The story of Brock Lesnar returning to UFC for a fight at UFC 200 has obviously generated a lot of buzz and major sports and news websites have all picked it up including ESPN, FOX Sports, CNN, Sky Sports, and many many others.
One interesting report from ESPN during a segment between Jonathan Coachman and Chael Sonnen suggested that despite Brock Lesnar being under a WWE deal, the UFC were within their right to recall him due to a prior deal way back when Lesnar retired.
According to Sonnen, when Lesnar retired due to his diverticulitis, he still had some dates left but Dana White and the UFC granted his release anyway to resume his WWE career on the condition that when they need him he would be there assuming he’s healthy. “Vince McMahon’s phone never had to ring for this,” Sonnen said.
No other source has so far corroborated Chael Sonnen’s theory although it’s safe to assume that Lesnar is going to UFC 200 with the complete blessing of Vince McMahon. White and McMahon share an interesting relationship and although they don’t see eye to eye sometimes Dana has always said he greatly respects Vince for what he’s done and achieved.
While it’s great news for both MMA and WWE fans that Lesnar is going back to the UFC for one night only, it wasn’t great news for respected MMA reported Ariel Helwani. Helwani originally broke the news of Lesnar returning before the UFC announced it while he was in the arena covering UFC 199. After UFC officials noted that the news was leaked, Helwani and his staff at MMAFighting.com were escorted out of the building.
“I love this sport & this job with all my heart. Did nothing unethical. I reported fight news. That’s it. & then told we’re banned for life,” Helwani wrote on Twitter afterward. “Here’s hoping cooler heads prevail. I sincerely love every fighter & fan of this sport. You have helped me realize a dream. Thank you.”
