SCRAPP! FIGHT MAGAZINE
March - 2015
25
the fold by Lesnar would have
made huge money. Garnered a
massive amount of attention.
After all, several of his UFC
fights were in the million buy
range on PPV. Who other than
the now-departed Georges St.
Pierre has been that sort of
consistent draw in the promo-
tion?
Yet even if Lesnar’s return
doesn’t happen, and even
years after he first transitioned
to the MMA world and be-
came one of the most domi-
nant heavyweight champions
in UFC history (he remains tied
for most title defences, after
all), Brock Lesnar, and the Le-
snar effect, remain a huge deal
in MMA. Consider, just as par-
tial evidence, the number of
articles dedicated to the man’s
possible return, with nothing
but the wispy smoke of rumour
behind them. Consider the up-
tick in traffic every article cov-
ering Lesnar’s will-he, won’t-he
flirtation with a return to the
octagon gets. Consider the
reaction by fans on message
boards across the MMA and
pro wrestling communities.
And consider the number of
fighters who have now called
him out for a return bout. Frank
Mir. Alistair Overeem. Bren-
dan Schaub. Antônio Rodrigo
Nogueira. Even Bobby Lashley.
Some of these call-outs have
been respectful, some, not so
much. All understand what the
Lesnar Effect ultimately means:
big money. At the end of the
day, a fight against Brock Le-
snar represents big business for
all those involved. Huge busi-
ness really.
Josh Barnett knows that well
— but he, for one, feels that
it isn’t just about the money.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani
onThe MMA Hour this week,
Barnett, who has not appeared
in the octagon in slightly over
a year, confirmed he was ready
to make a return to action. He
also brought up the idea of a
fight with Lesnar, a man who
he no doubt understands bet-
ter than most: Barnett has also
worked as a pro wrestler, under
the NJPW and IGF banners in
Japan, among others, and has
respect for the product that is
pro wrestling. About a fight
with Lesnar, Barnett stated that
That would be huge business. It
would be a greatmatch tomake
happen. I always put my voice
out there in terms of wanting
that fight. But then again, at
this point, I think it just sounds
like I’m joining the chorus of all
these MMA heavyweights that
have all, it’s kind of same thing
as CM Punk, these guys are all
out there running their mouths
saying they want to beat Punk
or beat Lesnar, because they
think it’s an easy payday, be-
cause they think they see some
lack of ability in their MMA
game because of their not be-
ing fighters for their whole life.
If they’re going to get out there
and get that glory, and get the
notoriety and get this guy, they
see it as an easy shot.
For me I think of it as the busi-
ness side of things. Not the
business side of ‘oh, I’m going
to make so much money,’ but
the business side of two pro
wrestlers, the styles, seeing the
two of us go at it is because
people will find interest in it
and the fight will be interesting
itself. Not just in ‘Hey, I’m some
guy who’s going to bully some
other guy who’s got less expe-
rience, and then I act like I’m
king s*** of turd mountain.’
It’s an interesting take from a
fighter who has been on both
sides of the equation. And a
reminder that, despite not hav-
ing competed in the UFC since
December 30th, 2011, Lesnar
remains both big business and
an intriguing, sought after op-
ponent. Even as a ripple effect,
the Lesnar Effect carries on.
You see it in the call-outs, you
see it in the attention other pro
wrestlers who have moved, or
are considering a move, to the
world of MMA are getting. You
see it in the passion of the fans,
regardless of what side they
take when it comes to the po-
larizing former champion.
Soon enough, we’ll have final
word on the matter. Lesnar
will return, or he won’t, and
the MMA chapter of his career
will eventually close either way.
There’s no questioning, howev-
er, the mark the Lesnar Effect,
and the man himself, has made
on the sport.
