Brock Lesnar re-signs with WWE, ends MMA career

MANILA, Philippines – After months of speculation, Brock Lesnar has decided to close the door on the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by signing a new deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

The 37-year-old Lesnar broke the news during a live interview on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” program, but the contract’s terms and details were not disclosed.

“It was a very hard decision for me. It’s hard to talk about it. The fighter inside of me wants to compete. I’m an older caveman now, so I make wiser caveman decisions. I’m here to say that my legacy in the Octagon is over,” he said.

Under the UFC banner, Lesnar (5-3) had 7 bouts over nearly four years, but he saw his mixed martial arts (MMA) career interrupted by diverticulitis, a common digestive disease, which involves the formation of pouches within the bowel wall.

The former NCAA Division I wrestler knocked out Randy Couture to capture the heavyweight title at UFC 91 in November 2008 and successfully defended the belt twice before losing the gold-plated strap to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 in October 2010.

Lesnar had his final promotional match in December 2011, suffering a technical knockout loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141.

Following his departure from the sport, Lesnar returned to professional wrestling in April 2012 and inked a lucrative limited-appearance agreement with WWE, where he is now reigning as its world heavyweight champion.

His previous WWE contract was scheduled to expire at the end of the month, prompting countless headlines regarding a potential return to the UFC.

The rumors about Lesnar’s comeback heightened this past February when the 6-foot-3 behemoth expressed his interest in competing once again and showed up at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California for UFC 184, which Ronda Rousey headlined the event and defeated Cat Zingano in just 14 seconds.

Lesnar insisted that his presence was not a negotiating ploy to squeeze more money out of either employer, but he wanted a chance to experience what he had been missing since leaving the organization.

“It wasn’t a contractual move or a bartering pitch. For me, I wanted to feel that energy. It just so happened it was Ronda Rousey. If it would have been anybody, I would have gone to the fight,” he disclosed.

However, Lesnar admitted that he is in top shape to take an MMA bout as he has been training for the past two months.

“For the last two months, I’ve been training to get back in the Octagon. I felt physically great, but something lacked mentally, and that’s not good,” he shared.

Lesnar is scheduled to be in the main event of WWE’s 31st annual WrestleMania against Roman Reigns on Monday morning, March 30 (PH Time) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

“My legacy this Sunday at WrestleMania will not be my last,” he stated.” At the end of the day, I’m really happy where I’m at with the WWE.” – Rappler.com