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ROUNDTABLE: Thoughts on Brock Lesnar potentially returning to the UFC while still with WWE
May 31, 2012 - 5:15:42 PM ROUNDTABLE: Thoughts on Brock Lesnar potentially returning to the UFC while still with WWE

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What are your thoughts on Brock Lesnar potentially returning to the UFC while still being involved with the WWE?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Don't know. Don't care. Loved Brock's impact on the UFC, but right now he's a ghost. If there's a seance that brings him back to life (and by life I mean "to the UFC") ask me then. As for now, I have as much interest in Brock Lesnar as I have in any other retired mixed martial artist.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I don't think it would be a good move; I think it would be a brilliant move. It's a win-win for all involved. The first thing we all need to do is throw out the idea of Brock ever challenging for the UFC Heavyweight Title, that's not going to happen. Brock would have to make tremendous strides in his game, and it doesn't look like time is on his side. If the UFC approaches this like Brock is a special attraction that they could use to help move some PPVs, they've got the right idea. This is much the same way that the UFC should have used Kimbo Slice as a special attraction to help garner viewers on their free TV cards. The UFC should partner any potential Brock fight with fights featuring great, but relatively unknown UFC fighters. That way they up the profile of those guys and expose them to many more eyeballs. WWE benefits by having a UFC fighter around sometimes for big matches and the UFC benefits by wrestling fans interested in seeing Brock fight.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I know the UFC needs Lesnar back in order to sell pay-per-views. Alistair Overeem is out of action until next year. GSP is out until much later this year. Anderson Silva may be out of his title fight with Sonnen because of a leg injury. Vitor Belfort is out of his fight with Wanderlei Silva because he broke his hand. That is all really bad news for the UFC and the buy rates for pay-per-views the rest of 2012. I have never hid my feelings about Lesnar I am not a fan. I am a huge fan of MMA and the UFC though. Right now they both need Lesnar. If the UFC can get Lesnar to fight two times this year then they should. Who else can they bring in that will have an immediate impact on the sport? I think they will bring him in and give him easier fights like Roy Nelson or even Stefan Struve. I do not think the fact that Lesnar is still in the WWE will factor into the UFC's decision to bring him back.


GRIFFIN MARSH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'm all for Brock doing both. I have a hard time seeing Dana allowing it to happen, but hypothetically, I'd love to see him do both. He's talented at both. Being an actor and a fighter could give him exactly what he wants out of life. So I guess my final answer is: POWER TO YA BROCK, should you decide to do both Sports Entertainment and UFC.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I think its a WWE marketing hoax. Vince McMahon does not like talent to appear in other organizations, like CM Punk trying to walk out with Chael Sonnen in January. I think its being used as an advertising tactic by WWE maybe with the permission of Dana White or perhaps without. Either way the only fight for him if he returns is the final trifecta war with Frank Mir.


ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

The UFC brass should sign Brock Lesnar to fight on their next FOX card, as well as in a pay-per-view rubber match against Frank Mir. Not signing Lesnar doesn't make sense in terms of short-term profit, nor in terms of preserving the FOX deal. All this assumes, of course, that Lesnar is legally able to compete in the UFC.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

Brock Lesnar was in attendance at the MGM Arena on Saturday night for one reason only, and that's self promotion. I can't see how his personal circumstances and health issues have changed so much since he made his decision last December. I am in no way a fan of WWE but I know enough to say that Vince McMahon is a very astute businessman. Having Lesnar show up anywhere causes interest, so having him show up at an all Heavyweight UFC card is nothing but free and easy promotion for a fading company. I'm bored of reading MMA stories surrounding Brock Lesnar, and hopefully this one dies a quick death before the week is out. For the record I'd rather watch a game of Baseball!


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

First of all, I'm fairly certain that this isn't actually going to happen. From what I've gathered, it sounds like Brock Lesnar may have just been posturing to get a bit more out of his deal with WWE.

That being said, I can't imagine why WWE would even allow Lesnar to fight while under contract. If Lesnar books a fight with the UFC, he'll be unavailable for about three months for his camp and then a bit afterward for recovery. That's a long time that he'd be off the table and if he actually loses for the third time in a row (fourth time if you count John Cena) it would really hurt his image from a pro wrestling perspective.

From an MMA fan's perspective, who even cares? The book has been written on what Lesnar can and can't do in MMA. He hasn't gotten any better at fighting since he retired and he isn't getting any younger either. We already know Lesnar would get thoroughly trounced by guys like Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem and Daniel Cormier. Hell, at this point I think Mark Hunt would beat him too.

The whole Brock Lesnar/UFC ship has sailed for me and as a fight fan, I could do without the distraction.

[Brock Lesnar art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]