The significant man slowly turned his head to face me as I delivered the news. I had assumed he already knew, as the news had spread rapidly online in the MMA community. However, it seemed that no one had informed Brock Lesnar yet. I unintentionally broke the news to him, and both Lesnar and his wife, Rena, reacted with surprise.
It was March 2009, and Lesnar was unaware that Frank Mir was officially out of their planned heavyweight title fight at UFC 98. The big rematch was scheduled for May, and Lesnar was taken aback by the revelation. The turn of events left Lesnar despondent, as he realized the financial implications of the canceled fight. Despite his love for money, Lesnar could only watch as his anticipated earnings slipped away.
Little did he know at that moment how everything would eventually work out in his favor. The turn of events led him to the headliner of UFC 100, which became the top-selling UFC event of all time, marking an unforgettable moment in MMA history.
Today marks the 15th anniversary of UFC 100 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The event was a massive success, with approximately 1.6 million pay-per-view buys and over $5 million in gate revenue, solidifying the UFC’s status as a major sports organization.
Many current MMA fans may take the UFC’s success for granted, but for those who witnessed the sport’s early struggles, UFC 100 was a milestone that showcased the organization’s growth and potential.