UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin may have averted the curse of The Ultimate Fighter coach; but only just.
According to MMA Weekly, Carwin has suffered a minor knee injury training for a fight against Roy Nelson—but his manager says it will not keep him from fighting ‘Big Country’ at the season finale on December 15.
Carwin was due in England to help promote UFC on Fuel 5 which takes place in Nottingham this Saturday, however the former interim heavyweight champion Tweeted on Thursday:
ATTN UK FANS:I hurt my knee training and I will not be able to make the signing with the amazing people @fearlessuk #Disappointed
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) September 27, 2012
However, according to MMA Weekly:
“Carwin’s manager Jason Genet of Ingrained Media told MMAWeekly.com that he injured the knee while in wrestling practice, but he suffered no major tears or damage to the knee.
“The injury was enough for Carwin to cancel a trip to England this week for a signing, but with time to rehab and recover the former heavyweight champion should be ready in time for his Dec. 15 showdown with Roy Nelson.”
Carwin and Nelson are opposing coaches of this year’s season of TUF. In the past, the show has been beset with injuries to its coaches, who are expected to face each other in the Octagon as part of the season finale.
Some of those injured during filming of the show include Tito Ortiz, who needed surgery on his neck; Brock Lesnar, who came down with diverticulitis; Dominick Cruz, who injured his knee; and Vitor Belfort, who injured his hand.
Carwin himself hasn’t seen Octagon action since getting battered by Junior Dos Santos in June 2011. The 37-year-old has needed multiple back surgeries and has only recently rehabilitated himself back to health.
Khurram Aziz is a Feautred Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @khurramaziz1981
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