I try not to make too much out of reports without sources so let’s just call this one a rumor. However, a report claims that numerous sources close to Brock Lesnar have revealed that the UFC comeback we have all been waiting for may not happen for the former WWE & UFC champion.
A report on MMA Corner claims that numerous doctors have recommended to the former champion that he give up his UFC career. According to the report, doctors fear that the stress and training that comes from training and competing may be a little too much for Lesnar following his surgery.
For those of you unaware, Lesnar had surgery to remove a 12-inch section of his colon. The surgery was a last resort to cure Lesnar of diverticulitis. Lesnar has not fought since losing the UFC championship to Cain Velasquez, suffering his second MMA defeat in October of last year. Lesnar has only fought twice since July 2009 due to his struggles with the disease.
[adinserter block=”2″]The news would be a lot more plausible if it didn’t come a week or so after Lesnar released a video on the Internet proclaiming that he was back. Some have argued that the video may have been some kind of promotional piece rather than Lesnar actually stating that he was returning. MMA reporter Dave Meltzer recently revealed on a F4Wonline.com that Brock hasn’t started training since the surgery. Melzter also reported that Lesnar has taken a self imposed hiatus from everyone and everything until September.
I was hesitant to even blog on this because there is no actually source quoted in the story. Maybe the writer has a source in the camp but that isn’t clear either. The problem with blogging and as a blogger I try very hard to differentiate the two, is that some bloggers will either have an opinion or hear something on a random message board and post it as fact. Now I am not saying that is the case because I don’t know anything about this blogger, but this all should be taken as rumor in my opinion. I mean how hard is it to say that Brock Lesnar may not fight again? You have a 50/50 shot again of being right.
But, it is a big enough story that other reputable websites have picked up on it so I thought I would throw it on here and join the party. It is funny to me that I keep hearing Lesnar’s name thrown around as a potential UFC on Fox special main-event, when according to Meltzer he hasn’t even started training. I would guess that if we were going to see Lesnar fight again that it wouldn’t be until early 2012 or even as far out as the second quarter.
My gut instinct is that whether this report is right or wrong, Lesnar gives it a shot. Lesnar is obviously a guy that loves a challenge. Maybe he uses this as motivation? I think it is far too early to say one way or the other whether he is back. I think he gives it a shot with a training camp and takes it from there. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see something announced regarding a Lesnar fight in the future only to have it canceled once again if Lesnar goes through a camp and faces the reality that his body just can’t hack it anymore.
The loss of Lesnar would be a huge blow to the UFC, absolutely huge. Lesnar was the biggest draw for the UFC, so right there the UFC is losing their number one draw. Business is down for the UFC this year across the board. Meltzer is reporting that early information has UFC 134 doing a lower buyrate than UFC 133! Television ratings aren’t what they were but oh yeah, they are on Fox now. Everything should be better right?
[adinserter block=”1″]The pressure will be on the UFC to deliver their end of the $90 million deal. Potentially losing your biggest star forever probably isn’t a good start.
A final point on Lesnar. The immediate reaction by most readers will likely be, “Well he can now go back to the WWE.” I am not so sure about that. Pro wrestling is certainly not the same kind of stress to the body as training and fighting in the UFC, but it isn’t ballet. Could Lesnar do one or two matches a year? Maybe. But he certainly wouldn’t be going on the road 300 days a year as a full time professional wrestler risking his health and well being if he can’t fight twice a year in the UFC and make double the money if not more.
As a Brock Lesnar fan I would love for this report to be wrong. I’ll make sure to post the latest updates as they become available.
WWE – Brock Lesnar – Here Comes the Pain
Brock Lesnar: The Making of a Hard-Core Legend
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yah he fight overeem in December
Hes Fighiting In December
Danielle, well I definitely see where you are coming from. But Brock brought over a lot of casual fans that will stop watching because he isn't fighting. I don't count you or I in that pack.
To say that Brock is the number one draw for the UFC is going waaaaaayyyyy over the top. The majority of UFC fans have been watching long before he came along, and will continue watching long after he is gone. As someone that watched WWE & likes UFC more, Brock was more of a side show attraction than anything. Most everyone I know wanted to see his cocky ass get knocked out. I would watch him in future PPVs just to find out if he eventually learns how to take a punch. Other than that I would much rather watch fighters with decades more training, instinct & skill.
You are wrong. Go look at the buyrates. He was hands down the number one draw for the company whether you like him or not.
I'm not saying he doesn't draw viewers – people that don't usually buy the PPVs. I'm saying that for fans of the UFC that have been watching it for years, Brock is a flash in the pan. Tons of people tuning in to watch him lose does not make him the number one draw. Real fans – loyal viewers – tune in to watch our favorite fighters win. We are not going to stop buying PPVs just because Brock retired.
if brock chooses not to fight again, i dnt blame him. i started to like watching the ufc but there's just to many ppv's and most of them don't have great fights, but i still watch because its interesting. also i have no idea why Dana white is doing a ppv the same date that manny is fighting, seriously thats suicide in the ufc ppv buys. He should know he cannot compete with manny right now, his just to popular at the moment.
yes losing lesner is a big blow for the ufc, but what ufc really needs is for manny pacquiao to retire.
i miss lesnar. i hope ufc would come up with big fights atleast once every season. like a much awaited silva vs gsp, or velasquez vs dos santos or jones vs silva (if silva does not want a gsp fight)..i don't think that jones vs rampage is that interesting..frankly, rampage is a fading legend, he'd better just keep his legacy with pride..
wel..if all else fails..what about about pacquiao and mayweather?
UFC is losing popularity, so the move to Fox might help. But, if they lose Lesnar, I agree that is a huge blow. They should have him comment if he isn't going to fight, get him in the seat and in front of the fans.
Dana made a fundamental mistake IMO. Too many PPVs and charging too much. It seems that every three weeks or so, there is another one. There are always a few good fights, but overall, the fan doesn't feel like buying it so often. Or, if that is the case that someone does, Dana should have offered a bulk deal, all UFC PPV for $500 for the year.
Sad to say, I only buy about 2 a year now, usually a big fight. The rest I watch on the internet for free, usually afterwards. It is no longer a must have product.
His body is defective…he needs to be culled like the rest.