Brock Lesnar: 4 Reasons Why His Career May Be Over

With another bout of diverticulitis forcing former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar to withdraw from a June 11th title eliminator fight against Junior dos Santos, many analysts are speculating whether he will ever fight again.

Sidelined the past seven months to coach the current season of the Ultimate Fighter reality show, Lesnar has not entered the Octagon since losing his title to Cain Valasquez last October.

As the UFC gets more and more viewers with each event, the time may be up for the career of one of the promotion's biggest names.

4. UFC's Younger Heavyweight Talent

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Mirko Cro Cop (L) is stopped by referee after losing to opponent UFC fighter Junior Dos Santo (R) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in D

Although Lesnar defeated some of the UFC's best heavyweights en route to obtaining the title three years ago, he may not be able to hang with the promotion's younger, more well-rounded fighters if he were to ever return.

As onlookers saw in the Valasquez fight, Lesnar looked outmatched against a very superior and younger striker. Although we may never see him face dos Santos, suffice it to say that his opposing Ultimate Fighter coach also has an advantage in the stand-up department.

Many of Lesnar's wins can be considered against "old school" opponents such as Heath Herring and Randy Couture—both fighters who are no longer fighting under the UFC banner.

While guys like dos Santos, Valasquez, Brendan Schaub, and a myriad of other young, talented heavyweights continue to make waves in the UFC, Lesnar's lack of a well-rounded skill set may be his undoing if he comes back.

3. Acquisition of Strikeforce

When Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, purchased Strikeforce a few months ago, they obtained some of the sport's best heavyweights.

With fighters such as "Bigfoot" Silva, Alistair Overeem, and the legendary Fedor Emeliankenko now under the Zuffa banner, the UFC may not need Lesnar's star power if the two promotions merge.

A fight between each of the banners' champions would surely draw as much or even more viewers than a card headlined by Lesnar.

Lesnar's career may not be dictated just by his health, but also by whether his stardom is even necessary anymore to bring in viewers.

2. Motivation

Out of the Octagon for almost a year between his bouts against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin, Lesnar took an immensely long time tor recover from his first battle with diverticulitis.

With the disease rearing its ugly head once again, it begs the question - does Lesnar even want to deal with the hardships of making a comeback?

There's no doubt in my mind that the former UFC Heavyweight champion can do it, but his motivation might not be there.

A very private man when it comes to his personal life, dealing with all the hype and media attention that surrounds a comeback may make Lesnar weary of entering the spotlight again, which is ironic for such a showman in the cage. 

1. Staying Healthy

If Lesnar can muster the willpower to make a comeback and round out his skill set, there remains only one obstacle in his way—his health.

The surgery Lesnar received last November was supposed to fix the problem. Now, it seems as if his illness has become a serious chronic issue.

With heavyweights becoming notorious for their lack of consistent fighting due to injuries, Lesnar is suffering from something far worse than training related problems.

If he truly desires to wear the belt once again, the biggest factor will be his ability to stay healthy throughout what is left of his career.