Brock Lesnar: 10 Reasons the Sports World Is Ready To Embrace Lesnar and MMA
With Brock Lesnar set to defend his UFC championship this Saturday at UFC 121 against Cain Velasquez we'll see if he can continue his dominating run in MMA.
Lesnar is one of the most popular figures in MMA and he's helped draw plenty of people to the sport and make a lot of money for himself and the UFC.
Mixed Martial Arts have always been on the fringe of sports but is slowly being accepted by the mainstream sports people and inside I give you 10 reasons why Lesnar will help get MMA to that promised land.
No. 10: Decline of Boxing
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We all know that boxing isn't what it used to be. When the biggest boxing story is about a fight that hasn't even been agreed to, you know the sport is in trouble.
Boxing doesn't have the same type of personalities that it used to and there's no fighter that's a must-watch every time he steps into the ring. However, you get that with MMA and Brock Lesnar.
I know that when Lesnar is fighting, I'm watching and it's the same way for a lot of people. He's worth watching just based on his sheer size and then once the bell rings it's even more impressive. With the decline of boxing, something has to fill the void, and it's MMA and Lesnar.
No. 9: Comeback Story
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This Saturday night's fight will be Brock Lesnar's second fight in sometime after coming back from an intestinal ailment, diverticulitis.
Lesnar was deathly ill and lost over 40 pounds and was on the verge of a career-ending surgery. However, before he went under the knife, doctors told him that the affected area had healed and that he could continue to fight in the UFC.
The media loves comeback stories and Lesnar's is a big one. He became champion and almost lost it all, including his life, before recovering to fight again. It's a great story and I'm sure we'll hear more of it the closer we get to the fight.
No. 8: Cash Cow
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When you make money, you get national attention and Brock Lesnar does nothing but print money for the UFC.
Lesnar has had three fights in Las Vegas and they are among the seven richest gate draws in MMA's history in Nevada. The three fights have made nearly $14 million at the gate and then two million buys on pay-per-view at nearly $50 each.
That is a ton of money based just off of one man's name. Lesnar is a huge draw in the MMA community and it won't be long before other companies are trying to latch on to Lesnar and get a piece of the pie. Money creates popularity. It's as simple as that.
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No. 7: Dedicated
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When Brock Lesnar joined the UFC, there were a lot of question as to whether this was just a publicity stunt to get a big name into the company to try and sell tickets and pay-per-view buys.
Lesnar was looked at as a freakshow but he proved all of the doubters wrong and became dedicated to the sport and trained hard to improve the flaws in his attack and his defense and became the UFC champion. Hard work is always appreciated and praised in sports and when that person is the face of the company, it helps sell the public on the sport.
Lesnar is a hard worker first and a champion second.
No. 6: Dominating
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When you watch Brock Lesnar fight, dominating is the only word that comes to mind.
Lesnar just pounded his opponent into the dirt and he does it without mercy. He just sneaks one big blow in and before his opponent knows it, he's on the ground getting pounded by Lesnar's massive hands. It's speed and power and he just overwhelms his opponents.
When someone's just dominant, like Mike Tyson was in boxing, that person become a national sensation and the more Lesnar fights, it will catch on.
No. 5: Controversial
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After Brock Lesnar beat Frank Mir in a rematch, and didn't just beat him, but pounded him until the fight had to be stopped, Lesnar set off a firestorm within the MMA community.
He proceeded to give a one-finger salute to the crowd numerous times and then in the post-fight interview, ripped the sponsors, saying "I'm gonna go home and drink a Coors Light because Bud Light don't pay me nothing."
It infuriated UFC president Dana White and created a ton of controversy and controversy is a big money maker. It draws attention and all press is good press.
No. 4: Athleticism
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Brock Lesnar is a pure athlete, plain and simple.
He was an amateur wrestler and a football player and now an MMA star. When you have that many talents, and are that skilled at all of them (minus his ill-fated NFL tryout), you're bound to draw some attention.
Lesnar is pure talent and that type of athlete is sure to become famous and draw attention. It's hard to miss Lesnar and then once you watch him, he almost leaps off the screen. That type of talent can sell people on a sport and make it more than a brawl with rules.
No. 3: Fighting Style
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When Brock Lesnar steps in to fight and that bell rings he is a mix of quickness and pure power.
Lesnar hits people with fists the size of hams and just knocks his opponent off balance. If he gets you on the ground, he will finish you off and he's even worked in some submission holds, something he didn't have at the start of his career.
Lesnar is all power and it's something that really gives the crowd a show. It's good for highlights and it's something the UFC can sell.
No. 2: Personality
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Brock Lesnar isn't exactly what you'd call a friendly person.
He's rough around the edges, he's grumpy at times and if you anger him or slight him, you'll know about it. While he's become more media savvy and friendly in recent months, he said he's still "the same ornery SOB" who "still hates you guys," according to the Los Angeles Times.
People like bad boys and there's no one badder in the UFC than Brock Lesnar. he's not afraid to make gestures to the crowd and insult the people who help pay his checks. That's something people like to see. People like unpredictability.
No. 1: Past Popularity
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Brock Lesnar used to be "The Next Big Thing" and that wasn't when he joined the UFC.
Lesnar used to be a WWE superstar and champion and that's how he made his name in American pop culture. He was an employee of Vince McMahon and that's how most people know him and why a lot of people watch his fights.
When Lesnar tried out for the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN covered it because he was a former WWE employee. Lesnar has brought over wrestling fans that remember him. It has helped make him as famous as he is, regardless of his feelings about his time in the WWE.
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