WWE/MMA News: Dana White teases Brock Lesnar UFC return

What’s the story?

In an appearance on FOX Sports’ UFC Tonight, UFC President Dana White teased Brock Lesnar possibly returning to the UFC.

Apparently, White is still very much open for Lesnar to compete in the UFC and has become increasingly assertive regarding the same over the past few weeks.

In case you didn’t know…

Brock Lesnar competed in the WWE in the early-to-mid-2000s, following which he parted ways with the promotion for a career in Pro-Football, and later in the sport of MMA.

Lesnar went on to achieve considerable success in the Mixed Martial Arts world; winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship and besting the likes of Frank Mir, Heath Herring, Randy Couture and Shane Carwin. It was before the Carwin fight that the Beast suffered his first bout of diverticulitis—a life-threatening digestive disorder—something that had severe negative effects on his MMA career as he went on to lose by way of stoppage to Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem.

The heart of the matter

While Brock Lesnar returned to the WWE in 2012, competing on a part-time schedule, he returned to the sport of MMA for a fight against legendary knockout artist Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in 2016—a fight that he won by way of decision, but the result of which was overturned to a No-Contest as Lesnar tested positive for steroids.

Lesnar once again retired from MMA after the fight, and with his suspension term that was handed down for his failed drug test now complete, he could return to MMA anytime. White stated the following on Lesnar potentially returning to the UFC—

“Anything is possible, yeah anything is possible…Brock has always shown interest in coming over and fighting here in the UFC. I wouldn’t be shocked if he gave it one more shot.”

Here's our full interview with @DanaWhite as he announces the #UFC222 card, addresses the Woodley-Diaz rumors and @FloydMayweather's chances of coming to the UFC! https://t.co/kr7TWez9NL

— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 8, 2018

What’s next?

Brock Lesnar’s current deal with the WWE expires after Wrestlemania 34, but the company could keep him with them until August of this year. Lesnar holds the WWE Universal title and will face the winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match, at WrestleMania 34.

Braun Strowman, Elias, John Cena, The Miz, Roman Reigns and a participant yet to be announced shall compete in the aforementioned matchup, with the winner facing Lesnar for the Universal title at WrestleMania.

Author’s take

Honestly speaking, given the humongous debt UFC owners WME-IMG currently find themselves in after purchasing the promotion for north of $4 billion, the UFC needs to deliver PPV box office hits consistently in order to function efficiently.

Besides, with the UFC’s top PPV draws being engrossed in various dilemmas—for instance, Ronda Rousey (WWE-bound), Jon Jones (serving a steroid suspension) and Conor McGregor (non-committal to fighting anyone apart from Floyd Mayweather Jr.)—perhaps Brock Lesnar could provide a shot in the arm to the UFC.

Lesnar needn’t necessarily face the ever-dangerous UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic, who’s in his prime right now, but could very well have competitive showings against the 5-10 ranked opposition in the UFC Heavyweight Division and rake in millions both for himself as well as the UFC.

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