Lesnar recently spoke with ESPN’s Jon Robinson, about being selected for the cover of the game and also got a few interesting quotes on his career as a mixed martial artist in the UFC and more.
“I was speechless when they told me I was going to be on the cover. I wasn’t even sure if I was ever going to be able to fight again. I was 240-pounds lying there, and now I’m back to 280-pounds and back in the gym kicking ass. I can’t wait to get back into the Octagon.”
Lesnar stirred up a bunch of controversy last year after defeating Frank Mir at UFC 100 and proceeding to throw a tirade where he bashed the promotion’s sponsor “Bud Light” and got into his beaten opponent’s face. Lesnar was considered by many to be the sport’s first villain, but was missed by his critics and fans alike during a period earlier in the year when Lesnar was out of action due to illness and facing early retirement.
“I’ve put myself in this category as this confrontational person who creates controversy, but for people to grasp what was happening and to be like, “Holy s—, I might never be able to see this guy fight again!” That saddened them more than anything probably. I’m sure some of them said, “I hope that son of a b—- dies.” I don’t know. I’m sure there are people out there like that, but that’s just the way it is. I’m glad THQ decided to have me and the UFC has really backed me through this whole thing, so it’s been great.”
The sport of mixed martial arts has recently had a influx of athletes from other sports, James Toney, Herschel Walker and even Jose Canseco have all recently all attempted to try their hands at mixed martial arts. Lesnar is considered to be a inspiration to many of those athletes, but recalls he was not accepted by fans of the sport at first.
“They didn’t cut me any slack. Not at all. They still didn’t believe I was worthy after I beat Randy Couture. I still have to make my name, but that’s fine. I don’t care. I’m getting paid to do something I love.”
Lesnar has improved leaps and bounds since losing to Frank Mir back at UFC 81 by submission, but says he still feels there is one area he can improve himself overall.
“My hands. I’m constantly working on my hands, I’m constantly working on my ground game, and constantly trying not to get satisfied with where I’m at with my career and where I’m at as an athlete. I’m somewhat happy, but never satisfied.”
Lesnar will meet up against undefeated heavyweight contender Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July, but when asked who he felt was his biggest threat said he feels any and everyone who steps in to fight him is a credible threat to defeat him.
“Anybody who gets in there has a puncher’s chance of winning and that’s the beauty of the sport, but at the same time, that’s the sport’s own demise. If you have a guy who bleeds a lot of talent, he might never get to the top because the puncher’s blood took him out of it. In this game today, you have to be ready and prepared for anything in the Octagon. That’s the sport.”
Lesnar has worked for two of the best promoters in the sport throughout his career, Vince McMahon from the WWE and Dana White of the UFC. While both promoters are industry leaders, Lesnar says both promoters are nothing alike.
“If I had to say one thing about Vince it would be ruthless. If I had to say something about Dana it would be diligent and somewhat brilliant. Two different approaches to business. I had a great run with WWE. WWE gave me great visibility, I met my wife there, and I got paid a lot of money, it was just my time to go. I sensed it. I was smart enough to leave. That’s the bottom line.”
Lesnar’s decision to come to the UFC has paid off, he is the current champion and will return from his illness to one of the deepest heavyweight division’s off all time. Lesnar will have Shane Carwin to deal with first, but contenders Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson, Junior Dos Santos and long time adversary are all gunning for the title and expected to make runs throughout 2010.
Props: urdirt.com
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