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UFC 141: Brock Lesnar loses, retires and it's probably for the best

At UFC 141, heavyweight Alistair Overeem (36-11, 1-0 UFC) defeated former UFC champion Brock Lesnar (5-3, 4-3 UFC) by technical knockout in the first round. After the bout, Lesnar announced that he was retiring from mixed martial arts. He didn’t say what his future plans were but many fans speculate that he will be returning to pro wrestling.

Standing in the center of the cage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “Tonight is the last time you will see me in the Octagon," Lesnar said. “I'm here to say that Brock Lesnar has officially retired. I promised my wife, my kids. If I won this fight I'd fight one more time for the title. If I lost, I'd retire.”

It was probably the right decision because during the fight Lesnar once again looked liked a fish out of water in the Octagon. Despite being a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler, Lesnar decided to stand and fight Overeem instead of using he superior wrestling skills.

Overeem kicked Lesnar in the liver and the former UFC champion fell to the canvas and covered up. Overeem followed with several punches and referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout at 2:26 of the first round.

At the post-fight press conference Overeem said, “I’m not a guy that believes in superstition stuff, but yesterday I said I would do a liver kick.”

Lesnar told UFC president Dana White after the fight that he believe he has a broken rib.

White said, “We’ll figure it out,” when asked about Lesnar’s contract with the UFC and if he would be allowed to go to WWE if he is still under contract.

In the co-main event, “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (17-4, 4-1 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Nate Diaz (15-7, 10-5 UFC) in a lightweight bout. It looked to me like Cerrone wasn't fighting to win the bout, but was fighting to win the “Fight of the Night” $75,000 bonus. He seemed to follow the exact game plan of his training partner Leonard Garcia -- standing toe-to-toe and exchanging punches with your opponent. Even though you may be losing the fight, your chance of winning a bonus is greater.

Cerrone talked to mmafighting.com earlier in the week about being broke despite fighting four times this year. He pocketed more than $200,000 in post-fight bonuses alone.

"And it's gone," Cerrone told reporters with a Dennis the Menace grin earlier this week, explaining, "I now own everything I ever wanted."

For three straight rounds, both fighters would do the same thing. Cerrone would land several leg sweeps and Diaz would land many punches to the mouth of Cerrone.

It makes for an entertaining fight, but it's very frustrating for the corner men and fans of the fighters. You know what he needs to do to win, but the fighter chooses otherwise.

The “Knockout of the Night” went to Johny Hendricks (12-1, 7-1 UFC) in a bout before Diaz vs. Cerrone. Only one punch was thrown, a left jab to the jaw of UFC No. 2 welterweight contender Jon Fitch (23-4-1, 16-2-1 UFC). The big overhand left land directly on Fitch’s jaw, knocking him out instantly at 12 seconds of the first round.

Light-heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson (13-1, 5-1 UFC) did his best Jon Jones impersonation with a TKO (punches) of Vladimir Matyushenko (26-6, 7-4 UFC) at 2:13 of round one.

Pennsylvania's own Jimy “The Kid” Hettes (10-0 2-0 UFC) but on a ground and pound clinic and won by a lopsided unanimous decision against welterweight Nam Phan.

Below are the full undercard results.

Diego Nunes won by unanimous decision over Manny Gamburyan.

Jacob Volkmann won by unanimous decision over Efrain Escudero.

Dong Hyun Kim won by unanimous decision over Sean Pierson.

Danny Castillo won by split decision over Anthony Njokuani.

Ross Pearson won by unanimous decision over Junior Assuncao.
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