UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar confirmed on Wednesday that he's completely recovered from a severe abdominal ailment and is targeting a return to MMA competition this summer.
Lesnar, who has been out of action since July due to the illlness, made the announcement alongside UFC President Dana White during a morning appearance on ESPN's "SportsCenter."
White said plans to have Shane Carwin fight Frank Mir for an interim title at UFC 111 in March would go on and that the winner will face Lesnar in a title unification bout later this year. White also said the winner of a scheduled bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez could be tabbed for the title fight in the event of injury to the other fighters.
White characterized Lesnar's recovery as "a miracle."

"(Doctors) basically said 'You got a lottery ticket,' " White said. "'We can't believe that you didn't need surgery.' "
In his first interview since his career was sidelined by a severe case of diverticulosis – an intestinal illness that caused a hole to develop in his stomach – Lesnar said he was "devastated" when he had to pull out of his first scheduled title defense against Carwin last year. After seeking multiple medical opinions, Lesnar said he opted not to have surgery that would have "pretty much ended (his) career," instead waiting to see if the illness would clear up on its own.
"I take my hat off to the doctors … that pretty much saved my life and my career ...," Lesnar said. "I didn't want to (have surgery). If I could beat the odds, I was going to do everything in my power to do that."
Lesnar said he lost 40 pounds as a result of the sickness, but has gained it back through training. A follow-up appointment with doctors on Jan. 5 revealed no traces of the sickness, Lesnar said.
"A miracle," Lesnar said. "They were dumbfounded. They couldn't find any signs of any problem in my stomach. I actually had to go back to the doctor yesterday to get another CT scan on my stomach because I still can't believe it."
The former NCAA national champion and WWE wrestler said there would be no lingering effects and no health risks assocaited with a return to the Octagon.