VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Shane Carwin was supposed to ease back into the UFC. The heavyweight contender had been out for nearly a year recovering from back surgery for nerve damage in his neck, and he scheduled a comeback fight against Jon Olav Einemo, a Norwegian newcomer.
Brock Lesnar’s latest bout with intestinal illness changed everything for Carwin.
Instead of easing into the UFC shallows, he’s jumping right back into the deep end against Brazil’s Junior Dos Santos, widely considered the world’s No. 2 heavyweight behind UFC champion Cain Velasquez.
When Lesnar dropped out of his fight with Dos Santos, Carwin (12-1) stepped in for the main event of UFC 131 Saturday in Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, with a fall title shot going to the winner.
