Brock Lesnar says he has the flu, and has been too ill to train effectively and prepare for the biggest challenger of his title reign: 6-foot-2, 260-pound Shane Carwin. Because of an extended illness, he's pulled out of their scheduled UFC 106 fight, leading to a postponement that will probably place the bout in the early part of the new year.
That seems perfectly rational and logical. But apparently it's not enough for some, all because of a video of Lesnar appearing at an Oct. 18 Minnesota Vikings game. The cynics believe that video is proof positive that Lesnar is healthy and that something else is afoot in regards to the date change.
What is with the MMA world lately that makes them want to turn every story into a soap opera?
Simply put, there is no evidence to point to something sinister. None. Lesnar has always been a perfectly game fighter. This is a man, after all, who entered the UFC after one pro fight, telling a skeptical Dana White, "Either I can do it, or I can't. Let's find out." So any theory that he's scared of Carwin is ridiculous. I'm sure he respects the undefeated Coloradan, but fear is not really in his system as it pertains to fighting.
To be blunt, the other theory put forward by conspiracy theorists is steroids. They think that perhaps Lesnar mistimed a cycle and was forced to back out now before he has to submit to a drug test.
Here's why that theory is garbage: Nevada has random drug testing. They could have tested him a week ago or a month ago, at any time during his camp, really. He didn't just need to be clean on the day of his fight; he needed to be clean the whole camp, so it doesn't make sense that he would suddenly withdraw from the fight now to avoid detection. And by the way, since the proposed reschedule date is in Nevada, the NSAC could test him tomorrow if they wanted, so postponing the fight would not necessarily spare him a drug test.
Maybe -- and I know this sounds crazy -- it's just as simple as him actually being sick. Just because he showed up to a football game doesn't make him a liar. People go to work sick all the time, but there's a difference between sitting at a desk with a flu and trying to prepare for a mixed martial arts championship match with one.
He showed up at a game in his home state and blew a horn. Isn't that completely different than going to two or three training sessions a day and taking yourself to the physical limit each time? What does one have to do with the other? What if someone saw him at the grocery store? Is that a sign that he's healthy? What about if they saw him taking his daughter to school? Would that be acceptable? Because people still live life when they get sick, but that doesn't mean they can whip themselves into peak physical shape to defend a title.
Carwin in a recent blog post said that he'd contracted a strain of the swine flu during his training camp, but that he'd chosen to soldier on and prepare as best he could for the originally scheduled Nov. 21 date.
As we know, however, these sicknesses affect everyone differently. Some people who contract the flu feel better in just a few days, but some people don't. Some people die from it; over 30,000 in the U.S. alone in most years, according to the Center for Disease Control. So if Lesnar says he cannot work out and prepare properly, I believe him. He's never backed down from any challenge before.
Earlier this month, Yahoo! Sports writer Dan Wetzel visited Lesnar at his Alexandria, Minn., training camp, and said that during that time, Lesnar mentioned being excessively tired and lacking energy. A few days ago, Lesnar's training partner Chris Tuscherer told The Las Vegas Sun that Lesnar had suffered flu-like symptoms for 25 days and skipped a whole week of practice in hopes of recovering. But for some reason, people find it easy to ignore that evidence and fun to explore other scandalous possibilities.
No one wants to see a fighter lose because he came in weak due to illness -- especially in a championship fight. And in the end, we will have two fighters who are as close to their physical peaks as time will allow.
Then, can we put the soap opera behind us and get back to fighting?
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thank you Mike. The best writer on this site. I have so much respect for this guy. I am not a big fan of Lesnar but I am glad Mike addresses the whole steroids accusation. I hope all you people who accuse others of murder end up in jail, where you belong. Internet needs regulation. We need to be able to sue people who talk from their butt with no evidence.
Carwin doesn't deserve a title shot. Which fighter he fought was a jujitsu master? Cans after cans. Like Cain Velasquez. But then again. If Fedor can get away with fighting Zulus of this world and be considered the best human being in the history of mankind, then Carwin deserve a shot too.
"What is with the MMA world lately that makes them want to turn every story into a soap opera?"
Two words Dana White. He will say or do anything, but that's his job a promoter.
exp,
on the one hand, i agree with your compliment of the article's content and author (mike c.).
however, you've been taking a beating as of late on these boards.
just a bit of advice, you might want to start examining your wording.
unless of course, your trying to be overtly outrageous with your comments for some reason.
your statement about sueing people that talk out of their butts, might put you in court for the rest of your life.
which might be a good thing.
I am taking a beating? From who? Johnny Fan boy and his buddies. Listen man. Don't be afraid to say what you believe but don't accuse others. I still believe a lot of Machida haters are racists. Not all. You can't sue me for that. I think Fedor will get knocked out. That's just a fact. I have made NO accusation against a specific person. But you people come in here say Lesnar is on drugs and he is faking it or Dana paid the refs. That stuff should put you in jail. Heck. you people are out there to make the government take our first amendment away which to be honest at this point, I don't mind the way you run your month (not you specifically).
Dude exp is gay
amen to that neozoo, lol
i personally dont like lesnar, he is the archetype for a meathead--big strong guy who acts like a total d!ck because of his size. the guy is an attention wh0re to boot, who could forget the fiasco after ufc 100?
the fight against carwin would answer some questions about both fighters, but the questions i wanna know are IF shane beats him (which i really hope he does), how would lesnar react? will whine and pout, or would he jus take it as a learning experience? and also, IF lesnar wins, will he act like he did after mir 2, or would he act like a grown man?
thoughts anyone?
Unfortunately i think Brock would feel encouraged by the press he received from his behavior after his previous fight. I would be surprised if win or lose his language was not incindiary.
I'm sorry, but this is a "Brock" biased view of the situation IMO.
1)Fighters often refer to taking their piss test before or after a fight, but how often have we heard them mention the random test they just took? Let's be honest - random testing isn't taking place with any frequency. We can't rule out the "steroid" issue 100% using Mike Chiappetta's logic.
2)Being sick for 25 days isn't normal ... even for those who get the worst from the flu virus. To have fatiguing symptoms for that period of time, if true, is indicative of another problem. A lingering stuffy nose or something wouldn't keep a professional athlete from training. Ask yourself ... "Does this seem a little secretive"? Has he mentioned going to see a Doctor, getting antibiotics, fluids ... I feel like I'm having the wool pulled over my eyes.
Bottomline - I don't even care what the reason is, I just want to be told the truth. Like the rest of MMA fans, I want to see Carwin & Brock in the cage.
EXACTLY!!!
Mike, you cover MMA issues and events very well, however, it is very clear to us (the readers) that you are a major Brock Lesnar fan.
Adding to the fantastic rebuttal Eric made, I would advise you to keep your biases out of your articles.
Notice how the readers are drawn from the topic at hand due to your bias bleeding through a bit. It hurts you more than anyone because it draws readers away from the content of your article. Im not placing any blame...just a bit of advice, since I do read almost every article on here.
I think Brock is sticking it to Dana like Silva. He says he won't be ready for January too for no reason. I think he is upset that Dana gave him a tongue lashing after UFC 100. Brock is a short-term thing. The guy won't be around past 2010, champion or not.
Are you talking about the fans or reporters like Kevin Iole and Fighters Only who said something doesn't add up?
http://bit.ly/4G3SrN
Exp,
Carwin doesn't deserve a shot? Hell, what did Brock do to deserve a shot? Who's he fought a washed up Randy Coulture who would probably kick his ass if they fought again. Mark it down big dog Carwin will put Brock to sleep when they meet!!!
Dude. Go read my posts. I said Carwin would beat Brock in the 1st round. But Brock had name and Carwin didn't. What did Shogun do to serve a shot? I am astounded by some MMA fans who clearly don't understand how the business works. You either bring a good couple of wins or a name to a title match. Brock brought his big name. What has Carwin done? What has Brock to earn from this fight? It's a very risky fight for him which will lose. Carwin is just a leech, acting all nice and holier than thou. Now bashing Brock for not defending his title with the Flu. I hate Carwin but he will beat Brock. I hope Nog takes him down and submits him fast though. And couture is washed up now but when he wanted to fight Fedor, he was the 2nd best in the world. You fedor fan boys, who by the way are Shogun fans too, are on all out war on the UFC's real stars. StrikeFarce will never be anything. With or without Lesnar and Machida fighting for the UFC. When Fedor loses to Rogers, I'll be dancing in the streets all night as the world will be rid of a dangerous myth. Sheeple will wake up, and heck the economy may get better too.
Brock Lesnar is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC, and Shane Carwin is among the best of the up and coming heavyweights in all of MMA. Debating whether Brock "deserves" to be the champion is moot, as he in fact is, and beating a de facto top ten heavyweight like Gabriel Gonzaga means Carwin is qualified to fight for the title. How about debating fight strategy for this upcoming battle?
Well balanced piece by Mr. Chiapetta. Thanks.
Exp do you really believe in your horrible opinions or do you just say stupid things to get a rise out of people... do yourself a favor and dont comment on the articles cuz nobdody agrees with you and nobody likes you plain and simple, if i was a moderator for this website i would make it impossible for you to comment on anything...
when brock does fight shane carwin he will get knocked out in the first round like everyone else that shane has fought