Gut Check Time: Why Shane Carwin Will Be Brock Lesnar's Biggest Test

Brock Lesnar is the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Whether he will make it out of this year with that title is all up to another beast in the division: Shane Carwin.

Carwin's Power

While Shane is probably not as strong as Lesnar, he is pretty close. The man has sledgehammers in his fists, and he knows how to use them.

In addition, Carwin is a man's man. He will not be handled by Lesnar as easily as Frank Mir was.

None of his 12 fights have made it out of the first round, which basically means he knows how to make it a short night for his opponents.

Wrestler vs. Wrestler

While Lesnar would be the better wrestler due to his Division I record, Carwin is no slouch when it comes to wrestling.

He will be able to hold its own when Lesnar tries to muscle him up against the cage—and possibly even turn the tables.

Chin Music

This fight shows how strong Lesnar's chin really is. He's never really been hit by a fighter like Carwin. I have a feeling that once Brock gets rocked with one of those shots from Shane, it will be a wake up call for him.

Mental Toughness

Shane Carwin is not one to get shaken or intimidated. He didn't get phased when he got rocked by Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96 and came back to win not only the round but also the fight.

Frank Mir made the mistake of overlooking Carwin, and in March at UFC 111, Mir paid for it dearly.

It's that cool composure which will serve him well against the big-time champ status that Lesnar has established.