UFC
Who could be MMA's biggest draw if Brock Lesnar retires?
Regular Lowkickers remember the question I asked last week. Can MMA's elite be as popular as Manny Pacquiao? Now is the perfect time for someone to step to the plate with the biggest draw in our sport's history now out indefinitely. As announced in an emergency UFC conference call, Brock Lesnar for a second time has been diagnosed with diverticulosis. For the main event at UFC 131, Lesnar has been switched with Shane Carwin to face Junior dos Santos.
Now I'm no medical expert by any means and all my info comes from Wikipedia and various medical sites. But what I got from my research is that diverticulosis is disease in the colon. Sharp and unbearable pain in the abdomen due to leaking fecal matter, severe diarrhea, constipation, and in some extreme cases even death can come from this disease.
During Lesnar's first diagnosis, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion refused to go through surgery. He managed to recover and defend his title at UFC 116 against Shane Carwin. Lesnar barely managed to win his belt back against Carwin. Then at UFC 121 his flaws were truly exposed against Cain Velasquez to whom he lost is championship. Most recently we've been following him closely on the 13th season of The Ultimate Fighter with opposing coach and title contender Junior dos Santos.
Since making his MMA debut at K-1 Dynamite USA against Min-Soo Kim from a successful WWE career, Brock Lesnar has been surrounded by controversy. Many fans and experts feel like the former WWE Superstar and NCAA wrestler doesn't deserve the opportunities given to him. We are all very familiar with his success and antics in his short time in the sport. Love him or hate him we cannot deny the fact that he is Mixed Martial Arts' biggest draw to date and also the highest paid fighter in its short history.
Due to Brock's age (34) and this life altering surgery, the chances of him making a return to the Octagon are looking bleak. If this is the end of Lesnar's MMA story, the sport will need a new attraction. Who will be the next one? The one that will keep the fans and mainstream media talking? Who will be the one to put big bucks in the pockets of the organization? Names like Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem will need to step up their game in order to fill the big shoes that Brock Lesnar could be leaving behind.
Disagree with what I think? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below and let's discuss this matter further.
Photo: UFC fighter Brock Lesnar during a training session before UFC 116 on June 30, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Francis Specker
Jon 'BONES' Jones Reply 1 year ago
his PPV where always strong yes but lets remember the ones he was in first were big events with big names on it
like UFC 81 with Sylvia and Big Nog fighting for the interim belt.
Then the next one was GSP on it ufc 87 and did ok.
then next one was not that big of a draw for PPV's UFC 91 where Randy was in.
UFC 100 was a big event overall not only because of Lesnar
GSP was also on the card.
and UFC 116 and 121 did good but nothing extraordinary. Reply 1 year ago
Dont think Silva has much left (already talking about retiring,his age,etc) Reply 1 year ago
Alistair might not be the UFC champion but if he wins the HW tournament he will become notorious in America, his style is really exciting to watch, and he has a huge market outside the States already, casual MMA fans are getting to know him and a fight for the UFC title could put him on top of the money if he wins, now I am not saying that this is the only way it could go but money wisely it would be the easiest to get huge draws... Reply 1 year ago
I'm usually not a fan of reality based shows but Overeem's show is very intriguing to watch. Reply 1 year ago
Shockingly, Rampage isn't mentioned in this article. IMO he fits the profile perfectly. Has outside movie influence, is a polarising figure, entertaining and is always in the title contention mix with his heavy hands and takedown defence. Reply 1 year ago
At family outings back in the day, they would hold these little Grand Prixs, and with me participating it'd have the feel of a UFC 1 tournament (Boxer vs. Judoka/Karateka). Reply 1 year ago
If he does retire, Cain and GSP are big draws.
Bones will be a huge draw in a year or two if he carrys on fighting crime, as well as winning. Reply 1 year ago
Brock was divisive because he was a 'bad guy' for the fans to hate on.
GSP is divisive only in the sense that he has fans raging at each other over whether his performances are worth praising or criticising.
Cain is exciting but is kinda lacking a personality. Same with Frankie although his performances have been awesome. Anderson is a big draw but it is mediated by him not being an American champion.
The answer in all likelihood is Jon Jones. His fights are exciting and he has a strong personality. Before I would have said he was too much of a nice guy but this whole Rashad silliness has left him not quite as swueaky clean as he used to seem. But that provides more interest and gives him a better storyline.
With another strong title defense or two Jones could come into his own. Reply 1 year ago
Only MMA fans know MMA fighters,where as someone like Brock, you not only draw the MMA fans but millions of fans who did not even watch MMA.
Considering that, it's only a wild guess to who will decide to cross over and bring some success. I have the feeling we wont know until we see them cross over successfully. Reply 1 year ago
there's a massive argument on the reasons and differences of opinion but that is mine as its most obvious...yes,there may be kids that watch ufc+ other mma events but only because 'dads' into it and lets them or they go out of their way to download events...they find a way.
back to point...in my opinion, and this wont happen because of ufc's view on women fighting...GINA CARANO could be the next biggest brand IF she were allowed to compete inside UFC.
she has a wealth of celebrity status now from strikeforce,red faction (the computer game) and obviously gladiators...im sure shes done a bunch of tv/cartoon and movies parts as well...she's the hottest mma fighter to date and has a background and strong enough following to carry the flag...not forgetting that her pop's (didnt) played for the dolphins, therefore having a football connection as well Reply 1 year ago
AS
JA
Cain
JJ Reply 1 year ago