There was a time when UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt had a losing record and the fact that he was fighting in the Octagon was laughable.

Now, “The Super Samoan” is the winner of four straight, including three knockouts, and is likely just one win away from a title shot.

UFC President Dana White has taken notice of the incredible turnaround, expressing great praise for Hunt when speaking to MMA Junkie last week.

"He had a losing record in PRIDE and we didn't want to bring him into the UFC, so we said, 'We'll pay you the money and you can ride off into the sunset and do your thing.' And he was like, 'F--- that. I want to be paid to fight,’” White recalled.  

“First of all, a losing record, his age, the guy hadn't fought in a long time. It just made no sense to bring the guy in … He proved us wrong, he proved everybody who doubted him wrong. We just didn't cut him, we kept him – and imagine if we had cut him.”

From July 2006 until September 2010, the 39-year-old suffered an unheard six losses in a row, getting finished on each occasion.

However, since then Hunt, a former K-1 level kickboxer, shored up his ground game enough where he could at least defend submissions and let his heavy hands do the rest.

Heading into his pivotal UFC 160 match up with former divisional champ Junior dos Santos, Hunt boasts a 4-1 record inside the Octagon.

White gushed about Hunt coming out of nowhere to fight his way into title contention:

“We do respect you (Hunt) and I think you're one of the greatest stories in sports right now, to be honest with you.' So I got everything worked out and now he's ecstatic and I'm happy I could do it.”

Despite the heavy praise, White has been non-committal on whether or not Hunt would get a crack at the heavyweight strap with a win over JDS.

He has also been linked to a bout with fellow fan favorite Roy Nelson, though since nothing has formally been announced, it appears the UFC is waiting to see the result of Hunt-dos Santos.