Aside from maybe Brock Lesnar’s physician, WWE performer Paul Heyman likely knows the former UFC heavyweight champion better than anyone. Retired from MMA and back to professional wrestling, Lesnar is apparently enjoying a return to form.
“He feels great,” Heyman told FOX Sports. “He’s healthy. His body is not spending so much energy fighting off diverticulitis. He’s healthy for the first time in years and I think his potential is limitless. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime athlete. This is Jim Thorpe, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, this is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete.”
Lesnar reportedly struggled with his intestinal disorder as far back as 2008 before undergoing surgery the following winter. He underwent a second procedure in May of 2011 resulting in the removal of a 12-inch section of his colon. Heyman says UFC fans never got to see Lesnar’s true potential, going so far as to say he would have stood peerless in the heavyweight division.
“Anything you saw him do, he did as an unhealthy man competing at the very top level on the face of the planet,” said Heyman. “Imagine what he could have done if he was 100-percent healthy.”
“If Brock Lesnar ever fought healthy in the UFC, I don’t see any fighter that could have touched him,” Heyman said.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
MMA Beat. The gang talks the evolving Jon Jones–Daniel Cormier–Alexander Gustafsson saga after Jones’ injury this week, the state of UFC 177 and 178, Bellator getting back in the women’s MMA business, UFC Fight Night Maine, and much more.
Gus won’t sit. Dana White is back from vacation and says Alexander Gustafsson certainly won’t be sitting out waiting for Jon Jones and could be booked against Anthony Johnson.
Heal up quick. Jon Jones undergoes successful knee surgery and reveals more details on his injuries.
Ladies are back. Bellator officially creates a women’s featherweight division by signing Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd.
Capt. Cook. Garry Cook becomes the UFC’s Chief Global Officer, making him one of the promotion’s most powerful figures. Meanwhile, Head of Asia Mark Fischer has been let go.
MEDIA STEW
Ross Pearson and Seth Baczynski check out vintage(?) cars and motorcycles at the Cole Family Land Transportation museum.
Nice to see Bellator doing more video content.
TTTHS.
Joe Rogan comments on war machine.
Jackson’s MMA prospect Jon Hamm (not Don Draper) explains exactly what happened between Jon Jones and Alistair Overeem.
Inside MMA’s viewer submissions.
Long watches.
UFC Bader vs OSP Care/Dont Care Preview (Beware of Lucy spoilers at minute 6, seriously)
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GLORY Last Man Standing: Artem Levin vs. Alex Pereira (Full Video)
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“Alistair Overeem calls into the podcast to discuss everything from the Jon Jones injury to his UFC Heavyweight Championship aspirations.”
Friday overload.
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Bas Rutten’s Career MMA Fight #4 vs. Vernon White
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KammakazeTV: Mike King speaks on PED’s
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How to cope without TUF 20 Contestant Rose Namajunas by your side
TWEETS
Good times.
Getting ready to go under for the first time, I’m actually kind of nervous.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 14, 2014
Not impressed.
@UFCONFOX @HeymanHustle @BrockLesnar I wouldn’t have touched him, I would have CRUSHED him.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) August 14, 2014
Congrats.
Thank you mr. @ScottCoker so excited to step into the Bellator cage!!!
— MarloesCoenen (@MarloesCoenen) August 14, 2014
Thank you @danawhite @lorenzofertitta & J.Silva for rewardeding me for being PED free. I will donate a sum to Temple St. children’s hospital
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) August 14, 2014
It’s official! I am now a part of the greatest company in the world! The @ufc #mma #ufc pic.twitter.com/CJnPPYxvRK
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) August 14, 2014
They’re out.
They are FREE!!! The amazing cast of #TUF20 has wrapped. Party time 🙂 congrats ladies #sobadass http://t.co/iqUayam2NC
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 15, 2014
I’m FREE!! Say hello to my Boss danawhiteufc #teamtiny http://t.co/wEeg1X3QI3
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) August 15, 2014
I’m out!!!! Such an unbelievable experience!!! Gonna be an amazing season, make sure you tune in and watch! 😉 @UltimateFighter #TUF20
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) August 15, 2014
I got a sunburn … THE END #TUF20
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) August 15, 2014
Shakeup.
Just got the call!! HERE WE GO. I love this feeling, I was always the kid waiting for the school bell to ring.3:30/Park/after school
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) August 14, 2014
@ufc @Cowboycerrone I’m so excited I finally get to get my hands on Donny I’ve been waiting for this for a year just want u to know I’m
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) August 15, 2014
@ufc @Cowboycerrone Got another thing coming u bit off more than u can chew your striking is last year and I’m going to expose it #KingArmy
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) August 15, 2014
***FIGHT NEWS*** I will be taking on Jorge Masvidal at UFC 178! Game opponent and exciting fight! Let’s go! @ufc
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) August 15, 2014
I’m beyond stoked for this fight. The @UFC has done an incredible job matching me in fan friendly fights.
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) August 15, 2014
DC is scary.
I was so I threw myself down a flight of stairs “@TMTJackson1: @JonnyBones Dont tell me u were nervous goin into the DC fight..”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) August 14, 2014
@dc_mma @guibear I think DC would be super tough. He’s a great wrestler and that goes a long way.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) August 14, 2014
@dc_mma @guibear Plus I’ve locked up with you before and know how tough you are. You’re a bad dude!
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) August 14, 2014
Yikes.
@MarinMMA sparred @ 159 lbs. during camp. woke up fight day @ 150.0 lbs. entered the ring @ 148 lbs.
— BJ PENN (@bjpenndotcom) August 14, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 14 2014)
Jorge Masvidal out, Donald Cerrone vs Bobby Green at UFC 178
James Krause vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 178
Wilson Reis vs. Joby Sanchez at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Dos Anjos
Bruno Santos vs. Elias Theodorou at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Chad Laprise at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Mitch Gagnon vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Jake Lindsey at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Paul Felder vs. Jason Saggo at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Matt Dwyer vs. Albert Tumenov at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Tyler212.
On Saturday, Metamoris brought some of the very best grapplers and put them under one roof. Chael Sonnen vs Andre Galvao was the main event while Dean Lister vs Josh Barnett for the Metamoris Heavyweight title served as the co-main event. The night ended woth three submissions and three draws. Gary Tonon came storming out of the gate, he slapped on a Guillotine choke to end Kit Dale’s night just a little over three minutes into the match.
From there the pace slowed a bit. The next match was Riberio vs Comprido, two decorated jiu jitsu veterans, in the only gi match of the night. This match was a far cry from the first match. Both Riberio and Comprido spent the better part of this match on the feet. They desperately fought for holds on collars and lapels. The match certainly had its moments of excitement, but it was probably the hardest match for the casual viewer to understand.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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