http://mmajunkie.com/news/17229/sha...rim-heavyweight-title-at-ufc-111-in-march.mma
Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir in the works for interim heavyweight title at UFC 111 in March
by John Morgan on Dec 16, 2009 at 2:10 am ET
While UFC president Dana White recently said the status of UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar would be decided in the next four to six weeks, things are apparently progressing much faster.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the organization that the UFC is targeting an interim heavyweight title matchup between top contender Shane Carwin (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and former UFC champion Frank Mir (13-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC).
If both parties agree, the contest may take place at the increasingly attractive UFC 111 event on March 27 in Newark, N.J.
Carwin has been waiting patiently on the sidelines in recent months while current champion Brock Lesnar looks to rehabilitate from a case of diverticulitis as well as potential additional issues that the the champion and White have been reluctant to divulge.
While Carwin has waited through the cancellations of two different fight dates, when the potential of a matchup with Mir was brought up in recent days, he was quick to agree to the thought.
"Mir is a multiple-time champion who has been counted out more [than] Mike Tyson to only find himself right back at the top," Carwin wrote on his official website. "He is a legend of the sport, and I would be honored to fight him."
He may now get that chance.
Mir had recently found himself among the heavyweight division's second-tier of fighters, but an impressive win over French kickboxer Cheick Kongo left an impression in many fans' minds.
While Mir wasn't sure exactly what his status was following the win, the former champ admitted the pressure was on him to prove he belonged among the division's elite.
"I really felt that I had to come out there and decisively smash (Kongo) to make a statement," he said. "If I had of went out there and won a three-round decision against Cheick Kongo, I don't believe that would have elevated my status."
That status may now find him in an intriguing matchup for an interim belt and a date that both Carwin and Mir hope for: a future bout with Lesnar.
Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir in the works for interim heavyweight title at UFC 111 in March
by John Morgan on Dec 16, 2009 at 2:10 am ET
While UFC president Dana White recently said the status of UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar would be decided in the next four to six weeks, things are apparently progressing much faster.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the organization that the UFC is targeting an interim heavyweight title matchup between top contender Shane Carwin (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and former UFC champion Frank Mir (13-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC).
If both parties agree, the contest may take place at the increasingly attractive UFC 111 event on March 27 in Newark, N.J.
Carwin has been waiting patiently on the sidelines in recent months while current champion Brock Lesnar looks to rehabilitate from a case of diverticulitis as well as potential additional issues that the the champion and White have been reluctant to divulge.
While Carwin has waited through the cancellations of two different fight dates, when the potential of a matchup with Mir was brought up in recent days, he was quick to agree to the thought.
"Mir is a multiple-time champion who has been counted out more [than] Mike Tyson to only find himself right back at the top," Carwin wrote on his official website. "He is a legend of the sport, and I would be honored to fight him."
He may now get that chance.
Mir had recently found himself among the heavyweight division's second-tier of fighters, but an impressive win over French kickboxer Cheick Kongo left an impression in many fans' minds.
While Mir wasn't sure exactly what his status was following the win, the former champ admitted the pressure was on him to prove he belonged among the division's elite.
"I really felt that I had to come out there and decisively smash (Kongo) to make a statement," he said. "If I had of went out there and won a three-round decision against Cheick Kongo, I don't believe that would have elevated my status."
That status may now find him in an intriguing matchup for an interim belt and a date that both Carwin and Mir hope for: a future bout with Lesnar.
