Lesnar slating gone too far

"When he gets hit, he reminds me a bit of Bob Sapp." â€“ Veteran fight reporter Zach Arnold on Brock Lesnar in the aftermath of UFC 121. This was not flattery at work.

In the early naughties, Bob 'The Beast' Sapp was the most famous mixed martial artist in the world. He enjoyed superstardom in the east while MMA was floundering in the west, and remains a household name in Japan to this day.

Like Lesnar, Sapp came to MMA as a charismatic ex-pro wrestler whose cartoonish size fascinated fans. But despite a couple of credible wins in both MMA and K1 (including two knockouts of legend Ernesto Hoost), Sapp has come to be regarded as something of a joke figure.

Partly this is because of his exclusive reliance on a by-now trademark, unskilled bullrush. But also, it is his reaction â€“ often comical â€“ to being hit. Incoming fists have variously been known to prompt Sapp to turn his back, jog in the opposite direction, go foetal, and even cry (yes, real tears) between rounds.

If Brock Lesnar has paid attention to the UFC 121 fallout (which is doubtful, given his hermetical leanings), he'd surely be wondering how such rich plaudits so quickly turned to flak.

Following his come-from-behind submission of Shane Carwin, he was anointed by all and sundry as 'The baddest man on the planet'. Four months and one defeat later, credible reporters are likening him to a fighter regarded as clownish.

Catch the action from the fight plus Dana White's reaction below:

Such is the fickleness of MMA opinion: a genius with the heart of a lion for surviving by a hair's breath in July; an exposed pretender for succumbing to a similar onslaught in his very next outing.

One only has to note the glut of articles speculating upon whether Lesnar will retire to appreciate the intensity of the overreaction. Why would he retire? When asked in his post-fight interview whether he'll bounce back stronger, Lesnar replied, "Thatâ€™s what champions do."

Precisely why a single loss has convinced so many people that Lesnar has been drained of his champion mettle, is unclear. Perhaps it was the comprehensiveness of the loss? Or that he was so badly rattled for the second time in as many fights.

What needs to be borne in mind, is that those were the former champion's sixth and seventh fights â€“ ever. And in Velasquez, Lesnar's belt was seized by what looks to be the UFC's most well-rounded heavyweight.

It's not inconceivable that Lesnar might decide to hang up his gloves, slow down, and enjoy the fruits of a long, trojan athletic career. But it is folly to assume away his once-feted MMA potential upon a single loss. Don't be surprised if there are yet a couple more 'Brocktobers' in future MMA calendars.

By Alan Murphy