Biggest threats to Lesnar’s belt
Brock Lesnar’s second round submission victory over Shane Carwin does not tell the whole story in writing. The heavyweight champion…
Brock Lesnar’s second round submission victory over Shane Carwin does not tell the whole story in writing. The heavyweight champion walked away the victor after the main event of UFC 116, but it was not without being beat within an inch of consciousness in the opening round. Carwin’s efforts displayed that defeating Lesnar is far from the realm of impossibility, and, for that, Heavy MMA takes a look at five guys working towards a shot at Lesnar’s belt and the odds of one walking away the winner.
Cain Velasquez
Heavy MMA HW Rank: 4
Record: 8-0
Last Five Fights: W-W-W-W-W
Notable Victories: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (KO), Ben Rothwell (TKO)
Notable Losses: None
Next Opponent: Brock Lesnar for UFC heavyweight championship, date undecided
Status: Velasquez has risen to the top of the heavyweight division in a relatively short time and was put on the shelf awaiting the winner of Lesnar vs. Carwin. Lesnar took home the victory and the belt, and now Velasquez has the next shot at stealing away Lesnar’s hardware.
Junior dos Santos
Heavy MMA HW Rank: 6
Record: 11-1
Last Five Fights: W-W-W-W-W
Notable Victories: Fabricio Werdum (KO), Mirko Filipovic (Verbal Submission), Gabriel Gonzaga (KO)
Notable Losses: Joaqium Ferreira (Submission)
Next Opponent: Roy Nelson at UFC 117
Status: Fresh off his knockout victory over Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC on Versus 1 (his fifth win inside the promotion), dos Santos will face off against Roy Big Country Nelson at UFC 117 next month. The winner of that fight is next in line for a title shot following Cain Velasquez.
Shane Carwin
Frank Mir
Roy Nelson