WWE Rumors: Brock Lesnar Still Open to UFC Return, Holding Back on Loyalty to WWE
WWE allowing Brock Lesnar to return to The Octagon and fight Mark Hunt at UFC 200 was seen as a huge risk for WWE to take with one of its biggest superstars. Brock Lesnar has done extremely well since returning to WWE back in 2012. He would not have signed a new contract with WWE shortly before Wrestlemania 31 if he wasn’t pleased with his role in the company.
However, Brock had a legitimate gripe with how his fighting career and run in UFC came to an end, so when the opportunity came up for him to chance that result, he wanted to take it. It’s likely never going to be revealed how Lesnar convinced Vince McMahon and other WWE officials to take a risk on him, but after the events of UFC 200 last weekend, everything worked out.
Now, Lesnar and WWE are in a very interesting situation where it is a legitimate option for Brock to continue his run in UFC, but he’s still contractually loyal to WWE through Wrestlemania 34 in 2018. At thirty-nine years old, Lesnar can’t afford to wait that long if his passion is with UFC. On the other hand, WWE can’t afford to let Brock Lesnar go. There is a lot of intrigue and speculation on what the future of Brock Lesnar’s career will be.
Although the fight with Hunt was meant to be a one-fight deal, that’s not the way Lesnar is looking at the situation or he would have displayed his loyalty to WWE. In fact, Brock hinted at a return to UFC during his post-fight press conference after UFC 200. The following is what he had to say after defeating Mark Hunt at UFC 200:
“Well let’s get one thing clear — Brock Lesnar does what Brock Lesnar wants to do. I believe that my future’s already laid out for the next month. I’m doing Summerslam against Randy Orton. Once the dust settles there I don’t know what I’m going to do. I had one hell of a time tonight and I enjoyed myself so we’ll see what happens. It’s really way too soon.”
It’s only been a few days since UFC 200, but Mark Hunt already said that he would like a rematch with Lesnar. Both Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem have also emerged as potential opponents for Brock in UFC. The point is that UFC is a valid option, and it will most likely be the most well-paid one as well. Lesnar may be much happier in UFC rather than in WWE.
Some people would consider Lesnar vs. Orton “a booking nightmare.” However, it has already been made clear that WWE officials decided that Brock Lesnar would defeat Randy Orton at Summerslam no matter what happened at UFC 200. Since Lesnar defeated Hunt in dominant fashion this past weekend, there is no question that he’ll be getting the victory.
Right now, Brock Lesnar needs to stay hot. If WWE wanted to kill his momentum, they could book him to lose against Orton, but that could send Lesnar running back to UFC. Unfortunately, WWE is powerless to the whims and wishes of Brock Lesnar at the moment, but he may not want to tarnish a good thing with WWE and end his UFC career on a much better note.
The final decision is really up to Brock Lesnar, but it is a testament to his skill and drawing power that he has two of the biggest entertainment promotions on the planet waiting for his decision. There can only be one Brock Lesnar, which is the core of the problem in a nutshell.
[Image via WWE.com]
