Seems like fighters have figured out it's a good idea to call out the biggest draws.
When Brock Lesnar announced he was returning to MMA at UFC 200 there was a horde of heavyweights angling for the matchup. Ultimately, the fight went to Mark Hunt but that hasn't stopped one fighter from trying to position himself for a fight with Lesnar after UFC 200. Roy Nelson spoke to FOX Sports yesterday about the appeal of fighting Lesnar.
"I'd definitely take that fight. It's definitely a money fight. In the heavyweight division, that's the Conor McGregor. He just brings a whole other audience. It would be like if Tom Cruise said he wanted to fight or Shaquille O'Neal, it's just somebody that's so out there and well-known.
"If Dana White said he wanted to fight heavyweight, everybody would watch that fight tomorrow just because they want to watch Dana get beat up or win or whatever it is. Because they're just so well-known."
Lesnar is arguably the biggest draw in the history of the UFC, even over McGregor; however, that doesn't mean the fight is a money fight for Nelson. Barring his contract giving him PPV points (which seems unlikely though possible) Nelson wouldn't receive a huge pay hike for taking the fight. He could however, use a victory to bolster his own star power a la Nate Diaz's win over McGregor. It's a position Nelson has been in before when he defeated MMA phenomenon Kimbo Slice during The Ultimate Fighter.
But Nelson didn't stop at saying he would accept the fight. He went on to predict that if the UFC would make that fight it would break all the UFC records, even UFC 200 which has yet to occur but is tracking towards a massive event.
"After I get through Derrick [Lewis] and Brock still wants to fight, I'll definitely fight and it will probably be the biggest pay-per-view of all time. We'll blow Conor McGregor, UFC 100, and even UFC 200 out of the water. Because of our styles, the style I fight, Brock Lesnar's name, and the way I market myself and now with the UFC push behind me, it would get pushed to a whole new freaking level."
This is a pretty big claim for a fighter who is well liked but has never headlined a UFC pay-per-view event. He has headlined four UFC television events which each did respectable live gate numbers but were nowhere near the best in the company's history. However, should Lesnar beat Mark Hunt in his return and opt to fight again, it is entirely plausible his star power will be bigger than ever. But beating Hunt is no sure thing, though Nelson believes the fight favors Lesnar.
"I think [Lesnar has] always been the guy who picked his fights. He says he doesn't pick his fights, they give him whoever they wanted but I think stylistically it's a good fight for him. It's a striker versus grappler. If it's on the feet, it's all Mark. If it gets to the ground, Brock has a chance. It's simple. It's not like rocket science or anything."
Nelson fights Derrick Lewis at UFC Fight Night 90 on July 7. Two days later Lesnar will be fighting Hunt at UFC 200 where Nelson says he will be in the crowd. We will see if it's to set up a fight between the two of them.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
ESPY. Conor McGregor, Holly Holm, and Robbie Lawler were nominated for ESPY awards.
Cyborg. Miesha Tate believes she is the one who can stop Cris Cyborg's dominance.
Inconsistent. Dana White addresses Donald Cerrone's comments about not being paid well.
Be happy. Quinton Jackson advises young fighters to "go somewhere they're happy."
Live chat. Luke Thomas's live chat covering the UFC sale rumors, GSP's return, and the upcoming Bellator event.
EXTRA CREDIT READING
Break down. Connor Ruebusch of Bloody Elbow breaks down how Stephen Thompson outclassed Rory MacDonald.
Tornado. Tim Bissell of Bloody Elbow interviews Tecia Torres and talks about her future after fighting.
MEDIA STEW
Frank Trigg talking life after MMA and the UFC sale.
Chael on GSP and UFC sale
Brian Stann talking GSP's comeback.
Tommy on GSP's comeback.
Sam Greco teaching you things.
LISTEN UP
Cheap Seats
Soon to be debuting UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad
Show the Art fight breakdowns.
TWEETS
Conor was pretty hype about Ireland knocking off Italy.
YEESSSS GET IN THERE!!!!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 22, 2016
McLean is an ANIMAL! Ref is a rat. Brady what a fucking header!!!
BUZZING!!!! COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN!!!!
Stipe living the high life right now.
Got to lead the @Cavs victory parade today and oh my god that was incredible. #ALLin216 #ALLinCLE pic.twitter.com/80vaxubmng
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) June 22, 2016
The 4 billion dollar question.
Hey @lorenzofertitta is it true that Robert Kraft is our new daddy? @UFC https://t.co/zheqQNQQnQ pic.twitter.com/VXBvYtyPIM
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) June 23, 2016
And then there is this.
This is interesting: in '08, Lorenzo Fertitta stepped down from Station Casinos. An April SEC filing shows he's now full-time employee again
— Mike Chiappetta MMA (@MikeChiappetta) June 23, 2016
Very busy man.
So Lorenzo Fertitta is the new CEO of Red Rock Resorts, Inc. Must plan on being a busy man. Or something.
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) June 23, 2016
Getting closer folks. Get hype.
This is my time. #UFC200 #ItsTime https://t.co/LaGED34TZ3 pic.twitter.com/eTBP5dlUs5
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) June 23, 2016
Haven't verified this but just throwing it out there.
Seems the UFC will be doing at least one show in Asia this year. John Dodson is in Manila this week and a card announcement is expected.
— James Goyder (@JamesGoyder) June 22, 2016
I might be in the minority, but messing with a sleeping person just ain't right.
Corey Anderson is doing a give away with his signed fighter kit so here it is so y'all can enter if you'd like.
Werdum says tapping Fedor was the happiest day of his career. Over winning the UFC title.
Letourneau talks about her top situation this past weekend.
No idea what this means but Khaleesi is coming to Westeros.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sultan Aliev (13-2-0) vs. Hyun Gyu Lim (13-5-1); UFC 202, August 20.
Damir Hadzovic (10-2-0) vs. Yusuke Kasuya (9-2-2); UFC 203, September 10.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2002: Don Frye and Yoshihiro Takayama went all rock 'em sock 'em robots on each other at Pride 21. Their fight is recognized as one of the most entertaining in MMA history and won the Wrestling Observer's Fight of the Year award. This event also marked the Pride debut of heavyweight GOAT Fedor Emelianenko who won a unanimous decision overSemmy Schilt.
2007: B.J. Penn avenged his first MMA loss, submitting Jens Pulver with a rear-naked choke in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 5 finale. The co-main event of the evening saw Nate Diaz win the lightweight tournament final of that season of TUF when Manny Gamburyan suffered a shoulder injury in the second round.
2012: Rich Franklin recorded his last career MMA win, a unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva in the main event ofUFC 147. Silva was originally supposed to fight Vitor Belfort but Belfort was forced to pull out and Franklin stepped in to rematch Silva.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The only way Nelson vs. Lesnar breaks UFC records is if the undercard is McGregor vs. Mayweather and Rousey vs. Cyborg. But I respect his hustle for getting out there and trying to make things happen and his fight with Derrick Lewis is gonna be all types of fun.
Until tomorrow M-Rmy, be easy.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it.