UFC 141: Why Brock Lesnar Should Retire If He Loses to Alistair Overeem

Brock Lesnar heads into UFC 141 knowing full well that only a win against Alistair Overeem will suffice if he’s to once again vie for the title he once so proudly held. However, if he comes up short in this title eliminator bout, he should call it a day and ride off into the sunset.

For someone who more or less was a novice when he made his foray into mixed martial arts back in June of 2007, the NCAA Division I wrestler has exceeded all expectations, amassing an impressive record of 5-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC.

During that period, he also won the heavyweight crown whilst successfully defending it on two separate occasions.

Nonetheless, that’s where the fairytale ends.

These are the reasons why Lesnar should retire if he loses to Overeem come UFC 141.

Brock Lesnar’s Suspect Chin

At UFC 116, in his second defense of the title, it became apparent that Lesnar wasn’t blessed with a chin of the granite persuasion, as he was continuously rocked by Shane Carwin before he took the fight and the gassed Carwin to the ground to end proceedings.

Suffice to say, if anyone required convincing that the former WWE performer had an aversion to being hit, then Velasquez made it evident when he destroyed Lesnar at UFC 121 to relieve him of his coveted title—the latter reverting to a fetal-like position with each strike struck by the Mexican-American fighter.

It’s also safe to say that Lesnar doesn’t possess a solid enough chin, which is vital to compete with the elite combatants and strikers at this level.

He was lucky against Carwin, but exposed against Velasquez.

UFC and Strikeforce Heavyweight Fighters

At UFC 141, I expect Alistair Overeem to bring a permanent halt to the Lesnar hype train.

For arguments sake, if Lesnar were to continue his career in the UFC after that loss, he’ll be faced with a long line of hungry fighters just waiting to take him to the deepest darkest depths of MMA hell.

The likes of Velasquez and Frank Mir will be lurking in the background, as they too have a vested interest recapturing UFC glory.

Also, the influx of the Strikeforce contingent to the company won’t help matters, either.

Lesnar will have to contend with the likes of Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum, who’s already a paid-up member of the Zuffa-based promotion.

Then there’s the likelihood that Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett, Daniel “DC” Cormier and even Antonio “Big Foot” Silva might also enter the fray.

Anyone of those four would give Lesnar nightmares, moreso DC due to his excellent wrestling and ever-improving striking.

Brock Lesnar’s Health

Lesnar’s bouts with diverticulitis have been well-documented—he’s suffered two spells of the disease, each of which has sidelined him for certain period of time.

Though he’s come back supposedly stronger and determined more than ever, I doubt that he’s ever been the same since he first went down with the illness.

What happens if he suffers a third stint of diverticulitis? At 34, he’ll be worse off than the previous two attacks.

With that said, I have reservations that he’ll be anywhere near the force he once was when he upended Randy “The Natural” Couture for the heavyweight crown at UFC 91.

Brock Lesnar’s Wealth

I’m sure Lesnar has accumulated a substantial amount of money from his time as an entertainer with the WWE to his present occupation as a mixed martial arts fighter.

At present, he’s the highest-paid fighter in the UFC.

And as that is the case, why jeopardize his health and everything he’s worked for in a sport that’s as dangerous as it is unforgiving on the human physique?

The answer is he doesn’t need to, though what he does need to do is sit back and reap the benefits of his hard-earned labour. 

Brock Lesnar Has Nothing to Prove

Lesnar has been there and done that—he came, he saw and he conquered.

His reward—UFC gold wrapped around his waist and with all the trappings bestowed upon a champion in his position.

Add to the equation his two successful title defenses (the only other UFC heavyweights to have achieved that feat being Randy Couture and Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia) and his knowledge or lack thereof mixed martial arts when he first entered the realm of MMA.

Then he's the man has done good.

Succinctly put, Lesnar has nothing more to prove and should quit whilst he’s ahead.

UFC 141 is set for Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Gardens Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.

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