Brock Lesnar Return Imminent?

Brock Lesnar Return Imminent?

By Jon Prentice

Rumours are circulating today over a potential return to the UFC for former heavyweight champion and WWE star Brock Lesnar (5-3-0 1NC). With PPV numbers dwindling and without being able to call upon the likes of Ronda Rousey, who herself now competes in WWE, or Conor McGregor who has been inactive since November 2016, the UFC appears to be returning to one of its original star draws in Lesnar.

Wrestling expert Dave Meltzer believes that the UFC will be targeting Lesnar for the new years show on December 30th 2018, where he would get an immediate title shot against the winner of the UFC 226 main event between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.

“Lesnar has been asked to face the winner of the 7/7 Stipe Miocic vs Daniel Cormier fight for the heavyweight title” Meltzer stated. He further added “it would not be a surprise for Lesnar to show up at the 7/7 UFC 226 show. I can tell you that while it is not decided on, it is something under discussion for him for him to show up and challenge the winner or them at least tease that”.

The decision over Lesnar would have to be made soon as he is currently only 6 months through a 12 month suspension handed down by USADA following Lesnar’s failed drugs test when he took on and defeated Mark Hunt at UFC 200. That decision was later overturned to a no contest following the failed test, however the 12 month suspension was frozen when Lesnar announced his retirement halfway through. In order to compete on the December 30th event Lesnar would have to re-enter the USADA testing pool by June 30th and as it stands there is no indication that this has happened.

Prior to the no contest with Mark Hunt, Lesnar is riding a 2 fight losing streak to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 and Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 where he lost his heavyweight title. His last win came in 2010 in the epic comeback against Shane Carwin at UFC 116.

It is yet to be seen whether Lesnar will indeed come out of retirement again for the heavyweight showdown, and from a sporting perspective it makes no sense whatsoever, however the UFC may well have to turn to their former champion in order to get their PPV sales back on track.