The UFC returns to Vancouver, British Columbia on Saturday, June 11 for UFC 131. Headlining the fight card will be a heavyweight battle between two of the most feared strikers in all of MMA, Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin.
The original main event on the card featured the coaches from Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, Brock Lesnar and Dos Santos; however, Lesnar was forced off the card due to his second bout with diverticulitis. Carwin, who was already booked on the card, was quickly moved into Lesnar’s place.
Fans are expecting an all-out striking war between these two fighters as neither has shown any interest in taking any of their previous fights to the ground.
It is widely believed that the winner of the Dos Santos (12-1) versus Carwin (12-1) bout will move on to face UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
Also facing off at UFC 131 will be Kenny Florian and Diego Nunes. Florian (14-5) is hoping a win over the (16-1) Nunes will put him in the mix for a shot at UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, while Nunes looks to play the role of the spoiler.
This bout will mark Florian’s first fight in the featherweight division after previously competing at middleweight, welterweight and lightweight for the UFC.
Also appearing on the main card, which will be shown on pay-per-view, beginning at 9 pm ET:
Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman
Demian Maia vs. Mark Muñoz
Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha
Spike TV will air two preliminary card bouts beginning at 8 pm ET. The other three preliminary bouts will be streamed live on the UFC’s facebook page beginning at 5:50 pm ET.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as we provide you with pre-fight, in-fight and post-fight coverage of UFC 131: Dos Santos vs. Carwin.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com