Tag: Shane Carwin

Shane Carwin Injured Again? Sounds Like It’s About Time to Hang It Up, Big Guy

Shane Carwin’s last outing in the UFC was over a year ago against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131. For three rounds, Carwin was on the receiving end of an epic beating. The story heading into that fight was that Carwin had the wrestling to put Dos Santos …

Shane Carwin‘s last outing in the UFC was over a year ago against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131. For three rounds, Carwin was on the receiving end of an epic beating. The story heading into that fight was that Carwin had the wrestling to put Dos Santos on his back and the power to put him to sleep. 

As the story goes, Carwin sat on the sidelines for over a year after the rehab process following back surgery took much longer than expected. The first time that fans have seen him in over a year is as a coach on the current season of the Ultimate Fighter opposite of Roy Nelson. 

He was supposed to fight Nelson at the Ultimate Fighter finale as has become tradition with the Ultimate Fighter. That fight is now up in the air as Carwin has suffered a knee injury, as he tweeted earlier this afternoon. His manager Jason Genet claims that it’s not a serious injury and that nothing was torn in his knee.  

However, the story of Shane Carwin and debilitating injuries while in the UFC runs much deeper.

He was scheduled to face Roy Nelson at UFC 125, but announced on his website that he needed to pull out due to back and neck pain. He would get surgery to correct the problems on November 2, 2010. He then had back surgery again on October 16, 2011. 

This knee injury is the third major injury in as many years and a clear indication that he’s aging must faster than normal. 

At 37 years old, Carwin‘s best days are long behind him. While he’s still sporting an imposing physique, his body is failing him. From neck problems, to back injuries, to now a knee injury, he’s the MMA version of Humpty Dumpty. 

His whole aura of intimidation was based on his ridiculous superhero-like musculature and one punch knockout power. A literal walking, talking superman. Heck, he was even compared to a young Mike Tyson by USA Today.

But with all these injuries stacking up and two straight losses in the UFC, he’s just another aging broken down fighter. 

Gone is the man who put fear in the hearts of heavyweights everywhere by ending four straight UFC fights in the first round. Gone is the man who obliterated Brock Lesnar‘s face in the first round. What we have now is a fighter who is one step closer to retirement than he is to capturing UFC gold. 

With every training camp, with every fight, his body is breaking down. The literal weight of carrying a huge amount of muscle mass is starting to take its toll on his body

It’s gotta be tough for a once dominant fighter to come to the realization that he just can’t do it anymore. His two career losses were devastating and likely eat at him everyday he that he steps into the gym. The time away from fighting was likely equally as difficult. 

The sobering truth is that Carwin is like Jens Pulver and Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz and the countless others who grow old in this sport. He’s a dinosaur in a world of spring chickens (it makes sense, dinosaurs had feathers) and can’t compete with the best of the best. 

Time between fights is extending and performances are suffering. It’s time to call it a quits and reflect on his accomplishments. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Shane Carwin Suffers Minor Knee Injury; TUF Coaches’ Curse Averted…For Now


(“Welp, that’s the last time I try to use left-handed scissors.”)

From Tito’s neck to Lensar’s gut to Cruz’s knee to Belfort’s hand, injuries to TUF coaches have become the rule lately, not the exception. And Shane Carwin nearly became the latest name on that list after injuring his knee in training. According to MMA Weekly, Carwin suffered no major tears or damage to his knee, but it was enough to prevent him from traveling to England this weekend for a scheduled autograph signing.

As of now, Carwin is still scheduled to face rival Roy Nelson at the TUF 16 Finale on December 15th. But as Dan Henderson and Jose Aldo recently demonstrated, sometimes fighters try to tough out their injuries until the last possible moment, before dropping out when reality sets in. And since Carwin already withdrew from a UFC 125 fight against Roy Nelson, and because he’s spent much of the last two years recovering from neck and back surgeries, the appeal of just getting in there and throwing down against a guy you can’t stand must be overwhelming.

While we certainly hope that’s not the case, and that Carwin is close to 100% by December, this is the 2012 UFC Injury Curse we’re talking about — Carwin’s knee could merely be a red herring for the horrid fate that lies in store for Roy Nelson.


(“Welp, that’s the last time I try to use left-handed scissors.”)

From Tito’s neck to Lensar’s gut to Cruz’s knee to Belfort’s hand, injuries to TUF coaches have become the rule lately, not the exception. And Shane Carwin nearly became the latest name on that list after injuring his knee in training. According to MMA Weekly, Carwin suffered no major tears or damage to his knee, but it was enough to prevent him from traveling to England this weekend for a scheduled autograph signing.

As of now, Carwin is still scheduled to face rival Roy Nelson at the TUF 16 Finale on December 15th. But as Dan Henderson and Jose Aldo recently demonstrated, sometimes fighters try to tough out their injuries until the last possible moment, before dropping out when reality sets in. And since Carwin already withdrew from a UFC 125 fight against Roy Nelson, and because he’s spent much of the last two years recovering from neck and back surgeries, the appeal of just getting in there and throwing down against a guy you can’t stand must be overwhelming.

While we certainly hope that’s not the case, and that Carwin is close to 100% by December, this is the 2012 UFC Injury Curse we’re talking about — Carwin’s knee could merely be a red herring for the horrid fate that lies in store for Roy Nelson.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 16? Episode One Recap: One Step Closer to the End


Meh.

Perhaps you are part of the ever-diminishing group of people who chose to watch The Ultimate Fighter on a Friday night before going into town on a taxi, having a couple of drugs, having dinner, having a threesome, going home again, having a shower, going out again, more drugs, more threesomes – basically living the rock n’ roll lifestyle of the 18-34 year olds that this show targets. Or perhaps you are straight edge, in which case TUF serves as a warm-up for your night of  Mr. Pibb (or some other beverage, if you enjoy missing all the cool things), lines of Pixy Stix and threesomes. You know, standard practice.

If you tuned in during the first episode, the good news is that you were treated to a night of actual fights instead of drunken arguments, disturbing pranks and more of the stuff you hate about the show. Sure, we still had multiple dudes entering the cage sporting Tatanka/Jorgensen hawks, but not everyone can pull off a normal haircut, I guess.

Right off the bat things get awkward between Dana White and Roy Nelson. Before the fights, Big Country informs the fighters that it’s important to entertain the fans, but winning should be their main priority. Dana White lets Shane Carwin address the UFC hopefuls before he tells the fighters how wrong Roy Nelson is for saying that. That moment probably would have been pretty effective in building interest in the Roy Nelson vs. Dana White storyline if Dana White hasn’t been telling everyone who will listen how fed up he is with Big Country.

As for the actual fights, we’ve got results after the jump, including team selections.


Meh.

Perhaps you are part of the ever-diminishing group of people who chose to watch The Ultimate Fighter on a Friday night before going into town on a taxi, having a couple of drugs, having dinner, having a threesome, going home again, having a shower, going out again, more drugs, more threesomes – basically living the rock n’ roll lifestyle of the 18-34 year olds that this show targets. Or perhaps you are straight edge, in which case TUF serves as a warm-up for your night of  Mr. Pibb (or some other beverage, if you enjoy missing all the cool things), lines of Pixy Stix and threesomes. You know, standard practice.

If you tuned in during the first episode, the good news is that you were treated to a night of actual fights instead of drunken arguments, disturbing pranks and more of the stuff you hate about the show. Sure, we still had multiple dudes entering the cage sporting Tatanka/Jorgensen hawks, but not everyone can pull off a normal haircut, I guess.

Right off the bat things get awkward between Dana White and Roy Nelson. Before the fights, Big Country informs the fighters that it’s important to entertain the fans, but winning should be their main priority. Dana White lets Shane Carwin address the UFC hopefuls before he tells the fighters how wrong Roy Nelson is for saying that. That moment probably would have been pretty effective in building interest in the Roy Nelson vs. Dana White storyline if Dana White hasn’t been telling everyone who will listen how fed up he is with Big Country.

As for the actual fights, we’ve got results after the jump, including team selections.

Full Results from Episode One:

Dom Waters def. Kevin Nowaczyk via KO (punch), Round One
Michael Hill def. Lev Magen via KO (punch), Round One
Bristol Marunde def. George Lockhart via submission (guillotine choke), Round One
Mike Ricci def. Jason South via TKO (punches), Round One
Julian Lane def. Diego Bautista via unanimous decision
Igor Araujo def. Cortez Coleman via submission (triangle choke), Round Three
James Chaney def. Jerel Clark via submission (triangle choke), Round One
Cameron Diffley def. Zane Kamaka via submission (armbar), Round One
Neil Magny def. Frank Camacho via unanimous decision
Jon Manley def. Ricky Legere Jr. via unanimous decision
Colton Smith def. Jesse Barrett via unanimous decision
Matt Secor def. Mak Griffin via submission (triangle choke), Round Three
Eddie Ellis def. David Michaud via submission (arm-triangle choke), Round Two
Joey Rivera def. Saad Awad via unanimous decision
Nic Herron-Webb def. Tim Ruberg via submission (armbar), Round One
Sam Alvey def. Leo Kuntz via KO (punch), Round One

When it’s time to pick teams, Roy Nelson wins the coin toss, but offers Shane Carwin the chance to pick the first fighter in exchange for the chance to pick the first matchup. After watching him practically zombify 14-1 fighter Leo Kuntz with a right hook, Carwin selects Bellator veteran Smilin’ Sam Alvey with the first overall pick. Roy Nelson choses Dom Waters with his first selection. When it was all said and done, the team rosters looked like this:

Team Carwin: Sam Alvey, Bristol Marunde, Mike Ricci, Neil Magny, James Chaney, Eddie Ellis, Igor Araujo, Matt Secor
Team Nelson: Dom Waters, Michael Hill, Cameron Diffley, Colton Smith, Jon Manley, Nic Herron-Webb, Joey Rivera, Julian Lane

Try not to act too surprised, but the episode ends with Dana White saying that Shane Carwin appears to have the better team, but anything can happen. Cool reality show, bro. Let me know who wins it.

@SethFalvo 

News Flash: Dana White and Shane Carwin Can’t Stand Roy Nelson


(He’s just jolly. Who could begrudge him that outlook?)

Since tonight marks the premiere of TUF 16, coached by UFC heavyweights Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin, and featuring Uncle Dana on backup vocals, it seems like a good time to round up all the vitriol spewed at Nelson by Carwin and White, as well as preview all the drama to come. In recent interviews, both Shane and the Baldfather spoke about their distaste for Big Boy Roy.

Carwin is succinct in telling Bleacher Report, “I hate [Nelson]. I dislike him. I hate him as a person. That’s just it.”

Apparently, Shane feels that Roy poses as a hardworking blue-collar guy, but instead spends most of his time complaining. “He always has an excuse for everything. He claims to be this average, normal guy and that’s who he tries to reach too, the blue-collar workers,” Carwin tells BR.

“Well, that’s me. That’s where I came from. I was the one working at 15 years old and working concrete in construction, working at meat packing plants, throwing boxes and things like that. He hasn’t had a job in his life. This is the only thing he has ever done. He’s the farthest thing from a blue-collar worker that he claims to be.”

While Carwin chastises Nelson for not doing enough chores around the family farm as a kid, White has his own reasons for criticizing the more rotund TUF coach:


(He’s just jolly. Who could begrudge him that outlook?)

Since tonight marks the premiere of TUF 16, coached by UFC heavyweights Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin, and featuring Uncle Dana on backup vocals, it seems like a good time to round up all the vitriol spewed at Nelson by Carwin and White, as well as preview all the drama to come. In recent interviews, both Shane and the Baldfather spoke about their distaste for Big Boy Roy.

Carwin is succinct in telling Bleacher Report, ”I hate [Nelson]. I dislike him. I hate him as a person. That’s just it.”

Apparently, Shane feels that Roy poses as a hardworking blue-collar guy, but instead spends most of his time complaining. “He always has an excuse for everything. He claims to be this average, normal guy and that’s who he tries to reach too, the blue-collar workers,” Carwin tells BR.

“Well, that’s me. That’s where I came from. I was the one working at 15 years old and working concrete in construction, working at meat packing plants, throwing boxes and things like that. He hasn’t had a job in his life. This is the only thing he has ever done. He’s the farthest thing from a blue-collar worker that he claims to be.”

While Carwin chastises Nelson for not doing enough chores around the family farm as a kid, White has his own reasons for criticizing the more rotund TUF coach:

“Roy and I don’t get along. Everything that comes out of this guy’s mouth is just asinine. I’m worried that at the end of the season people are going to want to see me fight Roy Nelson instead of Shane Carwin,” White recently told Yahoo! Sports.

Not to worry, though, Carwin really wants to beat Nelson up. “Shane hates him so bad,” White assured.

Unlike Carwin, White says that he doesn’t “hate Roy Nelson. I don’t hate the guy. He’s just annoying, man.”

“Everything he says makes no sense. He’s like a conspiracy theorist…he’s the ultimate under achiever,” White went on before detailing conversations that he’d had with Nelson where Roy complained about not having enough sponsors, Dana gave him advice and then Roy promptly did the opposite of what White advised him to do.

We’re torn here, Nation, since we love Roy Nelson — mostly because he’s morbidly obese, looks like he’s styled by middle-earth warrior dwarves, and has the frame of a large welterweight but still manages to kick ass at heavyweight. On the other hand, who could argue with White when he says that Nelson evidently doesn’t take his career as seriously as he should based on how freaking fat he is?

Watch White’s full video interview on how annoying Nelson is below, and check out TUF 16 tonight on FX at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Looks like Roy has gotten under people’s skin the past six weeks during filming, and that has to make for some decent television. I mean, it has to, right?

– Elias Cepeda

Shane Carwin on Roy Nelson Heading into TUF 16: ‘I Hate That Guy’

In the lead-up to a Shane Carwin fight, you usually don’t hear a lot of chatter from him. He’s a blue-collar man from Colorado who lives by the saying “speak softly and carry a big stick.”But when it comes to discussing Roy Nelson, Carwin changes …

In the lead-up to a Shane Carwin fight, you usually don’t hear a lot of chatter from him. He’s a blue-collar man from Colorado who lives by the saying “speak softly and carry a big stick.”

But when it comes to discussing Roy Nelson, Carwin changes that tune rather quickly.

Carwin had to deal with Nelson a lot over the last six weeks, and on Friday, we get to see how it all played out as The Ultimate Fighter Fridays: Carwin vs Nelson premieres on FX, starting at a special time of 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Before the trash talking ensued between the two coaches, Carwin had some reservations when approached about coaching the 16th edition of TUF.

“It’s a lot to do,” Carwin told Bleacher Report. “You have to change your lifestyle. But once you find out it’s against Roy Nelson, somebody that I dislike so much, I was on board.  There was nobody I wanted to coach against more than that guy, and to kick his a** in not only coaching, but in the fight as well.”

When Carwin accepted the coaching role, the trash talk started. Carwin and Nelson went at each viciously in the media and on social media platforms like Twitter. Carwin didn’t appreciate that Nelson was trying to portray himself as a person who has had it rough in his life.

“(Nelson) bi***es and complains all the time,” Carwin said. “He always has an excuse for everything. He claims to be this average, normal guy and that’s who he tries to reach too, the blue-collar workers.

“Well, that’s me. That’s where I came from. I was the one working at 15 years old and working concrete in construction, working at meat packing plants, throwing boxes and things like that. He hasn’t had a job in his life. This is the only thing he has ever done. He’s the farthest thing from a blue-collar worker that he claims to be,” he said.

Carwin did enjoy coaching the guys on the show, as it brought him back to when he was going through the grind of trying to get into the UFC.

“I’ve been there,” Carwin said. “I know what these guys are going through. Just to be able to be there and try to help those guys. It was life changing for me. There’s a lot of things that happen this season that I thought would never happen, especially in that short amount of time. It shocked me by the end in what happened and just how the show went on.”

Usually when you get close to a fight or the premiere of a show like TUF, it is just a way to hype it up and the guys are respectful to each other afterward. Carwin says that this isn’t hype—it has gotten personal.

“There’s that much animosity there (between us),” Carwin said. “All of that stuff is real. The only thing I’ve ever had to hype for my fights is to just watch my style. My fights are exciting. There doesn’t need to be any hype or talk, but this real.

“I hate the guy (Nelson). I dislike him. I hate him as a person. That’s just it. I’ll be vocal about it.”

 

You can follow me on Twitter @fightclubchi.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC: 6 Reasons to Watch TUF 16

There certainly isn’t any shortage of people who’ll complain about The Ultimate Fighter. It’s stale, they’ll say. Quality of fights has dipped, they’ll say. No one cares about fighters on a reality show, they’ll say….

There certainly isn’t any shortage of people who’ll complain about The Ultimate Fighter.

It’s stale, they’ll say.

Quality of fights has dipped, they’ll say.

No one cares about fighters on a reality show, they’ll say.

Friday night is a death knell for anything on television, much less anything targeted at males 18-34, they’ll say.

And you know what? They’re mostly right. At least they have been for the past couple of years.

But you know what else? Given how the show’s sixteenth season is shaping up, it might be one for the ages and the exact thing that rejuvenates the franchise.

The reasons? Read on to see what they include.

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