• UFC 125

Carwin pulls out of UFC 125

ESPN staff
October 27, 2010
Shane Carwin has a 12-1 record in UFC © UFC
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Shane Carwin has withdrawn from UFC 125 on New Year's Day with a back injury.

The heavyweight fighter was due to fight Roy Nelson in the co-main event at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, but will undergo surgery on his long-standing back problem and admits he does not know how long he could be out of action for.

"I had an MRI yesterday and I have some damage that may really require surgery," he told his official website, shane-carwin.com. "If the doctors do not have to perform surgery then I will be out 8-12 weeks. If they do have to perform surgery I do not know how long I will be out of action."

However, the fighter later revealed on his Twitter page that he would undergo surgery on Tuesday.

"Looks like I am going to opt for surgery," he posted on his Twitter account shanecarwin. "This will ensure the road to the top won't be stalled by this injury again."

Carwin admits he is bitterly disappointed, as victory against Nelson could have seen him have a title shot against new heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

"I was really looking forward to fighting again and obviously this is a very disappointing turn of events," Carwin said. "My manager said, 'you can't fight the best fighters in the world with just heart, it is time to stop limping to the top of the mountain and get healthy so you can climb it on your terms'. I have been up all night thinking about this decision and what I may be missing by making it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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