Paul Gallen and Mark Hunt's awkward conversation after fight build-up goes 'wrong'

It took six rounds of copping brutal punches to the chin and a victory by a unanimous points decision victory, but Paul Gallen finally won the respect of Mark Hunt and revealed that he'd tried to move on from any bad blood.

Hunt became increasingly agitated in the build-up to the co-main event of the Sydney Super Fight.

The MMA legend referred to the former NSW Blues captain as \, questioned whether he was using steroids and even tried to spark a brawl at the weigh-in. Gallen was especially incensed by the baseless drug accusation and said he intended to \ with victory in the bout.

So fierce had the lead-up become that their press conference scheduled for the day of the fight was cancelled.

Gallen said in a post-fight interview he had sought to repair their relationship after the bout; a conversation that was no doubt awkward after the earlier ill-will. It ended with a tentative coffee date.

"I don't know what went wrong with me and Mark. I mean what happened at the weigh-in was surprising," Gallen said.

"I didn't think I went overboard at all with the promotion of the fight. I didn't think there was too much personal stuff said. I don't know - he just lost his cool, which surprised me.

"I went over and said, 'Do you want to have a coffee again?'

"And he said, 'Only if you're buying', and I said, 'OK', so we'll see, we'll see."

The 'Super Samoan' took to Instagram after his six-round loss to the NRL great at Bankwest Stadium last night, offering Gallen a classy message.

"Congratulations ... to Paul Gallen," Hunt wrote.

" ... well deserved win. U have my respect.

"Part time fighter beat my ass but I had so much fun tonight getting back into the ring."