Shane Carwin: Gabriel Gonzaga crushed my nose

by Jesse Holland on Mar 13, 2009 10:55 AM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"I went out and executed the game plan; I wanted to see if he would stand and trade with me. He crushed my nose and dazed me a bit. Next thing I know, he has a deep single that we worked on defending the whole camp and –boom! – out of nowhere, he sweeps me with an amazing sweep. I have a black belt on top of me trying to pass my guard and all I could think of is "get to your feet." When I got to my feet, I wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine and that was it. I want to thank Gabe for giving me the opportunity and my first broken nose."

– Undefeated heavyweight behemoth Shane Carwin -- who is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday -- talks about getting his nose broken during his fight with Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96: "Jackson vs. Jardine" from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7. "Napao" was the biggest test of his young career and despite some choppy waters in the first minute, Carwin was able to weather a crushed beak and a surprising takedown to TKO the Brazilian Yeti at 1:09 of the first round. That's 11-0 for those of you keeping score at home.

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Comments

nice photoshop there mania

by Kibs on Mar 13, 2009 11:02 AM EDT reply actions

Ya that’s jokes

by Reether on Mar 13, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

i’ve said this many times before… i think carwin would knock brock lesnar out… or GnP or get a decision against him

i believe the only reason lesnar has been winning is because he is much bigger than his opponents and has good wrestling

crawin is nearly the same weight with an excellent wrestling game of his own, more KO power and a good chin (has to have a good chin if he can take a punch off Gabe)

carwin has now had 2 1-punch KO’s just in the UFC he has had a few more outside of the UFC he would defo beat brock in the stand up

by ufcaddict on Mar 13, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah totally agree with u dude in the randy fight brocked looked rocked when randy punched hom and i would diffenatly say shane has more punching power

by ruan-fiy on Mar 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldnt mind seeing Carwin fight Mir.. So how that goes for Mir..

by PhilQNY on Mar 13, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

man where is everyone??? the comments have been bare lately … where are all the regulars of this site

by now the 1st comment would have like 15 replies to it

by ufcaddict on Mar 13, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

dude we are a dying breed lol

by ruan-fiy on Mar 13, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

haha

by shitleTOT.com on Mar 13, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Lucky shot there, Gonzaga had him and let it slip through his fingers…

by Rashad-Marquardt-GSP-Sherk on Mar 13, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to know if Gabe let him up because he wanted another KO or if Shane is just that good? The ground game should have been Gabe’s strongest area. But Carwin got right up. I have mad respect for Carwin (especially now); but, I can’t help but think Gonzaga wanted to stand and trade with him to show that he could knock him out. Thoughts?

by wAyNe on Mar 13, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Lucky shot, huh? I guess all KO’s are lucky shots then. Every win is a lucky win. Every loss is a lucky loss.

by MMACrossifre on Mar 13, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Carwin looked like shit in the beginning but that KO was awesome.. Great photoshop indeed..

by johan-lofgren on Mar 13, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I still can’t believe he got up after being rocked and on the ground from Gabe. Gabe just can’t win the “big” fight!

by kevin on Mar 13, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Gabe finds a way to lose. I recon he would beat Carwin 4 times out of 5.

I am far from being sold on Carwin. He hits hard yes but so do most heavyweights.

by Nick J on Mar 13, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Kevin: I am having a hard time deciding if I should be impressed with Carwins perseverance, or bashing Gabe for another mental lapse.

To me, Gabe is like a hW Jardine. He is capable of beating top of the food chain heavyweights on any given night, but is inconsistent and cant seem to put together a winning streak. Still, Gabe is still relatively new to the uFC, and the skills are there. I hope that he eventually gets it together because his fights have all been exciting as of late.

I would like to See Gabe vs. Herring ((when he gets healthy).

by DAVE on Mar 13, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Gabe shot to the top by knocking out cro cop, but what has cro cop done since leaving pride??? beat HMC! Now, people expect too much out of Gonzaga, I’m not sold on him. I love BJJ, and was 100% confident that Gabe would submit Carwin once he got him down. WQe saw what happened! I’d venture to say we all expect too much from Gabe because of the cro cop fight!

by kevin on Mar 13, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Kevin: I think thats a fair assessment.

by DAVE on Mar 13, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

ya kev i agree too…someone else called it the Houston Alexander syndrome

by McArthur on Mar 13, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d agree with that as well. So Gonzo just became a high level gatekeeper?

by Synyster on Mar 13, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Another site is having the official “Carwin nickname contest” till next week….

by McArthur on Mar 13, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t figure Gonzaga out. He possess all of the tools to be a great fighter, but he just can’t seem to put it together.

by RealDrew on Mar 13, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

RealDrew-

Ditto.

by OJR on Mar 13, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

i think Gabe showed his potential in the Cro Cop fight and he has never really shown his potential again

i believe he can still be a threat to the HW division because there is no doubt he hits hard and has good Bjj but he has a suspect chin there is no way to work on that maybe just improve your head movement and boxing technique to stay away from his opponents punches

by ufcaddict on Mar 13, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d like to see Gonzaga do well. He’s likable, interesting style, seems to have all the skills, but can’t bring it together. He also seems to need more cardio work.

by BobC on Mar 13, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not ready to call it a suspect chin, addict. Carwin’s mitts are bigger than Lesnar’s. Plus they are packing serious power. Gabe’s taken plenty of good punches from top level fighters and this is the first time he’s ever been KO’d.

by wAyNe on Mar 13, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Carwin’s not that good but he does have some pop to his punches though…at 34 not sure how far he can go….kind of like Houston coming in with a couple of good wins, but i have a feeling it’s about to come to an end in his next fight

by Robert(1) on Mar 13, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

He just beat a guy who has fought for the belt. How can you compare him to Houston Alexander. Oh and he he proved he could actually take a punch not just give one. Thats not fair to say he is like Houston. Im not saying he will dominate everyone, but he has earned some respect

by lokie on Mar 13, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think it’s fair to compare Carwin to Alexander. Let’s not forget that Carwin isn’t even training full time. Carwin has some serious power with a strong wrestling background. Despite his age I think Carwin can make some noise in the UFC.

by RealDrew on Mar 13, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey I like the guy but Houston came out no where and trashed Jardine after getting hurt as well. I just think he is the muscle bound type guy like Houston who just happened to have ko’ed a top guy…both are mid 30’s, tight when they throw punches and look like they have weak chins that’s all

by Robert(1) on Mar 13, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone says he doesn’t train full time, but there was no evidence of that in the Countdown show. It showed him training 2-3 times a day 6 days a week, with no mention of a regular job. How do we know he didn’t train full time for Gabe and won’t in the future? If he really didn’t train full time than that is scary.

Also the age thing, didn’t Randy started MMA when he was in 34, Shane started at 30. Some guys can do it, some can’t. Wandi and Nog are in their early 30’s, but look and have taken punishment like they are in their 40’s.

Shane will probably be another UFC HW who never gets his due even if he has the title. It’s like if you not a BJJ black belt some guys will never give you any love. In my book a very strong wrestler with KO power is more lethal.

by BNF on Mar 13, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

carwin +200 on the ground compared to houston

by randy murders on Mar 13, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I just read that Carwin played football AND wrestled in college for Western State. He was a two-time national runner-up, one time national champion and a three-time all-american in wrestling. He even said that he went to the NFL combine and was projected as a fifth round pick.

To be able to compete at that level in TWO sport is pretty impressive. This guy has some serious athletic ability. Now lets see if he can learn Jiu-Jitsu.

by RealDrew on Mar 13, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Scary if/when he does…

by OJR on Mar 13, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

BNF, I didn’t see the countdown show, but at the post fight presser he was asked if he was going to quit his job as an engineer and he said that he wasn’t ready to make that decision yet.

by RealDrew on Mar 13, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

tough call…if it isn’t broken don’t fix it I guess

by McArthur on Mar 13, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s weird Drew, now I am confused. Maybe his job is very understanding of what he does now that he is fighting the best in the world and winning.

by BNF on Mar 13, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

McArthur, was that about his fighting style or his face?

by PW on Mar 13, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

haha…face is a good idea but I was referring to not training full time…if he keeps winning then I see no reason why he needs to quit his day job

by McArthur on Mar 13, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I will pick Carwin aginst Kongo if that happens

by Punch You in the Ovaries on Mar 13, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Agree. If Carwin beats Kongo, I’d say that makes him #1 contender. (and Kongo has no ground game, so…)

by Fred on Mar 13, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree. Carwin is already above Kongo. Kongo’s beaten one fighter of relevance (a horrible looking Cro-cop, and he did that by decision) and lost to anyone with an iota of wrestling ability (Carmello Marero?).

Carwin has stopped everyone they’ve put in front of him in under 2 minutes, including a former number 1 contender.

Not saying Kongo’s not good, but he’s not 1 fight away from number one contender. I’d put him under Carwin and Velasquez at about the same level as O’brien (though I think O’brien would beat him).

by Bauh4us on Mar 13, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty likeable guy.

by Jimmy on Mar 13, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

100% agree. Very humble, right up to when he steps in the ring. He won the fight but most of the quote is complementary of Gonzaga.

by BobC on Mar 13, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I’m starting to like Carwin even more cause of his compliments. He’s very well spoken. :)

by Natas on Mar 13, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Carwin showed the heart of a champion he was hurt early on and came back and ripped victory out of the jaws of defeat Shane Carwin is a true warrior

by Shadow side on Mar 13, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

Word, he took 3 huge shots from Gabe but stayed in it.

by the spyder on Mar 13, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

for sure…that last straight right he took was a KO punch imo and would’ve ended it for a lot of guys

by McArthur on Mar 13, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not keeping score at home.

The heavyweight division in the UFC is a yawn fest.

by tripleainto on Mar 13, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

yawnfest? look at anyones top 10 they still have 5 out of the top10 in that division on there roster… and gonzaga is borderline top10.. the HW division itself is a bore,add the fact they’re about to sign overeem and let cro cop and arlovski go, most still rank sylvia top10

by randy murders on Mar 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Carwin is a beast. He is brand new and just crushed a top ten HW. Show the guy some respect. I knew that Gabe was gonna lose. I just thought it would be after he got tired. Any HW that can recover quickly like that and stand up when your under a BJJ black belt… deserves respect in the fight game. Gabe is out the door now. Sucks, but its done.

by enzo-enormous on Mar 13, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

Once again enzo, I’m in total agreement.

by BNF on Mar 13, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think Gonzaga knew he hurt him as bad as he did because in my opinion if he would have kept it on the feet I think Gonzaga would have finished him. Props to Carwin he recovered and beat a good fighter. Kongo shoud be next winner gets a title shot.

by Mike on Mar 13, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Why should Kongo get a title shot over anybody? Kongo sucks.

by BK on Mar 13, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Carwin is a monster, but needs to develop some striking defense. He gets hit in the face a lot from what I’ve seen. It’s just that he trades and hits the other guy harder. That has worked so far, but not sure if it’s a good strategy against Lesner. If Carwin works on some head movement and learns to block/deflect/avoid some punches, he will dominate the division.

by cmon on Mar 13, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

I agree…that’s two fights in a row that he’s started slow getting his ass kicked. He should work on his defense, and a descent game plan. I think at this point he would be lucky to survive against a top 5 unless he fixes these problems. Other than that, nobody can say the dude is not exciting.

by MM_Eh on Mar 13, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe but the best fighters not only can give they can take. Look at Forrest or NOG they can take more than they give and thats why they are one of the best might not be a long career but it has got them to the top, , Carwin at least showed he can take and we all know he can give. Will you stand and trade? Plus it’s only a nose most of you didn’t expect him to win this early in his career against a top five opponent including me, of coarse he’s going to have weaknesses with only 11 fights.MM Eh(I agree…that’s two fights in a row that he’s started slow getting his ass kicked.)??? no one has made it past the first round WOW!!

by Beaver on Mar 13, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Cmon I like Lesnar too, he is going to be the future of the MMA HW division with out a doubt but Carwin is right next to him. No fighter has made it out of the first round in eleven fights!! If he keeps that up he will have a long…………………. very long career. Taking one punch a fight is nothing. Sometimes you have to take one to give one even though this was not the case with Gonzo I don’t see too many fighters being able to KO Carwin, and I can’t see many take one from him either? Bring on Fedor and we will see LOL.

by Beaver on Mar 14, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

was it me or gabe actually looked bigger than shane “you will need a cane” carwin during the staredown?

by Don on Mar 13, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions

Crocop has no ground game and gotta a lucky head kick in ok gonzo needs to go to a new gym that’s his problem his game plans suck if he went with team jackson or nogs and a.silva team he would do a lot better it all depends on training and ttechnic ese’s

Amor de rey

by king criminales amor de rey on Mar 13, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions