Jim Ross Is Absolutely Right About Brock Lesnar's WWE-UFC Future

Brock Lesnar stands at a fork in the road, one path circling back to WWE, the other taking him to UFC again. While he mulls that choice over, Jim Ross has offered him some on-the-nose advice.

The world champ's future feels especially unclear after a reported backstage spat with Vince McMahon that led to his leaving last week's Raw before his scheduled appearance, per F4WOnline (h/t Wrestling Inc). If WWE can't shell out the millions it did for him last time around, the MMA world would certainly be happy to welcome back Lesnar and his star power.

While UFC offers the lure of possible redemption, WWE's controlled environment means more assured success and longevity. Ross, for one, believes that WWE is the better option for The Beast Incarnate, and it's hard to argue with him.  

He wrote on his blog, "At Brock's age and with his past medical history, I'd recommend him to re-sign with WWE."

The Hall of Famer announcer mentioned WWE's being the safer route but also discussed money. He talked about Lesnar's potential to reach a wider audience each time out and possibly turn that into better endorsement deals.

Ross said, "More people will see Brock wrestling on Raw than will ever see him on any UFC PPV. The number of eyes on Lesnar via WWE over a 12-month period will blow away the numbers that he would garner in UFC or in Bellator." 

As much as pro wrestling is viewed by some as a niche medium, it does bring in scores of eyes, as Ross says. 

Dave Meltzer called UFC 183 "a major business success" on MMAFighting.com; the estimate is that the event earned between 600,000 and 700,000 pay-per-view buys. Raw outdoes that weekly. As noted on PWInsider, the last three editions of Raw have garnered 3.8, 4.1 and 3.99 million viewers,respectively.

Those are the stats Lesnar's agent can bring to his sponsors in order to up his current deals.

It's not economics, though, that is the biggest factor in making WWE a better home; it's the certainty of the squared circle versus the uncertainty that awaits him in the Octagon.

Lesnar last fought for UFC in 2011. The lasting image he left behind that night is of his hands curled up to protect his face as Alistair Overeem's fists hammered away at him.

That followed a similar scene in the fight before that, in which Cain Velasquez left Lesnar's face painted with blood.

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Now 37 years old, having not fought in years, can Lesnar avoid that fate the next time out? He doesn't know. He can't know.

In one potential narrative, he redeems himself, storming back into the heavyweight division. In another, he finds himself pinned against the cage, a younger fighter peppering him with hands of stone.

The stories waiting for him at WWE are more appealing than that last one. Count Bleacher Report's Big Nasty as among those who think WWE is the better fit, noting that the company can present Lesnar as a destroyer: 

Whether Lesnar destroys or is destroyed at UFC is something only the clairvoyant know.

Doubts linger as the powerhouse considers re-entering the Octagon. Although Meltzer argues on MMAFighting.com that WWE's current economic status may make UFC more viable, he also writes that "the age and time off is a huge issue." He adds, "Lesnar isn't going to be nearly as freakishly fast as he was then, nor as good a wrestler."

He has thrived in his latest WWE run, crafting a number of a masterworks in the ring and exuding an elite presence. And while he certainly had success as an MMA fighter, the safe bet is that he will not thrive in that sport. Lesnar was born to be a pro wrestler; he's tremendous at it.

WWE and MMA writer Jonathan Snowden hit the nail on the head:

"

Real Talk: Lesnar is a way better pro wrestler than he is a UFC fighter. If he leaves WWE it will be a travesty.

— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) January 26, 2015"

Ross is often right when it comes to anything wrestling related. He is again here. Unfinished business may lure Lesnar to UFC, but WWE is the smarter, safer route.

The choice may seem clear, but you try telling him what to do.