WWE confirm Brock Lesnar's octagon return at UFC 200

Wrestlezone 09:01 05/06/2016
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  • Lesnar debuted against Frank Mir at UFC 100 in 2009.

    The WWE confirmed Lesnar’s move while clearly stating that he is still under contract with them.

    “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,” read a WWE statement.

    UFC 200 is to be headlined by Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier in a Light Heavyweight Championship re-match after Conor McGregor’s controversial withdrawal. No possible opponents have been mentioned, but former foe Shane Carwin has been angling for a rematch of their UFC 116 fight for some time.

    Lesnar was last in negotiations with the UFC in 2015 when his WWE contract was expiring ahead of WrestleMania 31. Ultimately, Lesnar ended up staying with the WWE on a three year contract, which doesn’t expire until after WrestleMania in 2018.

    According to sources, Lesnar has been training for an MMA return since after this year’s WrestleMania. He inexplicably appeared on UFC’s roster during that period, as well. WWE’s lawyers actually called the UFC about the profile appearing on their page.

    The WWE hasn’t traditionally allowed any of their Superstars to compete in MMA fights while under contract, something that Alberto Del Rio had to stop doing when he signed with the company. Brock Lesnar has been the exception to many rules in the WWE, however.

    Lesnar last competed in the UFC in 2011, losing a fight to Alistair Overeem via TKO. Overeem would fail a drug test several months later.

    Lesnar still shares the record for most successful consecutive UFC Heavyweight title defenses, with two.

    It’s worth keeping in mind that this has happened before, as Lesnar rumors were ‘coincidentally’ stirring around the huge UFC 168 PPV.

    Generally, a fighter must give USADA four months’ notice before coming out of retirement and taking a fight. The UFC is able to waive that four month period for a returning fighter, however.

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