Brock Lesnar has a foot of his intestines removed

Brock Lesnar’s chances of returning to the octagon this year look finished after he underwent a major surgical procedure which involved having a foot of his intestines removed.

It has been revealed that Lesnar was checked into the Mayo Clinic (not in Mayo) before undergoing surgery last Friday.

Eyebrows were raised when the ex-UFC heavyweight champion withdrew from his much anticipated UFC 131 bout against Junior Dos Santos.

The pair, who were competing coaches on The latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, were to fight it out for a shot at the Heavyweight UFC belt.

However, it has since been revealed that Lesnar was forced to withdraw due to a second attack of intestinal disease diverticulitis.

"He said he's a little sore, but the operation was a huge success," said UFC President Dana White, before revealing the extent of the surgery.

Lesnar had spoken previously of how he hoped dietary changes had brought the disease, which he first contracted in 2009, under control.

However, he again fell ill while preparing for the Doz Santos bout.

White added that he hoped to see Lesnar make his return to the Octagon early next year.