WWE's Jim Ross Talks About Brock Lesnar's Battle with Diverticulitis

In his latest blog entry, WWE commentator Jim Ross talked about Brock Lesnar battling diverticulitis for a second time.

Ross referred to the “gastrointestinal ailment” as a “devastating foe.”  “Good ole’ JR” is speaking from experience, as he had to have 13 inches of his large intestine removed after a brutal bout with the disease.

Given the relative obscurity of the disease, many fans can probably appreciate the fact that Ross shed some light on what diverticulitis actually is:

“Diverticulitis is weak places in the wall of the colon that give away under pressure to form marble sized pouches that protrude through the colon wall.”

Ross also indicated that if caught early, the treatment isn't all that serious. 

“Mild cases of the ailment can be cured, as a rule, via rest, diet (little red meat, no nuts or seeds, etc), and via the use of antibiotics.”

Ross stated many attribute the initial stomach pain associated with diverticulitis to stress, which can lead to surgery being required down the line.

If the condition is left to worsen, “At some point the body must be freed of the toxins, essentially poisons, that take over one's internal organs,” Ross explained, describing why surgery often becomes a necessity.

In Ross’s case, his gastroenterologist told him months after surgery that he had let the condition get so bad that he “had about 30 days to live.”

At this point in the interview, Ross began to address his thoughts on Brock Lesnar. 

“Brock Lesnar's greatest gift, and the same goes for us all, is his health. He can't be the husband, father, son, brother or friend that he desires to be if he loses his health or more importantly his life to this affliction.”

While Ross said that he wouldn't be surprised to see Brock have “the bad stuff” removed via surgery, he doesn't see the severity of the disease or Lesnar’s age (33) as reasons for him to end his career prematurely.

Expressing his confidence in the former NCAA wrestling champion, Ross stated:

“Brock Lesnar isn't the average guy. Trust me on this assessment. There's nothing 'average' about Brock Lesnar and when he does return to the Octagon it will be a massive story for the UFC and all MMA fans.”

Ross also said, “It should also be duly noted that Lesnar will not come back for merely a payday, but instead will come back ready to resume his journey to regain the UFC Heavyweight Title.”

Ross called the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, where Lesnar is getting treatment, “the world’s best” and he expects Lesnar to “return to the Octagon sometime in 2012.”

Inevitably, Ross took a moment to address the rumors that Lesnar may be back in the WWE, as opposed to the UFC, when he is healthy again. 

JR could not have been much clearer when he stated:

“Brock is a UFC fighter. Brock was born to be a UFC fighter. Brock will be a UFC fighter until he decides otherwise.”

Ross did address the fact that there is no guarantee that Lesnar would return to the UFC, but he feels that the idea that Lesnar might make a Wrestlemania appearance down the line is “pure speculation” and “wishful thinking.”

He then also emphatically stated “This I do know....Brock Lesnar will NEVER return to a full time travel schedule for ANY job and that includes WWE.”

Ross reiterated that he thinks that Lesnar will beat this disease again, but also asked his readers to “keep Lesnar in your thoughts and prayers.”

JR also seemed excited to see Shane Carwin filling in for Lesnar on short notice.  He said the key to Carwin beating Dos Santos would be to utilize his often overlooked takedowns, instead of focusing on his punching power.

In closing, Ross also tossed out an endorsement to the current UFC heavyweight champion: "whether it be Carwin, Dos Santos or a healthy Brock Lesnar, Cain Velásquez is going to be extremely hard to unseat."