Lesnar vs. Carwin
The main event of UFC 116 is a huge bout for the UFC Heavyweight Championship as Brock Lesnar takes on Shane Carwin.
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Lesnar enters the fight as the slight favorite with a betting line of -130 with Carwin given a line of +140 according to online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com. Here is a closer look at both fighters heading into this main event bout, which will take place from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning at 10PM ET live on pay-per-view.
Brock Lesnar (4-1):
Strengths: Lesnar is still young in his MMA career, but he has as much raw talent as any fighter and he keeps getting better. His sheer size is tremendous as he wears 4XL gloves and he cuts weight to hit the 265-pound limit. Lesnar is a collegiate national champion in wrestling and he has improved his striking since beginning MMA. Lesnar doesn’t have the most technical striking, but his fist size and power is so great that one punch can end a fight.
Weaknesses: Lesnar is coming off a 1-year layoff since defeating Frank Mir at UFC 100. Shortly after that victory, Lesnar developed an illness in his intestine which threatened his career. Thankfully the illness didn’t worsen and he is back to fighting, but a 1-year layoff could have its problems. His cardio could be impacted and his senses in the octagon could be affected.
Last Five Fights:
Second round TKO win over Frank Mir at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009
Second round TKO win over Randy Couture at UFC 91 on Nov. 15, 2008
Unanimous decision win over Heath Herring at UFC 87 on Aug. 9, 2008
First round submission loss to Frank Mir at UFC 81 on Feb. 2, 2008
First round submission win over Min Soo Kim at K-1 Hero’s on June 2, 2007
Shane Carwin (12-0):
Strengths: Carwin is a horse, as he packs as much muscle into his 265-pound frame as possible. In 12 career fights, Carwin has never had a fight go out of the first round, winning all by knockout or submission. The longest fight of his career was his last, as it took him 3:48 to beat Mir at UFC 111. Carwin has a wrestling background, but he had been a stand-up artist in the UFC as he has tremendous power and solid technique in his striking.
Weaknesses: It is hard to say that Carwin has a weakness with his resume, but we have never seen him fight off his back, and that is the big question in this fight. Lesnar has the speed and explosiveness that Carwin has never contended against. If Carwin can avoid takedowns or defend well off his back, he has the edge. If he is unable to get the large Lesnar off of him, it could be a long night.
Last Five Fights:
First round TKO win over Frank Mir at UFC 111 on March 27 2010
First round TKO win over Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96 on March 7, 2009
First round TKO win over Neil Wain at UFC 89 on Oct. 18, 2008
First round KO win over Christian Wellisch at UFC 84 on May 24, 2008
First round TKO win over Sherman Pendergarst at ROF 31 on Dec. 1, 2007
Who will win: This fight is very tough. The key will again be if Lesnar is able to score takedowns. Now, Lesnar may be to stubborn to try in order to attempt to prove a point. On their feet, we feel Carwin is the better fighter as he lands more strikes and has more power per-punch than Lesnar. His explosion on Mir was something you don’t see out of a lot of heavyweights. In the end, we like Carwin’s size and strength to match Lesnar’s strength. Both still have some growing to do, but we feel Carwin will land the big blow and win by TKO in the first round.
Additional Line: Over/Under 6.5 minutes for fight length. Over (-135) Under (-105).
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Posted: 7/1/10 3:06PM ET