Shane Carwin announces Rizin FF contract: On Dec. 29, it begins

After speculation started by his own Twitter posts, Shane Carwin made it official with a post on Reddit. The former UFC interim heavyweight champion has signed a deal with Rizin FF.

In his post, Carwin (12-2) made it clear the decision was not entirely motivated by money because the best financial offer was made by Bellator. Also, attempts to put together a fight with MMA great Fedor Emelianenko (36-4) in other promotions were unsuccessful.

“I had better offers from a money stand point,” Carwin wrote. “Bellator made the best offer. It just was not entirely clear that they wanted me as much as I wanted them to want me.

“I made an agreement to fight Fedor but he did not agree. I have been told by several matchmakers that that fight is a unicorn and they do not see Fedor taking it. Maybe I can just go help him train for the next one. Still a fan! He is still GOAT HWT to me.”

Carwin previously tweeted photos of a Rizin FF glove, telling the promotion, “you are going to need bigger gloves.”

Carwin last fought in June 2011 and lost a unanimous decision to Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131. It came on the heels of his submission defeat to Brock Lesnar at UFC 116.

Prior to the loss to Lesnar, Carwin won the first 12 fights of his career, all by first-round stoppage. At UFC 111, he captured the interim heavyweight title with a knockout of Frank Mir.

He retired from MMA after his two-fight losing skid and a series of injuries.

In the end, Carwin said the promotion shared his values and persisted despite his declining their offer multiple times. It was enough to win him over and secure a deal for his return to active competition.

In comments distributed by Rizin FF, Carwin made clear he has his sights on winning the promotion’s ongoing open-weight Grand Prix tournament.

“I am excited to return to the sport of MMA and I am also excited to be signing with Rizin,” the statement reads. “I’m ready to help take the company to the next level. I want people to remember me for my fights in Rizin, and for Rizin to be remembered as the promotion that overtook the UFC. After I win this Grand Prix fans can be excited about the great future that is to come.”

His Reddit post concluded with a similar sentiment and a target date for his debut.

“So on December 29th it begins,” Carwin wrote.

For more on the upcoming MMA schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.