Josh Barnett mentioned as possible Brock Lesnar opponent

Brock Lesnar is officially making his return to the Octagon at UFC 200, but the UFC has not yet announced his opponent. That announcement could be coming on Monday evening, but that isn’t stopping many from speculating about his potential opponent.

For now, my money would be on Josh Barnett.

Ariel Helwani first reported news of Lesnar’s comeback a few hours before the UFC made it official. Later in the evening, Helwani specifically mentioned Barnett as a possibility for Lesnar.

Josh Barnett is actively campaigning to get the Lesnar fight, I'm told. He wants it badly. He's here at the Forum, too.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016

Barnett also weighed in on Twitter:

I could do retweets all night but one thing is clear, people want to see me lock up with Brock Lesnar. Talk him into it @HeymanHustle. @ufc.

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) June 5, 2016

Given how accurate Helwani was about the Lesnar news to begin with, I’d call this tweet a little more than informed speculation.

Barnett isn’t the only heavyweight on the UFC roster being talked about as a possible Brock Lesnar opponent. Todd Duffee wants a piece of Brock.

Todd Duffee just contacted me. He wants Lesnar, too.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 5, 2016

So does Shane Carwin:

For everyone blowing up my phone, yes I would take this fight @UFC 200. I would love to knock Brock out. Any time, any place

— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) June 5, 2016

Others mentioned as potential opponents for Lesnar include Mark Hunt, Big Nog and even Junior dos Santos. We should know who it is soon enough.