In reaction given to FOX Sports after he was informed that his former Heavyweight champion will not be returning, UFC President Dana White said that he’s happy for Lesnar.
“From what I understand Vince made him a deal that he couldn’t refuse, which is awesome. I’m happy to hear that. I’m happy for both of them.”
White said that Brock had a great stint in the UFC and he did some amazing things and it was fun to have him but at the end of the day, MMA is a sport where “you’ve got to be all in,” something which Lesnar said he wasn’t during the interview on SportsCenter.
The UFC wanted Lesnar to return big time. He said that he turned down an offer worth “10 times” what he was making in his first UFC run according to the Associated Press.
Lesnar informed the UFC about his decision to stay with the WWE while he was parking in the garage at ESPN studios in Los Angeles a few hours prior to making his live appearance on SportsCenter yesterday. Lesnar said that UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta even offered an increase over the figure in an attempt to lure him away.
“Lorenzo said to me, ‘Can we sharpen our pencil? Can we double it'” Lesnar said. “I said, ‘It’s not about that. I’m calling you to tell you where my heart is, and it’s not about the money.’
Lesnar added that in the back of his mind he was thinking that ultimately, yeah, it’s all about the money, but in his WWE deal he doesn’t have to beat up himself for it.
“I’ve been a barbarian my whole life. I’m just a smarter barbarian now. Evolution, you know?”
