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WWE issued a statement late Saturday night acknowledging Brock Lesnar being granted a “one-off opportunity” to return to UFC at the UFC 200 PPV event on July 9.
WWE added that Lesnar is still under contract and will be competing for WWE again at Summerslam on August 21. Lesnar has been away from WWE since WrestleMania in April.
WWE’s full statement reads: “Brock Lesnar remains under contract to WWE. However, he has been granted a one-off opportunity to compete at UFC 200. Following this milestone event on July 9, Brock will return to WWE for SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21 live on WWE Network.”
Lesnar’s opponent for UFC 200 has not been announced yet. The announcement is scheduled for Monday on ESPN, reports the Wrestling Observer, which also initially reported that Lesnar’s return to UFC was approved by WWE.
Lesnar has not fought in UFC since retiring in December 2011 due to his health. Lesnar teased returning to UFC in early 2015, but decided to re-sign with WWE and “shut the door on UFC.” 14 months later, the door has re-opened.
Brock lost a bit of his luster in the past year. Good move by the WWE to let him do this and reinvigorate his name brand and in return, helps the WWE.
If this means, in return, WWE gets to use Ronda Rousey for a Wrestlemania 33. It is all good.
Brock reestablishes his name, helps the WWE in making Brock more valuable. UFC benefits.
Everyone wins.