According to the Ultimate Fighting Championship's No. 1 heavyweight contender, Shane Carwin, on his official website, his scheduled Jan. 2010 fight with current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has now become a somewhat confusing "vision quest" rather than an actual reality.
Although no official word is currently available as to the status of the UFC’s heavyweight champion Lesnar or his current condition, since the rumor first broke, he has been accused of having everything from HIV to H1N1.
Now, according to many highly unreliable sources, Lesnar is said to be suffering from mononucleosis, an illness which is often spread by saliva and at one point during the '70s and '80s was well known and contagious among teenagers, and therefore dubbed “the kissing disease.”
Carwin voices his frustration on his Internet site in his recent entry:
"Guys my manager Jason Genet just told me that UFC 108 is not happening. Brock has Mono and what the UFC has told me is that I have earned the title shot but I have to wait for the title holder.
"I hope Brock gets well soon. I highly suggest he get into a Max Muscle store because they have the best advice and supplements to support that advice. It really is the only way to make it through the grueling weather and training we live through.
"Here's to spending some time with the family and eating as much as I can at Thanksgiving.
"Thanks to my amazing sponsors Max Muscle, Beaver Buzz Energy, PerformanceMMA, Nightrider Jewelry, MTX Audio, and Warrior Wear. "
—Shane
Unfortunately, not a lot is known about the 34-year-old from Greeley, Colorado, and other than the fact that he is undefeated through 11 fights, six by knockout, only one of Carwin's past wins can be considered "high-profile."
That one was his extremely impressive "back from the brink" knockout—after being wobbled and tossed to the mat—by Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96 last March.
Carwin remained calm, weathered the early storm from Gonzaga, and with one short right-hand punch to the chin ended the night for the highly touted Brazilian contender.
If it is true that patience is a virtue, and pride is one of humanity's greatest emotions, then it goes without saying that Mr. Carwin has an obvious, healthy abundance of both.
Let's be honest, Carwin certainly has not made a large amount of cash for his past prizefighting endeavors, so this upcoming fight with Lesnar could easily be compared to someone awarding him a large monetary paycheck and then demanding he not spend a dime of it.
Any normal heavyweight cage fighter in this precarious position would undoubtedly be confused, angered, and certainly frustrated, to say the least.
Yet not only does he seem unshaken, stirred, or even fizzed by the current events surrounding Lesnar, Carwin is also extremely polite and even wishes Lesnar well and bids him a quick and speedy recovery.
Carwin, in demonstrating his respect for Lesnar, is saying a lot about himself as a person and an athlete. He seems to possess the qualities necessary to become a success in any future endeavor he should embark on.
Self-discipline, courage, honesty, and hard work: These are the qualities of a true champion, and I wish Carwin luck and hope he gets his long-awaited title shot, because if he didn't deserve it before, he certainly does now.
Hang in there, Carwin. All good things come to those who wait.
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