Brock Lesnar Destroys Shane Carwin At UFC 116

Brock Lesnar tapped out Shane Carwin at UFC 116 Lesnar vs. Carwin. Brock Lesnar wins his fifth fight after a one year layoff. There will be no questions about Brock Lesnar’s next fight. Cain Velasquez will be the lucky or unlucky fighter next to challenge Brock Lesnar.

The intensity throughout UFC 116 leading up to the fight was just awesome. There was something different about this show that has been missing since maybe UFC 100. Whether it be boxing or UFC, there is still nothing better than a good heavyweight fight. The fact that you had two guys with the knockout power of Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin only intensified an already exciting event.

This was one of the most impressive wins you will ever see in MMA. Shane Carwin destroyed Brock Lesnar for the entire first round. Carwin caught him with an upper cut and just dominated Lesnar for the entire round. Carwin sat on top of Lesnar and dropped down hammers and elbows. Lesnar was cut bad and looked like he was out of it at one point. The onslaught obviously gassed Carwin out. Lesnar finally got a take down in Round 2 and dominated him on the ground. Lesnar was able to tie him up with a choke and get Carwin to tap. The win was huge!

Brock Lesnar remains the 14th undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. Even with the comeback win, Lesnar continues to be the most hated fighter in all of MMA. At this point it has to be either jealousy or the embarrassment of a professional wrestler jumping into the UFC with little MMA experience and becoming arguably the greatest heavyweight fighter in UFC history.

It was gutsy performance from Shane Carwin. If anything, Shane Carwin made himself a star tonight. For the first time since Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar 1, Lesnar looked human. Even with his matching power and wrestling acumen, Carwin was still no match for Lesnar in the end. Carwin and Lesnar will likely meet again at some point. Carwin is just too good to go on an extended losing streak so whether it is for the UFC title or not, I see a rematch between these two guys at some point down the road.

Carwin immediately brought attention to himself in the MMA community after he blasted Brock Lesnar on his website following UFC 100. “The flipping off of the fans that just lined your pocket with millions of dollars is just LAME. He may be a Champion but he has a long ways to go before he earns the respect of a Champion. The fans are why we do this Brock, this sport is not about fat paychecks and drama it is about hard work and sacrifice for a shot to do what you did last night.”

Ironically Carwin did more trash talking for this fight last July than he has done in the last three months.

Brock Lesnar finds himself hunted by the most dangerous heavyweight field in UFC history. Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar is on tap for the next UFC heavyweight championship collision. Junior Dos Santos, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Roy Nelson, Randy Couture, Mirko Cro Cop (retirement pending), Ben Rothwell, and Frank Mir are all out there as potential future challengers. Of course a rematch with Shane Carwin would be big but the money is Lesnar vs. Mir III. If Frank Mir can get a win or a bunch of top contenders are injured, this could be the biggest match in UFC history.

Alistair Overeem and Fedor Emelianenko are also wildcards. Emelianenko only has one fight left on his Strikeforce deal and Overeem has already publicly expressed interest in joining the UFC at some point. While Lesnar vs. Emelianenko won’t have the luster it would have if Fedor remained undefeated, it will still be a huge match if Fedor can avenge his loss to Fabricio Werdum in convincing fashion. One more dominating national appearance by Overeem and the UFC could have a juggernaut on their hands with Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar. The match would also likely be a lot easier for Dana White to make than Fedor vs. Lesnar.

Lesnar will first have to get past Velasquez before anyone starts even thinking about Lesnar vs. Fedor or Lesnar vs. Overeem. Velasquez is a very dangerous opponent for Lesnar. I don’t think Velasquez could handle Lesnar’s power, but I think Velasquez’s speed could give Lesnar some real fits. Carwin vs. Lesnar won’t have the sizzle of most UFC heavyweight title collisions, but it will be a really fun match to see.

As it stands today there is nobody in the UFC that would be favored against Brock Lesnar in the octagon. Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva have both talked about moving up to heavyweight to fight Lesnar. Dana White has never been a big fan of “freak shows’ until of course Randy Couture vs. James Toney was signed. So you never know what could be down the pike in the UFC heavyweight division.

Preview: CFL, Week 1 Opening Weekend

Montreal at Saskatchewan, 4 p.m., TSN – TSN's replay two nights ago of last year's Grey Cup final was almost as stunning upon second viewing – the first time two teams have celebrated a Grey Cup victory on the same night. Kavis Reed – the Roughriders' special teams coach who forgot to account for the extra (13th) man which gave the Als a second chance to kick the winning field goal – is gone to Winnipeg. But many of the same protagonists return, including the relentless Alouette pitch and catch duo of Anthony Calvillo and Ben Cahoon, senior CFL citizens approaching their 38th birthdays. This could be just the first of three meetings between the Als and 'Riders. Many suspect they'll be the only two teams still standing for the 98th Grey Cup game Nov. 28 in Edmonton.

Pick: Montreal

Toronto at Calgary, 7 p.m., TSN – Jeremaine Copeland joined the Stampeders in 2005, the year after Calgary ended the season at 4-14, and he helped them improve by seven wins to finish second in the West. Now, he's returning to Calgary with a good-sized cow chip on his shoulder after being traded to the Argos. Copeland, who had 81 catches and 12 touchdown receptions last season, is expected to be a major contributor to establishing respectability in Toronto. And really, that's all the Argos -- 7-29 over the past two seasons -- are looking for. The team's starting quarterback is Cleo Lemon, a 30-year-old who is new to the CFL game and recalls the old bromide: If life hands you lemons, made lemonade. Okay, Cleo, start squeezin'.

Pick: Calgary

FRIDAY

Hamilton at Winnipeg, 5 p.m., TSN – While other teams have been turning their rosters inside out, the Tiger-Cats are trusting that a core of 32 returning players will add stability and upward mobility to a team which went 9-9 last season. That was good enough to put the Tiger-Cats in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The more intriguing team from a Lions perspective, of course, is Winnipeg, where Buck Pierce landed following his release by Wally Buono. Pierce was named as the Blue Bombers' starting quarterback last week by head coach Paul LaPolice, the former Saskatchewan offensive coordinator. Pierce will endear himself to Manitobans early if he can outduel Kevin Glenn, the Ticat starter who would love to stick to his former team.

Pick: Hamilton

SUNDAY

B.C. at Edmonton, 4 p.m., TSN – No team playing host to a Grey Cup game has won it since the Lions beat Baltimore in '94 at BC Place, but the Eskimos might decide it's about time. Despite their lacklustre home record last season (5-4) and a penchant for giving up the big play on defence, the Esks are the trendy pick to emerge from the West and represent Canada's left half in the season finale at Commonwealth Stadium. Deep threat Kelly Campbell is back from the NFL and underrated ex-Argo Andre Talbot adds another component to the receiving corps which includes Kamau Peterson and the dangerous Fred Stamps. If Ricky Ray stays as sharp as he's looked in preseason, the Edmonton QB could make it a long night for most teams. The still-evolving Lions might be the first.

Pick: Edmonton

Denver Nuggets Might Trade Carmello Anthony?

NBA free-agency frenzy has left the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony with leverage to ask for a better supporting cast. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)

The Nuggets are pressing Carmelo Anthony for a long-term commitment, because if he declines a three-year, $65 million contract extension now on the table, the team must consider trading its leading scorer.

Trade Melo? Would the Nuggets really part ways with a 26-year-old forward in the prime of his NBA career? Denver might not have any choice.

With an eye on how megastars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have held the league's competitive balance in their fickle hands and turned this summer's free-agency period into a three-ring circus, the Nuggets seem determined not to let Anthony do the same in Denver.

While their offer of a hefty contract extension proves the Nuggets hope Anthony will remain the face of the franchise for years to come, the team is prepared to trade Melo rather than let him walk as a free agent next summer, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

At a salary of $17 million, Anthony is committed to play for Denver during the upcoming season. But here's the rub. Anthony can opt out of his contract next summer, and free agency might appear all the more tempting after seeing the league-wide groveling James has instigated.

As a proactive move, the Nuggets have quietly tried to secure the services of Anthony through 2015 before losers in the pursuit of this talent-laden class of free agents can begin dreaming of Melo.

While a city of Broncomaniacs has obsessed with the contract status of football stars Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey, the negotiations between the Nuggets and Anthony might have already reached a more critical stage, because management of the local NBA franchise has shown it is unafraid to make trades involving a marquee player.

At a time when pro basketball superstars have never wielded more power in how league rosters are built, it seems to me Anthony must apply whatever leverage he can to determine to what extent the Nuggets are willing to improve his
Post Poll - Melo's future?
With one year left on his contract, what should the Nuggets do with Carmelo Anthony?
Keep him, by any means. He cannot be replaced. You need an all-star to win an NBA title. Keep negotiating to the end.
Trade him if he won't sign this summer. Better to cut and run than be left holding the bag, like some teams this summer.
Wait and see. Don't play games. Contract extension is best for both sides. Plenty of time next year to work it out.
supporting cast.

Often treated as a bigger star on the road than at home, Melo could find riches and live like a king in almost any NBA city from New York to Los Angeles. He genuinely likes Denver, but at this point in his career, what should motivate Anthony is finding the situation that gives him the best chance to win a ring. I have advocated he not sign any deal with the Nuggets unless the team can give assurances help is on the way.

Why? These negotiations are not really about money so much as the talks force both Anthony and the Nuggets to examine if they can live happily ever after.

You can bet on this: Although Stan Kroenke craves a championship, the Nuggets owner is a tough negotiator who isn't going to play a game of my wallet is bigger against Mark Cuban in Dallas or Mikhail Prokhorov in New Jersey.

It's hard to envision any business run by Kroenke allowing an asset as valuable as Anthony to walk away for nothing. Either the I's will be dotted and the T's will be crossed on a new deal with the Nuggets long before the trade deadline next winter or you can color Melo gone from Denver.

Unwilling to use coach George Karl's battle with cancer as an excuse, Nuggets management saw the team's first-round flameout in the playoffs as proof the current roster is unlikely to win a championship.

With guard Chauncey Billups approaching his 34th birthday, forward Kenyon Martin facing recovery from yet another knee surgery and the
Share Your Analysis

Post sports columnist Mark Kiszla fields your feedback. Look for it in Kickin' It With Kiz on Sundays.
distinct possibility of labor strife interrupting the 2011-12 season, it's not too early for everybody to begin long-term planning and ask a tough question:

Does Denver have a future as a serious NBA contender with a nucleus of Anthony, promising guard Ty Lawson and frustrating center Nene?

Without a solid commitment from Anthony, the Nuggets might feel as if they have no choice except to blow up the roster and start over.

New York Knicks Out To Convince Lebron James Not To Join Wade And Bosh

LeBron James is calling the possible union of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and of course, the King himself, "Dream Team."

Those were the words James used when he reached out to another free agent in the past 10 days and pitched the idea of joining them.

"He said, 'Would you be willing to take less to join Dream Team?'" the player, who did not want to be identified, told the Daily News. "He said his people were putting it together."

That conversation lends credence to reports that James will join Bosh and Wade in Miami. In that scenario, Pat Riley will likely return to the sidelines and coach the Heat.

However, there is a twist because with LeBron there always is. There was a report out of Cleveland Tuesday quoting a person close to the Cavs' free agent as saying that the club still has an edge in re-signing him. There were other reports that James is leaning toward joining the Chicago Bulls.

Few, if any, reports give the Knicks much of a chance, and yet the club's brain trust remains confident that it can convince James to make the jump to the NBA's biggest market.

The Knicks will have their much-anticipated meeting with James Thursday afternoon in Ohio, hours after he finally becomes a free agent at midnight. There is a possibility that the sit-down could take place at James' mansion in Akron.

The Nets are batting leadoff and will be followed by the Knicks, whose traveling party includes team president Donnie Walsh, head coach Mike D'Antoni, Garden chairman James Dolan and former player Allan Houston. The Bulls, Clippers, Heat and Cavs have also scheduled meetings with James in Ohio.

The Knicks are fighting long odds in their bid to land James but feel they have several strong selling points - New York City, the flexibility to sign another "max" free agent and enough salary-cap space to add another elite free agent the following summer. The team will also impress upon James that he has a chance to build his brand and establish his legacy by winning in New York.

The tough sell for the Knicks, though, is convincing James that he can win titles in New York. The franchise hasn't raised a championship banner since 1973, and under Dolan's ownership, the club has suffered through nine straight losing seasons. Expect several teams, particularly Riley and the Heat, to stress to James that joining the Knicks could be a career killer.

In fact, the Knicks' old administration is coming back to haunt the Garden. Riley is the most accomplished winner who will sit across from James, and his mere presence is a powerful influence. The fact that Riley is expected to re-sign Wade and will likely sign Bosh makes Miami even more appealing. Former Knicks president Ernie Grunfeld made trades with Chicago and New Jersey over the past five days that gave both teams additional cap space. The Bulls could conceivably add both James and Bosh.

The Knicks will start their day at 9 p.m. PDT in Los Angeles when they meet with Hawks free agent shooting guard Joe Johnson. According to a source close to Johnson, he has narrowed his choices to three teams: the Knicks, the Hawks and the Bulls. If Atlanta doesn't offer Johnson a six-year, max contract, he will almost certainly leave and most likely join the Knicks.

The Knicks could also have the inside track on signing free agent point guard Luke Ridnour, whose price tag is too high for Milwaukee. Ridnour would serve as the perfect mentor for second-year point guard Toney Douglas, having been used in a similar role last season with the Bucks and their rookie Brandon Jennings.

The Knicks' contingent is hoping to have a verbal commitment from Johnson before it leaves to meet LeBron, but the Hawks claim they are prepared to offer Johnson a max contract, which is $30 million more than the Knicks can offer. The Knicks are also hoping to sit down with Amare Stoudemire before they leave the West Coast.

When the Knicks do meet with James, the two-time MVP will be joined by his business manager, Maverick Carter, and his agent, Leon Rose. Tuesday, Carter was quoted in the New York Times saying that NBA power broker William Wesley, otherwise known as "World Wide Wes," will not sit in on the meeting and that "Wes has nothing to do with where he goes."

Wesley's exclusion could be a bad sign for the Bulls, the team believed to be the one Wesley is trying to convince James to join. However, the Knicks also have a relationship with Wesley dating back to last summer when Walsh hired him to run Eddy Curry's off-season workouts.

Carter is James' childhood friend, and several people close to him believe he would prefer to see James remain in Cleveland.

2010 NBA MOCK DRAFT: DRAFT DAY SUPRISE TOP 14 PICKS

It's a crazy notion, I know. Especially with all the buzz since before John Wall even declared that he'd be the top pick.

But it's an interesting thought. What if, at the last minute, the Wizards decided to keep Gilbert Arenas as their point guard, and viewed Evan Turner as the game-changer they need to get back to a competitive level?

Or what if the Nets were giving us all a head-fake this whole time, and wanted nothing to do with either Derrick Favors or Wesley Johnson?

Unlikely, yes, but in an NBA Draft that is never easily predictable with quickly rising and falling prospect and draft-day trades, this line of thinking at least deserves a second look.

Read on for a bizarre NBA Lottery that could happen if some of the NBA GM's quickly lose their minds:



1. Washington Wizards—Evan Turner , G/F, Ohio State

Either the Wizards like Arenas more than you do, or they trade him and land a different point guard to be their guy of the future. If either of those ring true, Turner could be the pick.

We're not saying he will be the pick, but it's interesting the fathom.



2. Philadelphia 76ers—John Wall, PG, Kentucky

Do you really think Louis Williams or Jrue Holiday have Philly's full backing right now? Holiday might have some potential, but Williams is a shoot-first scorer, and if Wall is magically here, there is no way the 76ers let him drop.

Of course it won't happen, but you know that Philadelphia would go crazy over a truly elite point guard.



3. New Jersey Nets—DeMarcus Cousins, F/C, Kentucky

Since the Nets are thinking illogically and trying to grab Wesley Johnson and hoping they can sign a big-name free agent to man the post with Brook Lopez, I'll be the one to spin some logic here.

They don't need Johnson. At least, not as bad as they need another inside presence that can really balance their offense and defense out. The Kings love Cousins and Cousins loves the Pistons. But what if the Nets were really enamored with Cousins this whole time? That might shake things up a bit.



4. Minnesota Timberwolves—Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse

Derrick Favors is a big man with big talent, but he's not nearly as polished as Wesley Johnson. Minnesota hasn't been shy about wanting to trade Al Jefferson, which means they could land an expiring contract much like Troy Murphy's, and they wouldn't be in desperate need of an inside man in 2010-11.

That would make it extremely easy for them to snatch Johnson with no regrets. After all, they could really use an upgrade over their underwhelming wing production.



5. Sacramento Kings—Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech

Favors is too talented and has too much talent to slide, even in a "never going to happen" mock draft.

The fact is, the Kings love DeMarcus Cousins, can't have him, and will be forced to take the next best thing. Turns out, the next best thing is arguably going to be better than, well, that other guy.



6. Golden State Warriors—Ekpe Udoh , PF, Baylor

It both makes sense and is all sorts of crazy. Rumors suggest that the Warriors will make the smart choice and grab the more reliable Greg Monroe, or take a stab at a versatile forward in Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu.

But other news has them loving Ekpe Udoh, a guy that wasn't even necessarily a top-20 pick a few weeks ago.



7. Detroit Pistons—Greg Monroe , F/C, Georgetown

All of this talk about Ed Davis and Cole Aldrich is just irritating. Even more so when the Pistons see their second favorite man, Greg Monroe, slipping to the seventh spot.

Yes, if Aldrich and Davis are the best available, it's probably between them, but not if Monroe or Cousins fall here. In an illogical mock draft, this is just one of those picks that is too logical to not pencil in.



8. Los Angeles Clippers—Al-Farouq Aminu , SF, Wake Forest

The Clippers draft badly. Usually. And even if they don't, they somehow get a guy who will get hurt or doesn't necessarily have a true position.

That's why I'm going out on a limb and saying the trend stops here, and they actually make a sensible pick for once.

Aminu is a well-balanced player with a nice game, and he still has a lot of potential. It's arguable that he shouldn't even be this far down, but if he is, even the Clippers know better than to let him slip through their fingers.



9. Utah Jazz—Patrick Patterson , PF, Kentucky

I know everyone wants to see Luke Babbitt here, but the Jazz need to make sense of the whole "losing Carlos Boozer" thing. If he jets (and he will), they need someone to replace him.

Let's see, draft Luke Babbitt to replace Kyle Korver, or draft a stud to replace Boozer? As much as I love Babbitt's offensive game and potential, you can't pass up an under-rated beast like Patterson.



10. Indiana Pacers—Gordon Hayward , G/F, Butler

Larry Bird and Co. can try to hide the smiles all they want, but this "trading the 10th pick" talk is a huge joke.

Hayward loves Indiana, and Indiana loves Hayward. Unless someone snags him early, this story only has one ending.



11. New Orleans Hornets—Paul George, SF, Fresno State

See how this ridiculous mock is shaking things up? Cole Aldrich, Luke Babbitt, and Ed Davis are all slipping a bit more than "experts" had predicted.

The funny thing is, even if the draft goes as many experts plan, George should still be available here. There's talk that the Hornets want to trade this pick, Chris Paul, and their entire franchise (in a sense), but if they stick here, George's offensive ability and potential are a perfect fit. Sit back down, Peja Stojakovic.



12. Memphis Grizzlies—Luke Babbitt , G/F, Nevada

Memphis could really use an insurance policy for the guy who needs a major attitude adjustment, Zach Randolph, but they also need to be weary of losing Rudy Gay.

If he does jet, Babbitt should be able to step in and take over as the number three scoring option behind Randolph and O.J. Mayo.



13. Toronto Raptors—Ed Davis , PF, North Carolina

Here's another pick that makes way too much sense to not happen. If Davis is here, the Raptors need to think about replacing the obviously departing Chris Bosh.

They could consider grabbing Cole Aldrich at center or Daniel Orton to play either position, but Davis has seen his stock rise quite a bit, and seems a lock to land in the Lottery.



14. Houston Rockets—Cole Aldrich , C, Kansas

Everyone keeps talking about Aldrich being a bust because his lack of elite offensive ability. The guy is a blocking machine, and once he starts learning angles better, he'll be cleaning glass better than Mr. Clean.

The fact is, no one knows what to think about Yao Ming these days, and the Rockets are all about defense, which makes this pick a no-brainer. Besides, Houston has Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, and Ming (if he returns) for offense. Aldrich can simply locate his role as a defender.