After exchanging compliments and expressing respect and admiration for one another in the media (Mir on Carwin, Carwin on Mir), many sites have reported that Frank Mir and Shane Carwin will engage for the UFC interim heavyweight championship in Brock Lesnar’s absence.

The bout is expected to co-headline UFC 111 in Newark on March 27^th.

Fueled by the fanatic ambition to earn an opportunity at a rubber match with Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir made a strong statement at UFC 107 by knocking French striker Cheick Kongo silly with a left hand and devouring him on the canvas for a quick submission win.

Mir is still standing tall after facing much adversity in his career, holding an impressive 13-4 record that includes wins over Tim Sylvia, the aforementioned Kongo, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and current heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar in their first encounter.  Losses include Ian Freeman, Marcio “Pe De Pano” Cruz, Brandon Vera, and Lesnar in their rematch.

Shane Carwin is a newer face amongst the heavyweight contenders, and has yet to be beaten in the 10 fights of his career.  Gabriel Gonzaga served as a launching pad for Carwin’s vault into elite status, who Carwin crumbled with a stiff right hand  in the first round of their UFC 96 showdown in March of this year.  In addition to Gonzaga, Carwin has also notched first-round stoppages of Christian Wellisch and Neil Wain in his three UFC fights.

Carwin has been sidelined ever since the Gonzaga encounter, expecting a title shot with Lesnar that never materialized due to Lesnar’s unusual maladies as of late.  With Lesnar’s return and overall status still in question, the title picture will remain idle no more with Mir and Carwin dueling to determine the rightful candidate to take on Lesnar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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