Why did Lesnar never develop as a fighter?

So many tough guys on here. Everyone wants to be KING!!!

 

He could have been a complete monster if he took it up right after college. Imagine guys like Cormier and Lesnar coming straight out of wrestling to mma.

In 5-10 years we are going to have some serious monsters in mma if the popularity keeps up.

 

Lesnar was always commercialized as a fighter. I'm not a huge MMA fan, but I know the basics and fundamentals. The times i've heard **** like "The baddest man on the planet" or "The biggest upset in UFC history.." I knew it was a bluff. The guy was being commercialized cause he was a sell for the public. He had the attitude that the fans loved, or they loved to hate. He was a huge sell for Dana and the UFC as a whole. He's pretty much a American version of Mario Pudzilla. Same amount of fame, big, beefy, poor stamina, lots of strength, came from crossover sports, but pretty much became a star cause of his celebrity status from WWE and NCAA, as Mario did with WSM and other major strongman competitions. Lesnar is obviously a better fighter cause he has a strong wrestling (real wrestling) background, where Zilla would only have strength on his side...Zilla had to basically start from scratch.

I knew Lesnar wouldn't last, but I thought he would of done better in his career tho....The guy is simply too beefy....You can prolly blame Vince McMahon for this...

 

Three major issues in my opinion.

1) Deathclutch. Brock was ultimately in charge of his own training regime and fight camp. He ran things the way he wanted and brought in people he wanted to spar with. He would have been better off with an established camp that had experience building up fighters, crossover wrestlers in particular. He needed a team that would push him to the limits of his potential and quickly identify weaknesses that needed to be corrected - his striking defence being a major example. Brock was a beginner in mixed martial arts, it's no surprise he couldn't train himself effectively and his development was stymied.

2) Jumped in the deep end. After Min Soo Kim he never had an easy fight. I've seen some bash his fights with Heath Herring and Randy Couture, but those were hard tests for a man so inexperienced. Talent needs to be nurtured, and while Brock did well to go 4-3 in the UFC, some softer fights first would have allowed him to build up more confidence in the cage, which is something he never really had, as well as the practical fighting experience.

3) Diverticulitis. After defeating Mir in their rematch, Brock was 3-1 in the UFC and still green, but developing into a serious heavyweight threat. His illness took away time he didn't have and badly interrupted his development as a fighter. After being diagnosed he only fought three times in two and a half years. The effects of the disease as well as the surgeries and time off took their toll on his 'freakish' physical attributes, which were a major cause of his success in the first place.

 

Maybe he just doesn't have the potential/smarts to develop to the level that the other fighters are at. We are talking about the best of the best here.

 

well said.:thumbsup

 

:deal

 

:yep

Number 1 seems a common opinion featuring highly.

 

You too mate. Have a great 2012.

 

Because he is not and never was a fighter

 

He was a wrestler through and through but I think he did develop his stand up and submission game but just very rudimentary. Even yesterday his stand up did look better but what the **** was he doing standing with Reem. The fact is though he didn't have ANY proper learning fights. In terms of experience and strategy yes but not in terms of skills. Mir, Couture, maybe Herring, Carwin and Cain were full throttle give and take fights.

I also highly suspect that Brock tried to learn in training camps. Your best training and learning will be done out of training camps. No pressure, no camp routine to follow, not preparing for one fighter etc Brock also had his illnesses which stunted development. I think he has only been around 4 years or so.

Ultimately Brock is very talented, with awesome achievements but didn't give himself the best chance at being the best that he could be. Very much like Fedor, eventually what worked for him became stale and when it did, he stayed with the same people in the same place.

 

Yeah but its quite late in the game when every thinks hes lost his edge and his now showing his striking against small heavies.

You saying Brock is a CAN says this debate will go nowhere.