by Azriel Johnson

Created on: June 06, 2008

It seems that Brock Lesnar has a target on his back along with the tattoos. Ever since he was signed by UFC President Dana White, man fighters have made it known that they would like to take on Lesnar. This will give Lesnar the ultimate chance to prove himself whether he really is The Next Big Thing. Brock Lesnar made his UFC debut at UFC 81: Breaking Point. The board was split amongst fans and critics alike, would Lesnar be able to break into UFC and be successful? His opponent Frank Mir was often overlooked. Animations were even posted on the internet of how Lesnar would take Mir up into the F5 (his finisher in the WWE) and break Mir in two.

This was, of course, not the case. Lesnar was submitted at 1:30 of the first round with a knee bar. However, the question begs to be asked, should he have lost?

In interviews after the fight, Lesnar admitted his mistake, he got over excited and hit Mir in the back of the head causing the fight to be stood up and giving Mir the chance to learn from his mistake. When Lesnar put him down for the second time, Mir turned it around and submitted Lesnar with the knee bar. In interviews later, even Mir admitted he was losing the fight until they were stood up.

Critics of Lesnar discount him simply because of his professional wrestling career. What those critics don't understand is that professional wrestlers are the toughest athletes in the world, bar none. I'd like to see any other athlete do what Lesnar has done in the WWE every other day for three years. Sure, the matches are choreographed, but that does not take away from the fact that the mat the wrestle on is canvas stretched over wood. Taking bumps on that mat day in and day out is not an easy job and Lesnar did it. Also take into account a match against Kurt Angle where Lesnar stood on the top rope to deliver a Shooting Star Press. For those who do not know what the Shooting Star Press is, it's a back flipping body splash that is not usually attempted by guys over 200 pounds. The most amazing part is that Lesnar ALMOST hit it. The fact that he would even attempt the move is amazing in and of itself. He may not have much in the way of brains, but he has balls for sure.

Now Lesnar is set to step into the octagon with UFC's first Heavyweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Mark Coleman at UFC 87. Mark Coleman is the man who brought the 'ground and pound' style to the UFC. This is a good match up for Lesnar to really test out his ground and pound style against the originator of the style. However, with the way Lesnar has been training, I wouldn't be surprised if Lesnar submits Coleman with a choke.

My prediction, if Coleman is going to win he's going to have to do it in the first two minutes. Coleman has never had the stamina to fight a long match. The longer the match goes the better the chances are for Lesnar.

Lesnar wins by KO or Submission at 3:30 in the first round

Learn more about this author, Azriel Johnson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.