For nearly two years, one of mixed martial arts’ biggest draws has been forced to battle serious health issues. Reoccurring battles with diverticulitis have all but derailed the career of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. As a result, a number of critics have speculated that his most recent encounter with the digestive disease will force Lesnar to retire after only seven professional bouts.
The former WWE superstar was forced out of a planned UFC 131 fight with Junior dos Santos in June, after the pair had coached against one another on The Ultimate Fighter. Rumors swirled that Lesnar wanted to return to professional wrestling, rather than compete inside the Octagon. Then the news broke that Lesnar was facing many of the same problems that forced him out of a title fight against Shane Carwin in late 2009.
Lesnar triumphantly returned to health and defended his belt in July of 2010, but would fall victim to current champ Cain Velasquez later that year. Lesnar hoped for a rematch against Velasquez with a victory over the Brazilian dos Santos, but with the recurrence of the disease, Lesnar instead opted for surgery in May. At the time, Lesnar vowed that he would not retire and that he would find a way to gain control over the disease.
Following the surgery, which removed a 12-inch section of Lesnar’s colon, Lesnar’s MMA career largely entered a state of limbo. The rumors and speculation have continued to grow with each passing day. Could Lesnar return and challenge for the belt yet again? Would the disease force Lesnar to retire at age 34, just four years into his MMA career? Many questions remain unanswered.
UFC President Dana White originally stated that Lesnar’s return would be targeted for early 2012, and Lesnar recently released a video through his sponsor declaring that he was back to health and that he feels like a “new man.” This video immediately sparked talk of when Lesnar would return to fighting. Some fueled the fire by claiming Lesnar would be facing former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem or have a rubber match against Frank Mir at UFC 140 this December.
However, multiple sources close to his camp tell a different story about the former champion’s condition. According to the sources, more than one doctor has informed Lesnar that he should no longer compete in the sport due to the stress that training and fighting puts on his body.
Could this mean that one of MMA’s biggest superstars will be retiring, rather than continuing his career? It’s not out of the realm of possibility. At the same time, could Lesnar ignore the doctors and fight anyway? Certainly. Regardless, the revelation does paint a gloomy picture of Lesnar’s future.
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