UFC 141: Will Brock Lesnar Ever Be the Force He Once Was?

It was June 2nd, 2007 when Brock Lesnar entered the sport of mixed martial arts for the very first time.

Fans across the globe were skeptical as to how good Lesnar could actually be: He was coming from a pro-wrestling background where the outcome was already predetermined.

But, Lesnar proved his critics wrong and was declared victorious in his first bout over Min-Soo Kim via knockout just a little over a minute into Round 1. Lesnar would join the UFC in his very next fight only proving that he wasn't ready for the highest level of mixed martial arts—he was submitted in the very first round by Frank Mir at UFC 81.

However, once again it was Lesnar who proved his critics wrong.

He would put on a historic run to the top of the UFC heavyweight division by defeating Heath Herring and eventually Randy Couture to be declared the new heavyweight champion.

Lesnar would go on to defend his title two consecutive fights before being dethroned by Cain Velasquez at UFC 121.

Many believe Lesnar never recovered. They believed his career was coming to an end.

Over time, Lesnar would suffer from a very serious illness known as diverticulitis. In fact, it would cause Lesnar to be out for more than a year.

But he is attempting to return to the Brock Lesnar we all once knew.

Lesnar will now be entering the Octagon to take on highly-dangerous striker Alistair Overeem on December 30th, 2011.

It will be the first time Lesnar makes an appearance inside the Octagon in 14 months. It's not hard to question if Lesnar will ever be the fighter he once was.

And, unfortunately for Lesnar, while Overeem has never taken part in a UFC bout, he remains one of the best strikers in the world. After being off for such a long period of time and undergoing a serious sickness, it leaves UFC fans across the globe with one question...

Will Brock Lesnar ever be the force he once was?