After a near five-year layoff, Brock Lesnar returned to mixed martial arts, facing Mark Hunt at the UFC’s milestone event, UFC 200.
It was only fitting that Lesnar returned for the company’s biggest ever card, and most believed it would be a one-off fight. Most also believed facing the number eight heavyweight and most devastating puncher in the division would see the WWE star knocked out and sent back to the world of scripted fighting.
But Lesnar dominated Hunt en route to a unanimous decision victory, raising many questions.
1. Was Hunt a good return fight for Lesnar?
In hindsight, yes.
On paper this was a bad match up for Lesnar. Hunt possesses the most powerful hands in the heavyweight division, and vastly improved take-down defence. However, he had no answers for Lesnar’s power wrestling game, and heavy top control.
Hunt was taken down several times and spent long periods stuck on his back, unable to mount any offence of his own. With Hunt’s lack of jiu jitsu, Lesnar was able to smother his opponent without fear of submission, land some good ground and pound, and tire his opponent out.
When the fight got back to the feet, Hunt was too tired from having a near 300-pound giant on top of him, and was unable to find Lesnar’s chin with his famous knockout ability.
Lesnar proved he still has what it takes to compete in the UFC.
2. Will we see Lesnar fight again?
After taking out a top-ten opponent, and Lesnar enjoying the fight, this one-off appearance could lead to something more.
Lesnar made it clear that he does what he wants to do, and with a record-breaking guaranteed purse of $2.5 million – with more coming once pay per view numbers are finalised – he could return for another huge payday.
The UFC needs big stars and proven box-office draws like Lesnar, and with their willingness to make exceptions for stars like him, Lesnar will likely return for another huge event.
Will we have to wait until UFC 300 to see him again? That’s unlikely. With talks of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko finally signing with the UFC, and this fight previously almost happening, Brock vs Fedor could be a stadium show in the not-too-distant future.
Lesnar will return to the UFC, but only for something big and worthwhile.
3. Can Lesnar be heavyweight champion again?
Lesnar did something we will never see again: win a UFC title in his fourth fight.
He defeated MMA legend Randy Couture to win the heavyweight championship, before defending it twice, against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin. While Mir and Carwin were impressive wins, Mir had submitted Lesnar prior to their UFC 100 clash, and Carwin beat the brakes off Lesnar for the first round of their UFC 116 bout before gassing out and getting submitted.
Lesnar then faced number one contender Cain Velasquez, who he was unable to take down with the ease of previous opponents. When his wrestling game and cardio began to fail, Lesnar was destroyed, stopped inside the first round, and lost the title.
Lesnar then faced Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 and was easily dispatched, in a fight that only lasted a few minutes, with Overeem landing a perfect body kick and sending the WWE star crumpling to the canvas and into retirement.
With the last two men to beat Lesnar still at the top of the division and no shortage of tough match-ups throughout the top ten, Lesnar will not be champion again… At least, not in the unscripted world of fighting. Unless Lesnar dedicates himself completely to MMA he will just not have the tools to take out the heavyweight division’s best. Even with full-time training, it’s almost impossible to imagine him beating anyone in the top five.
After his successful return at UFC 200 and the monster paycheck he will receive, Brock Lesnar will return to the UFC, but for more fan-friendly fights, with no potential of moving up the rankings or making a run at the title.
Reece Huxley
Roar Rookie
I think Ronda will cross over again and do some kind of work with the WWE. Who knows if she will even fight again so a switch to wrestling entertainment might be on the cards. I also wonder if the UFC gave Vince some big money for borrowing Leanar
Subversion13
Guest
Other things to consider too: 1) How will Vince McMahon respond? Remember, WWE has Lesnar's contract until 2018, so while I definitely see him taking on more fights, it won't be around say, Wrestlemania season. If Lesnar regains the UFC Heavyweight title, don't be surprised to see Vince put the WWE title on him too. 2) What does WWE get in return aside from an advert and publicity? Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey to work some sort of "match" at Wrestlemania is my bet. 3) The co-operation between two companies who go to great lengths to say they are not in competition with each other has been fascinating. UFC for example are always so careful not to go too far into the world of pro wrestling, despite the fact that they draw on so many promotional techniques and marketing strategies as old-school wrestling promoters and despite using big names like Lesnar and CM Punk to pop pay-per-view buyrates. On the flip side, Lesnar's fight was not even mentioned on WWE television beforehand and only got a few stills with a lot of typical hyperbole after his victory. Interesting times as the worlds of sport and sports entertainment cross over.