Brock Lesnar: 5 Predictions for Lesnar in 2011

Brock Lesnar had quite an interesting 2010. He came back from diverticulitis and defeated Shane Carwin to capture the undisputed heavyweight championship in dramatic fashion. He fought Cain Velasquez and got completely overmatched and was humbled in ways that we have never seen before.

As the calendar moves to 2011, here are five predictions for Brock Lesnar next year.

Lesnar Will Fight Roy Nelson

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: Brock Lesnar holds down Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lesnar defeated Mir by a second round knockout. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

The much-desired fight between Lesnar and Roy Nelson will take place at some point in early 2011, likely in April or May. Both men want this fight to happen, the fans want this fight to happen, Dana White seems intent on giving the fans what they want. Everything lines up for a Lesnar-Nelson fight in the first half of 2011.

Brock Lesnar's Biggest Opponent Will Be...Brock Lesnar

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 13: MMA fighter Brock Lesnar walks in the garage area during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

It seemed like there was nothing that this freakish athlete couldn't do, even in the embryonic stages of his MMA career, he was on fire. Then he fought Cain Velasquez and everything was completely undone.

Cain knocked Brock around and made him look like a ragdoll. Even more important than that was Cain was taken down by Brock and got back up which no doubt rattled Brock almost as much as Cain's right hook. He needs to get over that potential mental roadblock to get back on top.

Brock Lesnar Will Fight Twice in 2011

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 13: MMA fighter Brock Lesnar walks in the garage area during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images for NASCAR)

He will start the year off with a fight against Roy Nelson. His next opponent will be dependent on how things shake out in the heavyweight division. It's too early to say who he might fight after Nelson. I figure that Lesnar would win a fight with Nelson and put himself right back in title contention.

Brock Lesnar Will Rebound in 2011

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: Brock Lesnar holds down Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

It takes a certain kind of fighter to beat Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez laid the blueprint and executed it perfectly. There are not a lot of fighters that can beat around Brock Lesnar because he is so fast. Mir can't do it, Nelson can't do it, dos Santos could do it if the fight stays upright. Brock Lesnar will win and begin to exorcise all the negative demons that are surrounding him now.

Brock Lesnar Will Not Get A Title Fight in 2011

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 13: MMA fighter Brock Lesnar speaks with Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, during practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo

If Lesnar wins his first fight back, and Cain wins against Junior dos Santos, there will be a lot of pressure to make Lesnar-Velasquez II happen in late 2011. However, I think that Dana White will want to ensure that Brock Lesnar has everything right in his mind and his body and will give him two fights before making the championship rematch. Lesnar will get a title fight, but it will happen in early 2012.