It didn’t take long for the internet hate machine to roll into gear following the now-retired Brock Lesnar’s admittedly feeble loss to Alistair Overeem in their title eliminator at UFC 141 on Saturday.
Lesnar was undoubtedly outclassed by a incredibly hot opponent in the Dutchman Overeem, but critics have been quick to unfairly write off the former pro wrestling star as an overhyped fad.
Nothing changes the fact that Brock had more of an impact in eight fights than anyone else has managed in the same brief period of time.
Brock won the UFC Heavyweight championship in just his fourth fight. This wasn’t four fights and a lifetime of training. Brock did it with just months of proper MMA training and four fights.
In the last three years, Brock decimated Hall of Famer Randy Couture to win the title, before two successful title defences with a submission win over one-time next big thing Shane Carwin and a brutal revenge win over perennial contender Frank Mir.
With these wins, Brock became one of just three men to defend the heavyweight title twice in their careers, along with Couture and Tim Sylvia.
While Brock’s career ended with big losses to Cain Velasquez and Overeem, these came with Brock weighing in a little lighter on account of missing twelve inches of his colon after two bouts with life threatening diverticulitis.
The sad fact of all of this is that we will never know what Lesnar could have been with a full career. Imagine if he had skipped his stint in the WWE and had dedicated a decade to the sport.
At 34, Brock was unfortunately too old to make another serious attempt at a long MMA career. He’ll disappear back to his ranch in Minnesota, take out a species or two and probably won’t be seen again.
However he should go home proud of what he achieved in an unbelievably short period of time. And we should congratulate him on his accomplishments.
Love him or hate him. We watched him in droves. And the UFC is a poorer place for his loss.
One more thing, one door closes and another opens. And Jimy Hettes just blew the door off the lightweight division. Definitely one to watch in 2012.
Ash
Guest
Brock never improved his striking as he never had a "standup" game.
james kaine
Guest
Lesnar is a legend in his ownright. The problem for Brock was he didn't improve his striking you could see it in his eyes he was scared that the heavyweights are getting better. You have to be a real fighter and not rely on your size to win thanks Brock you were fun while it lasted and i;m sure you made dana a whole lot of cash...
Jay
Guest
He didn't 'destroy' Carwin. If the ref in that fight was doing his job properly it would have been stopped in the first round when Carwin was repeatedly pounding Lesnar's head.
Ash
Roar Rookie
Im going to keep this simple. He came in the HW Div at the right time as it was shallow and the top guys now were still coming up the ranks. His attraction from wrestling brought attention to him but that no way has anything to do with him as a "fighter". PPV draw yes and but he was treated like a Japanese freakshow fighter. I heard someone call him the "white bob sapp" perfect haha. Brock's a great athlete but hes not and never will be a "fighter" he pretty much relied on intimidation and strength being so huge. He was a decorated wrestler but this is mma and you just cant shoot on someone, mma wrestling is a whole different ball park. See: John Fitch, Mark Munoz, Jacob Volkman ect.. Size and strength will only get you so far against technical/skillful fighters. His title road was hand picked for that but when he became champ he couldnt pick or chose who he fought. Hence 3 beatdowns. Look I respect him for coming into the sport and giving it a go, winning a title. But he was just never a fighter simple. He maybe a "phenom" athlete but a "phenom" in the sport of mma, that your kidding yourself about. Jones is a phenom, compare him to Brock? right, you cant. Anyway im not great with words and this is just my opinion.
NF
Guest
Lesnar had true potential to go far in MMA but the disease and his inability to take a punch in the face held him back. For Brock to be matched up with Overreem was bad in hindsight if anything a tune-up fight would of being better for Brock but he always wanting to face top tier competition only. Also, the long layoff compared to Overreem's activity the past year. He also needed a better fight camp compared to the farcical Deathclutch which is a yes man's camp basically should of went to Jackson's or AKA for a little bit.
Joel Smith
Roar Rookie
Yeah Kview Brock's amateur wrestling career (106-5 i think his record was) is very quickly forgotten probably due to the 'pro wrestler' tag he always had to shake. Sure he was given opportunities before his time because his name was Brock Lesnar and the UFC saw a 265 pound money train to jump aboard, but given the fights he won, he definitely paid the organisation back in spades and earned everything he got.
Kview
Not sure what you mean to say here Ash. Are you saying he's still a phenom or never was? If the latter then I'd suggest taking time to research and even watch his overall career (not including his WWE time of course). He was an absolute beast of a wrestler in NCAA Div 1 and champion with god knows how many wins, memory fails me atm. He was, to put it mildly, a headline act and ppv drawcard of unparalled success during his brief MMA career. Captured the HW title in just his fourth match, destroyed Couture and Carwin, defended the title twice and showcased four of the top six highest ppv's in UFC history. Where the UFC struggled for recognition in mainstream media, Lesnar was the exception and guaranteed recognition across the US for the organisation. For a man to come into such a sport and achieve what he did, in the ring and out of it during his brief time, for me, ranks him amongst the greatest assets Dana White has ever had...disease the only true opponent that could stop what could have surely been one of the greatest MMA careers ever. My opinion only, no joke. But if it gives you a laugh, 'tis cool, always happy to spread the mirth amongst the varied population of The Roar.
Ash
Roar Rookie
"he was a phenom" thats a joke right?
Kview
Well said and good points all round Joel. For all the fans of UFC around the world, they would do well to remember exactly why they always tuned in to watch Brock's fights, essentially, albeit very briefly, he was a phenom for the sport and could have been anything if he'd been there from a far earlier time. Perhaps the only point I'd add is that he (or his management) erred in taking fights against outstanding strikers in Velasquez and Overeem, however, the UFC is all about testing yourself as a warrior, not taking the easy route. I wish him all the best in whatever he chooses to do in post fight life and of course, hope his health improves along the way. To wrap it up, Jimmy Hettes, dear god, this kid could be anything, amazing fighter who truly stunned me in that fight against Phan (himself a great lightweight fighter with heaps of experience). The ability, agression, style and execution of Hettes was amazing to watch. A title shot for him can't be too far off imho.