Carwin vs Dos Santos at UFC 131: Breakdown & news

This is, by far, one of the most interesting and exciting UFC heavyweight match-ups in recent years. It's one of those fights where basically everyone is torn when picking a winner. We have two very powerful strikers who each have only very small holes in their fight games, and both can end a fight in the blink of an eye. Let's take a look at the competitors for current #1 contender status:




SHANE CARWIN:

MMA Record 12-1

UFC Record 4-1



Shane Carwin is one of the most physically imposing fighters in the heavyweight division. Massive in stature, Carwin is surprisingly quick and agile. This, unlike the power he possesses in his hands, plays into the "wild card" aspect of this fight with JDS. We all know that he can KO Dos Santos if he catches him cleanly, but how will Carwin counter a fighter with such great boxing skills?



Carwin has had a string of impressive wins in UFC competition. This led to his fight against (then champion) Brock Lesnar. Carwin dominated this fight in the first round and then appeared to experience a full gas-out at the end of the round. This is definitely forgivable, and I am sure that losing the way that he did to a fighter he clearly should have defeated, must be driving him forward in his current run back to the title. Shane Carwin is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC's heavyweight division, hands down.



Let's look at another of the most exciting fighters in this same division...



JUNIOR DOS SANTOS:

MMA Record 12-1

UFC Record 6-0



JDS may not have as much pound-for-pound power in a single strike as Carwin does, but it would be difficult to argue that he doesn't possess the better boxing skills? He appears to be faster than Carwin while standing. The "wild card" aspect for JDS remains the same in this fight. How good is his takedown defense and how does he look on the ground? IF Carwin tries to muscle JDS around, clinch with him and do what he did to Frank Mir a while back, how will JDS respond and will he have an answer to the physical strength of Shane Carwin? Can he use his outstanding footwork to keep Carwin in range, where he can capitalize on speed and technical striking advantages?



JDS has had a very impressive UFC run thus far. Introducing himself to UFC fans with a one-punch KO of Fabricio Werdum, followed by impressive wins over Struve, Cro Cop, Yvel, Gonzaga & Nelson. He has solidly positioned himself at the top of the heap for a title shot. This fight with Carwin is obviously what will now make or break this title run.

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WARRIOR SHANE CARWIN OFFICIAL FIGHTER MMA T-SHIRT SIZE X-LARGE
We haven't yet seen what has been dubbed "Carwin 2.0" in fight action. Since the surgery, recovery process, training camp and new diet, Carwin claims to feel the best he's felt in years. The results of this should be very interesting to see - and I assume that Carwin's cardio will not be an issue this time around. These factors weigh heavily in the fight being so difficult to call.



Who are you going with in this one? How do you see it going down? Can the winner defeat Velasquez?

Let us know what you think!