Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is reportedly in negotiations with the UFC to make a return at July’s UFC 200 event. During the preliminary card of tonight’s (June 4, 2016) UFC 199 pay-per-view (PPV) event from Inglewood, California, MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed that the current WWE superstar and once-heralded UFC top draw is
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is reportedly in negotiations with the UFC to make a return at July’s UFC 200 event.
During the preliminary card of tonight’s (June 4, 2016) UFC 199 pay-per-view (PPV) event from Inglewood, California, MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed that the current WWE superstar and once-heralded UFC top draw is very close to finalizing a deal to return at the blockbuster UFC 200 PPV on July 9 from the brand-new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Lesnar famously headlined the legendary UFC 100 PPV against fellow former heavyweight champion Frank Mir, battering his bitter rival en route to his first title defense and avenging his loss to Mir in the first fight of his UFC career in early 2008.
Following an unceremonious exit from the UFC after he lost the belt to Cain Velasquez and suffered a long bout with diverticulitis before losing to current UFC title contender Alistair Overeem at UFC 141, “The Beast Incarnate” was rumored for a UFC return last year in order to follow through on the time lost to his health issues. But he re-signed with WWE, citing a lack of the mental focus necessary to compete in the Octagon.
While Lesnar and the UFC are reportedy very close to finalizing a deal, his opponent is far from confirmed.
However, there’s one certain man who almost beat Lesnar in the Octagon who ironically wants to return to the UFC sometime soon.
Well, the mass chaos surrounding July 9’s blockbuster UFC 200 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has been surreal and even somewhat overwhelming over the last week, to say the least. After a main event change saw featherweight champion Conor McGregor pulled from his scheduled rematch with Nate Diaz and replaced by the long-awaited
Well, the mass chaos surrounding July 9’s blockbuster UFC 200 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has been surreal and even somewhat overwhelming over the last week, to say the least.
After a main event change saw featherweight champion Conor McGregor pulled from his scheduled rematch with Nate Diaz and replaced by the long-awaited grudge match between 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier and ex-titleholder Jon Jones, it appears as if UFC 200 is mostly set in stone – or at least the top half of the main card is.
Despite the monumental card being headlined by three title fights, the buzz surrounding UFC 200 just doesn’t seem to be there yet.
The card is obviously stacked with top-tier talent, which leads us to beg the question as to why it may not be garnering the attention we had anticipated.
Could fans have been hoping for too much? Or perhaps, could it be that UFC 200 is being compared too much to 2009’s mega UFC 100 card?
With those theories presented, another interesting question arises: how does UFC 200 compare to UFC 100? Let’s take a look:
With the announcement that Tito Ortiz will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, people are left wondering who else is deserving of such a spot.Who else is on track to end up in the HOF along with the likes of Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes …
With the announcement that Tito Ortiz will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, people are left wondering who else is deserving of such a spot.
Who else is on track to end up in the HOF along with the likes of Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell? And what does it take to be considered for induction?
While arguments can be made for many fighters past and present, there is an unclear set of standards that fighters must meet in order to be considered. As with pound-for-pound debates, opinions on who is worthy of being in the Hall of Fame are subjective and vary from one fan to the next.
The Hall of Fame inductees that already have sewn their legacy have all had different connections to MMA. Even the late Charles “Mask” Lewis, who never stepped foot in the Octagon to fight, has been honored in the HOF—and rightfully so, considering the TapouT brand he created has certainly played a huge part in the success of the sport and of the UFC.
But now with Tito Ortiz joining, one wonders how much more of a role legacy plays than statistical accolades.
Tito’s career record is 16-10-1—a decent record but nothing special, especially when compared to the win-loss trends of new and younger fighters. It is worth nothing that all but one of those fights were in the UFC, and Mark Coleman (a current HOF inductee) has the same record, minus the draw. His rivalry with Chuck Liddell and overall involvement in the UFC has been substantial, and he did have quite a reign back in the day.
But some fans and observers have brought up different names who they think should go into the HOF down the road.
Lesnar is a WWE superstar and former UFC Heavyweight champion. His title shot and time spent in the Octagon was consistently scrutinized, but he showed a unique athleticism and determination, despite dealing with tremendous health issues.
Lesnar’s MMA record is only 5-3, which is relatively pitiful over a four-year span. However, this is not to take away his abilities, because he did have great victories in the cage.
Seemingly unstoppable, Lesnar’s credibility dropped in some people’s eyes following his fight with Cain Velasquez. After being beaten down by Cain and then beaten by Alistair Overeem, Lesnar decided to hang it up and go back to the WWE.
So does Lesnar deserve to be put in the UFC Hall of Fame?
First, despite his unimpressive record, Lesnar did do something very significant for the UFC. He filled the stands and helped bridge the UFC and the WWE.
Fans of Lesnar from the WWE started to become more aware of the UFC, and many wrestlers became involved with and talked about MMA more than they ever did before. Lesnar brought over fans that would order Pay-Per-View just to see him fight. His unique physical build, secretive and brash personality and personal life and athleticism intrigued many fans to come see how he would do.
And he continues to draw people to watch him.
He sold some of the most profitable and successful Pay-Per-Views and events in the history of the UFC. He attained the title of the biggest weight class in the UFC. He also headlined UFC 100, one of the biggest landmarks in UFC history.
Some people think that the heavyweight division of any combat sport is the most prestigious. While he was on top, Lesnar’s presence brought more awareness to the heavyweight division, and its current allure is a testament to Lesnar’s drawing power.
So does his contribution to the financial success and awareness of the UFC merit an induction to the UFC Hall of Fame?
Some might think so, others probably don’t think he belongs (or belonged) in MMA to begin with. It all depends on what values and stats are being prioritized and given importance. It plays along the same lines as the debate as to which is better: a one-time champion with four defenses or a two-time champion with two defenses.
Brock Lesnar has undoubtedly left his mark on MMA, but the debate remains as to whether he has done enough to be considered Hall of Fame material.
Time will tell, but for now, we will induct Tito Ortiz as the ninth UFC Hall of Famer come July 7th, 2012.
Although Brock Lesnar officially retired in December of 2011, I think there’s still more fight in him. There’s at least one more fight on his contract and a potential for possibly the biggest fight trilogy in UFC history. In Lesnar’s UFC de…
Although Brock Lesnarofficially retired in December of 2011, I think there’s still more fight in him. There’s at least one more fight on his contract and a potential for possibly the biggest fight trilogy in UFC history.
In Lesnar’s UFC debut, he lost to Frank Mir by a knee bar and was furious at the referee for a questionable point deduction for striking Mir in the back of the head. This foul led to the fight being returned to the feet and possibly a change in the outcome.
At the point of the foul, Lesnar was dominating Mir on the mat with powerful ground-and-pound shots and was likely close to a technical knockout. The controversial call made by Steve Mazzagatti induced the fans’ uncertainty in his ability to referee a match.
In most instances of strikes to the back of the head, the fighter is verbally warned. It didn’t appear that Mazzagatti gave Lesnar any warnings.
Their bout at UFC 81 led to a war of words that lasted over a year until they fought again at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009. Lesnar discredited Mir’s jiu-jitsu style while Mir mocked Lesnar’s inability to defend it.
Lesnar called Mir “a glorified Karate Kid” as Mir claimed to “enjoy poking at the bear.” Lesnar couldn’t wait to avenge his first and only loss and Mir wanted to silence any question of whether he could finish Lesnar without help from the official.
When their next meeting was finally scheduled for UFC 100, it was to unify the UFC heavyweight championship. Lesnar had just won the belt against Randy Couture and Mir had won the interim title against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
In their second fight, Lesnar turned Mir’s face into a bloody mess as he secured Mir’s head in his left arm and controlled his wrists. Lesnar continuously landed on Mir’s face with unbelievable power until Herb Dean was forced to stop the fight. It was not pretty and neither was their post-fight confrontation.
Boos filled the stadium and Lesnar encouraged them. He is infamous for his post-fight behavior at UFC 100 and has played the “bad guy” ever since. He has many fans and possibly more who love to hate him.
If Lesnar ever decides to return, he will have the perfect opportunity to take part in possibly the biggest event and maybe the biggest paycheck in MMA history while completing a trilogy with his rival. Mir would never pass up an opportunity like this and has stated the desire for a rubber match in the past.
This is a great matchup specifically because they’ve fought twice before. Lesnar will be much more cautious of Mir’s submissions while Mir may avoid the ground completely. Mir knows how to beat Lesnar. Not only has he done it before, but he’s seen Carwin come close and Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem finish him.
I don’t see either fighter making the same mistakes they made in their respective losses. For this reason, I can imagine an unforgettable war that could be the perfect end to a great rivalry and a great career for Lesnar.
Despite Lesnar’s dominant performance in both previous meetings, I’d pick Mir in the finale. Mir should realize that Lesnar does have the wrestling ability, strength and size to smother him and most chances of a submission.
Lesnar’s biggest weakness is his striking game and it’s been exposed in his last three fights. Mir’s striking skills have vastly improved since he joined the UFC and he possesses the speed and power to finish Lesnar.
The only question is: Can he keep the fight standing? I believe it’s only a matter of time until we find out.
Brock Lesnar’s return to the UFC is up in limbo. Although the former champ has stated that he is ready to return, themmacorner.com has reported that sources close to Lesnar’s camp said he has been advised by doctors not to continue training…
Although the former champ has stated that he is ready to return, themmacorner.com has reported that sources close to Lesnar’s camp said he has been advised by doctors not to continue training and fighting due to the amount of stress it puts on the body.
Lesnar has been MMA’s biggest draw since entering the sport in 2007.
Sadly though, Lesnar’s battle with the diverticulitis has put his career on hold twice.
If you don’t believe Lesnar should leave the sport, here are five reasons why he should.
With the announcement that