These and many more in the valetudo.ru’s exclusive interview with the top-10 heavyweight in the world - Shane Carwin!
Valetudo: Before stepping up against Napao, you were undefeated, with all your fights ending by the way of TKO or submission. Did it bother you that you were still considered by many as an underdog?
Shane Carwin (SC): Not at all Gabe had fought and beaten some of the best in the world. I still have a lot to prove and improve upon. I think i was indeed the underdog.
Valetudo: For your previous UFC fights, you weighted exactly 265 lbs, the maximum allowed weight for the heavyweight. However, for the Gonazaga’s fight, you tipped the scale at 259. What was different in preparation for that fight? Do you feel more comfortable / faster weighing little less?
SC: A little more science in the diet and of course not having to travel over seas was a big help in getting ready.
Valetudo: Now, after you made a bold statement by knocking out Gonzaga in little over a minute, what is next for Shane Carwin? Some people want you to face Cheikh Kongo for the number one title contender spot. What do you think of that?
SC: Kongo is tough, who ever the ufc has in store i just want to fight the best
Valetudo: When Randy Couture was preparing for his fight against Brock, he invited you to train with him. How was that experience? What do you think went wrong in that fight? Did Randy get caught, or was a logical finale of the battle?
SC: That was just a rumor, i have never trained at coutures. Father time is what happened. In randy's prime youth and power would not have been enough to stop him. He is showing the battle scars and that is what happens, he is and will forever be a legend and i hope to be able to acomplish a small % of the things he has.
Valetudo: Speaking of Brock, does it bother you at all that the guy who only had one professional fight under his belt, gets a co-main event fight in his UFC debut and then a title shot having professional record of 2-1? At the same time, you had to go the hard way, slowly getting the media attention and making it to the main card.
SC: Nope, Dana is very clear about wanting to give the fans the fights they want. The guy has a big following and sold a bunch of tickets and ppv's. It is not like they had me fighting Randy on the undercard, so again no complaints from me, i am a happy employee.
Valetudo: Frank Mir once described what goes though his head a day before the fight: he can’t sleep, can’t eat, and can’t talk to anybody; the anxiety is off the roof!
What goes through your mind a day before fight? How do you deal with it?
SC: I have so much going on in my life i just dont have time to think about it. I am thinking lets do this and go home. When i am in the ring it is like an outter body experience.
Valetudo: How to beat Fedor? He faced the best of all styles, BJJ Black Blets, violent strikers, All-American wrestlers, world-class boxers. What would be your strategy / game plan against the Last Emperor?
SC: I think Arlovski showed that Fedor is human and can be beat if you put the complete gameplan together. Fedor is the type of opponent that you should believe the hype and prepare for a full mma fight. I would love to see fedor in the ufc and of course i would be honored to face such a legend.
Valetudo: Would you like to see Fedor in UFC? Do you think he would have difficulties adjusting to the cage, similar to what CroCop, Noguera, and Wanderlei had in their fights?
SC: Yes i think Mir, Cain, and a few others could give him the competition level i know he desires.
Valetudo: Do you have any fighters that you admire or look after? Any role models?
SC: All of the fighters that do this for the passion not the fame.
Valetudo: Do you let your 8-year old son watch your fights? What about your wife? Does she like what you are doing or does she want you out of fighting business?
SC: I would let him watch the fights, i would make sure he understands it first. He however is unable to watch for other reasons. I have to say his soccer games can make mma look like a childs sport.
Valetudo: Who is Shane Carwin in the first place, an Engineer or a Fighter?
SC: A father, friend, engineer, fighter, and loving husband all in one.
Valetudo: Thank you Shane, we wish best of luck! Bring that belt to the great state of Colorado!
SC: Thank you!
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