Carwin vs. Sylvia

This would actually be mutually advantageous.

Shane needs to bounce back, and preferably against a name. He doesn't want to take a backward step - and this would be more or less a lateral move from his pre-Lesnar competition. Even though Sylvia looked soft and average in beating Mariusz Pudzianowski, his name is still a glittering addition to any resume - especially one that's still establishing itself and trying to remain in the conversation as one of the top in the division.

Tim, for his part, desperately wants back in the big time - and would probably jump at the chance to return to the UFC HW title scene, even as a big underdog against a dangerous young bruiser. He left the UFC on good terms, and with the goal of landing Fedor. That ultimately didn't work out so well for him, so what's left to accomplish except to come home and make some big paydays, and perhaps score some upsets in the twilight of his career (perhaps even a title shot)?

How does it play out? Tim still has a pretty good chin, Mercer KO notwithstanding (my money says Ray punches harder than just about any active MMA heavyweight except maybe Fedor) - can his size and experience carry him through long enough to exploit Carwin's stamina issues, assuming he himself is motivated enough to get back in shape? :think

 

Sylvia would be an underdog but he'd have a better chance with Carwin than Arlovski, since he could potentially survive the early onslaught and drag Carwin into lactic acidosis waters. Andrei will crumble under the first hit, good boxing or no.

 

Does he necessarily need to get caught in order to lose, or just gas?

Tim's nowhere near the wrestler Brock is, but we saw what happens when someone who isn't smaller than Carwin mauls him in the clinch or on the ground. He doesn't fare so well, and Tim has plenty tricks up his sleeve to avoid "the big Kaibosh" after so long in the game.