Wrestling Legend Brock Lesnar Announces Retirement Following WrestleMania 42 Loss

The WWE universe was taken by surprise when legendary wrestler Brock Lesnar seemingly bid farewell to his illustrious career at WrestleMania 42 on Sunday night. The dramatic turn of events unfolded at Allegiant Stadium, where Lesnar faced a swift defeat against his adversary, Oba Femi, in a mere four minutes and 42 seconds.

In a poignant moment that left fans and peers alike stunned, Lesnar placed his gloves and boots in the center of the ring, hinting at his retirement from the sport. His emotional gesture was followed by a heartfelt embrace with Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and onscreen ally, before Lesnar turned to give a final wave to the crowd.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was charged with emotion, as Netflix’s broadcast captured the audience’s overwhelming response. Chants of “Thank you, Lesnar” echoed through the arena, honoring the 48-year-old’s contributions to the wrestling world as he departed the ring one last time.

Beyond his WWE achievements, Lesnar’s career highlights include a tenure as a heavyweight UFC fighter. He retires as a ten-time WWE champion and a two-time Royal Rumble victor, solidifying his status as a true legend in the wrestling realm.

Lesnar, who also had a stint as a heavyweight UFC fighter, walks away from the sport as a 10-time WWE champion, a two-time Royal Rumble winner and bona fide legend.

It didn’t take long for tributes to pour in for the 48-year-old, with Kurt Angle writing on X: ‘Love you my brother. There will only be one like you. Enjoy retirement Brock.’ 

WWE legend Brock Lesnar appeared to retire from the sport at WrestleMania 42 on Sunday

The 48-year-old was overcome with emotion as he waved goodbye to fans in Las Vegas

Lesnar had an emotional embrace with on-screen manager Paul Heyman at Allegiant Stadium

Lesnar began life with the WWE back in 2002, following a successful college wrestling career that saw him a two-time NJCAA All-American and accrue a staggering 106-5 record over four years.

After signing with the wrestling promotion, Lesnar worked his way into the main roster and eventually became one of the biggest stars in the organization.

However, his first stint in the WWE would come to an end in 2004. Following a defeat at WrestleMania XX, he cited burnout, injuries and creative dissatisfaction as his reasons for walking away. 

Lesnar would later return to the promotion in 2012 and earned a number of WWE championship titles before seemingly retiring at WrestleMania 36. 

That decision, however, was short-lived and he returned to the ring in 2021 rocking a new ‘cowboy’ look that featured a beard and ponytail.

In 2023, Lesnar was named in a bombshell sex trafficking lawsuit against WWE co-founder Vince McMahon, filed by his former employee Janel Grant. 

As a result of the lawsuit, Lesnar was removed from the WWE’s roster and wiped from their event plans. He would endure a two-year exile from the organization.

He returned at Summer Slam in August 2025, despite the Grant lawsuit remaining active at the time. He took part in a handful of fights between then and Sunday night, before officially retiring from the sport.

Lesnar’s final WWE match saw him get defeated to Oba Femi in less than five minutes

The WWE icon bid farewell in-front of a packed out Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Lesnar also had a successful career in the UFC during a hiatus from his wrestling endeavors

Though he’s best-known for his time in the squared circle, Lesnar also found success away from wrestling. After leaving WWE for the first time in 2004, he attempted to embark on a professional football career. 

Lesnar participated in the NFL Scouting Combine at the time but later suffered a broken jaw and hand from a motorcycle accident which put his progress on hold. 

Despite the injuries, a number of NFL teams still held an interest in Lesnar and, in July 2004, he signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a defensive tackle. However, his time with the franchise was short-lived and he was eventually released in August. 

After his dreams of being on the gridiron came crashing down, Lesnar then decided to try his hand – literally – at mixed martial arts.

He began fighting for a promotion known as ‘K-1’, in April 2006, and won his first bout via submission in the first round – bring global attention to his MMA skills. 

He would eventually sign with Dana White’s UFC in 2008, which proved to be a massive success for the organization given Lesnar’s national star power. 

Despite losing his first fight, UFC chief White stuck by Lesnar and offered him a multi-fight deal. Again, this proved to a wise call as Lesnar would later become the UFC heavyweight champion following a win over Randy Couture in November 2008.

In total, he had eight UFC fights, winning four of them and losing three – with the final bout being ruled as a no-contest after he tested positive for clomiphene.