The word “retirement” often barely registers within the realm of mixed martial arts. We have seen many examples of fighters turning away from the sport, but coming back to retest the waters. We can recount various names of fighters who’ve walked away just to come back. Yet after his defeat at UFC 141, Brock Lesnar informed us all of his decision to leave mixed martial arts. Whether this can be attributed to either a decline in his health or his willingness to fight is debatable. But regardless of his reasons, I, for one, wish he wouldn’t leave the fighting world, especially if he found other ways to contribute.
When UFC debuted on Fox this past November, we caught a glimpse of the vital skill set that Lesnar displayed in his role as analyst, skills that he could use to continue his interaction with the world of mixed martial arts. The importance of the commentator role in sports is often underplayed, but Lesnar could be employed as a knowledgeable play-by-play personality for the UFC. During the pre- and post-event segments we watched him display a comfort in commentary that isn’t common among the athletes who participate in combat sports. Given that talent, I would be very excited if he returned to the sport in a talking role, no longer in the cage but sitting beside it.
Another role that Lesnar could fill to be a valuable contributor to the sport is that of a wrestling coach. Lesnar’s wrestling abilities have been well-documented as the main weapon behind his rise to prominence in the cage. And with wrestling considered by many to be the most important base to build upon when entering the world of MMA, wrestling coaches are in demand throughout the sport. I believe that Lesnar would be a reputable coach for fighters who are looking to build their abilities in that area. Admittedly, one would have to ask how willing he would be to travel to other camps, or to open his doors to interested students. Also worth asking is: would he be willing to offer reasonable rates for his time as a wrestling coach?
Many people point towards the possibility of Lesnar returning to professional wrestling and making seven figures in the world of fake fighting. While this would be a lucrative move for Lesnar, it would hurt his legacy as a combat sports professional. Does Lesnar care about that? Probably not, especially when he has made it well-known that his goal is to make as much money as he can with his talents before ultimately returning to his family in snowy Minnesota.
While some will argue the point, I believe Lesnar has had a solid career as a mixed martial artist. Diverticulitis stole some time away from the competitor, as he was twice removed due to serious battles with the illness. Going forward, there is no telling exactly where he will end up being considered among the top-rated fighters of all time, but that isn’t the point of this piece. I would simply hate to see him move away from the sport entirely, especially when he does have abilities that could still be put to use.
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