The Brock of old, in photo by Josh Hedges
Humble, at least that’s how the UFC heavyweight champion carried himself in the octagon after successfully defending his belt, unlike on other occasions when he went as far as to make obscene gestures at the crowd. Lesnar brought up the hard times, when he was sick and his ever returning to the cage again was put in doubt.
“Tonight’s not about me, it’s about my family, my training partners, trainers and doctors. I’m blessed by God. Ladies and gentlemen, before you and from here on is a humble champion,” he stated, on one of the rare occasions since he started with the UFC that he was applauded.
Brock also remarked on the hardship he went through in the first round, when Shane Carwin nearly brought the bout to a close.
“I just had to weather the storm, he threw some hard hits. But I knew he was getting tired. Each punch was less dramatic than the last. I thought: “I’ll just let him continue,” he said.
Having suffered the first loss of his career, Carwin gave Lesnar his props for his grit in the battle.
“I take my hat off to him, he’s a champion. I fell down the mountain, but I’ll climb back up,” he warned.