Dana White: Brock Lesnar said he retired because Alistair Overeem was that much better than him
Posted on January 13, 2012, 12:45 PM by Joey SantosusSpeaking via "The Jim Rome Show," UFC President Dana White discusses the short-lived career, and subsequent retirement, of former Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. White reveals details of his post-UFC 141 conversation with Lesnar, and says that, while it was "fun" having him around, he does not expect the former WWE star to make a return to MMA. Photo: Francis Specker
Dana White
"Here's what Brock said to me, he said, 'I'll tell you what, after my surgery from diverticulitis, this last surgery I had, I have never felt so good in my life.' He said, ‘I had the best camp I've ever had, no injuries, I was in great shape - all the things that could go right, went right. That guy (Alistair Overeem) is just that much better than me, and it's time for me to retire.' ... I think Brock's done. The conversations that I've had with Brock Lesnar since that fight, all indications point to it's over.
You don't come into the UFC 1-0, and the only reason that I brought him in is, number-one, he's Brock Lesnar, and number-two, because of his wrestling pedigree. The guy was a great college wrestler and I gave him a shot. What he was able to accomplish in the UFC is amazing. With one fight, coming in at 30-years-old, he brought a lot of excitement to the Heavyweight division. So, it was fun while Brock Lesnar was here."
Further Reading: Brock Lesnar: A farewell to the former UFC Heavyweight Champ
Comments
I always considered Brock a big bully and that last fight just proved it. The man has no heart to go forward when the tide is high.
Because that's the perception of little wormy weasels with a complex. You see someone athletic and physically threatening and immediately pray for their downfall from behind a computer screen. Have some respect for a man who did something you wouldn't do to save your life.
The fans pay for these guys checks. If a fan has something to say, he is allowed to because without the fan, there is no Brock Lesnar. We pay money to watch a sport, to watch a competition, if the guys we pay to see don't compete to their potential, then we can shit on them or refuse to pay for their next fight.
Well my friend, it's nice to read your opinion, but person without a clue of us two is you :] Something on Brock and other freaks of "nature". See I use to wrestle a bit in college, not that I was ever that good, could have been better if I used PED, but still not good enough in my eyes to play that gamble. I do not know any accomplished wrestlers that haven't used the following : Stanozolol, Testosterone, Grow Hormone, Thyroid Hormone and Ephedrine just to name the few. How do I know that? My trainer had plenty of those. That thing starts in High Schools and sometimes earlier. Two years ago I was in Cuba, my friend convinced me to see his friend coach of their Olympic team. I wrestled with this 16 y.o I just couldn't believe the strength that he had. I asked him: what you use? He just laughed and said - what you think? So yeah, go one project you fantasies on me Mr MMAFan4life, that I don't have a clue, but truth of the matter is if your idolgonna give up after a short shin/knee to the liver his no fighter material, just like sexypapi mentioned. Live in a fantasy world, but your idol captured have weight tittle when the champion was a fellow who should be light heavy weight or even middle weight fighter, with his peak behind him. Then the real deals came in, and he was exposed for what he is: a big bully :] Can throw a punch, but can't take one. And please don't get me started on Shane Carwin.
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. First of all, Brock Lesnar was a star before MMA. Which, by your ridiculous logic, I'm sure you are aware because you're clearly a WWE fan.
Fans pay to watch them fight, not for the right to "shit on them." Moron.
Yeah, he totally has no heart at all. He only made it through two life-threatening surgeries, and competed after each one (once defending his title). Personally, I never liked the guy or thought he was that good, but you have to give him some credit in the heart department.
why are you guys still talking about Brock? forget him,he was never mma material,enough of this wannabe-can't be-never was "mma fighter(wwe entertainer) give people a freaking break already,have a good weekend!!!
Yet you are on each and every Brock Lesnar thread over exclaiming your mindless opinion. Hating Brock doesn't make you anymore of a legit MMA fan. Try spending less time on the message boards "papi."
He fought almost his entire MMA career at the top level of competition and he still walked away with a winning record. That's hard for someone who "was never mma material" to accomplish.
Very cool if Brock really said that...I doubt he did tho..
He foght only can's to get to the belt .Lesnar was UFC HW champ becose UFC HW devision sucked at the time. Dana's badest man on the planet sucks
Wish Brock had come into Mma directly after college. We would be talking hall of fame instead of nit picking and trashing him. Btw. Of course he said that. Dana only lies pre fight.
It is pre fight... pre Overeem V Dos Santos. It is time to get people excited to watch Dos Santos fight the guy who beat a perfectly healthy Lesner into retirement. Personally, I think Overeem would have beat Lesner no matter what and he will do the same to Dos Santos BUT that doesn't mean DW isn't going to promote the hell out of this fight. He is a promoter and he is on the job.
well he could have, but he chose fake fighting :]
Again with the stupidity. No, he couldn't have. MMA was not a realistic option for a high level collegiate wrestler back in his day.
Hmm, honestly as much as I dislike Brock Lesnar I really thought he is gonna take down Overeem and beat the will to fight out of him just like he did to Frank Mir. I was wrong. Now I believe Dos Santos will tire up Overeem who is way to slow for him and beat him up to a decision, because good luck knocking that monster out, but... I was wrong once I can be wrong again. On the other hand if Dos Santos wins before time over Overeem that will show how much of a fighter Lesnar was.
Alistar Overeem didn't think that Brock should retire, and he is the man to retire him. Brock accomplished so much in a small amount of time for a man who was not an MMA fighter.
If Lesnar had started about 10 years earlier; he may have been able to compete against a fighter of Alistar's caliber.
But in the end it is Lesnar's decision to make.
There goes our cash cow
brock's problem wasn't that alister was that much better, just that much smarter because brock tried to strike with a striker. when he should have just bull rushed him.
it didn't matter. overeem had an answer for everything. he's had way too many fights on all corners of the world and win or lose he is always a huge challenge. watch the liddell fight when chuck was in his prime. he got knocked out, but earned everybodies respect.
Nice to see Brock becoming more humble, feel he changed after the first bout with his disease
i think there is a lot of guys who can beat brock. i never thought he had a chance against overeem or cain. both fights went exacly like i thought because they are very dangerous opponents. not to take away anything from him, he did have 3 good wins against couture, mir, and carwin, and i respect him for that, but he got thrown in with the top guys too fast. jds would have put a real beating on him too. i wish he wouldn't retire cause i think there are some good matchups for him and who knows how good he can get if he puts in the work. i would like to see him fight a guy like daniel cormier.
how about a shooting star to close your career Brock!
Haters gonna hate...
Probably the shortest and most overrated career in MMA history, eventually the UFC just couldn't keep throwing cans at him so they had to start giving him real fights and of course it was the beginning of the end. This is not hate its just pure fact.
Brock is no diferent than Hershel Walker just he got a titel shot on a plate agaist Randy who got losses agaist everybody.Were are Dana's champions who are fighting 3 times a year all Dana's hype .Lots of talking ad no action.In wrestling if you are not been to World championchip turnamet or Olympics you are nobody for me he was a freak show in the begiing 5 fights greatest figter badest man on the planet