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SHANE CARWIN Part 2 “I’m a F**kin’ Handful for Anybody”
Shane Carwin victorious
© Marc Wickert
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC
UFC’s most promising heavyweight, Shane Carwin, left no doubt in the minds of fans tonight when he demolished former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Frank Mir, in overwhelming style at just 3:48 into the opening round. Prior to the clash, UFC commentator Joe Rogan stated, “Shane Carwin really, really has his hands full in this fight,” and many MMA enthusiasts shared this opinion on the internet, wondering if Carwin was ready for the more experienced and bulked-up Mir, who said, “I want him (Carwin) to know that he came in there full and strong and ready, and I still took his heart out of his chest.” Shane told the UFC, “I guarantee there’s going to be a ‘WOW’ in this fight; people are going to be like, ‘Did that just happen?’” The winner of the Mir vs. Carwin interim match was assured a shot at Brock Lesnar’s belt, and Frank believed his hatred of Lesnar would enable him to “come out on top at UFC 111”, saying of Carwin, “I want to completely beat you at everything that I can possibly beat you at because I am superior to you in every way.” Shane’s reply was simple: “Not if I have anything to say about it.” He then added, “I’m a f**kin’ handful for anybody. You step in there and it’s going to be a war, and it’s not going to be fun. All the shit talking nobody remembers – they talk about the fight.”
Shane Carwin unloads a crushing right Shane entered the arena boasting an impressive 11-0 MMA record and received a huge roar from the packed-out Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as he bopped down to the Octagon like a man on a mission, reflecting his earlier words, “I’m a tough f**kin’ guy and I can’t wait to throw punches with him.” Did anybody in the arena believe the shootout would go the 5 five-minute distance? No way! So how will the Lesnar vs. Carwin fight pan out? Height: Shane Carwin 6’2”, Brock Lesnar 6’3”. Both men will be coming in at around the same weight – this won’t be a David and Goliath bout where Lesnar is so much bigger than his opponent. In fact, Shane actually has bigger fists than Brock. Carwin is more proportionate, with his legs possessing incredible strength and power, whereas Lesnar is more top heavy. A good base, such as Shane’s, helps fighters to deliver KO strikes by chain-linking their punches from the floor, up through their hips, and out through their fists. Carwin also displayed his earthed power at 4:24 into his bout with Mir when Frank rushed him and Shane used his low center of gravity to bulldoze Frank to the other side of the Octagon. When Carwin was unleashing those ravaging uppercuts on Mir, the grounded power could be seen shooting up through his solid legs and left hip as he pulverized Mir. Lesnar has plenty of power in his strikes, but Carwin backs his punches with his whole body. When referee Dan Miragliotta broke the clinch at 2:50 into the Mir vs. Carwin fight, it appeared both competitors were aware of just how much more powerful Shane was. And Carwin packs industrial-strength KOs in both hands. He hits like a Mack truck – where other fighters take to energy drinks, Carwin’s probably out back refueling at the diesel pump. When Brock and Shane do broadside, Shane has shown he can take a punch and won’t flinch (Carwin vs. Gonzaga UFC 96), whereas Brock can be rattled under fire (Lesnar vs. Couture UFC 91).
Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin Both men possess outstanding wrestling skills and Lesnar’s pro wrestling experience won’t go against him. Many former pro wrestlers, such as Kazushi “The Gracie Hunter” Sakuraba, have benefited from their unorthodox fighting styles and exceptional athleticism. Carwin has an outstanding g’n’p game and can generate bone-crushing power with his short punches. It’s hard to envisage one fighter submitting the other, but either man could wear the other down, and although Shane hasn’t had to place his cardio cards on the table in 12 fights, he is known in the gym for his exceptional stamina, whereas Brock appeared to lack gas against The Natural. Carwin has MMA experience up his sleeve with a record of 12-0 in contrast to Lesnar’s 4-1 MMA career. A Sure Thing: The fans are certain to come up trumps when Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin do go to war. Shane Carwin’s sponsors: Beaver Buzz Energy, DPMS Panther Arms, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, MTX Audio, Performance MMA, Warrior Wear, Nightrider Jewelry, Blowout Cards and TCB Fightwear.
Shane Carwin g’n’ps Frank Mir
For more on Shane Carwin: http://www.shane-carwin.com. Shane’s website has recently been updated and there’s a ton of new info.
SHANE CARWIN If He Wants to Stand and Bang It Will Be a Short Night for Him
© Marc Wickert
All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC Special thanks to Jason Genet
There’s a new breed of athlete stepping up to the plate in UFC’s heavyweight division and these new-model wrecking machines are systematically eliminating the old guard in swashbuckling fashion. At UFC 110, Cain Velasquez (8-0-0) stopped Pride and UFC legend Antonio Nogueira (32-6-1) via TKO at just 2:20 into the first round. But leading the charge of new-wave terminators is Shane Carwin (11-0-0), a 6’2”, 265-pound human mako who has devoured all his adversaries in devastating style, with his longest bout lasting just 2:11 of round one. A wrestler by trade, Shane has evolved into a complete fighter with six of his victories coming by way of KO or TKO, and five by submission. And Carwin’s outstanding demolition of opponents has earned him a title shot twice against Brock Lesnar (4-1-0); however on both occasions Lesnar has had to withdraw from the showdowns due to illness, thought to be severe intestinal tract infection. Since making his dynamic Octagon debut at UFC 84, Shane has KO’d Christian Wellisch and TKO’d Neil Wain and Gabriel Gonzaga – all three opponents in a total of 3:24! On March 27, 2010, Shane will be hooking up with Frank Mir for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Title in Newark, New Jersey, with the winner then expected to challenge Brock Lesnar for the official title. It’s been a long wait for Shane, but for a man who is renowned for his big heart and undying determination, the wait will be worth it.
Shane Carwin vs. Neil Wain Shane, were you disappointed when Brock Lesnar withdrew from your bout at UFC 106? “Yes, but probably more so when he pulled out from 108. I am not obsessive about fighting him but I do feel like it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and now I am essentially fighting to keep that opportunity, with the caveat if I am not healthy someone else will get the chance. Not much I can do about it so I really am focusing on Mir.” None of your fights has gone three minutes into the first round. Do you feel the Lesnar match would have gone the same way? “I do. One of us was going home early. We are both big and powerful guys. Brock is a game opponent; I know he would engage me and I would surely be engaging him.” What did you think of Cain Velasquez’s victory over Antonio Nogueira? “Cain is a talented fighter who has a bright future. He continues to evolve as a fighter and I enjoy watching him fight.” What were your first thoughts when you heard Frank Mir was expected to be your next opponent? “It was one thing to have to wait and another to have that waiting turn into having to fight this world-class guy to keep your spot in line. In the end I love to compete, so I switched gears and changed the strategy, but forged ahead.” How do you believe your stand-up game compares to Frank’s? “We are going to see on the 27th. I think I have the advantage on my feet and I think he has the submission edge. Styles make matches and I am always expecting the unexpected.” Could this fight be a bit like Russian roulette where the first man to land the big shot wins the match? “I would say the Brock fight would be like that, but this fight I do not see it. I do not think he hits harder than Gonzaga and I know my recovery is super fast. If he wants to stand and bang it will be a short night for him.”
Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga UFC 96 Do you see cardio being a factor? “Not at all: I am prepared for 25 minutes. I have trained my butt off for this fight, I am confident that time invested will pay off. My trainers, coaches, Max Muscle and everyone that has pulled and pushed me to this spot has me ready. I am very confident I will be prepared for anything come the 27th.” Who have you been training with? “My main coaches are Amal Easton, Trevor Wittman and Christian Allen. My strength and condition is through UNC with Laurne Luadlow and Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, and Leister Bowling as my wrestling coach. “My training partners have been Brendan Schaub, Nate Marquardt, Paul Buenetello, Eliot Marshall, Rashad Evans, Jerimiah Constance, and many more guys at Grudge and Eastons BJJ.” Do you feel confident your wrestling ability can counter Frank’s BJJ skills? “I think he has an edge but I do think my size and grappling should allow me to counter his ground game and impose my will. Brock seemed to be able to hold him down. I have a lot of respect for Frank but I can't let that respect adjust my game plan. I need to do my thing, impose my will. The results will be what they are; I can't control that.” Assuming the fight goes your way, do you see Brock as your main threat in the future? “He will be or whoever has that other belt. I want to unify immediately, I'd rather not even have the interim title. I don't earn any more money as the interim title holder. Brock will still have the title and to be a champion you have to beat a champion, and some would say (I agree) then defend your belt. Brock is a UFC Heavyweight Champ; that is the prize we are all chasing.” Is there any way you’re taking the Mir fight lightly? “I respect him and the athletes in this sport too much. There are days I feel like I can't go any more and I am in so much pain I wonder what it was that made me want to do this. Then that fire inside me begins to rage again and there is nothing that would keep me out of the ring. I am killing my body in practice, doing my own road work, and all because I want the world to know I am the best heavyweight in the UFC. My goal and plans are to win that belt and then stay on top for a long time. I am putting in the hard work and sacrifice to make those statements a reality.” What do you think Frank’s greatest asset will be? “I suspect it will be his ground game.” What will your greatest asset be? “My size.” Shane Carwin’s sponsors? “Are great and I cannot thank them enough. Companies like Beaver Buzz Energy, DPMS Panther Arms, Max Muscle Sports Nutrition, MTX Audio, Performance MMA, Warrior Wear, Nightrider Jewelry, Blowout Cards and TCB Fightwear.” Shane is there anything you’d like to add? “I'd like to thank my family, my wonderful wife and my management team for all they do. Thanks.”
Shane Carwin stops Gabriel Gonzaga UFC 96
For more on Shane Carwin: http://www.shane-carwin.com.
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