Since WWE superstar and former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar’s UFC return was announced during last weekend’s UFC 199 pay-per-view, fans have had many questions, one of which was answered on Monday when Brock’s UFC 200 opponent was confirmed – Mark Hunt.
One other big question was: ‘Why? Why would a 38-year-old with a successful pro wrestling career take such a big risk in stepping back inside the Octagon after a four-and-a-half-year retirement?’
“Why? I guess because I want to, that’s why,” Lesnar answered on Heyman Hustle.
Lesnar retired from MMA in December 2011 after suffering a TKO loss to current UFC title contender Alistair Overeem. It was his second straight defeat (third overall) after having lost the UFC title to Cain Velasquez in October 2010.
“I ended up getting beat by foes that in my mindset I should have never lost to,” Lesnar said. “I lost to diverticulitis. I lost to Cain Velasquez. I lost to Alistair Overeem. I’m not here to avenge any loss other than to avenge the loss that I took to diverticulitis. I just want it.
“When I was inside the Octagon my last few fights, I believe I wasn’t the man that I needed to be. I was faking it. I was faking it to be in there. I was faking it that a disease was more powerful me – I was faking that I was more powerful than it.”
Lesnar is reportedly in training camp with the man who coached him through his college wrestling and MMA career, Marty Morgan. Fans won’t know until the night of his return just what state Lesnar is in, physically and mentally, after dealing with health issues and taking such a long time away from the sport. But the man himself seems entirely confident that he is completely prepared.
“Dana White (UFC president) didn’t call me up for this. I made the phone call. You can’t get into the Octagon half-assedly, nor would I make the call if I wanted to half-assedly get in the Octagon, because I’m smarter than that. I know how dangerous it is. It’s a dangerous sport. I wouldn’t put my health at risk for my family by no means. My head is in the game on this. I’m 100% all in. All in. No doubts in my mind. No doubt at all.”
Lesnar vs. Hunt takes place July 9th at UFC 200 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
