Eric Jamison
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar says he was physically ready for Cain Velasquez last fall, but perhaps not mentally so.
Lesnar, who fights Junior Dos Santos in Vancouver on June 11, says health problems and a roller-coaster year took their toll.
"I don't think it really registers to the general public on my year last year - from being sick and losing 42 pounds," Lesnar told a media conference call Monday. "Just to get my ass to the gym to recover and put that weight back on.
"And then have a title fight. And on top of that while I'm training for that title fight, a new baby boy. And then fighting Shane Carwin. And then I was expecting some time off, because I really needed it mentally more than anything - and physically."
He beat Carwin at UFC 116 in July, surviving a first-round beating to score a second-round submission. Less than four months later, he was back in the cage and lost to Velasquez at UFC 121 in October.
"If there was one thing I could learn from that is maybe to spread title fights out a little farther than what I did," he said.
The mixed martial arts star had to recover from diverticulitis - a digestive disease - after falling ill in late 2009, spending 11 days time in hospital and losing 40 pounds.
"I took a good loss from Cain," said Lesnar, adding he was angry at losing the title. "Evaluating the film, me and Cain traded punches back and forth. And he was uncomfortable on his feet enough to take me down. And then from there, I escape and I take a shot to the chin and I don't recover from it.
"In this game, it's a matter of inches. He was victorious that night. next time will it be different, I would hope so. But I have to get through Junior first and plan on doing that in June."
Dos Santos was slated to fight Velasquez next but the champion was put on the shelf because of shoulder surgery. Instead Dos Santos will take on Lesnar to see who will meet the champion when he returns to action.
Dos Santos (12-1) and Lesnar (5-2) will be showcased as rival coaches with a new crop of welterweights on Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, which debuts Wednesday.
Lesnar says the June timing works for him.
"Absolutely. I feel great."
Dos Santos spoke highly of Lesnar, saying he was professional throughout the six weeks' filming of the show.
"He's actually a pretty nice guy but on June 11 none of that really matters because my goal is go in there and beat Brock," the Brazilian said through an interpreter.
Lesnar says he didn't get to spend much time with Dos Santos throughout the filming.
The ex-champ did get to see some of the local sights, from the Hoover Dam, Red Rock and a NASCAR race to shows by Garth Brooks,Reba McEntire and George Strait.
"All in all it was a good time," said Lesnar, who had his family with him.
Both fighters said they enjoyed coaching on the show, although Lesnar also said he would not do it again.
But he said this time it was worth it, knowing a win over Dos Santos will put him at the top of the heavyweight contenders' line.