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Despite his UFC career lasting three years, Brock Lesnar played a pivotal role in the promotion’s growth in popularity. He had transitioned from WWE, where was a household name and one of the faces of their company, between 2002-2004.
Due to their demanding travel schedule, he left the company and took his talents elsewhere. After being among Minnesota Vikings’ final cuts, ‘The Beast Incarnate’s' career path changed from aspiring NFL player to MMA fighter. He had a decorated amateur wrestling background, which would serve him well in MMA.
Lesnar made his MMA debut at K-1 Dynamite!! USA in 2007, where he finished Min-Soo Kim in a one-sided bout. Dana White then signed him, and the rest is history. He eventually won the heavyweight championship and became one of the sport’s biggest pay-per-view draws. This list will look at the five biggest UFC fights of Brock Lesnar’s career.
#5. Lesnar vs Frank Mir – UFC 81: Breaking Point
Brock Lesnar had one of the most memorable UFC debuts to date. Dana White didn’t make things easy for the former WWE champion and instead stacked the deck against him.
His debut in the promotion was against former heavyweight champion Frank Mir. His NCAA Division 1 National wrestling championship was highlighted, and the promotion did a great job generating interest in the bout. ‘The Beast Incarnate’ would answer the question of whether he could fight and compete with the promotion’s top fighters.
Lesnar wasted little time and was the aggressor from the opening bell. He dropped Mir and swarmed him on the ground with heavy strikes. The agility of a man his size was astonishing as he was able to pass the guard quickly. However, experience would lead to his defeat as Mir took advantage of an opening and submitted him with a kneebar.
#4. Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt – UFC 200
Brock Lesnar’s return bout against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 was one of the biggest fights of his career. Although the fight was made official one month prior, a return to MMA was something he clearly had contemplated.
After being away from the sport for five years, many wondered how he'd perform. ‘The Beast Incarnate’ took a risk by returning as a devastating loss could have jeopardized any leverage he may have had with WWE.
Lesnar looked great on his return as he executed his game plan of takedowns, ground and pound. ‘The Super Samoan’ had his moments as he landed a few clean shots that tested the former champion’s durability. ‘The Beast Incarnate’ didn’t panic and went on to earn the unanimous decision. However, the result was later changed to a no-contest after Lesnar tested positive for a banned substance.
#3. Lesnar vs. Randy Couture – UFC 91
It came as a big surprise when the UFC announced that Lesnar would challenge Randy Couture for the heavyweight championship. He came off a dominant unanimous decision over veteran Heath Herring, which improved his MMA record to 2-1. It was only his fourth professional MMA fight, yet he was fighting for a title.
‘The Natural’ may have been 45 years old when they fought, but he was much more experienced than the challenger. The experience didn’t stop ‘The Beast Incarnate’ as he used his size to his advantage. After battling for positioning in the clinch, Lesnar dropped Couture with a straight-right and finished him with vicious ground-and-pound.
In his first year with the promotion, ‘The Beast’ had already reached the pinnacle by winning the heavyweight championship. The event generated 1,010,000 pay-per-view buys, making Lesnar a top draw in the sport.
#2. Lesnar vs Frank Mir II – UFC 100
After becoming heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar made his first title defense against Frank Mir at UFC 100. Lesnar was motivated as he set out to avenge his only career loss, at the time, on the biggest night in the promotion’s history.
The champion made adjustments and learned from his mistakes in the first bout. Mir attempted a leg-lock, but ‘The Beast’ was aware and shifted to half-guard this time. Like the first bout, Lesnar successfully took Mir to the ground and controlled him. He did plenty of damage with his ground-and-pound and allowed the challenger to get back to his feet, which wasn’t expected.
Mir’s best moment came when he caught ‘The Beast’ with a knee to the face while taking him down. It wasn’t enough as Lesnar continued his onslaught of ground strikes before the fight was stopped at 1:48 of the second round.
#1. Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin – UFC 116
Lesnar’s title defense against then-interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin at UFC 116 was arguably his biggest fight. The bout was billed as the biggest heavyweight fight in the promotion’s history. 'The Beast' returned to the octagon after being sidelined due to diverticulitis.
Carwin dropped the champion in the opening exchange and unloaded a flurry of strikes. The referee wouldn’t have been blamed had he stopped the fight. However, he allowed Lesnar every opportunity to stay in the bout. ‘The Beast’ weathered the storm and managed to survive the round.
Carwin was visibly exhausted in the second round after exerting all his energy trying to finish the champion in the first. Lesnar took advantage of the situation by taking him down. ‘The Beast’ eventually found an opening and submitted Carwin with an arm-triangle to retain the heavyweight championship.
