In this article we'll take a look at the present situation around Brock Lesnar and try to analyse the next possible steps for him including potential future opponents.
The record is quite deflating: one win, one defeat in the UFC. Brock Lesnar jumped in at the deep end and payed the price for it, within the first round he had to tap out due to Frank Mir's kneebar. However, the fight revealed morey than the result alone declares: the 252 pound colossus Lesnar needed only a couple of seconds to take Mir down in a flash thanks to his incredible Wrestling experience.
Indeed Lesnar's positioning once on the ground didn't look really confident, but his mass and his clout allowed him to land some enormous blows, which pressed Mir into defence and nearly marginalized a KO according to his own statement.
Brock's next fight will probably take place in June at UFC 85 where Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Chuck "The Ice Man" Liddell are scheduled as the main event. His opponent hasn't been announced yet, and that's a motive to present you the possible counterpart for Lesnar’s future.
Lesnar's poison
The heavyweight category is related to such fighters as Frank Mir, Fabricio Werdum, Gabriel Gonzaga and last but not least Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira. Their world-class submission skills paired with the experience wouldn't afford Lesnar more than an upset win at the moment. Furthermore, White and co. should choose an opponent, who has enough experience to test Lesnar, but who doesn't emerge as a dog in the manger out of his guard.
A field day
Strikers like Antoni Hardonk or Cheick Kongo, who more than anything struggle once on their backs, assorted with a pretty weak takedown defence which is extremely far from even thoughts of comparisons with CroCop in his prime or Chuck Liddell's takedown defense. Lesnar should be able to enforce both of them soon and soundly, only the knees of the Europeans could cause the Wrestler out of South Dakota some trouble.
Crucial test, take 2
Accomplished fighter such as Frank Mir, who was quite luckless in his last performances, however showed us that Lesnar isn't disposed to take the line of the least resistance. Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic (who is up in the air at the moment), Brandon Vera and Andrei Arlovski are the spearhead of this category. Whereas "CroCop's" motivation doesn’t seem to be that high after his last two defeats, Arlovski has only outsider-chances since he hasn’t signed a contract extension with the UFC and got banished into the prelude of the upcoming event. Vera has a great reputation but is out-of-action because of a broken hand.
The golden mean
Wanted: an accomplished fighter, who’s already gained a reputation in the UFC, and can be sold as a good opponent, but simply can't imperil Lesnar. Whereas Eddie Sanchez seems reluctant to playing the role of a sand-bag for an upcoming star once again, the "Hungarian Nightmare" Christian Wellisch is rather unknown and unheralded. Jake O'Brian (10-0) would be a good opponent for Lesnar but he’s enlisted to face Arlovski at UFC 82 first. The former PRIDE star Heath Herring seems to be the most promising candidate in this category, if he defeats Kongo at UFC 82, he'll most likely catapult himself into the top of the list.
A solution from beyond
However the UFC will handle Lesnar's situation, they shouldn't put their new cart horse in a fight with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt again. Put Lesnar in a fight against someone who fits his style, and here’s hoping he won’t disappoint you.
Written by Blitz and Michael Mazur
