Lesnar’s Return Hinges on Health Update Next Week

UFC President Dana White said the future of heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and the division he stands atop of should become a lot clearer in one week. That’s when Lesnar, who underwent surgery for an intestinal tract infection in mid November, is expected to meet with his physician to evaluate his recovery and discuss his next course of action.

“This week I’ll know,” said White on Saturday. “If the doctors say things are going well and things are going in the right direction, then maybe we’re a few months away (from Lesnar’s return). If it’s not, and he’ll have to retire, or he’ll be out for a couple of years.”

White said the possibility of additional surgery for Lesnar, the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view draw, is still very present.

“If he has to have this major surgery, we’re talking about changing the quality of this guy’s life forever,” said White. “I like him. I respect him. I hope that doesn’t happen for him and his family’s sake. Pay-per-view buys? I don’t give a sh-- about that. I hope the guy’s OK.”

Meanwhile, the promotion announced Saturday that Shane Carwin and Frank Mir will meet for an interim heavyweight title bout at UFC 111 on March 27 in Newark, N.J.

Carwin was originally scheduled to face Lesnar at UFC 106 on Nov. 21 in Las Vegas. However, Lesnar withdrew from the bout due to what was first thought to be a viral illnes. The promotion made one attempt to reschedule the fight, but then Lesnar was hospitalized for 11 days and underwent “minor surgery” before he was released in late November. The 32-year-old North Dakotan is recovering at his home in Alexandria, Minn., with his wife and two children. Lesnar has not publicly commented yet about the ordeal.

Both Carwin and Mir have expressed their desires to face Lesnar if he should be able to return.

Carwin, a 1999 NCAA Div. II wrestling champion, has stopped his opponents with first-round punches in all three of his UFC appearances. At UFC 96 last March, the 34-year-old Carwin bounced back from a knockdown at the hands of former title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga to finish the Brazilian in 69 seconds.

Mir, a former two-time heavyweight champion, submitted Lesnar in the wrestler’s promotional debut at UFC 81 in February 2008. Mir was defeated by Lesnar in brutal fashion during their title reunification rematch at UFC 100 last July. The 30-year-old Las Vegas native fought his way back into contention with a 72-second dismantling of Cheick Kongo at UFC 107 on Dec. 12 in Memphis, Tenn.