Looks like The Beast is back! Former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar is heading back to the octagon for UFC 200 on July 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will take on Mark Hunt. Lesnar fought seven times for the UFC during his first spell in the octagon from 2008-2011, picking up the belt on the way when he defeated Randy Couture at UFC 91. Lesnar’s last fight was against Alistair Overeem in December 2011 before he went back to the WWE.
“The true competitor in me is still alive and well, and I had to do this,” the 38-year-old told ESPN on Monday morning. “I think I match up very well (with Hunt). If Mark ends up on the ground, the fight’s over. Obviously, I need to work on my standup game, but I’m excited and enthusiastic about doing so. That’s the difference.”
The WWE released this statement about the fight: “Brock Lesnar remains under contract to WWE, however, he has been granted a one-off opportunity to compete at UFC 200. Following this milestone event on July 9, Brock will return to WWE for SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21, live on WWE Network.” Lesnar’s comeback is against a very dangerous opponent in the shape of Hunt, a knockout artist renowned for his right hand that has put many a heavyweight to sleep.
The Lesnar/Hunt is the co-main event of UFC 200, which is headlined by the Daniel Cormier/Jon Jones light heavyweight title fight. The card also features Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight title, Miesha Tate will defend her bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes, and former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will take on Travis Browne.
Check out some hightlights from Lesnar’s first stint with the UFC:
