YES, Shane Carwin Would Fight Frank Mir

Shane Carwin

A win like Frank had last night surely propels him to share the top of the division with Nog, Cain and myself. If beating Kongo was enough to propel Cain to number two contender status, destroying Kongo might edge Cain out. What is more compelling is that Mir made it our of that fight injury free so not only is he at the top of the division he is likely ready to fight sooner then later…The main question I am getting is would I fight Frank? The answer is easy YES. I am not a fighter who decides who he fights, I fight who I am told to fight. I like it that way, I am not trying to build a legacy I am trying to fight the best fighters in the World and determine where I fit in. Mir is a Multiple time Champion, who has been counted out more then Mike Tyson to only find himself right back at the top. He is a LEGEND of the sport and I would be honored to fight him.

—Shane Carwin via his official website confirming he would fight Frank Mir if asked

Such a class act that Shane Carwin is, but I wonder if his admiration for Frank Mir will diminish once Mir starts questioning his chin and whatever other weaknesses he happens to find. Oh wait, he already did.

In all seriousness though, this would make for an excellent fight and both are up for it. In fact, some people are suggesting the Nogueira-Velasquez winner face the Mir-Carwin winner for an interim title if Brock’s return is too far off. It sounds good, but what if Frank Mir wins both fights? Surely he would deserve another title shot if he were to win out, but then you have Lesnar fighting Mir again in his very first fight back since destroying him. I don’t know about you, but I’m not too crazy about that potential scenario. The UFC might like it though. It would probably sell more pay-per-views than any of other three match-ups.

 

What’s Next For Frank Mir? 15-20 More Pounds

Frank MirWith maybe the exception of BJ Penn, no one made a statement last night quite like Frank Mir. He obliterated Cheick Kongo with a left hand and choked him out in 1:12. It was a message sent loud and clear that he wants Brock Lesnar and he’s willing do whatever it takes to get the rubber match.

 

Nogueira-Velasquez At UFC 109 Or UFC 110

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez

It looks like we can rule out Cain Velasquez as a potential replacement for Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 108. According to MMA Mania, the UFC is in the process of rescheduling the former UFC 108 main event between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez for UFC 109.

Former UFC interim heavyweight champion and mixed martial arts legend, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, is expected take on undefeated rising star Cain Velasquez at UFC 109, which is slated for Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 6, 2010.

MMA Junkie, however, is hearing the UFC is more interested in booking it at UFC 110 in Australia.

Despite reports circulating today that Nogueira and Velasquez will meet at UFC 109 in Las Vegas, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the organization that the UFC is actually leaning toward booking the fight for UFC 110 in Australia.

As for Junior dos Santos’ UFC 108 opponent, your guess is as good as mine. Who do they even have left? Anybody?

 

UFC & Strikeforce Fight And Scheduling Annoucements

Wanderlei SilvaQuick rundown of fight and scheduling announcements and notes.

 

Fox Fight Game: Tito Ortiz, Cain Velasquez

On this week’s edition of Fox Fight Game, Mike Straka and crew talk about Tito Ortiz’s return to the UFC. Cain Velasquez also makes a guest appearance.

 

Evans-Silva Headlining UFC 108, Lesnar May Need ‘Major Surgery’ (Update)

UFC 108: Evans vs Silva

 

Lesnar Seriously Ill, Out Indefinitely; Nogueira Off UFC 108 With Staph Infection (Update IV)

Brock LesnarThe biggest news coming out the UFC 105 post-fight press conference have nothing at all to do with UFC 105.

 

Big Nog vs Velasquez UFC 108, Marquardt vs Sonnen Likely UFC 110

Cain VelasquezIt looks like Cain Velasquez and his camp have decided to take the UFC 108 fight against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira after all. MMA Weekly is reporting the two will meet at UFC 108 likely in the headliner or a co-main event slot.

 

Cain Velasquez Would Rather Fight Shane Carwin Than Big Nog

News broke earlier this week that a heavyweight fight between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez was in the process of being booked to replace Lesnar-Carwin at UFC 108. Shortly thereafter though, we found out that Cain’s camp wasn’t particularly interested in the fight and as Cain tells RawVegas.tv’s Dave Farra, he’d prefer to fight Shane Carwin than Big Nog. That said, he says he’s open to fighting Nogueira, but needs to sit down with his managers before they make a final decision.

 

Big Nog vs. Cain Velasquez At UFC 108? (Update II: Lesnar No-Go For UFC 108)

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

According to Tatame, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is set to fight Cain Velasquez on Jan. 2 at UFC 108, however Heavy.com says the fight is merely “in the works.”

Heavy.com has confirmed with UFC sources that the bout has been discussed as a possibility for the Jan. 2 card in Las Vegas, but has not been finalized.

It’s definitely an awesome fight and one that would produce a clear number one contender for the Lesnar-Carwin winner, but the question is if this fight is definitely happening or if it’s contingent upon whether Brock Lesnar is ready to go for UFC 108?

Image via Sherdog

Update: Heavy.com is reporting that Brock Lesnar will not fight at UFC 108.

Sources close to Brock Lesnar’s camp informed Heavy.com tonight that Lesnar will not be able to participate in the postponed main event of UFC 108 against Shane Carwin.

Sources close to the UFC confirmed the story while pointing out that Lesnar was never officially part of the UFC 108 card.

Kevin Iole confirmed the news with Dana White. Iole also confirmed that Lesnar has mono.

UFC 108 is now officially without a title fight unless they decide to book Nog-Cain for an interim heavyweight title. I don’t know, but if I was Velasquez, I’d probably turn it down. No reason to give Nog anymore time than necessary to pull a rabbit out of his hat.

Update 2: Good lord, Nog-Cain might not happen either. According to MMA Weekly, one of the sides doesn’t want the fight.

MMAWeekly.com sources on Wednesday initially confirmed that the bout, reported by Tatame.com as confirmed by “Nogueira’s manager” to SportTV, had been agreed to. Following our initial report, however, additional sources injected some skepticism into the situation.

It appears that certain parties involved want the bout to happen, while others do not, leaving its current status up in the air.

Considering Ed Soares was the one to break the news while Velasquez’s camp refuted it in the Heavy.com report, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say Velasquez is the one who isn’t interested. That or he’s holding out for more money, which in this case he’s in a pretty good position to get it. Cross your fingers.