I suppose if you've been hiding under a rock for the past day or so, you've missed a hell of a meaty story, MMA Fans : Numerous outlets have reported that former UFC heavyweight kingpin Brock Lesnar, has pulled out of his UFC 131 tilt with Junior Dos Santos due to a second bout of diverticulitis.
Lesnar hadn't been feeling too great during training for the June 11th bout with the Brazilian, which would have no doubt guaranteed a #1 contender shot and a fight with the man who dethroned Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, sometime later in the year as he recovers from a shoulder injury. After being admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota confirmed a second bout with the digestive disease, which almost killed him when he first contracted it in 2009.
Even after his having to pull out of the main event and his career seemingly in limbo, during a conference call yesterday, Lesnar said that he was "down, but not out".
Its hard to believe that Lesnar won't come back. His coaching stint on the latest season of the reality program "The Ultimate Fighter", and his marketing potential which transcends the sport more so than established veterans like Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva clearly shows his popularity, both positive and negative. But clearly, when a disease as this takes control of the body it is very difficult to shake, even for a big, strong, muscular and athletically gifted person such as Lesnar.
What I suppose is kind of interesting here is that Lesnar's story (he was promoting a biography in recent months) is one of absolute wasted potential. Lesnar had an amateur wrestling record of 106 wins in 111 matches (a notable loss in the NCAA tournament to current New England Patriot lineman Stephen Neal) and went to the world of Professional Wrestling (Which was at the time known as the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment), amidst much speculation and fanfare. It turned out that Lesnar's athletic ability (with shooting star presses and 500 lb superplexes and all) did not overshadow the fact that he was not a showman (Wrestling is as much about abilities in the ring as much as it is with "working crowds" and "talking the mike"). Disillusioned with that career, he decided to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL (despite having only one year of College Football under his belt). While putting up a gallant effort, he was cut amid much debate and speculation by the Minnesota Vikings, before the world of Mixed Martial Arts (and ultimately the Ultimate Fighting Championship) came calling.
I'm not going to put into perspective the World Championships he has won (along with numerous amateur accolades) in both (fake) sports and real ones. What I'm going to say here is that despite all that, firstly his attitude and inexperience, and now his body, has hindered his progress. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact he can make when he is cleared to fight again, although it should be also pointed out that one Roy Nelson did predict Lesnar would leave the show (albeit, for reasons different than this).
-In other news, All fighters for tomorrow night's Bellator 44 card being broadcast live from Atlantic City have made weight, according to MMAJunkie. The main event features current 185 lb. Kingpin Hector "Shango" Lombard take on UFC and Strikeforce vet Falaniko Vitale, with the finals of the lighweight tourney between Michael Chandler and Patricio "Pitbull" also on the card.
-Despite being forced off of UFC 133 with an injury, Light Heavyweight champ Jon "Bones" Jones will forgo surgery on his hand and plans to fight the winner between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis by the end of the year. MMAJunkie is also reporting that Rashad Evans claims he doesn't need the surgery and is simply ducking the Michigan State product. I suppose Rashad didn't see the fight between Jones and Shogun.
-ESPN/Sherdog is reporting UFC vet Antonio McKee is waiting a Visa in order to fight Shinya Aoki at "Dream 17 : Fight for Japan" on May 29th. I wonder if the bad guy, Aoki, will get a standing ovation.
Questions? Comments? Want to get back to me? email me at mmarmaggeddon@gmail.com
Until next time, fight fans!
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