When I first heard that Alistair Overeem had tested positive for high testosterone levels and would be suspended, one of the first things that came to my mind was how would this have played out if Alistair was caught before the Lesnar fight? How would history have changed? Would Brock have never left the UFC? Would we be talking about JDS vs. Brock instead of Mir?
But looking back at that Overeem/Brock fight, I think history would have stayed the same. Whoever faced him that night would have been victorious. Brock seemed like he didn't want to be there. His heart wasn't in the fighting biz anymore.I can't question the severity of those body kicks and knees, as they must have hurt coming from a beast like Overeem. But the lack of effort, going for only one half-assed single leg takedown when that was his best chance of winning, made me question him and his motives.
Since this was his first fight after winning his battle with diverticulitis, I thought he would have brought back his intensity and all or nothing style. But that sure didn't happen. He just sat back throwing little feeling out punches here and there, seemingly waiting for Alistair to put him out of his misery.
Maybe I am extra bitter because I picked him to win that fight and expected him to take Overeem down and maul him. Where was that Brock? The Brock that came out punched Heath Herring in the face and then dove at him Kamikaze style? Or the one who came out and rushed Cain Velazquez and gave it everything he had even though he didn't end up winning.
I suspect that his mind was somewhere trying to catch all the dollars that Vince McMahon was throwing at him to return to the WWE. Since leaving the UFC and returning to the WWE, apparently Brock has come to realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. After his brief cameo in the audience at UFC 146, rumours are running rampant that we may see a return to the octagon of the 'Next Big Thing' Brock Lesnar.
I must say, that I am definitely less enthused about his return to the octagon than I was for his debut. And I am definitely more pessimistic about his potential success in the octagon than I was for his first run in the organization. With the injection of talent that the UFC got from Strikeforce, there will be no need to fast track him to a title shot this time around. Which means he should have to go through a few good opponents before even sniffing a title shot. And if his last fight in the octagon was any indication, he has an extremely tough road ahead before getting in smelling distance.
I have to address one more thing about Brock that I first thought was a joke but seems to be catching steam.
People are suggesting that Brock's initial stint in the UFC is worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. In the infamous words of Stone Cold Steve Austin my initial reaction when hearing this was... "WHAT!?!?"
This is crazy talk. There is a difference between having a good run in the UFC and having a hall of fame career. I understand why people would confuse the two when Brock is mentioned...
1. He's one of the biggest draws in UFC history.
2. He won the title in only 3 fights.
3. Has big wins over quality opponents
These are great accomplishments and I hate to diminish them but I think we have to put them in perspective. Some people were so amazed that a guy coming from the world of professional wrestling could have such success so quickly. Some of these same people are superficially boosting his status in MMA history.
What truly is his legacy? The people that are currently in the hall of fame are either pioneers of the sport or have established a legacy that will live on forever in the UFC. Royce Gracie brought us BJJ, Randy Couture brought us dirty boxing, Chuck Liddel brought us sprawl and brawl, Tito Ortiz revolutionized ground and pound. But what has Brock brought us to establish his legacy? A couple of big fights? Weird chest tattoos? Insulting sponsors (I thought that moment was hilarious, and he was in the right too)?
His performance inside of the octagon, albeit great for someone just crossing over with very little experience, leaves alot to be desired when considering it for being in the hall of fame. The guy only has a 4-3 record in the UFC. His two final losses before leaving the organization were absolutely one-sided ass whuppings. Plus, he still has an unfinished rivalry with Frank Mir that could go either way.
To me putting Brock Lesnar in the UFC Hall of Fame would be like putting a Terrell Davis in the NFL's, Eric Lindros' in the NHL's, Vince Carter in the NBA's, or any other athlete who had immense initial popularity and success but due to injuries, health problems, or just plain sucking (Yes, Vince, I'm looking at you) didn't produce what it takes to warrant hall of fame consideration.
He just doesn't deserve it.
What do you think? Should Brock be in Hall of Fame? Please leave comments below or hit me up on the Twitter @VexedMMA
