During the UFC 199 pay-per-view on Saturday night, the UFC confirmed that Brock Lesnar will indeed return to MMA for the first time in five years. A report from Ariel Helwani had indicated as much earlier on Saturday. But now it’s a cold, hard reality. Brock Lesnar will fight at UFC 200 on July 9.
"Can you see me now?!" – @BrockLesnar #UFC200 💪🏼👊🏼 https://t.co/KArjhO8SbW
— Roger Stark (@RoRogerThat) June 5, 2016
Dave Meltzer at Wrestling Observer Newsletter confirmed this was real (as if there were any doubt after UFC announced it) and that WWE approved it.
Lesnar official at UFC 200. WWE approved it.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) June 5, 2016
Continuing the media blitz, ESPN will get the dibs on announcing Lesnar’s opponent, which will happen on Monday.
https://twitter.com/jeremybotter/status/739301219621998594
Speculation has been rampant that WWE will be receiving some sort of talent exchange (like the freedom to use Ronda Rousey in the future, or perhaps even a Conor McGregor WWE match), but if nothing else, this is amazing promotion for both companies.
According to #WWE, @BrockLesnar has been granted a "one time opportunity to fight at #UFC200" before returning at #SummerSlam.
— Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) June 5, 2016
Just like that, UFC 200 has gone from a disaster to being a bona fide, can’t-miss blockbuster.
Here is the current main card for UFC 200:
Light heavyweight championship: Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Jon Jones (ic)
Women’s bantamweight championship: Miesha Tate (c) vs. Amanda Nunes
Featherweight: Frankie Edgar vs. José Aldo
Heavyweight: Brock Lesnar vs. TBA
Heavyweight: Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne
