Lukewarm on the Carwin-Lesnar fight
With Fedor Emelianenko out of the picture, it looks like MMA fans will get Shane Carwin vs. Brock Lesnar at UFC 106 in the next battle for the heavyweight title. The problem I have with this fight is that Carwin poses arguably the top threat to Lesnar (at least among heavyweights on the UFC’s roster). He’s 11-0 and, like Lesnar, he’s huge. He is also a former collegiate champion wrestler and he’s got a very powerful right hand.
The problem is, he’s not going to beat Lesnar. And then the UFC is without a clear opponent for Lesnar. Velasquez will be near the top of the list, along with the winner of the Randy Couture-Antonio Nogueira fight at UFC 102. Mirko Cro Cop could find his way on that list but not without two more wins first. And none of those fights are as interesting as the bout with Carwin.
Lesnar is good at all the things Carwin’s good at, and Lesnar is arguably better in all of them. Carwin’s size is on his side as he’s probably the biggest fighter Lesnar will face, but Carwin will still be the smaller fighter come fight night. Carwin has the longer resume but Lesnar’s fought much better competition. Carwin is a good wrestler but he’s been taken down by guys that aren’t outstanding wrestlers and Lesnar is an outstanding wrestler.
Don’t get me wrong, this will be an exciting fight, but I just can’t see Lesnar losing this one. I’d like to see this fight a year from now after Carwin has a few more tests, but for now, it’s the best fight the UFC can give us with Lesnar.
Photo courtesy of Zuffa, Inc.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
Lesnar has yet to knock anyone out.Lesnar has out weighed each of his opponents by at least 35 pounds.The guy has been fighting cruiser-weights.Shane Carwin will be the first heavy weight fighter Lesnar has fought and he is a wrestler.
Posted by: kathie | August 21, 2009 11:33 AM
What? Lesnar hasn't fought anyone his own size? Has evreyone already forgot about Frank Mir? Frank came in at about 250 lbs, and Lesnar fought him twice, and the second fight he enielated Mir. I don't see Carwin posing too much of a threat for Lesnar
Posted by: Jared | August 21, 2009 2:40 PM
It will be interesting to see if Lesnar can take a punch. The biggest test he has had on his feet was the 45 seconds mir kickboxed him before he got taken down and beat up. Lesnar has dominated each of his fights in the standing position except that 45 second spurt. I'm sure Carwin would rather keep the fight standing. I think Lesnar will dominate Carwin again, but Carwin has SERIOUS power. With MMA you NEVER know what is going to happen and Lesnar could go to sleep if is is not carefull.
Posted by: adam | August 21, 2009 2:44 PM
i guess gonzaga isnt good and winning all your fights in the first round as well as being undefeated sucks too. better hands submissions carwin wins via ko
Posted by: dbo | August 21, 2009 3:25 PM
Great match-up...and I disagree with Mark in the sense of waiting a year. It's good that it's happening now and though Carwin always has a punchers chance, Lesnar's going to kick his ass.
Posted by: rbk | August 21, 2009 4:01 PM
"And none of those fights are as interesting as the bout with Carwin." -- and that, my friend, is why Carwin is happening now...
Posted by: rbk | August 21, 2009 4:06 PM
Brock is gonna eat this guy alive, the fact that he's basically a rookie in this sport is incredible.
Like him or not, he's great for the sport and he could dominate for a very long time.
Posted by: JaySin420 | August 21, 2009 5:46 PM
Lesnar is incredible and should win this fight without too much trouble. I'm really hoping to see him fight Randy Couture. Couture would be giving away size, power, and age, but he is a cagey veteran and I think he could give Lesnar a run for his money. It would probably be one of the biggest upsets in UFC history if he could do it, but I love his style and would love to see this fight.
Posted by: Kevin | August 22, 2009 1:26 AM
Lesnar has already faced Couture and beat him up.
Posted by: Dan | August 23, 2009 7:53 AM
"I’d like to see this fight a year from now after Carwin has a few more tests"........Lesner has only what 5 fights? and remember WWE fights dont count lol. But seroiusly. Carwin has 6 more fights under his belt, I think lesner needs to be tested not Carwin, Mir and Couture are good opponents but not the best.
Posted by: Gholl | August 25, 2009 11:19 AM
They needed someone to fight Brock and there aren't too many names to choose from.
I really wanted to see Carwin-Velasquez though...
Posted by: Corey | August 25, 2009 4:33 PM
I think that Brock will eat this guy alive in fact put anybody in MMA against Brock and he'll eat em alive Brock's the most dominent fighter there is He was in The WWE and he is Now
Posted by: M6000 | August 27, 2009 4:52 PM
The only guy that beat Lesnar in the UFC was Mir. I am sure he will be back to do it again some day and make it exciting to see.
Posted by: Rick | November 21, 2009 12:29 AM
Carwin's going to destroy Lesnar. Brock doesn't have a chance. Another 1st round knockout for Shane.
Posted by: fightguy | June 18, 2010 4:27 AM