5 intriguing 'What if?' questions from UFC history 

#2. What if Brock Lesnar had entered the UFC at an earlier point in time?

Brock Lesnar could've dominated the UFC had he joined them, and not WWE, in 2000

Brock Lesnar is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars in UFC history. With two successful title defenses to his name, he should also be considered one of the better UFC heavyweight champions.

However, Lesnar’s run in the UFC lasted for only a short period of time – from 2008 to 2011 – and he spent long stretches of that period out of action with diverticulitis.

The big question, then, is what if ‘The Beast Incarnate’ had entered the world of MMA a little earlier than he chose to do? Namely, what if he’d followed a fighting path rather than heading to WWE in 2000 at the age of 23?

The UFC was a very different place at that time. Zuffa hadn’t arrived on the scene, and the promotion was going through the period that would eventually become known as the ‘Dark Ages’.

A fellow wrestler – Kevin Randleman – held the UFC heavyweight title. Given his size, athleticism and brute strength, it’s easy to envision a scenario that would’ve seen Lesnar claim the title quickly had he joined the promotion.

More to the point, it’s very likely that Lesnar would’ve hooked up with Pat Miletich’s team – who he trained with when he initially began his MMA career years later. Given the Miletich team’s dominance during that period, it’s easy to imagine ‘The Beast Incarnate’ becoming a practically unstoppable force.

How long Lesnar could’ve ruled over the UFC is anyone’s guess really. With the Zuffa buyout taking place in late 2000, it’s easily possible that he could’ve developed into the promotion’s biggest poster-boy.

Had that happened, Lesnar would never have gained fame from his WWE run, meaning he might’ve ended up making less money along the way. However, he would probably have become renowned as one of the UFC’s all-time great heavyweight champions, leaving more of a legacy than he eventually did.

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#1. What if Rafael dos Anjos hadn’t withdrawn from UFC 196 with injury?

Nate Diaz's fight with Conor McGregor would never have happened were it not for an injury to Rafael Dos Anjos

Two of the biggest-selling shows in UFC history were headlined by fights between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz. Had things gone slightly differently, there’s a chance that neither fight would’ve taken place.

UFC 196 – which saw Diaz defeat McGregor via second-round submission – was initially supposed to have seen McGregor challenge Rafael dos Anjos for his UFC lightweight title.

However, dos Anjos broke his foot leading into the event, forcing him out – and opening the window for Diaz to fight McGregor instead.

So what if dos Anjos had avoided the injury? The first question is exactly how he would’ve fared against McGregor. Given that he was on a serious roll at that point, there’s a chance he could’ve beaten the Irishman, particularly on the ground.

Had he done that, McGregor probably would’ve moved back to 145lbs to defend his UFC featherweight title – making the history of that weight class very different.

If McGregor had won, meanwhile, the timeline would hardly have changed. He’d still have been likely to pursue the boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, removing him from the UFC for a time.

The biggest loser here would’ve been Diaz. Had he never fought and beaten McGregor, he likely would’ve continued on his path as a popular but inconsistent journeyman. He probably would’ve been forced to take on more fights than he has done through the years for far less money.

Essentially, Diaz probably wouldn’t say it himself – but the success he’s found in the later years of his UFC career could easily be credited to dos Anjos and his injury.