Returning after a one-year medical leave, 32-year-old Brock Lesnar managed to weather a violent barrage from Shane Carwin to retain his place atop the heavyweight division at the MGM Grand Garden Arena UFC 116 event in Las Vegas on July 3, 2010. The come-from-behind Submission victory (Arm-Triangle Choke) was sweet indeed for the athlete who has been sidelined by an intestinal disorder.
Previously unbeaten and able to finish off 12 opponents in the first round, Carwin threw 78 power strikes against Lesnar’s 2 and managed to control the ground for 2:35 minutes to Lesnar’s 1:30, but he lacked the stamina to finish what he started.
Lesnar took 47 monster blows in the first 5 minutes of the opening round, and looked very much like a man who wanted out of the action. But somehow Lesnar remained standing while Shane Carwin got weary.
Reflecting upon his loss, Carwin said, “I thought I had enough space to breath and keep working, but he sunk it on tight, and I was going out.” Lesnar turned out to be the survivor of round one and the closer of round two.
The tape came at 3:52 of round two. Carwin said, “I was going after the kill. Brock’s a tough son of a bitch, man. He took that ground-and-pound like nobody else. I tightened up. My hat’s off to him. He’s the champion. I fell down the mountain, but I’ll climb back up.”
Lesnar knew Carwin was beginning to run on empty. “I just had to weather the storm. He’s got some heavy shots. I just had to hang back. I knew he was getting tired. Each shot was less dramatic than the other, and I thought ‘I’ll just let him go.'”
Next up for Lesnar will be a bout with unbeaten 27-year-old Cain Velasquez (8-0). Also waiting in the wings is Brazilian powerhouse Junior dos Santas.
Brock is married to model, actress and professional wrestler Rena Mero Lesnar aka Sable. She has been featured on the cover of Playboy three times. They have a son Turk, and are expecting their second child this month.
Lesnar was disappointed with his showing in the first round but acknowledged that “a win is a win.” Check out all of the video action below:
UFC 116 Fight Card Results:
Brock Lesnar defeated Shane Carwin via Submission – Arm-Triangle Choke
Chris Leben defeated Yoshihiro Akiyama via Submission – Triangle Choke
Chris Lytle defeated Matt Brown via Submission – Armbar
Stephan Bonnar defeated Krzysztof Soszynski by TKO – Punches
George Sotiropoulos defeated Kurt Pellegrino by Unanimous Decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.