Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 3 In Madison Square Garden?

Last week, Brock Lesnar walked out on the WWE. While it is expected that he will return, the cause for the walkout has been heavily speculated on - A failed drug test by Roman Reigns? Lesser PPV revenue with the WWE? A clause in his contract to allow him to fight in the UFC? That last one was rumoured to be something Lesnar is pushing for - though it was suggested that it was not the reason for the walkout. However, Dave Meltzer has now reported in the Wrestling Observer that there are plans to hold Lesnar vs. Mir 3 in Madison Square Garden in New York, should Lesnar return to MMA. Frank Mir and Lesnar are 1-1 in their fight history so far, and the UFC hasn't been to New York since UFC 12. However, much has changed of late. The UFC was banned in New York in the late 90s, and has long been subject to campaigns by the Culinary Union in Las Vegas to keep the sport out of the state - basically payback for a beef they have with UFC owners the Fertitta brothers, who happen to be in the casino business. Until recently, the union had house speaker Sheldon Silver backing them, vetoing any move to legalize the sport in New York - but as it turns out, he's as crooked as the next politician, and was recently arrested and charged regarding payments he received in office that he did not disclose. With their biggest obstacle in New York out of the way, the UFC is looking to return to the state, and bring the biggest star in the sport's history with them. Meltzer reports that Lesnar's appearance at UFC 184 was planned in advance but kept secret, and that the UFC want him as part of a double bill in the state.

With Sheldon Silver out of power, there is the hope that they can get it passed this year and run Madison Square Garden in the fall. An idea that would make sense, if Lesnar actually signs, would be to put Lesnar vs. Mir as part of a double main event for the MSG debut show. With Jon Jones and Chris Weidman both from New York, one or the other would be the likely first main eventer if both are still champions if/when they are allowed to run there.

We may be reading a lot into Meltzer's words. Lesnar still has to sign of course. However, consider the fact that Brock wants an MMA clause in his contact, walked out on the WWE at his last RAW appearance, then showed up at UFC 184. Though most have excepted Brock to stay with the WWE of late, perhaps he's hoping to take the Bobby Lashley route, and handle both professions at the same time. Meltzer also rules out Bellator as an organization Brock could be headed to:

Although most feel that even though he could make money and beat lesser heavyweights in Bellator, that they are not in the running, because Lesnar only wants to be with the top organization. The idea is if he€™s going to compete in a sport, he€™s competing to be the best, and he can€™t be that in Bellator.

He does suggest, however, that Bellator's parent company, Viacom, could be useful as a bargaining chip to play off the other two suitors.