Morning Report: Concussion concerns may stop Brock Lesnar from making a return to UFC

Concussions. Money. It's all very complicated.

According to former WWE commentator Jim Ross, former UFC heavyweight champion and current WWE champ Brock Lesnar could be leaning back towards staying in the ring after all.

Rumors had surfaced that Lesnar was contemplating a return to MMA, but the prospect of earning millions while not being punched in the face may have claimed yet another soul.

"Sources are saying that it looks more promising that Brock Lesnar could well stay with WWE past WrestleMania due to concerns over long term health affects [sic] of competing in MMA specifically concussion oriented issues later in one's life," Ross said this week in his blog. "Gain, these are 'sources' and how reliable they are can only be judged after WM31 [WrestleMania 31] and following the status of the former UFC Heavyweight Champion."

So either Lesnar has joined the vast majority of humanity unwilling to fight people for money or the UFC needs to up its bid.

"One thing is certain," said Ross. "If UFC believes, and rightfully so in my view, that CM Punk will sell PPV's for at least his first two fights then what would a healthy Brock Lesnar mean to the UFC brand in a time where no combat sport company has a plethora of bona fide star power that can move the needle on the pay per view business."

WrestleMania 31 takes place March 29 in Santa Clara, California, so join me in hoping for a swift resolution.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Suspended. Anderson Silva, Nick Diaz and Hector Lombard were all issued temporary suspensions for their respective drug testing failures by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

More. In addition to his pre-fight testing failures, Anderson Silva tested positive for anabolic steroid metabolites in his Jan. 31 fight night drug test following his decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 183.

Big day. Dave Meltzer explains how the UFC's decisions regarding PEDs will change the direction of the sport.

Dragon. Lyoto Machida says Luke Rockhold's ground game ‘doesn't scare me at all.'

Not a good look. UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell struggled discussing MMA's PED issues during an appearance on FOX's Sports Court.

MEDIA STEW

UFC rankings report.

Diego Brandao doesn't like to be videotaped.

Free Fight: Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar at UFC 81.

Max Holloway's vlog from UFC Fight Night: Broomfield.

GLORY welterweight Nieky Holzken training down with the Blackzilians. Skip to 12:00 for sparring with Michael Johnson.

Bendo's toothpick gets a quasi thug life video.

Long watches.

Jens Pulver: Crazy career stories, Return to MMA, Young Nick Diaz, Marijuana, Australia

...

#042 - Stud Show Radio (formerly TAMRadio) - NEW NAME, SAME SHOW (Joe Warren, Danny Castillo)

TWEETS

Can't be good.

. @JonnyBones you up? I have a situation..,

— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) February 18, 2015

Agree?

It's terrible how athletes can get hooked on pain killers. Medicinal marijuana should be legal for athletes

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) February 17, 2015

Sounds good.

I'm working on booking a fight right now. hopefully I'll have an announcement to make soon! stay tuned http://t.co/gzdu9IbK8c

— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) February 18, 2015

Close.

Final days of preparation #UFC184 #rouseyVSzingano #feb28 photo courtesy @hansgutknecht pic.twitter.com/uuqOqRnu7W

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 18, 2015

Eat up.

What u know about that #SeoulFood? Dinner w/the wife, working on getting that weight up... #TheOnceAndFutureKing pic.twitter.com/89VqUIUP9e

— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) February 18, 2015

Happy #FatTuesday and #MardiGras Let the good times roll. pic.twitter.com/U9RNo36kHC

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 18, 2015

Looked like OSP accepted.

I love the @ufc & the sport of mma so I'm willing to do my part to make sure we're viewed as professional athletes http://t.co/UGwo2ixJi9

— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) February 17, 2015

Ready for Stipe.

Best of luck.

Thank you for the opportunities you have given me @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby

— Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) February 18, 2015

Beefin'.

@JoeSchilling187 @BellatorMMA Hi Joe, no problem, any time, anywhere!

— Shlemenko Alexander (@StormShlemenko) February 18, 2015

Outstanding.

"@npsportsoficial: Lutadores @ALANNUGUETTE e @ErickSilvaMMA reproduzem cena do filme ROCKY pic.twitter.com/rwgVvPQfv7"

— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) February 17, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 17 2015)

Brad Tavares vs. Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

Sean O'Connell vs. Anthony Perosh at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

Jake Matthews vs. James Vick at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

Seo Hee Ham vs. Bec Rawlings at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

Dylan Andrews vs. Bradley Scott at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

Alex Chambers vs. Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

Vik Grujic vs. Brendan O'Reilly at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via MikeMorganMMA.

FEARLESS: Michael 'Venom' Page Documentary

Bellator's Michael Page has been described as brash, cocky and flashy amongst others things. #WHOATV went behind the scenes as Page prepares for his next opponent, Curtis Millender, on the stacked British Invasion fight card. In this revealing documentary Page talks about his past, present and future.

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Check out the rest of the post here.

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.