Brock Lesnar’s competitive drive just won’t allow him to keep away from the Octagon.
With the UFC in dire need of a superstar considering the uncertainty surrounding Jon Jones’ fighting future and the apparent retirement of Ronda Rousey, the organisation’s president has confirmed that one of the UFC’s greatest ever pay-per-view draws is set to make another return.
Dana White took to UFC Tonight on Wednesday to announce that Lesnar will indeed fight again.
“Yeah, Brock Lesnar’s coming back,” White said. “I don’t know when, but yes he is.”
Lesnar is currently contracted to the WWE but is expected to be available to negotiate with the UFC following his appearance at WrestleMania 34 this Sunday.
"Yeah, Brock Lesnar's coming back."
— Dana White with the HUGE @ufc news pic.twitter.com/YXUtn0uUxE
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) April 5, 2018
The former UFC heavyweight champion last fought in the summer of 2016, when he returned from a five-year layoff to claim a unanimous decision over the heavy-handed Mark Hunt at UFC 200 but that result was promptly overturned to a No Contest when it emerged that Lesnar had tested positive for a banned substance.
If the 40-year-old does decide to take to the Octagon again, it will not be as simple as signing a contract and showing up on fight night.
Lesnar’s year-long suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency was frozen when he opted to retire from professional mixed martial arts in 2017. He would have to see out the remainder of his ban before he would be allowed to return and could also be subjected to more stringent USADA testing given the fact that he would be coming back from retirement and has previously failed tests.
Lesnar’s original run through the UFC ranks was nothing short of meteoric as he claimed the promotion’s heavyweight belt after just four professional fights.
He holds wins over legendary fighters like Randy Couture and Frank Mir, and while he struggled against the likes of Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem, there’s no denying his enduring superstar status.
