Video: Brock Lesnar reveals Dana White initially wanted ‘nothing to do’ with former UFC superstar – ‘I don’t blame him’
Hard to believe now — but Brock Lesnar almost never made it to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The former UFC Heavyweight champion hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts (MMA) since UFC 200 back in 2016, but his drawing power remains legendary. Six of his fights reportedly cleared the one-million pay-per-view mark, making him one […]
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 09: Brock Lesnar prepares to face Mark Hunt of New Zealand in their heavyweight bout during the UFC 200 event on July 9, 2016 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Hard to believe now — but Brock Lesnar almost never made it to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The former UFC Heavyweight champion hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts (MMA) since UFC 200 back in 2016, but his drawing power remains legendary .
Six of his fights reportedly cleared the one-million pay-per-view mark , making him one of the biggest stars in company history. But early on? UFC CEO Dana White wanted nothing to do with him.
“Dana White wanted nothing to do with me,” Lesnar said on Spittin’ Chiclets . “He wouldn’t return my phone call. ” At the time, it made some sense.
The UFC was still working to establish itself as a legitimate sport, shedding the old stigma attached to MMA. Bringing in a former WWE superstar — especially one with just a single pro fight — wasn’t exactly aligned with that vision. So Lesnar forced the issue.