Brock Lesnar in photo by Josh Hedges
He grew up on a farm in South Dakota and prefers country living. He’s someone who doesn’t trade family for fanfare and, when he’s not training, he loves swilling beer with his friends. But when he gets in the octagon he transforms. Like a freight train, he pounces on his opponents looking to exterminate them. This is Brock Lesnar, the current heavyweight champion of the UFC. Brock recently spoke with NOCAUTE magazine’s Nalty Jr. Check out the interview right here on GRACIEMAG.com.
After losing to you Randy Couture said MMA was entering a new era, one of athletes combining strength, speed and technique. Do you agree with that?
Yes, but there aren’t a lot of guys out there matching that description.
What most impresses you about Jiu-Jitsu training?
Jiu-Jitsu is an important part of any fighter’s game. It doesn’t matter how good you are in the other styles if you don’t know Jiu-Jitsu. Sooner or later you’ll get caught. But nothing has really surprised me. One thing that is tough is that, as a wrestler, instinct tells me certain things. And when I started learning Jiu-Jitsu I realized how some things that work in wrestling can get you in trouble.
Brock trains with Comprido. Photo: publicity
So you approve of the work you’re doing with Rodrigo Comprido?
Comprido helps me a lot. It’s great to have him around, he challenges me. Because of him and Erik Paulson I’m managing to adapt my wrestling to defend against submissions.
I want to be the greatest champion of all times” Brock Lesnar
What’s your goal in MMA?
My goal is to hold on to my UFC heavyweight title for as long as possible. I want to beat everyone the UFC puts in my way. I don’t care about rankings or any of that stuff. That’s a waste of time. I want to be the greatest heavyweight champion of all times.
You were a pro-wrestler. Does it bother you when people belittle the style as a sport?
No, because it’s not a sport. It’s entertainment. But that doesn’t mean those who do it aren’t athletes. They work just as hard as professional athletes, without rest. It’s really hard work.
Lesnar 's latest win came by way of this arm-and-neck choke on Shane Carwin. Photo: Josh Hedges
What do you think of Fedor Emelianenko?
Who’s Fedor?
Tell us a bit about yourself outside the octagon.
There’s nothing more valuable in the world than family. I’m a normal guy. I spend a lot of time with my family, work on my land and I love drinking beer with my friends, but only when I’m not training.