Morning Report: Brock Lesnar not giving up on a return to the UFC
Brock Lesnar admits that he has some challenges to overcome but tells his fans to not rule out a return to the UFC for the former heavyweight champion.
Though a return to the UFC doesn't appear to be in Brock Lesnar's immediate future, the former heavyweight champion isn't ruling it out.
Lesnar made his UFC debut in 2008 after a successful stint in the world of professional wrestling. He went on to claim the UFC heavyweight championship when he knocked out Randy Couture at UFC 91. After he defended his title over Frank Mir at UFC 100, Lesnar was sidelined with a case of diverticulitis. He returned and defended his belt one more time against Shane Carwin before losing it to Cain Velasquez. After another loss to Alistair Overeem, Lesnar retired from MMA, in part due to the toll diverticulitis had taken on him. Then, after a five year hiatus from MMA, Lesnar returned to the UFC for a "one-off" fight at UFC 200, winning a unanimous decision over eighth ranked Mark Hunt.
After the bout, speculation was rampant that Lesnar would return to MMA full time. Despite the rumors, Lesnar returned to the WWE and headlined WWE SummerSlam on August 21. Ahead of his WWE match this past weekend, Lesnar spoke briefly with TMZ sports, addressing whether he would ever return to MMA.
"I've got a few challenges to overcome before I can get there. I don't know. For right now, I'm gonna focus on my WWE career. I wanted to step back into the octagon and avenge my loss against diverticulitis. Sunday I'm facing Randy Orton at Summerslam and that's really all that's on my mind."
The "challenges" Lesnar speaks of are his failed drug tests resulting from his UFC 200 appearance. Lesnar failed an out-of-competition drug test performed by USADA on June 28 as well as an in-competition test taken at UFC 200; both failures were for hydroxy-clomiphene, an anti-estrogen agent. Lesnar was tested 8 times in the lead up to UFC 200 and passed multiple tests before his failure on June 28.
Lesnar's first hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission is set for Tuesday, Aug. 23. It is expected that he will receive a temporary suspension until a full hearing can be held. Lesnar faces a two years suspension and fines from the NSAC, which would possibly end the career of the 39 year old Lesnar. However, Lesnar told his fans not to give up hope.
"To my fans that watch me in the octagon, I thank them for their support. This has been a bumpy road. I'm gonna get through this alright. And there will be a day, maybe, that they'll see me back in the octagon."
MUST-READ STORIES
Results. UFC 202 happened this weekend. Here are the results.
That means it's next. Dana White says a trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz isn't happening "right now".
Chasing paper. Nate Diaz says he won't fight again until he and Conor McGregor "go for round 3."
Sit back. Anthony Johnson unconcerned about Jon Jones taking his title shot, says Jones can "sit back and wait."
Promises. Cody Garbrandt says Dominick Cruz woke up a "beast" and vows to knock him out.
EXTRA CREDIT READING
Technique. Patrick Wyman of Bleacher Report does a technical recap of UFC 202.
MEDIA STEW
Road to the Octagon: Maia-Condit
Post fight show with the fellas.
Scott Coker talking about Bellator and telling stories.
Fights!
LISTEN UP
BATB
6th Round.
Parting Shot
TWEETS
Certified official.
The #ufc sale is officially official. New boss just sent us an email. Good times ahead! pic.twitter.com/EnMNLCmBb3
— Ryan Benoit (@BabyfaceBenoit) August 20, 2016
So does this mean Khabib is next?
Better keep that weak shit away from the lightweight division , You both got work to do @TheNotoriousMMA@NateDiaz209 #ufc #thnq #comeCMe
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) August 21, 2016
I'm pretty down for Rumble-DC 2.
Won't fight jones next. I am fighting rumble. He's here. He's deserving Won't fight jones. https://t.co/YYpkLdmd8i
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 21, 2016
And Conor did. Dude is a really great fighter.
Nate has 10 losses. Most by the same method. The blueprint is there. You just have to be smart enough to follow it. Elite fighters are
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) August 21, 2016
In four weeks I'm going to Finish the Menace.#Gold #5inarow #idgt #thugjitsu
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) August 20, 2016
That took an aggressive turn.
@DustinPoirier finish me?? you must be planning on giving me some great fellatio. Is that finishing you speak of? Cuz I'll pass. Sorry man
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) August 20, 2016
Nah bruh, I'm gonna knock you the fuck out https://t.co/lGXOydRACC
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) August 20, 2016
C'mon man. Damn. And if it is Alex Nicholson, then that's just the worst.
Remember when we hated Mike Perry for his douche-tastic weigh-in shit?
— Jessica Hudnall (@LegKickTKO) August 21, 2016
His corner is even worse (and racist)https://t.co/Viwdyf5UUO
Pimpin ain't easy.
Thanks for the Love pic.twitter.com/21p7ckN394
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) August 21, 2016
Mike Goldberg. Professional word speaker.
@JackSlackMMA Don't remember this happening. When?
— Vivek G (@McStunnin) August 21, 2016
Vettori is a good looking prospect.
@TP_Grant I competed against him at the world no gi's last year at purple belt tough competitor
— Tom Breese (@BreeseMMA) August 20, 2016
It appears Tecia Torres and Rocky Pennington got hitched? If so, congrats!
Congrats!
You too can be the next Mike Perry. Try not to have racist cornermen though.
Ouch
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2010: Jorge Santiago successfully defended his Sengoku middleweight championship by defeating Kazuo Misaki at at Sengoku 14.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Damn. What a fight. Conor McGregor looked fantastic and silence all the doubters (myself included) by fighting a tactical gameplan for the full 25. Personally, I scored the bout a draw but I don't have any real issue with McGregor getting the nod. And frankly I'll be surprised if they don't run the trilogy fight back immediately. Conor doesn't really care about the 145 belt. He's got his sights set on bigger game and a return to 145 really doesn't offer him a lot of upside at this point. Plus, he appears to have put on some muscle and I'm genuinely not sure he can make the cut anymore. Plenty of more interesting fights for him at 155 anyway.
Hope you enjoyed the weekend M.Rmy. We're back at it again for another fight week. Have a great day and see you tomorrow.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.