Breaking Down UFC 131: Carwin Vs. Dos Santos

Added on Jun 11, 2011 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

Heavyweight bout:
Junior Dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin

Junior Dos Santos
Odds: -180
Reach: 77 inches
Record: 12-1
UFC Record: 6-0
Last 5: +5
Streak: +7

Shane Carwin
Odds: +150
Reach: 80 inches
Record: 12-1
UFC Record: 4-1
Last 5: 4-1
Streak: -1

The UFC took a bad situation, and probably made it better. After Brock Lesnar was forced off the card, Shane Carwin was tapped on the shoulder to step in to fight Junior Dos Santos and it might turn out to be the heavyweight fight of the year. Shane Carwin is coming off the first loss of his career after losing his championship title fight against Brock Lesnar. Carwin has since had surgery on his neck and back, and thats the big question surrounding him. Before that Shane KO’d everyone he fought in the first round, and thats what he does best. Shane has a wrestling background, and it will be interesting to see if he decides to use it.

Junior Dos Santos had an opponent switch 4 weeks out, but he is still one fight away from contending for the UFC heavyweight championship. In his last 7 fights, Dos Santos has finished his last 6 fights, and his last loss was in 2007 by submission. Dos Santos is a counter striker, and thats how he beat up his last 7 people he fought. I happened to be cage side at his with Febricio Werdum, and the only person I have seen land a harder punch in person was Fedor when he KO’d Rogers. When he touches people on the chin, and he KNOWS how to find the spot, they go to sleep.

I will be floored if this fight goes to the judges decision. There is no question what Junior wants to have happen in this fight. As a quick counter striker, he wants to stand and trade. Carwin has the ability to get most fighters to the floor, and it will be interesting to see if he does. Carwin has the ability to KO Junior, and its no secret that Dos Santos is a black belt in BJJ, but a smart game plan might be to take this fight to the floor and finish it from half guard. Either way have Shane Carwin winning this fight at the first round by TKO.