Could Brock Lesnar Boost Bellator Past UFC?
Love him or hate him, Brock Lesnar’s name has great value. The former UFC heavyweight champion stepped away from mixed martial arts in 2011 following his loss to Alistair Overeem. There has been speculation of Lesnar taking another run in the sport as his WWE contract is nearing expiration. With Bellator hot on the UFC’s trail in becoming the “top gun”, Scott Coker knows how big this signing would be if his company could snatch Lesnar.
Coker told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that Bellator has expressed interest in the heavyweight superstar. On Coker’s interest of Lesnar: “I would say, look, any fighter that’s out there or any star athlete – not star athlete in the sense of a baseball player, but like a Brock Lesnar – that really wants to fight, we’re going to have a conversation with them. Because if they can move the needle, we’re going to want them on Spike TV.”
Lesnar may find greater success in Bellator as he is nearing 38 years of age
Lesnar is no spring chicken though. At 37 years old, his body has been through vigorous wear-and-tear during his professional wrestling and mixed martial arts stints. The UFC heavyweight division is stacked right now with a deep pool, including interim heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, champion Cain Velasquez, Junior Dos Santos, Stipe Miocic, and Travis Browne, only to name a few. Lesnar could greatly benefit going into Bellator’s heavyweight division and finding more success building up his 5-3 professional record.
There are many opponents that Bellator could pit against Lesnar, and bring in a high volume of viewers. Opponents such as Vitaly Minakov, Cheick Kongo, Alexander Volkov, or even Lavar Johnson and James Thompson (two physically big, strong fighters that would be a clash of the titans).
Do not be surprised if Lesnar announces his interest in returning to the mixed martial arts scene and do not be surprised if Dana White is not the only one looking to sign the huge draw in Brock Lesnar. Remember, Coker has succeeded in signing big named fighters that White and the UFC have failed to bring in, Fedor Emelianenko being the biggest. Coker has potential in turning Bellator into a “Pride FC” type of threat to the UFC, especially with the financial backing from Viacom.
