Lesnar, who has a 5-3 record, hasn’t competed in the octagon since a first-round TKO loss to Alistair Overeem in December 2011. While coming back at SummerSlam has been a foregone conclusion for the former Next Big Thing, WWE typically doesn’t announce these non-injury returns in advance, unless it’s John Cena. He’s far removed from competing in pro MMA, but he has the physical potential to destroy a lot of fighters.
Advertisement
But Emelianenko recently returned to the cage in Japan’s Rizin FC, and he’s also slated to face UFC veteran Fabio Maldonado at a Fight Nights event from St. Petersburg, Russia on June 17.
While Lesnar’s UFC return would be a surprise, it’s not an unforeseen development.
With Lesnar returning and the UFC 200 card already featuring three title fights including Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier II, UFC 200 surely now has to be the strongest card ever in UFC history. “Follow this milestone event on July 9, Brock will return to WWE SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21 live on WWE Network”, the WWE stated. After only one fight in the sport, he signed with the UFC and battled former champion Frank Mir, losing by kneebar after dominating the early moments of the fight. Lesnar defeated the Lunatic Fringe and left the WWE until his next appearance was confirmed.
WWE has now granted the man who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania the opportunity to restore some professional pride with another UFC victory. With Lesnar not in the creative plans now, WWE doesn’t have much to lose by lending Lesnar to UFC. Rousey appeared in a segment with The Rock, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H at WrestleMania 31.
Advertisement
With two WWE superstars making their Octagon debuts this year it will be exciting to see if both Lesnar and Punk will also get the same results.
