WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan recently made a surprising claim that he wrestled Brock Lesnar right after the Beast Incarnate’s exit from the UFC, but multiple sources have quickly debunked the assertion as factually incorrect. This latest statement has reignited discussions about Hogan’s wrestling timeline and his tendency to stretch the truth about his WWE history, especially regarding Lesnar.
During a recent interview with TMZ Sports centered on Hogan’s new venture, Real American Freestyle Wrestling, the wrestling legend reflected on working with notable athletes who transitioned from amateur wrestling or MMA into pro wrestling. When mentioning Brock Lesnar, Hogan said, “I’ve been in the ring with some really crazy wrestlers. Like, I got Brock Lesnar right after he left the UFC. I got in first.” This strong claim implied that Hogan was the first person Lesnar faced in WWE after concluding his UFC stint[1][2].
However, wrestling historians and fans noted glaring discrepancies in Hogan’s statement. Brock Lesnar’s last UFC fight was on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141 against Alistair Overeem, after which he retired from MMA competition. Lesnar then made his WWE return months later, in early 2012, but Hogan and Lesnar’s only televised WWE match against each other took place on August 8, 2002, during an episode of WWE SmackDown—a full decade before Lesnar’s return from the UFC[1][2]. Therefore, Hogan’s claim that he wrestled Lesnar right after UFC was factually impossible.
According to multiple sources including Fightful and Ringside Intel, Hogan’s timeline of wrestling Brock Lesnar has become a subject of lighthearted criticism. It appears to be yet another “senior moment” or case of blurred memory for the wrestling icon, who is notorious for mixing up dates and events when recounting his legendary career. Despite this, Hogan praised Lesnar’s talents during the interview, calling him “one of the best workers this business has ever seen” and acknowledging his tremendous drawing power and success in WWE[2].
This is not Hogan’s first time being spotlighted for his colorful recollections. Wrestlers, promoters, and fans are no strangers to Hogan’s larger-than-life storytelling style, which sometimes defies strict chronology or accuracy. His recent comments surfaced while promoting his new wrestling-related project alongside Eric Bischoff and Izzy Martinez aimed at showcasing freestyle wrestling as a professional sport—a venture distinct from scripted pro wrestling or UFC mixed martial arts[2].
Some wrestling insiders share that Hogan’s exaggerations are part of his enduring persona and charisma. A WWE insider told Wrestling Inc., “Hogan’s memories can get fuzzy, but no one doubts the impact he’s had on the company or the legends he’s faced. This latest claim about Brock is just Hogan being Hogan.” The same sources suggest fans often take these stories with a grain of salt, knowing the Hulkster’s flair for entertainment[5].
Interestingly, footage and official WWE records confirm that Hulk Hogan’s active wrestling in high-profile matches largely wound down well before 2012. By then, Hogan was mostly involved in sporadic appearances or matches in other promotions, such as his televised TNA matches in 2011, rather than full-time WWE competition[3]. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar’s notable WWE runs before and after his UFC career remain well documented and separated by many years.
While Brock Lesnar made a memorable backstage appearance interrupting Hogan’s birthday celebration in 2014 alongside Paul Heyman and John Cena, the two megastars never crossed paths in an in-ring match after Lesnar’s UFC retirement[4].
In summary, Hulk Hogan’s bold claim that he wrestled Brock Lesnar immediately after Lesnar’s UFC career isn’t supported by WWE’s historical match records or combat sports timelines. They faced each other once—in 2002—long before Brock’s MMA career peaked and concluded. Still, Hogan’s acknowledgment of Lesnar’s sheer talent and drawing power stays true, underscoring Brock’s elite status in the wrestling business.
Sources close to Cody Rhodes, who have spoken on related wrestling narratives, further emphasize the need to fact-check wrestling legends’ claims, reminding fans that sometimes the most entertaining tales come from wrestling’s iconic figures’ colorful memories—however imprecise they might be.
As the wrestling world reminisces about the past, Hulk Hogan’s story serves as a reminder of the mythic stature wrestlers build around themselves and their careers, blending fact with the art of showmanship. Whether accurate or not, these anecdotes add another layer of intrigue to the rich tapestry of WWE history.
This article draws on reports from WWE.com, Fightful, Ringside Intel, TMZ Sports interviews, and wrestling insiders to provide an accurate account of the Hogan-Lesnar wrestling timeline.