Brock Lesnar to Return to UFC?

[Big Red Machine]

Source: PWInsider


By Mike Johnson & David Tees on 2016-06-04 20:52:00

MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani is reporting that former UFC Heavyweight champion and current WWE star Brock Lesnar is close to a deal that would see him return to the Ocagon to fight at UFC 200.

Lesnar has not fought for UFC since losing in December 2011 to Alistair Overeem . He flirted with the idea of a little over a year ago when his WWE contract was coming due but instead announced live on ESPN in March 2015 that he had signed a new WWE deal and considered himself retired from MMA competition.

"It was a very hard decision at this stage of my career," Lesnar told ESPN's Michelle Beadle during that announcement. "The fighter inside me wants to compete. The father and husband. I'm an older caveman now. I make wiser caveman decisions. So, I'm here to say my legacy in the Octagon is over. It was a hard decision to make. It took me a year. I've thought about this for a year. At the end of the day, it's all about me wanting to have fun. The last two-and-a-half months I've been training to get back into the Octagon. I felt physically great, but something lacked mentally, and that's not good."

Lesnar's UFC run was tainted by health issues, specifically diverticulitus, something that has personally bothered Lesnar.

Lesnar last appeared for WWE at Wrestlemania 32, defeating Dean Ambrose. What a potential UFC return would mean for his WWE contract status remains to be seen....as does whether WWE and UFC could be in bed together as part of a larger deal.

There are rumors within the MMA circles that a promotional video for Lesnar could air as early as tonight's UFC 199 PPV and that Lesnar could be fighting either Stefan Struve or Mark Hunt. [9:25 PM Update: It will not be Struve as he underwent hand surgery and would not be cleared to train or fight by UFC 200.] Frank Mir, the obvious Lesnar opponent due to their history, would not be possible due to a current suspension.

UFC 200 takes place 7/9 in Las Vegas.

PWInsider.com has reached out to WWE regarding Helwani's report but as of this writing, has not heard back.

David Tees is covering UFC 199 right now at www.PWInsiderXTRA.com.

[KILLdozer]

Not happening... something called "diverticulitis".

Remember that?

[Big Red Machine]

Not happening... something called "diverticulitis".

Remember that?

He's probably over it by now.

[Big Red Machine]

Major news on UFC 200: Brock Lesnar is coming back
By Ryan Frederick | @ryanjfrederick | Jun 4, 2016 8:39 pm
Brock Lesnar

Saturday night is a busy night in the UFC world with UFC 199 going down in Los Angeles, but there are some huge fights in the works for July's UFC 200 and August's UFC 202 that has captured the attention of fans.

In something that will get everyone talking in both wrestling and MMA, former WWE champion and former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is returning to the organization to fight on UFC 200 against an opponent that will be announced on ESPN Monday. The news was first broken by MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani.

During a UFC 200 promo during UFC 199, Lesnar was shown at the very end and Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan discussed it a bit afterward.

Lesnar is taking the fight with WWE approval. They will likely be promoting the fight during WWE broadcasts up to the event.

Lesnar's opponent in his return will be announced Monday on ESPN.

Lesnar came close to returning to the UFC in early 2015, but ultimately decided to sign a new contract with the WWE. He hasn't fought in the cage since losing to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 in December 2011. He came close to returning in 2012 for a fight against Fedor Emelianenko, but the deal was unable to be put together by the UFC.

UFC 200 takes place on July 9 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by Daniel Cormier taking on Jon Jones to unify the light heavyweight title. Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo for the interim featherweight title is also on the show as is former Lesnar foe Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne, and a host of other interesting fights.

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer will be back tonight to talk UFC 199, Brock Lesnar's return to UFC and how this deal came to pass, the Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz rematch being signed for UFC 202 and more. Sign up today for full access to all of our new and archived shows (8,000 total), new and archived Wrestling Observer Newsletters and more!

[Big Red Machine]

So not only is this real, but it's happening with WWE approval!

Do you think they're going to give him a tomato can?

[cero2k]

You know this is so WWE can get Ronda or McGregor for Summerslam or Wrestlemania

[Big Red Machine]

You know this is so WWE can get Ronda or McGregor for Summerslam or Wrestlemania

That's about the only way it makes sense. I'm thinking Ronda. She has more value to WWE and I thought I read that she was getting surgery soon so it's not like UFC would be able to use her for a while after that anyway. She slots well into the Ken Shamrock Special Guest Referee role for a big blow-off for Sasha and Charlotte.
Plus, aren't Baszler and/or Duke training for pro wrestling with Nattie?

[cero2k]

Yeah Ronda makes more sense because you can make a big thing with The Rock too. I think it could all depend on who makes a better comeback after their defeats

[Big Red Machine]

Yeah Ronda makes more sense because you can make a big thing with The Rock too.

Oh G-d I hope this doesn't happen.

[KILLdozer]

Yeah Ronda makes more sense because you can make a big thing with The Rock too.

Oh G-d I hope this doesn't happen.

I was more so thinking "or we just don't bring into play any possible things that have to do with the Crock being around ever again. That obnoxious ass loudmouth .

"Arrive.

Talk shit.

Leave."

[KILLdozer]

So it's announced. He's going at it with Mark Hunt. I already feel funny about this. How is there a supposed to really and legitimately be any way he can NOT have this big endorsed fuckin' fight and win? You know?

Like come on man...

[cero2k]

funny, UFC gave him a big samoan to beat because WWE won't