Fighters Only

Issue 047

March 2009

Lesnar has showed he is the real deal, defeating the legendary Randy Couture in his most recent fight, and picking up the heavyweight title in the process.

STATISTICS

Name: Brock Lesnar

Age: 31

Heigh: 6’ 3”

Category: Heavyweight

Fighting Style: Wrestling

Fights out of: Minneapolis, USA

Active since: 2007

When Brock Lesnar joined the UFC, few fans gave him much of a chance, what with being just a former pro wrestler. But Lesnar has showed he is the real deal, defeating the legendary Randy Couture in his most recent fight, and picking up the heavyweight title in the process.

It is a remarkable achievement for a man who only made his MMA debut in June of 2007. In less than two years (and in only four fights) Lesnar has proved he is genuine by soundly defeating Couture with a barrage of strikes in the second round.

Lesnar’s background is, of course, in much more than just pro wrestling. A former collegiate wrestler who picked up numerous awards and titles, he is a rare specimen who combines serious strength with a speed that is at odds with his massive bulk. Described by some as a ‘freak’, Lesnar loves athletic competition and removed himself from the choreographed pantomime of pro wrestling to pursue a career in real sport.

With a solid win in his debut over the rather hapless Korean heavyweight Min Soo Kim, Lesnar turned heads throughout the MMA world, and his signing with the UFC in October 2007 caused a stir among fans and fighters alike. Many wondered if the big man could achieve anything at the highest level of MMA competition, and though he lost his first fight to Frank Mir, he rebounded with a decision win over Heath Herring and the stunning KO of Couture to win the UFC heavyweight title. He faces Mir once more to decide the undisputed champ later this year.

Torso

One of Lesnar’s ‘biggest’ attributes is his sheer size. With a massive back, huge shoulders and a thick neck, Lesnar is a man mountain and has to cut weight to make the upper limit of the heavyweight class (265lb).

Fists

Though inflated reports have said that Lesnar requires specially made gloves to fit his massive hands, he actually wears XXXL. Still, his right hand is a mighty ham hock of a weapon. He sent Heath Herring sprawling back across the Octagon with one punch, fracturing the durable wrestler’s eye socket at the same time.

Knees

Possibly the chink in Lesnar’s armour, it was a kneebar that had him tapping out in his UFC debut against Frank Mir, and Tim Sylvia alluded to the fact Lesnar does not like to be kicked in the legs during sparring. A lifetime of wrestling practice, weight lifting, professional wrestling, and even a season of American football will all have taken their toll, but whether he has any lingering injuries is unknown.