UFC 200: Brock Lesnar Teases Fight with Hunt Could be Start to a Longer Run
UFC 200: Brock Lesnar Teases Fight with Hunt Could be Start to a Longer Run
Former UFC heavyweight Brock Lesnar hinted that his fight with Mark Hunt could be the start to a longer run.
By Jim Edwards
All ten fighters on the UFC 200 main card today gathered for a press conference at the MGM Grand and while the stage hosted no fewer that four UFC title holders, it was the returning Brock Lesnar who stole the headlines.
Lesnar came smartly dressed in a three-piece suit and seemed to be enjoying being back in the UFC fold as he laughed, smiled and played to the crowd throughout the forty-five minutes of media questions.
"I feel good, I feel great and it's good to be back," Lesnar said. "There's nothing else to say, I feel great and I just can't wait for Saturday night. "When I left the sport, I love the sport, so it's just been a part of me. I never really left.
"I've worked with Pat Barry, Greg Nelson whenever it worked out for me to hit mitts so I've been working on things absolutely. It wasn't like I just called all these people up. I worked with them ever since I left the Octagon."
Much of the talk since it was announced Lesnar would return has been whether he was back for just a one-off appearance at UFC 200 or whether he was contemplating a longer run back in the organization. Lesnar was asked the question again today but he still resisted giving a firm answer.
"It's maybe a teaser," Lesnar said. "We'll see what happens. I have no idea. I'll never say never. We'll see. We'll get through Saturday and we'll see what happens. I have no idea. After Saturday, I think I'm booked for August. I don't know."
While staying elusive on whether he was dedicating himself to a longer UFC run, Lesnar had a very straight answer as to why he would be representing Canda and not his birthplace of America on Saturday night.
"It's because I live there," Lesnar said bluntly with a smile on his face. "That's how simple it is." He was then asked if there was any political statement behind his decision, he answered again with a big smile on his face. "I don't want to get into that; keep it simple."
The WWE star was then asked about what his measure of success would be for his return on Saturday night. Lesnar gave one of his more thoughtful answers of the entire press conference and paused for a second before answering.
"Obviously, I'm here to win a fight but I know it's fighting and anything can happen," Lesnar said. "I'm ready for whatever. I don't think it's going to define me. I'm just happy to be here I really am. For me, this is just exciting. I'm on the card for UFC 200.
He added: "I feel f****** awesome. My health is behind me," Lesnar said. "I'm sitting here at UFC 200 soaking it all in. I feel great. It's good to be here. It's good to be back. There's nothing else to say. I feel good, I feel great and that's it.
One of the few times Lesnar got serious was when he was asked about the progression of the sport since UFC 100.
"I think a lot of the credit goes to the fighters and I think Dana would agree," Lesnar said. "Without his stable of fighters and his backbone with the Fertittas, I don't think this company be where it is today and I don't think anyone out there today can disagree with that.
"Without the fighters, the UFC wouldn't be where it is today and without a promoter like Dana, it wouldn't be either. Just look where we are these days. We are getting covered by ESPN and we are all over the world right now. It's plain and simple; everyone has done a good job."
Lesnar's sensible mood didn't last long. His final input into the press conference was a response to a question about how many rounds he had sparred in preparation for his fight with Hunt. His response was typical of his mood today.
"3,000," Lesnar said with a big grin on his face.
All ten fighters on the UFC 200 main card today gathered for a press conference at the MGM Grand and while the stage hosted no fewer that four UFC title holders, it was the returning Brock Lesnar who stole the headlines.
Lesnar came smartly dressed in a three-piece suit and seemed to be enjoying being back in the UFC fold as he laughed, smiled and played to the crowd throughout the forty-five minutes of media questions.
"I feel good, I feel great and it's good to be back," Lesnar said. "There's nothing else to say, I feel great and I just can't wait for Saturday night. "When I left the sport, I love the sport, so it's just been a part of me. I never really left.
"I've worked with Pat Barry, Greg Nelson whenever it worked out for me to hit mitts so I've been working on things absolutely. It wasn't like I just called all these people up. I worked with them ever since I left the Octagon."
Much of the talk since it was announced Lesnar would return has been whether he was back for just a one-off appearance at UFC 200 or whether he was contemplating a longer run back in the organization. Lesnar was asked the question again today but he still resisted giving a firm answer.
"It's maybe a teaser," Lesnar said. "We'll see what happens. I have no idea. I'll never say never. We'll see. We'll get through Saturday and we'll see what happens. I have no idea. After Saturday, I think I'm booked for August. I don't know."
While staying elusive on whether he was dedicating himself to a longer UFC run, Lesnar had a very straight answer as to why he would be representing Canda and not his birthplace of America on Saturday night.
"It's because I live there," Lesnar said bluntly with a smile on his face. "That's how simple it is." He was then asked if there was any political statement behind his decision, he answered again with a big smile on his face. "I don't want to get into that; keep it simple."
The WWE star was then asked about what his measure of success would be for his return on Saturday night. Lesnar gave one of his more thoughtful answers of the entire press conference and paused for a second before answering.
"Obviously, I'm here to win a fight but I know it's fighting and anything can happen," Lesnar said. "I'm ready for whatever. I don't think it's going to define me. I'm just happy to be here I really am. For me, this is just exciting. I'm on the card for UFC 200.
He added: "I feel f****** awesome. My health is behind me," Lesnar said. "I'm sitting here at UFC 200 soaking it all in. I feel great. It's good to be here. It's good to be back. There's nothing else to say. I feel good, I feel great and that's it.
One of the few times Lesnar got serious was when he was asked about the progression of the sport since UFC 100.
"I think a lot of the credit goes to the fighters and I think Dana would agree," Lesnar said. "Without his stable of fighters and his backbone with the Fertittas, I don't think this company be where it is today and I don't think anyone out there today can disagree with that.
"Without the fighters, the UFC wouldn't be where it is today and without a promoter like Dana, it wouldn't be either. Just look where we are these days. We are getting covered by ESPN and we are all over the world right now. It's plain and simple; everyone has done a good job."
Lesnar's sensible mood didn't last long. His final input into the press conference was a response to a question about how many rounds he had sparred in preparation for his fight with Hunt. His response was typical of his mood today.
"3,000," Lesnar said with a big grin on his face.