UFC
Shane Carwin welcomes UFC newcomer Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131 in June
Mar 23, 2011 - 3:25:52 PM Shane Carwin welcomes UFC newcomer Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131 in June

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Shane Carwin finally has an opponent for his return fight, as Dana White revealed during an online chat with fans at SeattleTimes.com on Wednesday that Carwin will meet UFC newcomer Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131 in June.

Einemo, who signed with the UFC earlier this month, is a 35-year-old Norwegian fighter with a 6-1 record into this bout. The 6'6" Einemo is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and former ADCC submission champion.

Carwin fights for the first time since his loss to Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 last July. Though he had the champion on the ropes in the first round, Lesnar survived the punishment and ultimately submitted Carwin in the second round.

UFC 131 takes place from the Rogers Arena in June 11 in Vancouver, British Columbia, headlined by the heavyweight bout between Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos.

Penick's Analysis: Wow, this was definitely a possibility when Einemo's signing was reported, but I'm still a little surprised in the matchmaking. There aren't a ton of options, and though Einemo won't be known to UFC fans, he's still a legitimate submission threat to anyone with his grappling game. However, that requires this fight hitting the mat, and it took Carwin tiring for a wrestler the likes of Lesnar to get him down and keep him there. Einemo's going to have to somehow survive the first round beating Carwin is assuredly going to dish out and he'll have to go from there. This is a hell of a debut fight for anyone, but it makes for an interesting bout on this 131 card.

[Shane Carwin art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

UPDATE: The bout was originally stated as happening at UFC 132, but it will take place at UFC 131.