UFC 116: Lesnar vs Carwin
Brock Lesnar didn’t arrive in the UFC out of nowhere like Rousey, McGregor, or other notable fighters. Still, his transition to mixed martial arts took the sporting world by storm. He was an incredible athlete unlike any other in the heavyweight division at the time. He had huge deficits in his skills due to having only trained in MMA for a short amount of time, but it was covered up by his explosive and heavily muscled frame that provided a competitive advantage over his peers.
Shane Carwin, by comparison, was the perfect foil for Lesnar. The former pro-wrestler dominated headlines with his bravado and brash approach. Carwin was soft-spoken and had worked his way through the ranks. Most importantly, Carwin matched Lesnar’s incredible size and power inside the cage. To add drama to the bout, Lesnar was returning from a year-long hiatus due to diverticulitis. Fans had no idea what to expect when the two collided.
That Fourth of July weekend saw one of the most dramatic come-backs in UFC history. Carwin hurt Lesnar early and dominated the first round with some of the most brutal ground-and-pound ever seen. Lesnar returned to his stool a bloody mess, however it was Carwin who appeared to be the more tired of the two. In the second round, Carwin was exhausted and Lesnar got the fight to the ground. The reigning heavyweight champion sank an arm-triangle choke and tapped out Carwin in front of the stunned Vegas crowd.
His celebration led to one of the most famous photos in UFC history as his hulking frame celebrated on top of the cage, face drenched in blood, and leaving everyone wondering who could possibly take the belt away from him.
