooting.”

Hunt also implies that the shooter made passing eye contact with him shortly before the attack was carried out.

“We were standing on the side of the road in Christchurch and this brother drives past and shows a heart symbol with his hands… then 5 minutes later he comes back and did this…”

Hunt, a former K-1 world champion, hasn’t fought since his decision loss to rising heavyweight prospect Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night 142. The Fight Night event marked Hunt’s last fight on his UFC contract, and the 44-year-old has vowed to leave the UFC and continue fighting in other mixed martial arts promotions.

Update: There was confusion over Hunt’s Facebook post. It turns out his uncle did not die, but rather he reposted a message from a fan.