For UFC newcomer Brock Lesnar (2-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), the frustration was evident.
UFC President Dana White yesterday announced Lesnar would face a returning Randy Couture at UFC 91 for Couture's heavyweight title. And despite being part of what White referred to as "the biggest fight in UFC history," Lesnar was largely ignored for most of the hour-long media conference call.
The majority of questions focused on Couture's return and how it would impact a possible bout between Couture and current WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. Lesnar quickly grew tired of the hypothetical discussion.
"I'm hearing all this talk about Fedor Emelianenko," Lesnar said. "Who gives a [expletive] about Fedor? I don't care. I'm fighting Randy Couture. That's what this press conference is about."
Lesnar said he was not alone in his disdain for the discussions of Emelianenko.
"I don't give a damn about Fedor," Lesnar said. "I'm tired of hearing about [expletive] Fedor. Randy Couture is fighting Brock Lesnar Nov. 15. His No. 1 concern should be Brock Lesnar. And Dana White could care less about Fedor.
"Everyone's beating around the bush. Yeah, you want that fight? I don't give a damn. I'm sick and tired of sitting on the phone listening about Fedor. He's not with the company, and he might not ever be with the company. So who gives a [expletive]?"
While Couture has continually expressed interest in arranging a fight with Emelianenko -- including undertaking a 12-month layoff in hopes of securing the bout -- there are still no guarantees that the UFC will be able to bring the Russian into the organization.
That fact was not lost on Lesnar.
"Let's get to the facts here," Lesnar implored. "The facts are that it's me and Randy Couture, and Fedor isn't with the company. So why are we wasting our breath on talking about a guy or a match that might not ever happen?
"This is what's happening. I don't know how many times you have to say it. This is for real. This fight's going to happen. Randy Couture and Fedor that might not ever happen. But this fight is going to happen. I'm on the telephone talking about this fight."
With his position on Emelianenko clearly established, Lesnar turned to his chances against the legendary Couture.
"Randy's a smart guy," Lesnar admitted. "He knows how to fight heavyweights. But trying to compare me to Gabriel Gonzaga is like apples and oranges. Randy understands that he's up against a different beast in this fight.
"Randy said that earlier today he's going to come in at 225 pounds (for the fight). I'm coming in at 265 pounds, so there's a huge weight difference."
Besides the obvious size difference, Lesnar also felt his camp at Minnesota Martial Arts would be able to devise a victorious plan of attack.
"We're not dummies here," Lesnar said. "We're going to figure out how to beat Randy Couture, just like we figured out how to beat Heath Herring. I will come into this fight well-prepared and with a game plan to win the title that night."
