Brock Lesnar is not returning to UFC.
Lesnar, 37, appeared on ESPN SportsCenter to announce his brand new multi-year contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.
“I’m officially closing the door on UFC. I re-signed last night with WWE.” – Brock Lesnar #LIVEonSC pic.twitter.com/JnT9Iys1Ph
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 24, 2015
.@BrockLesnar is a global attraction. Happy to have him re-sign a multi-year contract with @WWE. @espn @MichelleDBeadle
— Triple H (@TripleH) March 24, 2015
There was a lot of speculation that Brock Lesnar would be returning to the Octagon. Lesnar appeared at UFC 184 after having a publicly reported argument with Vince McMahon and not showing up for a WWE Raw television appearance. It was reported by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer that the argument was likely over Lesnar’s future contract. Some writers on the WWE Creative team were worried Lesnar would not show up to WrestleMania 31.
The brand new contract now puts what was once an obvious finish to WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara, California Sunday night into a question mark as to whether Lesnar is going to retain his WWE World Heavyweight championship. Lesnar will be wrestling Roman Reigns in the main event with his manager Paul Heyman.
There was hope from Dana White, President of UFC, that Lesnar would be re-signing but Lesnar was quoted on ESPN to say his days as a UFC fighter were over.
“I’m here to say my legacy in The Octogon is over … I re-signed last night with @WWE.” – @BrockLesnar @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/FAxmZYaqeB
— WWE (@WWE) March 24, 2015
Lesnar made his WWE debut in 2002, becoming WWE champion and wrestling in the main event of WrestleMania XIX. Lesnar quit the WWE in 2004 due to the traveling schedule and attempted to make a debut in the National Football League. When that failed, he returned to pro wrestling in Japan before making his UFC debut in 2008. Lesnar won the UFC Heavyweight championship and is recognized as one of the biggest draws in UFC history. After suffering from diverticulitis and a string of losses, Lesnar retired from MMA in 2011 and returned to the WWE in 2012.
Lesnar has had a rollercoaster ride since returning to the WWE. First losing some high profile matches against John Cena and Triple H, Lesnar eventually became the first man to ever beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30 last year. The unexpected win shocked the pro wrestling world and made it clear that Lesnar was now one of the most dominant men in WWE history. Lesnar followed up his win at WrestleMania by beating John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. Despite working a part-time contract, Lesnar has been presented as absolutely dominant in his matches. His opponent at WrestleMania 31, Roman Reigns, has received general doubt and scrutiny from many fans.
Lesnar had been giving former WWE wrestler and new UFC signee CM Punk advice on his debut in Mixed Martial Arts.
Photo by Miguel Descart of Flickr
