BROCK LESNAR might be a member of both the UFC and WWE rosters, but he certainly doesn’t seem to have much concern if one career helps or hinders the other.
Lesnar (5-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) makes his return to MMA competition for the first time since December 2011 when he faces Mark Hunt (12-10-1 MMA, 7-4-1 UFC) in the UFC 200 co-main event.
When asked if he thinks a loss could negative impact his image as a professional wrestler with WWE, Lesnar gave a concise and simple response.
“I really don’t give a (expletive),” Lesnar said on today’s UFC 200 media conference call.
UFC 200 takes place July 9 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Although WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon recently told Business Insider the company is “not supporting” Lesnar transition back to MMA after he announced his retirement from the sport in October, the former UFC heavyweight champion has made it clear he’s not coming back to fighting to appease anyone other than himself.
Health issues plagued Lesnar’s first UFC run, primarily a battle with diverticulitis. He said he feels better than ever and wants to showcase as much in the octagon, and if McMahon or anyone else takes issue with that, Lesnar claims that’s not his problem.
“I don’t know, I don’t care what she says,” Lesnar said in response to McMahon’s statement.
Whether he wins or loses at UFC 200, Lesnar, 37, said not much is going to change with his career going forward. He will remain contracted to WWE and has already committed to a number of dates in the weeks beyond his showdown with Hunt.
What does remain a mystery, though, is whether Lesnar will fight again for the UFC after he faces Hunt, who is No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings. Lesnar wasn’t willing to make a firm commitment one way or another, and that’s because right now his sole focus is to deliver a winning performance at UFC 200.
“I really haven’t given it much thought, I really haven’t,” Lesnar said. “Nothing’s going to change really. I’m looking forward to just stepping in the cage again. I’m waiting for that moment for the door to shut. Ask me after the fight. I don’t what the hell is going to happen.”
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