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Now that the shock of Brock Lesnar returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship has worn off, it’s time to discuss what happens to him after he fights Mark Hunt in the UFC 200 co-main event on July 9 in Las Vegas. All signs point to Lesnar returning to World Wrestling Entertainment, where he remains under contract. However, judging by the former UFC heavyweight champion’s comments on a recent conference call, Lesnar isn’t necessarily interested in doing things the way other people want him to do them.
He’s fighting in the UFC again because he wants to. There’s really not much else to it. Lesnar has a cushy contract with the WWE, where he works a part-time schedule for what we can only imagine to be a lot of money. So when he was sitting at home and not doing whatever it is that Lesnar does during his downtime, he figured that it was time to get back to the unfinished business in the UFC. The WWE would just have to understand.
Here we are, a few days away from Lesnar facing Hunt, and we really haven’t discussed what Lesnar’s plans are after UFC 200. The question has certainly been asked, but Lesnar hasn’t really answered it; and considering he’s a guy who kind of just does whatever he feels whenever he feels like it, anything is possible.
Let’s just say Lesnar wins against Hunt. Do you really think he’ll retreat back to the WWE knowing he still has more in the tank? The idea that Lesnar could be in world title contention may sound farfetched at first, but when you look at the rotating door of heavyweight champions since he left, another run at a title isn’t outside the realm of possibility.
Obviously, if he were to pursue the title, he’s going to have to break the news to the WWE, and who knows how that company will react. It could just turn the other cheek, let Lesnar compete and have him show up when it needs him most. It’s not like he’s on the road going from state to state with the WWE. He’s a special attraction who shows up whenever he’s contractually obligated to do so; and maybe he’s able to train in between these appearances.
How long can something like that last, and would the UFC give a guy who is a “special attraction” a title shot? That’s a challenging inquiry that UFC President Dana White and the rest of the crew will have to figure out sooner than later. If Lesnar beats Hunt and you’re aware that he’s one of the biggest stars in combat sports, do you keep him away from a title he can possibly win? If he does manage to win it, how does he defend it while splitting time with professional wrestling? Wait, does this mean that Lesnar could be correct when anointing himself as the “modern-day Bo Jackson?” Could be.
What if he loses? Does Lesnar shrug his massive shoulders, say “the UFC isn’t for me anymore” and go back to his life as a part-time wrestler? Perhaps, but if he manages to leave the Octagon with his senses intact and just loses a decision, maybe Lesnar considers giving it another go. You never know. He might enjoy being locked in that cage and feel as if he could be right back on top with the right training and conditioning.
The fact that the heavyweight division has been in a state of perpetual motion for the past several years means there’s always a chance for Lesnar to inject himself into the title picture. Although his wrestling schedule could present a problem, it’s not like the recent champions have been active. It took a year for Fabricio Werdum to defend the title. Cain Velasquez defended the title twice in over two years. Junior dos Santos managed to squeeze out two title defenses in just over a year. Lesnar defending once a year just doesn’t sound too farfetched.
Ultimately, it will come down to what Lesnar wants to do. He’s a unique athlete who has proven not only to be a great athlete but someone people want to see. Whether it’s in a wrestling ring or an Octagon, when Lesnar is involved, the stakes are higher. Still, let’s see how he does at UFC 200 before we start talking about a title run because we really have no idea what we’re going to see on July 9.
Andreas Hale is the editorial content director of 2DopeBoyz.com, co-host of the boxing, MMA and pro wrestling podcast “The Corner” and a regular columnist for Sherdog.com. You can follow on Twitter for his random yet educated thoughts on combat sports, music, film and popular culture.