Loss of Lesnar dims UFC’s star wattage

The unexpected retirement of Brock Lesnar following his UFC 141 loss to Alistair Overeem on Friday brought an end to the career of one of the most physically imposing athletes to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

It also leaves a huge void in star power at the top of the organization. Lesnar was the unquestioned leader in drawing fans and pay-per-view appeal.

It likely will take several stars to match what Lesnar brought to the UFC, and many candidates might have emerged on the card in which Lesnar walked away.

While Overeem probably never will match Lesnar's crossover and mainstream appeal, he no doubt increased his profile with his performance Friday at the MGM Grand Garden.

In his UFC debut, Overeem's dismantling of Lesnar was an impressive introduction that surprised even Dana White, the organization's president.

"I thought Brock Lesnar was going to beat Alistair Overeem," White said. "I was wrong."

Overeem will move on to face heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, another potential superstar, for the belt in the near future.

Overeem had company in the emerging star department. Johny Hendricks needed only 12 seconds to knock out Jon Fitch, who widely was considered the No. 2 welterweight in the world behind Georges St. Pierre.

Hendricks, a decorated collegiate wrestler at Oklahoma State, deemed himself ready for a title shot after improving to 12-1 in his mixed martial arts career.

But it was a pair of 24-year-olds who truly had breakout performances. Alexander Gustafsson knocked out Vladimir Matyushenko in the first round, and Jimy Hettes dominated Nam Phan for three rounds.

Hettes, who only six months ago was fighting on the regional circuit in his native Pennsylvania, improved to 2-0 in the UFC and 10-0 as a pro.

The featherweight doesn't look the part of a highly trained fighter. In fact, a barrage of posts on Twitter during his fight compared him to the kid who invented Napster and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

In his first trip to Las Vegas, the fresh-faced Hettes learned he must always carry his ID. He wasn't even trying to gamble or get alcohol when he was carded. As Hettes tried to cut weight Thursday, he initially was denied entry to the hotel gym because an attendant didn't believe he was over 18.

"I was in a full sauna suit with a hat on and looked like an alien. When I said I was a UFC fighter, she just laughed at me," he said. "God forbid I try to gamble or buy an alcoholic beverage. They'll probably call the cops on me."

Hettes said he has used his youthful appearance to his advantage.

"I do look real young, and I don't have a whole lot of muscle mass, so when people look at me they automatically count me out," he said. "I like coming out of the shadows and getting the victory."

Despite his age, Gustafsson has been around for a while. He won his fourth straight bout since his only career loss to light heavyweight contender Phil Davis. Gustafsson admits he's not ready to be in the discussion for a title shot.

"Not yet," he said. "I want to fight the best guys in the world, but I have some other guys to beat first to get to that level."

Lesnar's UFC career ended in the same place it first was discussed. In late 2007, Lesnar had only one pro fight when he approached White at a UFC event at the MGM Grand and said he wanted a shot in the UFC.

White said he laughed it off at first, but Lesnar eventually got his shot. He lost his first bout to Frank Mir but won the belt two fights later. He successfully defended it twice before losing his final two bouts to wrap up his brief UFC career at 4-3.

"He brought a lot of excitement to the heavyweight division," White said. "What he accomplished in a short amount of time is amazing."

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.