3. Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin
Lesnar’s showdown with Carwin at UFC 116 in 2010 was a real treat for heavyweight fans. These two enormous physical specimens were at the top of their games. Lesnar was coming off a huge revenge win over Frank Mir at UFC 100. Carwin was a perfect 12-0 and had been demolishing all of his opponents inside the first round.
The first round started with a bang as Carwin’s ferocious punching power quickly had Lesnar reeling. Before long, the challenger looked close to ending the fight. He secured top position and threw everything but the kitchen sink at the champion. Several times it appeared as if the referee was on the verge of waving it off. Few would have objected if he had. But Lesnar was defending himself just enough to allow the action to continue. Try as he might, Carwin couldn’t put Lesnar away.
As a battered and bloodied Lesnar unsteadily made his way back to his stool at the end of the round it looked like Carwin had the fight in the palm of his hand. However, Carwin was now exhausted after that relentless ground and pound assault. As they prepared to start round two, Lesnar flashed him a smile that suggested he wasn’t out of the fight after all. With the weary Carwin’s punches now coming slower, Lesnar was able to pick his moment to land a takedown. Once on the mat, he transitioned to an arm triangle and forced his opponent to tap. The win proved beyond any doubt that this pro-wrestler had the heart and will of a true fighter.
