Vince McMahon is no stranger to the art of the deal. Maybe that’s why he’s featured Donald Trump on WWE programming, or maybe it’s because he’s a savvy businessman himself. The news of Brock Lesnar making his return to UFC for a “one-off” fight against Mark Hunt has shaken the fight world to its core, now it’s time to ask, “why?” Why would the WWE give away arguably its biggest star to fight a killer like Mark Hunt for no reason? It’s because they’ll probably get something in return, according to Forbes.
According to sources, WWE is hoping that by allowing Lesnar to compete at UFC 200 (and perhaps beyond) it will open the doors for some things in return from UFC. Mainly WWE is hopeful for two things in return.
Those two things, according to the report, are SummerSlam promotion by UFC and getting UFC stars to appear at the WWE’s big end of summer event. There’s definitely crossover from the audiences, but in my opinion, there aren’t many stars the average WWE fan would recognize. All of the biggest stars would probably want to be paid for making an appearance, and Brock fighting at UFC 200 helps UFC, not Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey. Let’s remember that the whole reason McGregor isn’t fighting at UFC 200 is because he didn’t want to even promote his own fight, so why would he sit ringside at SummerSlam unless his palm was crossed with some serious silver?
But maybe Ronda would do it? The report states WWE is eyeing WrestleMania 33 as a return for Ronda Rousey, two years after she tossed Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.
