The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale: December 1, 2012 The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada UFC Heavyweight Contender Shane Carwin (-200) Profile: One of the most exciting UFC heavyweights in recent years, Shane Carwin (12-2) experienced an impressive rise to the top of the heavyweight heap with a 12-0 start to his career, capped by knocking out Frank Mir for the UFC interim heavyweight title in July of 2010. The 37-year-old Colorado native proceeded to lose to Brock Lesnar via an arm triangle choke submission in a title unification bout after delivering nearly 100 unanswered blows to his opponent in nearly ending the fight in the first round. Following that setback, he lost again to future heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos almost a year later at UFC 131. Carwin was bloodied and beaten at the hands of dos Santos, but he refused to be finished. He has since underwent back surgery and received a clean bill of health to coach in the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter. UFC Heavyweight Contender Roy Nelson (+150) Profile: Winner of TUF 10, outspoken, big-bellied heavyweight Roy Nelson (17-7) may be undersized and seemingly out of shape, but he is a student of the MMA game and always exciting. His grappling credentials are never to be questioned – he is an instructor and Renzo Gracie black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with insanely heavy hands that have delivered three Knockout of the Night bonuses and a chin made of granite. A formula for MMA popularity if there ever was one, UFC president Dana White realized the 36-year-old Las Vegas resident is ratings gold and cast him as a coach opposite Carwin. Opening TUF 16 Finale Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Carwin a solid -200 favorite (bet $200 to win $100) while Nelson opened as a +150 underdog (bet $100 to win $150) according to the MMA odds. This matchup was a natural to make considering Nelson was looking for another quality opponent and Carwin needed somebody decent to fight following a lengthy rehab process. The fact that it will take place after both participate as coaches for TUF 16 makes their bout a bit more intriguing. However, MMA bettors could find it difficult to wager on either fighter considering the health of each of them. Nelson remains a man of mystery in terms of his conditioning, but viewers of the show will get to see his training techniques as he coaches his select contestants. Meanwhile, Carwin is coming back from a serious injury and has not been one to have his endurance tested, with only two of his 14 career bouts going into the second round. Each of them has knockout power, so it may just come down to who lands the most devastating blow to end the fight.
