Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin, who’s previously flirted with the idea of an MMA return, is apparently interested again.
Carwin, 42, hasn’t fought since back-to-back losses to then-UFC champ Brock Lesnar (title loss) and Junior Dos Santos (in a title-eliminator) in 2011.
But after what would be a seven-year layoff, Carwin said he’s interested in an alternate slot in the Bellator’s upcoming eight-man heavyweight tournament, if needed (via Facebook and Twitter):
Carwin actually had first mentioned the possibility of entering the Bellator MMA World Grand Prix 2018, which will crown a heavyweight champion, on Reddit, where he’s an active user.
When Reddit linked up an MMAjunkie story about the opening odds for the tournament – in which “TBA” has better odds than three confirmed participants – Carwin expressed interest:
“Nope, I am putting 10K on TBA and I am trying to become TBA.
edit: So shit, management says I can bet on TBA but not be TBA. Or I can be TBA and not bet on the event. I have been put on time out.”
However, Carwin isn’t the only vet to express interest in a reserve or injury-replacement spot in the tourney, which is a year-long affair that takes place over multiple events. As we reported on Monday, light heavyweight Linton Vassell (18-6 MMA, 7-3 BMMA) and even welterweight Rory MacDonald (19-4 MMA, 1-0 BMA) are also interested.
However, in a tourney that currently features four true heavyweights (Matt Mitrione, Fedor Emelianenko, Roy Nelson and Frank Mir) and four 205-pounders (Ryan Bader, Muhammad Lawal, Chael Sonnen and Quinton Jackson), Carwin would bring some noticeable size to the field.
Carwin, a former collegiate wrestler and football player, was tapped for a 2016 return to MMA with Rizin FF, but he ultimately had to pull out due to personal issues.
For more on the upcoming Bellator schedule, visit the MMA Rumors section of the site.
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