UFC
UFC 141 Results: Brock Lesnar retires after first round loss to Alistair Overeem
Dec 31, 2011 - 9:30:01 AM UFC 141 Results: Brock Lesnar retires after first round loss to Alistair Overeem

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Alistair Overeem ended Brock Lesnar's night early at UFC 141, and it turns out he ended his career as well.

A series of brutal body shots in the first two minutes spelled the end for Lesnar, who had battled diverticulitis over the last two years. It was his first fight in 14 months, and it lasted just two minutes and 26 seconds as Overeem attacked his body early and often.

Following the loss, Lesnar announced that it would indeed be his final fight, as he promised his wife and family that he would retire if he lost this fight. He gave Overeem respect for his performance, and said it had been a pleasure, and then he walked off.

Overeem now will meet Junior dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight Championship in early 2012, and after a brutal and successful UFC debut, that should make for an excellent title fight.

Penick's Analysis: We'll have a lot more to say about this fight and Lesnar's retirement in the coming days, but as an immediate reaction MMA fans should thank Lesnar for the efforts he put forth in his short UFC career, as he helped the UFC - and by proxy the sport - explode in popularity in the almost four years he's been around. It's an unfortunate end to his run, but it gives Overeem a chance to break out in 2012 as a new heavyweight star.

[Brock Lesnar art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]