Overview
- Lesnar, speaking Tuesday on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, said UFC chief Dana White ignored his calls when he sought a move to MMA in 2007.
- Shut out by the front office, he bought nosebleed seats to UFC 74 at the MGM Grand, scaled a railing after Randy Couture’s win, and introduced himself to White to land a one-fight tryout.
- He said the tryout came against former champion Frank Mir, and he lost by kneebar in under two minutes at UFC 81 in February 2008.
- Lesnar recalled White visiting the locker room after early pay-per-view data came in strong, and outlets noted the debut reportedly drew about 650,000 buys, which led to a full contract the next day.
- He went on to win the heavyweight title and become one of the UFC’s biggest sellers, illustrating how the promotion weighed sporting credibility against star power during its growth years.