As noted, Brock Lesnar will be making his Octagon return at the landmark UFC 200 pay-per-view event next month. On Monday morning, the MMA community found out who Lesnar will be fighting.
Lesnar, who is still currently under contract with WWE and is expected to fight only one time for the UFC, appeared on ESPN on Monday morning and spoke about his return to the Octagon.
Prior to his live appearance, ESPN aired clips of his previous appearance where he announced that he was done with MMA for good and heading back to WWE.
Live in the studio now, Lesnar is laughing and asking why they made him re-watch that. He explains why he has changed his mind, pointing out that he wants to compete while he still can.
Lesnar said he was haunted on the inside for a long time after leaving the sport of MMA, something he didn’t even tell his wife. He said he thought he could fill the void by competing in the ring for WWE, but he feels now is the time to return to competitive sport.
He says this decision is for real and he doesn’t have to lie about feeling good or being in the best shape of his life. He says he truly is ready.
Lesnar then confirms that he will, in fact, be facing the number eight ranked contender in the UFC Heavyweight division, dangerous knockout artist and former UFC title contender Mark Hunt. The Lesnar-Hunt fight will take place on the main card of the UFC 200 pay-per-view next month.
He said he is still in a contract with WWE, but about three months ago, he picked up the phone and decided to see if he could fight at UFC 200. He said Dana White didn’t call him, Vince McMahon didn’t call him, it was completely his decision.
Lesnar calls himself a modern day Bo Jackson, pointing out that he is a crossover athlete. He commends both UFC and WWE on allowing him to work for both companies. He said he feels White allowed it because when he fights, it’s big business. He said titles don’t pay the bills. He says he’s a prize fighter and he’s here to make money, although it’s not only about money, being a fighter is something that’s in his heart. He said it just so happens that he’s making a boat-load of money.
In terms of preparation, he jokes that he began training on Sunday, as he took a light swim. He smiles and says he’s known about this for a few months and he’s been slowly getting himself back into the proper shape.
Headlined by Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title, UFC 200 is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, 2016 from the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
BREAKING: Brock Lesnar announces he will face Mark Hunt in his return to the Octagon at @UFC 200. pic.twitter.com/EpoimdjNjC
— ESPN (@espn) June 6, 2016