Speaking to ESPN, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Lesnar had drawn a line under his mixed martial arts career, saying: "He told me he’s done, he’s retired."

The UFC was originally keen to match Lesnar with reigning UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in a big-name world title fight later this summer, with huge pro-wrestling fan Cormier even getting into a light-hearted in-cage confrontation with the hulking WWE star to help tee up the possible matchup.

That confrontation came after Cormier defeated Stipe Miocic to win the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 226 last July and now it appears that, instead of facing Lesnar, Cormier will now rematch Miocic in his latest title defence, with White explaining that, rather than matching Cormier with Lesnar, the organization was set to "move in another direction with Cormier."

That direction will see Cormier face Miocic, with ESPN reporting that plans are in place for the pair to meet at UFC 241 in Anaheim, California, on August 17. Both men have reportedly verbally agreed to the matchup.

Miocic has been calling for a rematch ever since his shock first-round knockout loss to 'DC' at UFC 226. The Ohio native is the most dominant UFC heavyweight champion of all time as the only man to successfully defend the title on three consecutive occasions.

Cormier has defended his newly-won belt once - against big-punching contender Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 last November.