Bleacher Report’s MMA news weekend wrap up:Karo Parisyan talks upcoming fight, his future and his inner demons.Muhammed Lawal calls out Quinton”Rampage” Jackson.Zak Jensen: Former “TUF” contestant talks time on show, upcoming boxing match.Cain Velasque…
Bleacher Report’s Mike Hodges:After learning of Brock Lesnar’s illness, UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez has decided to switch strategies, in case he is to meet the former heavyweight champion’s replacement, Shane Carwin. Shane Carwin w…
Bleacher Report’s Mike Hodges:
After learning of Brock Lesnar‘s illness, UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez has decided to switch strategies, in case he is to meet the former heavyweight champion’s replacement, Shane Carwin.
Shane Carwin will be featured in the main event against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131, after being notified from UFC president Dana White earlier this week via text message.
It is also confirmed that the winner between Carwin and Dos Santos will meet Velasquez later this year for the UFC heavyweight title.
Velasquez, who has been out of action since his title bout with Lesnar at UFC 122, acknowledged Lesnar’s absence but he said Carwin was a suitable replacement.
UFC 131 is set to take place on June 11 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.The main event on the card will see two highly-ranked heavyweight fighters face each other in the Octagon as Junior dos Santos meets Shane Carwin.The card was or…
UFC 131 is set to take place on June 11 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The main event on the card will see two highly-ranked heavyweight fighters face each other in the Octagon as Junior dos Santos meets Shane Carwin.
The card was originally scheduled to feature a heavyweight title elimination bout between Dos Santos and his fellow coach on Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, Brock Lesnar.
Lesnar recently announced that he is suffering from diverticulitis and would be unable to remain on the card.
Carwin, who was scheduled to meet Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131 was moved into Lesnar’s spot.
It is believed that the winner of the Dos Santos versus Carwin fight will be next in line to face UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who is currently rehabbing from shoulder surgery.
Currently, three other bouts will round out the fight card:
Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes
Demian Maia vs. Mark Muñoz
Mac Danzig vs. Donald Cerrone
Bleacher Report will be your source for news, analysis and opinions on the upcoming fight card.
Check back often as the fight card nears for all the UFC 131 information you need.
After learning of Brock Lesnar’s illness, UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez has decided to switch strategies, in case he is to meet the former heavyweight champion’s replacement, Shane Carwin. Shane Carwin will be featured in the main event…
After learning of Brock Lesnar‘s illness, UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez has decided to switch strategies, in case he is to meet the former heavyweight champion’s replacement, Shane Carwin.
Shane Carwin will be featured in the main event against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131, after being notified from UFC president Dana White earlier this week via text message.
It is also confirmed that the winner between Carwin and Dos Santos will meet Velasquez later this year for the UFC heavyweight title.
Velasquez, who has been out of action since his title bout with Lesnar at UFC 122, acknowledged Lesnar’s absence but he said Carwin was a suitable replacement.
“He was next in line, for sure. He’s a tough guy. I think it was a good call.”
Velasquez, who is 9-0-0, will be paying close attention to this bout, as both Dos Santos and Carwin are two of the best strikers in the heavyweight division.
Carwin accepted the fight on a thirty-day notice, as he has been out of action since last year after undergoing neck surgery.
Meanwhile, Dos Santos has been nothing short of dominant, remaining undefeated during his tenure in the UFC. His most recent win was over Roy Nelson at UFC 117.
Both Carwin and Dos Santos share a total of seven knockout wins combined, which gives reason to believe why Velasquez sees the bout being contested on the feet.
“Before (with Lesnar-dos Santos), it was wrestler vs. striker,” he said. “Now it’s striker vs. striker—but they’re different. I think dos Santos is more technical and hits hard, but Carwin is a really hard puncher. You can’t pound him out. So it’s two hard hitters.”
And although he won’t have the opportunity to compete against Lesnar in a rematch anytime soon, Velasquez is optimistic of the former champion’s future in the UFC and expects him to return a better fighter.
“People get hurt all the time and pull out of fights. But he’ll come back, and he’ll come back stronger,” he said.
Filed under: UFC, NewsCREST HILL, Ill. – The MMA world got a little jolt on Thursday when the UFC and Brock Lesnar announced the heavyweight’s diverticulitis had returned and he was back on the shelf.
Count UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in …
Count UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in with that group. He was waiting in the wings with a careful eye on the planned main event at UFC 131 in June between Lesnar, the former champ, and Junior dos Santos, since that winner would get the next shot at Velasquez.
When the news broke, Velasquez had to shift gears and start thinking about Shane Carwin and dos Santos, even though a fight with either of them is likely at least five months away. Carwin will step in for Lesnar to face dos Santos, currently coaching opposite Lesnar on Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” But after conducting a seminar at Clay Guida’s MMA Stop Fitness in Crest Hill, Ill., on Friday, Velasquez told MMA Fighting he believes Lesnar will make another comeback from the digestive disorder – and will be better than ever.
“It sucks, but it happens in this sport,” Velasquez said. “People get hurt all the time and pull out of fights. But he’ll come back, and he’ll come back stronger. It sucks right now, but we already have somebody tough coming up with Shane (replacing him).”
Ryan Bader Makes a Funny on Cain Velasquez’s UFC Summit Satisfaction Survey (Middle Easy).Chael Sonnen’s Struggle With the Truth Isn’t Just His Problem—It’s Ours, Too (MMAFighting).Jon Jones and Rashad Evans Nearly Came to Blows in a Vegas Club T…
Ryan Bader Makes a Funny on Cain Velasquez’s UFC Summit Satisfaction Survey (Middle Easy).
Chael Sonnen’s Struggle With the Truth Isn’t Just His Problem—It’s Ours, Too (MMAFighting).
Jon Jones and Rashad Evans Nearly Came to Blows in a Vegas Club This Week (Cage Potato).
Pablo Garza reflects on path leading him to spectacular submission (Five Ounces of Pain).
Fabricio Werdum: I’m going to win the Strikeforce Tournament, then beat the UFC Champion (LowKick).
UFC 131: Junior dos Santos Cares More About When He Fights Than Who He Fights (MMA Convert).
Shane Carwin: I Have Everything to Gain From Fighting Junior Dos Santos (5th Round).
Dan Gable on Randy Couture’s retirement and wrestling in MMA (The Fight Nerd).
Management Breakup Splits Jon Jones, Rashad Evans (NBC Sports).
Bleacher Report’s MMA news weekend wrap up:
CREST HILL, Ill. – The MMA world got a little jolt on Thursday when the UFC and