Who will Brock Lesnar face in his 2011 return?

Just two months ago, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (5-2) lost his belt to Cain Velasquez (9-0) at UFC 121. The first round TKO left the former WWE superstar battered, bloody and lying on the canvas.

In the two months since his defeat, Lesnar has been very low profile, almost to the point of hiding. Some of this is due to the three medical suspensions he was handed following the TKO that amounted to lofty 180 days pending clearance by an ophthalmologist. The very least Lesnar will be suspended though is 60 days for his left cheek laceration with no contact allowed. What this all Means is he is not really hiding but more or less healing and recovering.

The 60 day suspension ends today (December 22, 2010) which means if an ophthalmologist has already cleared Lesnar he could theoretically begin training tomorrow. Needing time to get back into training, work on some of the things he needs to improve and a proper training camp, Lesnar could possibly fight in May or June of 2011.
The bigger question then when will Lesnar return is who will the UFC put him against in his return. There is a short list of possible opponents but timing is everything:

Frank Mir – The two have already fought twice and Dana White was close to setting up the rubber match but fans weren’t too thrilled so Mir is rumored to be facing Brendan Schaub next in March. Mir is practically obsessed with fighting Lesnar again so a third fight is possible.

Roy Nelson – A Lesnar vs. Big Country match up has been talked about but with his contract issues being in limbo right now no one really knows when he’ll return to action.

Shane Carwin – A rematch here is a very long shot because Carwin is out of action till the middle of 2011 as he is recovering from back surgery.

Cheick Kongo – Last fought at UFC 120 against Travis Browne which ended in a draw. He hasn’t done well when facing the top level in the heavyweight division but might make for a good comeback fight for Lesnar.

Mirko Cro Cop – Out until April due to the medical suspension from his UFC 119 KO lose to Frank Mir. The fight might have been better if Cro Cop was like four years younger but none the less the match up would still be interesting.

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