The mystery illness afflicting Brock Lesnar has been revealed as an intestinal infection. Sherdog has the story:
Brock Lesnar is being treated in an unidentified hospital for a bacterial infection in his intestinal tract, UFC President Dana White told the Associated Press on Monday.
“He’s in stable condition and should be released soon,” said White.
Payout Perspective:
Lesnar is the UFC’s biggest star, so obviously the infection is of serious concern. Thankfully it doesn’t appear to be life-threatening.
It’s a little surprising to see White so open and honest with the situation considering the UFC’s track record for being tight-lipped regarding inner-organizational developments, but it does make sense from a PR perspective. Lesnar attracts attention in whatever he does; even if he’s not fighting, he can still be used to bring attention to the UFC. While he may not be back in the cage for a while – or forbid, at all – the UFC does have a ton of heavyweights that fans can watch in the meantime. That should be the message here.
If Lesnar is unable to return, it’ll certainly be a blow to the organization. However, the UFC’s brand-first strategy helps to ensure that potential losses via injury, free agency, or retirement are absorbed by the strong brand. The Lesnar’s and GSP’s of the organization help to put the organization’s merchandise sales and buyrates over the top, but there exists that core base of fans that will purchase the product regardless of who’s on the label or fighting in an event.
So, no need to panic. Lesnar the illness doesn’t appear to be life threatening, and with or without Lesnar the organization will continue to perform well.
The UFC’s Brand first approach is what ultimately assured the sports survival in the past with Busta, Pulver, Couture, Tito, etc held out. The UFC continued on growing and building other fighters. People can complain about the UFC treatment of contract negs and fighter pay. But in the end the UFC and the future of the sport are join at the hip. If Dana dont pay someone a huge amount then he strikes a blow against future inflation that is tearing other sports apart. People need to look at the UFC as a checks and balance of the sport. Some fighters get less than they should. But that money goes back into the sport in advertising, new events, new fighters, etc. Something each individual fighter would not invest in.
Look at boxing. What would it look like if Dela Hoya retired 3 years ago? He was the only name in the sport. Maywether would not be a household name with out his Oscar fight. Pac man wouldnt be where he is now either. At that moment the sports future hinged on Oscar. Now if hinges on 2-3 boxers and the sport in dependant on them to pass the torch by losing eventually. MMA isnt dependant on 1 fighter or event 5 fighters. The UFC promotes prospects with less than 10 fights and turns them into big names like Dufee, Santos, Vasquez, etc. Can you name a big name/popular boxer with less than 10 fights? You would if there was a UFC putting money into promoting them.
Soory for the rant. But to many people look at the UFC from the perspective of a fanboy looking for the best interest of their favorite fighter. So they want fighters to get everything they want and the UFC to get nothing when its not best for the sport.