• UFC 116

'Greatest fight in UFC history' Lesnar v Carwin confirmed

Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin have fierce knockout power © UFC

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Shane Carwin has predicted the 'greatest fight in UFC history' after Dana White confirmed UFC 116 will be headlined by the heavyweight title clash between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.

Undoubtedly one of the most highly-anticipated bouts ever staged by the UFC, undefeated 12-0 knockout specialist Carwin takes on wrestling phenomenon Lesnar for the crown of undisputed champion. Unsurprisingly, the event will be housed in the home of the UFC, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, on Saturday, July 3.

Currently the interim champion after his brutal knockout of Frank Mir, Carwin has the hands to rival Lesnar's XXXXL gloves, while his NCAA wrestling base should give him some semblance of parity against the current heavyweight king.

"I have wanted a chance to compete against Brock since my college wrestling days," Carwin said. "He is an elite athlete who is always dangerous. His college wrestling background makes him extremely tough.

"I will be the first fighter he has faced who is equal in size. He won't be able to bully me or hold me down as he has others in the past. This is the biggest fight of my life. I think it can go down as one of the greatest fights in UFC history. I expect to have my hand raised and to become the real UFC heavyweight champion."

Not only are there question marks over whether Lesnar's chin would survive one of Carwin's sledgehammer blows, but the 4-1 champion also carries doubts over his health following a serious intestinal disease. Having beaten Frank Mir, Randy Couture and Heath Herring in his UFC career, Lesnar is yet to have faced a genuine striker, but that will not stop him taking the favourite's tag into the July 3 showdown.

"I can't wait to get back in the Octagon and defend my UFC heavyweight title," Lesnar said. "July 3rd can't come soon enough. I'm ready to fight. At UFC 116, Shane Carwin is going to face the real UFC heavyweight champion. I'm going to end Shane's perfect record and walk out of the Octagon with my championship belt around my waist."

Few individuals promote a fight better than Dana White, so the last word is left with the UFC president.

"When people wonder why the heavyweights capture the imagination of all fight fans, it's because of guys like Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin. Not only are they great athletes and former national wrestling champions, but they both have the ability to end a fight with one punch. This is one of those fights that you won't be able to turn away from because it can be over in a split second, and when it's over, only one will walk away as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion of the world."

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