Brock Lesnar is gone, and he isn’t coming back. We should let him go, and not cling to hopes that he’ll hang around a sport that he never loved in the first place.
Brock Lesnar‘s retirement has prompted many responses across the MMA blogosphere. Some have understated his legacy, while others have lamented his loss. Still others have appeared to assert that he leaves a void that cannot be filled. An esteemed colleague here at MMA Ratings recently wrote a piece that urged Lesnar to remain involved with the sport of MMA, arguing that he still had contributions to make to the sport. For example:
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.
First off, Brock Lesnar has never done play-by-play, and there is no sense that he’d excel in the role. He does have skill behind the microphone, and is comfortable on camera, but his major objective as a Fox “analyst” was to promote his upcoming fight with Overeem, and a potential fight with the winner of Velasquez-Dos Santos. That is a HUGE difference between any role he’d be expected to fill as a dispassionate, objective commentator. While he was clearly more adept than Dana White was, we have seen individuals like Randy Couture, Frank Mir, Kenny Florian, and even Rashad Evans demonstrate, in more complex and diverse commentary roles, a level of acumen that goes far beyond pro wrestling-style “getting yourself over.” While NFL studio coverage has lowered the bar on what is asked of the retired athlete playing the role of analyst, Brock wasn’t more talented than other former fighters employed in similar contexts over the years, even if he is more well-known. It certainly wouldn’t justify the exorbitant salary that he would demand.
Of course, commentary wasn’t the only suggestion:
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?
This entire paragraph is based on a misguided premise. The main weapons behind Lesnar’s rise to prominence are widely regarded to be his freakish size and athleticism, more specifically his speed, power, and agility. These are the same traits that led to his success in professional wrestling. Yes, he has a wrestling background, and that helped, but make no mistake about it, he was never a wrestler known for diverse techniques and counter-techniques. Brute force, speed, and power were his calling cards, and I wouldn’t put much credence into the notion that he could impart tons of wisdom to fighters who don’t share his natural gifts, or employ his style. How has Pat Barry improved his wrestling over his time with Brock? Furthermore, there are a ton of fighters with more high-level wrestling experience, a deeper mastery of techniques, and an actual desire to help teach and train. Nothing we have seen from Brock in the past evinces a passion to help fighters and fill this role. Furthermore, it again must be pointed out that the prices that he would charge for his less-than-uniquely-valuable wrestling training would fetch would reflect a massive overvalue on his part, likely because of his unwillingness to do it. Those fighters who could afford private training sessions with Brock could afford to spend their money on better, more effective, wrestling training, rather than waste their time and money on Amateur Hour.
The most likely future for Brock will include a return to pro wrestling in some capacity. After all, it is the venue where he achieved international prominence, and it is a place where he could still command high payouts while retaining a degree of control over the punishment he endures. Yet this piece attempts to argue against this move, saying:
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.
Make no mistake about it, Brock’s “legacy” in mixed martial arts is being a professional wrestler who, due to his natural gifts and wrestling background, was able to excel at the highest level on raw talent, honed over a short time. He worked extremely hard, but never paid the kinds of dues that the average UFC champion had, and as such, is probably the fighter LEAST concerned with his legacy this side of Kimbo Slice. He has already made his point. His going back to wrestling diminishes the UFC more than it diminishes Brock.
Look, I get it: Brock is a star, and his absence will be felt. But this piece, which is representative of a common sentiment, seems like a desperate cry for Brock to stick around because people will miss him and his star power. In fact, all Brock would do if he stuck around MMA in one of those contexts is overshadow the NEXT Brock Lesnar, because people would constantly speculate about a possible return, and he would do nothing to truly dispel those sentiments, especially if they came from mainstream media and fans. Why? Because they’d affect his bottom line of marketability. And we all know that Brock is about that Cheddar most of all.
Brock got into this sport, got out, and will likely never look back. And I don’t really fault him for it. However I do fault fans for acting like the sky is falling because he’s gone. News flash, Brock was gone as soon as he broke out the breakdancing moves against Cain Velasquez. The TUF appearances and the Overeem fight was just the Encore. But unlike Jay-Z, his Victory Lap won’t be as circuitous, and there won’t be any thrones to watch, nor crowns to snatch. Lesnar will ride off into the Minnesota Sunset, and the sport will need to press on.
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Where do you get these reporters? From their mother's basement? Wow..
I feel like it would be really difficult for "reporters" to be effective journalists when they're confined to their mother's basement. Also, are these reporters all siblings, given that they have the same mother and all? These are the kinds of questions that inquiring minds need answering! Why aren't there any basement-based reporters who can dig deep and uncover the truth about their own common parentage, and the size of said basement, which contains them. Basement reporting for basement reporters.
But seriously, thanks for the traffic. Rate the columns, rate the fights, tell your friends, be them basement-based or otherwise.
From what I've heard, you would have a great opportunity to interview a wide range of men if you spent time in the home of Jay's mother, enabling effective reporting.