Former champ Brock Lesnar cageside at UFC 184? Tap the brakes, fight fans

Brock Lesnar and Dana White

LOS ANGELES – So former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar – the man whom fight fans can’t just seem to let go – was cageside at UFC 184?

UFC President Dana White, as he’s done countless times over the past couple years, had to address the 300-pound rhino in the room. But the UFC executive quickly tapped the brakes on any speculation about a return to the cage, where Lesnar hasn’t been since his MMA retirement in 2011.

After a familiar question, White gave an even more familiar answer when asked about the 37-year-old, who hung up his gloves after a long battle with diverticulitis and a title loss to Cain Velasquez and subsequent defeat to Alistair Overeem.

“Apparently Brock Lesnar is a UFC fan, and he was in town and wanted to come see the fight tonight,” White said, with a hint of annoyance. “He’s under contract with the WWE, and when his contract is up, I’m sure he’ll call me.”

Sure, it may all be part of a bigger negotiating tactic as Lesnar (5-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) considers re-upping with the pro-wrestling organization – and perhaps he has no intention of returning to the cage despite White’s recent comments – but the man knows how to create a buzz.

Soon after the former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion and PPV kingpin arrived cageside at Los Angeles’ Staples Center (and looking quite dapper while there), social media lit up:

For complete coverage of UFC 184, check out the UFC Events section of the site.