At UFC 141, one night before New Year’s Eve, Brock Lesnar was sent packing in typical demolition fashion by the new No. 1 UFC heavyweight contender, Alistair Overeem.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar did manage to inflict a minor injury on the eye of Overeem, but that was all she wrote for the NCAA Division-I standout.
“The Demolition Man” gave the viewing public a demonstration of what his moniker actually symbolizes by systematically demolishing the former WWE performer in 2:26 of the first round.
Still, this was Lesnar’s first foray into the Octagon for nigh on 14-months.
In that period his UFC heavyweight crown was usurped by Cain Velasquez, and he also suffered a reoccurring bout of diverticulitis.
Lesnar had in the past come back from a stint of the illness, which he did back in 2010 at UFC 116, where he successfully defended his title against Shane Carwin.
This time around, however, he was in over his head.
In Overeem, he was up against a former Strikeforce, K-1 and Dream heavyweight champion with more 60 professional fights (MMA and kickboxing) to his name.
Add his 21 knockouts to the equation, and the Dutch heavyweight was a real force to be reckoned with.
Lesnar, on the other hand, came into UFC 141 on the back of five wins and two losses.
The disparity with regards to fighting experience was overwhelmingly in favor of Overeem, as was evidently established.
In hindsight, the move by camp Lesnar to throwdown with “The Reem” has proved a monumental mistake—one which had Lesnar pronouncing his retirement after the one-sided beatdown.
He should’ve had a tune-up fight with any of the lower-ranked top 10 heavyweights before even contemplating stepping into the Octagon with such a lethal striker as Overeem.
A tune-up fight would not have only ridden Lesnar of cage rust, but would also have put him in the right frame of mind going into the fight.
Nonetheless, I doubt it would’ve made that much of a difference, as The Demolition Man was on a mission.
With that mission successfully completed, the next stop is Junior “Cigano” dos Santos and UFC gold.
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