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Shane Carwin: Defeating Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96 is the quickest path to the heavyweight title

Props: MMAWeekly

Quoteworthy:

As for Gonzaga, he is the real deal. Zuffa is testing us and the winner of the test is likely going to be on a path to the title. For me, I want nothing more then to fight for that belt. Competing at this level is a dream come true for me and I am putting in all the work necessary to be here.

Up-and-coming heavyweight prospect Shane Carwin (10-0) talks about his toughest test to date when he faces Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96 'Jardine vs. Jackson' from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7. The enormous Colorado native still has not made it into the second round of any of his professional mixed martial arts fights. In fact, Carwin averages around one minute per fight in his ten pro performances. A convincing win over "Napao" would surely elevate his stock tenfold. However, that's easier said than done against the nasty Brazilian mauler. We'll find out in less than a month.

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by thekman on Feb 9, 2009 10:51 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Best post Ive seen all day.

by c-war on Feb 9, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously …C War Lol

Really Firsts The Worse Right

I Think Gonzaga Is Gonna Take A Small Beating But Will Pull Off A Slick Submission, late 2nd Round

by Hotdamn on Feb 9, 2009 11:10 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Very true…In any case, Shane my man, there’s a lot of truth to your prediction. Beat Napao’s a$$!

by Syd[a.k.a."The Negation"] on Feb 10, 2009 12:09 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I stopped trying to predict a GOnzaga fight a while ago. Who the F really knows which Gabe will show up! I dunno what to make of this fight. All I know is that it should be a great fight that I am very excited to see!

by john on Feb 10, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

He only lost to Randy and an in shape and focused Werdum. The Randy fight was a title fight and earned fight of the night honors. I think these two losses may have seemed like different Gabe. But in reality it speaks to the calibur of his opponents.

by wAyNe on Feb 10, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously, can we put an age limit on people who post here. Hey guess what everyone, I’m first! God you’re a tool.

by Jason on Feb 10, 2009 8:52 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

now that put a smile on my face

by Robert(1) on Feb 10, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

This is the first time I have seen a d-bag on here care if he was the first post.. its not cool. no one cares. comment or leave

by Sp00ner1234 on Feb 10, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

You must not hang out here much.

by wAyNe on Feb 10, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Gonzaga by 2nd round submission.

No way Carwin wins this.

by shouldersbyPETE on Feb 9, 2009 10:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Gonzaga is gonna win with ease

by HamiltonKC on Feb 9, 2009 10:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

It depends on wich Gonzoga shows?

by Beaver on Feb 9, 2009 11:25 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I’m more exited about this match-up than I am about the lame UFC 96 main event. If Carwin stays a ‘dog I might sprinkle a couple c-notes on him for this fight, but it’s a tough one to call.

by Jeremyjackson on Feb 9, 2009 11:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Agreed. We’ll find out if Carwin is a major factor in the division. I hope he can be. The HYWT division is becoming interesting again.

by CL on Feb 9, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Just thinking the same-thing…..Jardine gets smoked by Wandy and Houston…..then puts us to sleep with his win againgst Vera and Boom he gets main event status? Yes I realize he knocked out Forrest and beat the Ice-Man when he still had something left, but the bottom line is does anybody get excited for a Jardine fight? Jackson should win but you never know…..I think it’s even harder for me to accept this fight knowing that both Jackson and Rashad were supposed to be on this card fighting each-other for the belt but couldn’t come to terms? Like how does that happen? Your thoughts…..

by Robert(1) on Feb 10, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I get excited about seeing jardine.. hes a fun fighter. Plus he touches his nipples alot..

by Sp00ner1234 on Feb 10, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

lol

by Robert(1) on Feb 10, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I Think Im Gonna Have To Take Gonzaga On This One.. I Think Shanes Gonna Get Caught In A Sub

P.s Firsts The Worst

Seconds The Best

…Really Who Cares If Your First

by Hotdamn on Feb 9, 2009 11:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

your wife or girlfriend might

by Egads on Feb 10, 2009 12:38 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

damn this should be a great fight. Not sure about Carwin’s ground game soooo…Napao is gonna win submission

by matthew on Feb 9, 2009 11:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Or Carwin will knock him out before the fight ever goes to the ground. And as far as ground game goes, he’s a former NCAA Div. 2 champ, so he’s not completely helpless on the gound.

by Reservoirdog119 on Feb 9, 2009 11:12 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I think Gonzaga has better standup which means he would have to take Gonzaga down and this will result in a submission win for Gonzaga,

by matthew on Feb 9, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

In his UFC fights I’ve only really seen Gonzaga have a dominant submission game from the top. I know he caught Brandon Lee Hinkle in a triangle a while back, but Hinkle is garbage so it’s really not saying much. We’ve also seen him gas several times and be broken mentally. I think Carwin will demoralize him and win by TKO in the second round.

by GregC on Feb 10, 2009 3:27 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

true that my bet is that napao will fold and carwin will get the tko. just like couture and werdum did. aslong as carwin weathers the early storm hes set for the win

by Jared on Feb 10, 2009 7:40 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

has gonzaga ever been knocked out? when i think gonzaga i think ko of cc and that boring a$$ fight with kevin jordan. i hope shane carwin wins, gonzaga already had his chance

by tuffguy01@yahoo.com on Feb 9, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

He’s been TKO’D twice by Fabricio Werdum and once by Randy “The Craptual” Couture.

by BK on Feb 9, 2009 11:52 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I think Gonzaga has the better stand up and ground game. The only way I see Carwin taking this is if he drags Gonzaga into the deep water and fources Napao to gass. That’s mostly based on Gonzaga’s past couple fights beceause we haven’t seen Carwin fight past two minuites.

by DB on Feb 9, 2009 11:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

For Gonzaga, “deep water” is 4 minute mark of the 1st round.

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Feb 10, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The water isn’t that deep with Napao. Usually mid-way through the second. And typically, guys in MMA with wrestling backgrounds don’t gas so quickly. Koschek, Sherk, Edgar, Hughes; these guys typically go all 3-5 rounds no problem cardio wise.

Funny, it’s the straight jits guys (now that I think of it) with poor cardio. BJ, Gonzaga, Lutter etc.

by JB on Feb 10, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Frank Mir would be another example. But Lutter is on both sides because he’s a wrestler too. And Mark Coleman would be a counter example, he could never fight for more than 4 minutes without gassing.

by GregC on Feb 10, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

gonzaga is gonna win for sure

by HamiltonKC on Feb 9, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

So you say, but why?

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

gonzaga will chop carwins legs up like a tree

by HamiltonKC on Feb 10, 2009 12:50 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Good enough for me! Im still undecided on Carwin and I’ll never “expect” Gonzaga to win again since the Couture fight. I definately thought he was that much better than “The Craptual”… but he wasn’t.

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 12:56 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, he was also winning the Couture fight until he had his nose broken by a head butt.

by cc on Mar 1, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Carwin by first round ko, he’s a beast!

by Rancho Coocoo on Feb 9, 2009 11:17 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Also…After Carwin defeats Gonzaga, I’d like to see him in a match with Junior dos Santos.

by Rancho Coocoo on Feb 10, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

nah! ds hasnt been really tested…dont count on him to stir up the hw div..his win against werdum is a fluke much like serra to gsp

by gaara on Feb 10, 2009 2:05 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I second that statement gaara.

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 2:12 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with both. Dos Santos scored an impressive knockout, but he is a step down in competition from Gonzaga. I would like to see Dos Santos fight Heath Herring to see what he’s made of.

by GregC on Feb 10, 2009 3:30 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

that i also want to see greg…if DS wins…then i would love to see him fight congo to really test his skill..up until then i really dont want to consider him as a force to watch out for

by gaara on Feb 10, 2009 3:50 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

JR is a light heavyweight

by hatteras on Feb 10, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

since when?

by JB on Feb 10, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

gonzaga by submission, count on it.

by jayshogun on Feb 9, 2009 11:18 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

after Serra beat GSP and then GSP beat Penn… i don’t count on anything anymore.

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 2:18 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Big “if” buddy. Pancake fists will k.o gonzaga for sure. Hope you’ve been working on your cardio sir!

by Jabber on Feb 9, 2009 11:22 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

wow! sounds interesting im picking GG over this one..ko in 2…so that i can get to see a napao vs crocop 2 at ufc 100…

by gaara on Feb 9, 2009 11:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Why would you want to see two underachieving fighters square off on a Milestone Card… or any card for that matter?

by BK on Feb 9, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I’ve been praising Carwin since I first saw him fight. His a div 2 wrestling and football champ, and the ONLY man who cam claim bigger “hamhocks”
Than Brock. The dude is gigantic with strong wrestling, improving and powerfull standup and a jitz game that’s coming along.
BUT Gonzaga is a huge test and a beast of a man himself. He’s got good standup with powerfull kicks and amazing jitz.

This is gong to be a great fight. The winner should face Kongo/NOG winner in a number 1 contender match.

Tho it does seem unorthadox, I AM looking forward to the QJax/Jardine fight.

Evans/Jackson Evans/Machida and especially Jackson/Machida are all matches I wann see!

As I’ve been calling for forever: CARWIN VS VELASQUEZ

by email4space@aol.com on Feb 9, 2009 11:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Hopefully these two are as good as they appear and we will be watching many matches between them for the belt, for many years to come!

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

yea they should fee the winner to MATT MUELLER!!
but i guess i should go on ahead and asume thatll be carwin.
dudes a hause. he hits hard a fuck and is a wrestling champ plus i dont care to much for seeing gonzaga go back up the ranks

by UltimateSquint on Feb 10, 2009 12:04 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I can’t wait for this!

by ShitleTot on Feb 10, 2009 12:04 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

BK i guess u are referring to me..“two underachieving fighters?” am i surprised..but anyweiz its ur right to say otherwise..but as for me..i jst wana see crocop get back to top form again..adding the fact that its rumored that crocop will be at ufc 100…

by gaara on Feb 10, 2009 12:22 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Your a Cro Cop Fan, I have my answer. Nothing wrong with that, he was considered the best… till he met FEDOR!

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 12:35 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of like the entire list of fighters that met Fedor. No shame in losing to Fedor. I hope Cro Cop comes back something close to old form.

by Mike on Feb 10, 2009 7:10 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I see Kongo eventually ending up like Cro Cop. Unless he majorly improves his ground game, He really doesnt have a ground game so hes got a lot of work to do. But Cro Cop should just stick to K1. I liked watching him fight back in pride, but he hasnt been the same in a long time. K1 is the place for him.

by Matt25 on Feb 10, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

more like he was considered the best until he met the UFC.

by JB on Feb 10, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

hard 2 call this .. will b good 2 see If Carwin is a proper contender coz that 10-0 record is a who’s who of Heinz tomato CANS

by Jakob on Feb 10, 2009 12:37 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

yah! bk and their battle back then was epic…i really feel bad for cc to go down like this..but nonetheless these new up and coming hw guys of the ufc..ei. congo,carwin velasquez will be a very good proving ground for fighters that is set to come back once again to the promise land..cc,gg and randy…i also heard overeem will join the hw ranks..man it would be so sweet to hav fedor,barnett,aa,sergei,bigfoot join them..just wishfull thinking for now

by gaara on Feb 10, 2009 2:00 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Indeed!

by BK on Feb 10, 2009 2:09 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

this is gonna be like brock and mir .. gonzaga gonna take a beating and if he pulls threw the storm he might get a sub but im going with carwin and brock to win their next matches

by markg on Feb 10, 2009 5:04 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Nah it will be a little different. Brock knocks people (Mir) down and then tries to pound him out. If Carwin connects the fight is over. If GG tries to stand with Carwin then the fight will end in a flash. If it goes to the ground GG has the advantage.

by Mike on Feb 10, 2009 7:09 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

we’l never know mike…im going with GG for the gnp in the 2nd

by gaara on Feb 10, 2009 7:19 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

gonzaga is not as good as mir is off his back. and he will certainly find himself there. i’m giving it to carwin for sure.

by JB on Feb 10, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

GG will throw big leg kicks to keep Carwin out of range then throw a few quick bombs to get insiade and try for a takedown or slam. Carwin needs to learn to circle rathet than stand and swing when he is pressured.

by hatteras on Feb 10, 2009 9:58 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

this fight is gonna be awesome.I’m looking forward to seeing Carwin continue his rise up the Hwt rankings.I just hope that Napao doesn’t derail him,because he has the skills to do just that.
Carwin tKO late in the 1st.

by the Levi on Feb 10, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

the winner may be in line for a title shot with Kongo and Randy

by hatteras on Feb 10, 2009 1:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Napao doesn’t like being hit. Couture and Werdum ruined him. In my opinion, Gonzaga is a dead man against Carwin.

by Eric on Feb 10, 2009 2:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

gonzaga will kick carwins arse

gonzaga is a machine!

by razza on Feb 25, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

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