Much has been said about UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar’s post-fight antics after UFC 100 this past weekend. While they were definitely inappropriate by all standards of sportsmanship, Brock’s antics will not hurt the UFC.
Brock Lesnar has the potential to be for MMA what Mike Tyson was for boxing. He is an animal who tears his opponents apart without a second thought. His comments afterword are reminiscent of Tyson’s pre-fight commentary where he threatened to eat Lennox Lewis’s children. However, despite the controversy Tyson’s antics got people interested in his fight with Lewis and generated PPV buys. Another character is Floyd “Money” Mayweather. His antics got people interested in his fights and generated greater revenue. And lets not forget the interviews of Muhammed Ali. What do all these boxers have in common? They were athletes with personalities.
By reaching into his WWE background, Brock has given himself a personality; a cocky, remorseless monster that is seemingly unstoppable.
Brock Lesnar is what the UFC needs. Since the departure of Tito Ortiz, the UFC has yet to unveil a main eventer that people will pay to see, hoping that his next fight is the one where he’s humbled. And hopefully the one who humbles him will be the epitomy of class and sportsmanship. One thing’s for sure, I’ll be watching.