UFC 89 Breakdown: The Undercard

Shane Carwin vs. Neil Wain

Carwin Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 6’3/252 lbs.
Age: 33
Hometown: Greeley, Colo.
Fighting out of: Denver
Record: 9-0

The stakes: Let’s face it -- an undefeated heavyweight prospect in MMA is more valuable than a 401K plan, especially after the last few weeks. With a flawless string of first-round stoppage wins, Carwin is one of the few heavyweight prospects in the UFC and, should his good fortunes continue, will likely become the focus of the promotion’s marketing machine.

The breakdown: Ironically, Carwin’s run of stopwatch victories has kept the public from finding out much about him beyond his ability to put away opponents. What’s known is that Carwin has a strong collegiate wrestling pedigree and a real knack for landing big punches standing. Against Wain, a prototypical English slugger, Carwin would be wise to remember his takedowns should a stand-up affair turn ugly.

Wain Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 5’10/242 lbs.
Age: 30
Hometown: Pontrefact, Yorkshire
Fighting out of: Doncaster, England

The stakes: Another undefeated heavyweight brought in to bolster an increasingly barren UFC division, Wain was slotted to make his debut at UFC 85, but a broken nose nixed those plans. He now finds himself lined up as fodder for Carwin, a man the UFC has designs on molding into a contender. Of course, Wain could easily switch roles with a win before what’s sure to be a raucous hometown crowd.

The breakdown: A vintage slugger, “Old Skool” Wain harkens back to the days of David “Tank” Abbott, who sent opponents on facedown vacations despite sporting a less-than-Herculean build. If the grizzled Englishman can get his opponent to freely unfurl fisticuffs, he may leapfrog Carwin as the UFC’s next heavyweight prospect du jour.


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The bottom line: While English “Tank” seems sure to get the nostalgia train chugging along for many fans, Wain simply does not live up to the modern standard of mixed martial artist. Relying on Carwin to trade bombs is not a sound strategy in light of his recent knockout win over Christian Wellisch. This one will be a one-sided showcase for Carwin, as he reminds Wain the “Old Skool” is long dead in MMA.