Lesnar heading home from hospital; no word yet on career plans

By STAFF REPORTS and NEWS SERVICES

Last update: November 18, 2009 - 8:41 AM

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Former Gophers wrestler and current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar left a North Dakota hospital Tuesday and was en route to his Alexandria, Minn., home after he was hospitalized for a bacterial infection in his intestinal tract, according to his mixed martial arts trainer, Greg Nelson.

"No one can tell, but it seems right now it's something he'll definitely recover from," Nelson said.

UFC President Dana White said Lesnar underwent minor surgery, a few days after telling reporters Saturday at the UFC 105 tournament in London his condition was grave enough to jeopardize his mixed martial arts career.

"Leaving Bismarck ND right now," White said via Twitter. "Brock had minor surgery and is feeling better. Not 100% sure he is out of the woods but feeling better."

Nelson said Lesnar knew something was wrong when he began dropping weight more rapidly than expected in training camp for a Nov. 21 bout against Shane Carwin. Lesnar eventually canceled that match and a rescheduled date because of illness, before he was ultimately diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Nelson said Lesnar collapsed last week while in Canada and doctors discovered the intestinal infection.

Nelson said he has not spoken to White about Lesnar's UFC future and said it's too early to tell when the 2000 NCAA heavyweight wrestling champ will fight again.

MYRON P. MEDCALF

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• Unbeaten super middleweight Caleb Truax of Osseo headlines a 10-bout boxing card at 8 p.m. Friday at the St. Paul Armory. Truax (13-0) will fight Kerry Hope (12-2) for the WBF International super middleweight title. In the co-feature, Muhammad Kayongo of St. Paul will face James Todd for the WBF International welterweight title. Tickets ($25 general admission, $5 for children under 13) can be purchased at the door or by calling 612-807-5547.

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