With brass looking ahead to another lengthy injury recovery from a marque champion, UFC president Dana White is sounding more amenable to longshots.
A day after losing heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez as a headliner for the promotion’s debut in Mexico at UFC 180 in November, White told UFC.com he didn’t sound adverse to seeing former champion Brock Lesnar make a return.
“I have a great relationship with Brock, we talk all the time,” White said. “I don’t know, we’ll see. If he wants to fight, he knows my number.”
Fans and media alike have rolled their eyes at talk of a Lesnar return for years, but chatter began to pick up this summer when confidant and WWE frontman Paul Heyman proclaimed Lesnar had undergone a physical resurgence.
Heyman’s sentiments were echoed by former WWE commentator Jim Ross earlier this month when he claimed Lesnar looked better than he did prior to his UFC debut in 2008, saying he saw no reason Lesnar ‘couldn’t have the potential to return to the UFC and sell pay-per-views.’
Following his debut against Frank Mir at UFC 81, Lesnar underwent a series of procedures over his brief career to combat diverticulitis. After losing his title to Velasquez at UFC 121 in 2010, Lesnar had a 12-inch section of his colon removed. He returned to action in a one-sided loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 just seven months later and hasn’t graced the Octagon since.
“It’s pretty amazing what he did and accomplished here while having diverticulitis,” White said. “It would be interesting to see a 100 percent healthy Brock Lesnar compete.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Friendly chat. Georges St-Pierre says Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta didn’t try to convince him to return to the UFC when they visited him in Montreal.
Booked. Ronda Rousey will face No. 1 contender Cat Zingano at UFC 182 Jan. 3 in Las Vegas.
302 pounds. With just about three weeks until he faces Fabricio Werdum at UFC 180, Mark Hunt says the real challenge will be making weight.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses the fallout from UFC 180 losing Cain Velasquez, Cung Le’s quasi-vindication, Jose Aldo’s issues with fighter pay and more in this week’s live chat.
Rumble. Anthony Johnson’s manager is hopeful his client’s indefinite suspension will be sorted out soon.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 179 embedded episode 2.
Free Fight: Mark Hunt vs. Roy Nelson.
Conor McGregor’s interview from Beyond the Octagon on BT Sport.
Inside the Octagon.
Nice quick profile on Rory MacDonald.
Tito Ortiz says unkind things about Stephan Bonnar.
Long watches.
You’re Welcome – Chael Sonnen – Ep 02 – Chris Leben
…
TWEETS
Nice.
It’s official – the fight @catzingano and I have been waiting far to long for is going down Jan 3rd on… http://t.co/5hAH4Cv5eO
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) October 23, 2014
Myles @FuryJury vs Cowboy Cerrone is set, details to come. Mid Jan is right around the corner. #TeamFury https://t.co/xgde6ey74l via @sqor
— JJJ: Jury Jiu Jitsu (@JuryJJ) October 23, 2014
Get well soon.
@JoeLauzon is this true your out????
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) October 22, 2014
All good.
Interested?
“@M_Morgunoff: @DustinPoirier How about Dennis Siver?” Let’s gooooo!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 23, 2014
Back in the game.
I’m Back!!!! Most of you were right 😉 An injury forced Justine out of the competition and… http://t.co/WVrDYEepxW
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) October 23, 2014
FYI.
Great news, we’re all fighting in The Finale, including the final fight for the first-ever 115-pound belt! December 12/12 #TUF See you there
— Randa Markos (@randamma) October 22, 2014
Congrats.
Full story on what happened across from my house other day including interview with the toughest 94yr old ever. http://t.co/qFIymRM6hn
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) October 22, 2014
Lean.
At fight weight and at the top of my game. Bisping’s in trouble November 8th. #UFCFightNig… http://t.co/wJkC6EG7yq pic.twitter.com/BwWCcJiaSn
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) October 23, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 22 2014)
cancelled Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez at UFC 180
Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano at UFC 182
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.