UFC’s Lesnar grateful to be back in ring

Associated Press

Brock Lesnar had never heard of the illness that nearly killed him last year, yet he learned about more than diverticulitis during his year away from the octagon.

The UFC heavyweight champion discovered serious diets and real training for the first time. The former professional wrestler and all-around tough guy says he even developed a deeper love for his friends and family.

Still, health problems didn’t change everything about the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draw, who fights interim champ Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Lesnar still drinks and swears. He still accidentally criticizes the UFC’s sponsors, much to president Dana White’s chagrin. And he’s still the toughest puzzle in the heavyweight division, even while many mixed martial arts observers believe Carwin has a strong chance against Lesnar, who won the title in just his fourth pro fight.

“This illness, it kills a lot of people, and it’s something I never even knew I had,” Lesnar said. “I think the setback for me actually has been a good thing. It allowed me to sit back and really focus on my diet, the way I trained. I really regrouped and rejuvenated myself. I took a new approach on it, and it’s been very refreshing. It’s been a great thing. I’m excited to fight.”

The bout between Lesnar and Carwin headlines the card at the MGM Grand Garden in the UFC’s hometown. They were scheduled to meet twice late last year, but both bouts were canceled when Lesnar fell ill with the strength-sapping malady that went undiagnosed for several weeks.

“I laid in a hospital bed for over two weeks without any food in my body,” Lesnar said. “I lost 42 pounds at that time. To wake up every day, to be on all them drugs and not be able to put any food in your mouth, yeah, you definitely take a different approach on life.”