Mark Hunt has had problems with his left knee dating back to 2003. His latest knee injury and resulting surgery in May of last year lead to a long rehabilitation process. Although it was difficult to determine the exact extent of the surgery, I have posted my best educated guess that he had a PCL and meniscus repair. PCL repair is not as common as repair of its sister ligament, the ACL. Therefore, post surgical rehabilitation was especially important for the Super Samoan.

Hunt’s knee seemed just fine in his fight with Struve. In the first minute of the second round, the left knee showed great stability with a solid right hand-left hook combo that stunned Struve. Hunt then rushed the Skyscraper delivering a couple of leaping left hooks (I use the term "leaping" loosely here). His knee looked rock solid with the small jump as he delivered the punch- no sign of weakness on the landing or the push off. Later in the second as the action went to the mat, Struve attempted a right leg submission move. Hunt was able to post up with his left leg and power himself up to a standing position before Struve could secure the submission. From a rehab perspective, this was probably the best sign of a fully recovered knee.

Hunt delivered the TKO in the third with a right to the head and a leaping left hook. Again, the knee was true as he delivered the right-left combo. Hunt and his rehabilitation team should be congratulated on a recovery done very well.

I am a physical therapist offering MMA injury analysis and commentary at the MMA Injury blog. Follow me on Twitter @mmainjury