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COLUMN: Lesnar vs. Carwin at UFC 116 will crown #1 heavyweight in the world
Jun 29, 2010 - 4:44:09 PM COLUMN: Lesnar vs. Carwin at UFC 116 will crown #1 heavyweight in the world

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By: Griffin Marsh, MMATorch Contributor

After months of uncertainty, the mega-bout between Incumbent Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Interim Champion Shane Carwin is at hand this Saturday July 3, 2010. Not only will this bout determine the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, it will also crown the #1 heavyweight in the world.

For the past four years there has been debate amongst writers, fans, and fighters themselves as to who actually is the top heavyweight in the world. With former #1 heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko losing last Saturday night, this bout will definitely determine which man stands atop the rankings in the division.

Brock Lesnar comes into the bout THE UFC Heavyweight Champ. His claim that Shane Carwin's belt is a "make-believe belt"is a completely viable statement. Fortunately for the fans, all of that will be settled once the cage door closes and these beasts go to war. Both have strong wrestling bases and both like to punch. With this event being capable of producing a million PPV buys, this fight could very well go down as the biggest fight in not only the UFC but MMA history.

Brock Lesnar is a freak of nature and no matter whether you love him or hate him, you cannot deny that fact. Brock walks around in the 280's and looks a beastly 265 when stepping onto the scales. Brock is an amazing athlete, second to none in the heavyweight ranks and has the Eye of the Tiger to go along with his athleticism. Brock has the mentality of a medieval warrior. He has that kill or be killed attitude, so there will be no doubts as to whether or not he will be prepared come Saturday night.

After a lengthy battle with diverticulitis, as the whole MMA world knows by now, Brock has returned with a vengeance. He has been training with big, strong, powerful wrestlers such as Cole Konrad (6'5" 265 lbs), John Madsen (6'0" 252 lbs) and Chris Tuchscherer (6'1" 258 lbs). As many of you know by now, Brock as well brought in former opponent Randy Couture to his camp for this fight.

Brock definitely did the smart thing in surrounding himself with these big, strong heavyweights in preparation for this fight with Carwin. That fact could be a major factor in the fight, especially when compared to the size of Carwin's training partners.

Brock is mainly known for his intimidating personality and intimidating presence. He is the best wrestler in the heavyweight division no doubt, but that is really the only thing at which he is "great." I question the power of Brock Lesnar; I know he pounded Frank Mir into a bloody mess, but by no means is he the only one that has beat Frank bloody like that. I know he knocked out Randy Couture, but after watching the first round of that fight the only thought in my head was that age beat Randy, especially if you take into consideration how Couture, a much smaller man, had his way with Brock in the clinch and boxing in the first round.

Brock is a great wrestler, but he is a mat wrestler. Brock is great on the mat. His takedowns are good to solid and his clinch-work needs improvement, but his bread and butter is on the mat. Brock's main form of attack is to get you to the ground, go chest on chest and pound your face into hamburger meat. Judging based upon his five professional fights, he is nothing more than average to good in his striking while possessing good, solid power. As I said before he is great once he gets you on the mat, but has struggled against inferior opponents in the clinch in the past.

Shane Carwin as well is a good wrestler, though we haven't witnessed him use much of his wrestling technique. That's mainly because he has knocked every single fighter he's faced in the UFC out in the first round. Nevertheless, Carwin is still a solid wrestler. He is a Division II national champion and has the size and strength to match up well with Lesnar.

Carwin, however, isn't simply average in his striking. He's average to good but has good boxing and power. He lacks, just as Lesnar, using his feet as a weapon and could definitely, just as Lesnar, use vast improvement in that area. However, Carwin has power in his hands like no other fighter in MMA. Carwin has true "great" power and can knock Brock cold with just a simple jab.

Carwin trains out of Greg Jackson's camp in Albuquerque, NM. He is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has shown the ability to submit guys in the past as, though against lesser competition, he submitted two fighters via guillotine choke in Casey Jackson and Rex Richards.

Carwin trains with some of the best fighters, period. His trainer, Greg Jackson, is arguably the best trainer in MMA today. I never count out a Greg Jackson fighter because I know they will come to the Octagon every time with a great gameplan that will no doubt be effective.

This bout between these two will be the biggest fight in the history of MMA. I know that almost every top fight the UFC puts on PPV, Joe Rogan calls "the biggest fight in history," but in all reality this bout really will live up to that moniker. It will undoubtedly crown the #1 heavyweight in the world and the UFC will hold every top fighter in each respective division.

A fight of this magnitude and with these caliber of fighters could absolutely go either way. I see Brock trying to take Carwin down and pounding Carwin out. However, I've long said that the man Brock Lesnar cannot physically hold down and punch will be the man that beats him. I do not think Brock will be able to dominate Shane on the ground. I think Shane is strong enough and skilled enough to more than hold his own should the fight go to the ground, and I think Brock will see and feel what real "great" punching power is. I only see Carwin's fist hitting Brock's face to become the Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion and the #1 heavyweight in the world.

Marsh's Pick-- Carwin by first round KO

Questions? Comments? Email me at andysilvanumber1@yahoo.com

My name is Griffin Marsh. I live in central Arkansas, and though there is not a huge MMA scene where I am from, I still love the sport and everything about it. I am married with no kids and my hobbies include MMA, boxing, football and music as I have been a musician most of my life. I absolutely love MMA and I hope you enjoy my posts. Thank you all for reading.