Brock Lesnar gained the attention he wanted when he destroyed Heath Herring at UFC 87. Several questions were answered about Lesnar's evolving skill set, but one gigantic question emerged.
The top MMA minds from Bleacher Report weigh in on the question: Will Brock Lesnar ever be UFC Heavyweight Champion?
Jason Cottier:
Brock Lesnar is a physical specimen. He is huge, unimaginably strong, and an excellent wrestler. I really hate to admit it, because so many people give him so much credit before it's due, but he is amazingly talented.
I am at a crossroads here, because when people get to talking about someone being the next heavyweight champion after his first big fight—one that he lost at that—it really makes me want to see him stay at the level he is at.
Lesnar's whole problem is that he knows he is freakishly strong, and he was able to fend off arm bar attempts using just strength alone. I think Lesnar may just be too cocky to be champion.
As long as Big Nog is the UFC champion Lesnar really doesn't have a chance. I watched the fight where Bob Sapp dropped Nog on his head, and just bullied him around. Then, I saw Nog get Sapp in an arm bar and tap him out.
I do realize in turn that Lesnar is totally different that Sapp in his background, and well as his quickness and speed, but I truly believe that Sapp is just as strong, if not stronger than Lesnar.
If Sapp couldn't power out of Nog's grip, Lesnar won't be able to do it either. Lesnar really needs to work on his submission defense, and prove to everyone that he truly is a well-rounded fighter if he ever wants to be even considered for a title shot.
Lesnar can be stopped by a good striker that has good take-down defense. So far in these fights he has shown great take-downs, and excellent wrestling. His g-n-p needs work, and his standup really needs improving, because catching someone with a really strong punch doesn't prove anything. Hitting hard and having great wrestling ability doesn't make a good fighter. He really needs to hone the skills he does have.
Kevin Curran:
Brock Lesnar is the true enigma of MMA. He has so many skills behind him including incredible wrestling skills, scary size, and overwhelming power and speed. He is the full package.
He does have some serious weaknesses though. One of these was weakness on the ground. Sure Mir is one of the greatest submission artists of all time, but if Lesnar wants to be a champ he’ll have to correct his BJJ weakness. Also, he showed over anxiousness. He attacked Mir and did not bother to slow the pace down and use effective ground and pound. Instead he just tried to pound him into dust. If that fight had gone long he would not have been able to keep that pace.
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