Dana White Says Brock Lesnar Is Retired
When Brock Lesnar shoved Daniel Cormier inside the Octagon after the conclusion of UFC 226 back in 2018, we all thought “The Beast Incarnate’s” return to the MMA is inevitable. However, the plan of their highly anticipated bout is off the table as UFC president Dana White told ESPN earlier today that former UFC heavyweight champion and WWE star is officially retired.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani first reported the news then shortly after Brett Okamoto confirmed it after speaking with UFC head honcho. Now UFC is looking to book Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic rematch.
Story coming to https://t.co/tzuIcRazJx shortly from @bokamotoESPN and I: Brock Lesnar’s return is not likely anymore. UFC is moving on. Barring a last-minute Hail Mary, the dream is no more.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 1, 2019
Dana White: “Brock Lesnar told me he’s done. He’s retiring.”
UFC pivoting interest in Cormier’s next fight to Stipe Miocic rematch. Story coming via myself and @arielhelwani shortly.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 1, 2019
“He told me he’s done, he’s retired,” White told ESPN. “We’re going to move in another direction with Cormier.”
This news is a bit of a shock considering Lesnar recently lost his WWE title at Wrestlemania 35. Following that setback MMA world started speculating that Lesnar would return to the UFC.
Lesnar last fought in the MMA back in July 2016 at UFC 200 where he earned a unanimous decision win over Mark Hunt however the results turned over to no contest after he failed two USADA drug tests.
Now the big money fight is gone sideways, Miocic would get a much-anticipated rematch with Daniel Cormier. Since losing his title to “DC” Stipe has been campaigning to get a redo with Cormier. He got so much burning fire inside him that he even didn’t compete in those nine months.
Cormier made it known that he’d retire March of this year, but nagging injuries and the uncertainty of Lesnar’s return hindered those plans.
