In 2011, Alistair Overeem knocked out Lesnar with a knee to the body at UFC 141, a blow which ended up forcing Lesnar to retire from the sport and return to professional wrestling. Since then, Lesnar has flirted with returning to MMA but, for one exception, has remained with the WWE, and Overeem thinks this time will be no different.
“I don’t think he’s gonna come back,” Overeem told TMZ Sports. “He’s 43 years old. To be honest, I don’t think he’s gonna come back. The last time he came back, it was a debacle so I don’t think he’s gonna come back. I was wrong about the last time though, because I predicted the same thing. It actually did become a debacle, but we’ll see what happens.”
“The last time he came back” is the lone exception to the rule of Lesnar staying with professional wrestling. In 2016, when the UFC was in dire straits looking to boost their UFC 200 card, they managed to secure his services for a bout with Mark Hunt and, as Overeem said, it was a debacle. Lesnar was given a special exemption from USADA’s normal six-month waiting period, which undermined the validity of drug testing in the first place. On top of that, Lesnar failed two drug tests and was allowed to compete anyway, which in turn led to Mark Hunt suing the UFC, Lesnar being suspended and fined by USADA, and Lesnar retiring once again.
Still, such is the appeal of Lesnar that the prospect of his return has led to much fantasy matchmaking with Dana White suggesting a bout with Jon Jones, while others have thrown out a potential rematch with Overeem. But while Overeem didn’t reject the idea, it’s clear he’s not that interested in a hypothetical rematch, in part because he firmly believes it won’t ever happen.
“I beat him up,” Overeem said. “So if somebody wants a rematch, it would be him. I already did it. Why would I chase him? Who cares about Brock? Which fans? He’s not coming back. He’s 43 years old, he’s flunked tests, it’s over with him. He’s not coming back. Last time the waived the testing for him and still he got into trouble. It’s been a debacle. He’s not gonna come back. Listen, if he does, all hats off to him, but I don’t think he’s gonna come back.”
Instead, Overeem can only concern himself with what’s directly in front of him. This weekend, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion takes on Augusto Sakai in the main event of UFC Vegas 9 as he attempts to make one final run at the UFC title. And though, like Lesnar, Overeem is a little long in the tooth, he says he’s not done quite yet.
“I think I’m the best that I ever was because I’m still learning, I’m still growing,” Overeem concluded. “But at the same time, I’m 40 years old. I still have a couple more fights but probably one, two, maybe three years and then I’m gonna call it quits.”
[h=1]MUST-READ STORIES[/h] $$$. Conor McGregor makes Forbes’ 2020 highest-paid celebrities list at No. 53.
HW. Alistair Overeem would be ‘honored’ to face Jon Jones at heavyweight.
Security. Dana White adds ex-Best Buy employee who thwarted TV thief to UFC security team.
Suspension. Deron Winn gets nine-month suspension, fine for amphetamine positive at UFC 248.
Reefer. Jamahal Hill, Tim Elliott and Luis Pena receive reduced suspensions for marijuana positives.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h] What the Heck.
Top Pride finishes of Overeem.
Top finishes of Phil Davis’ Bellator career.
Cormier’s Last Dance Finale.
Cowboy Cerrone has an apiary because why wouldn’t he?
[h=1]LISTEN UP[/h] Fights Gone By. Discussing the fights that should be happening next.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h] Statements.
For the record I didn’t smoke the day before, or of the fight. my levels were high from dabbing throughout camp for the first time in my career. Lesson learned. Take it from me don’t dab kids #nowyouknow and #knowingishalfthebattle #psa
— Luis Antonio Pena (@violentbobross) September 3, 2020
— Luis Antonio Pena (@violentbobross) September 3, 2020
6 month ain't going to stop what I'm about to do to this division!!! An no I didn't smoke in competition I took the fight on 4 weeks notice stopped immediately and still popped ???... Dabs apparently hit yo system different cuz that seem to be the common factor!!#stillBS #itsweedB
— Jamahal Hill UFC (@JamahalH) September 4, 2020
Leon is mad.— Jamahal Hill UFC (@JamahalH) September 4, 2020
They hide your whole crew in a hotel and rushed you out of the country the next morning you fat little fuck. This the same guy who got open hand slapped and pressed charges? Fucking embarrassing. Twitter thug keep my name out of your mouth https://t.co/CatP9sZegy
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) September 3, 2020
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) September 3, 2020
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) September 3, 2020
View this post on Instagram
??? ???? ???????: ????????? ??? ???? ????, ??? ?? ?????, ? ?? ??????? - ??? ??????? ??????.
A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Sep 4, 2020 at 3:14am PDT
View this post on Instagram
@cody_nolove you think you are going to take my Belt? I go to sleep dreaming of taking your head off!!!! I wake up thinking of knocking you out. my whole day is dedicated to putting you to sleep!!!! Cody vc pensa que vai tirar meu cinturão, Eu durmo e acordo pensando em nocautear vc, Estou focado e determinado a arrancar a tua cabeça
A post shared by Deiveson Figueiredo (@daico_deusdaguerra) on Sep 3, 2020 at 3:35pm PDT
Indeed, I remember hearing about his debut from the womb https://t.co/Yvbsx6m70j
— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) September 3, 2020
Hoped for better.— Chase Hooper (@chase_hooper) September 3, 2020
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h] Ed Herman (24-14, 1 NC) vs. Mike Rodriguez (11-4, 1 NC); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 12.
Sijara Eubanks (5-4) vs. Julia Avila (8-1); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 12.
Claudia Gadelha (18-4) vs. Yan Xiaonan (12-1, 1 NC); UFC Fight Night, Nov. 7.
Ashley Yoder (7-6) vs. Miranda Granger (7-1); UFC Fight Night, Nov. 14.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h] Since Monday is a national holiday in the United States, there won’t be a TMR until Tuesday. Enjoy the fights this weekend and see y’all then.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.
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