Shane Carwin Wants to Be Alternate for Bellator Heavyweight Tournament

Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin ready to fill in at Bellator MMA’s heavyweight tournament should any of the original participants have to withdraw.

The 42-year-old Grudge Training Center representative recently expressed interest in the grand prix via social media, revealing that he had contacted Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou about a spot as an alternate.

“I emailed my friend [Rich Chou] a request to get on as an alternate for this amazing [Bellator MMA] tournament,” Carwin wrote. “I really can’t wait to watch it either way, but I am so pumped up for it I had to get my name on a list. I’d love a real title.”

I emailed my friend @rich_chou a request to get on as an Alternate for this amazing @BellatorMMA tournament. I really can't wait to watch it either way but I am so pumped up for it I had to get my name on a list. I'd love a real title. #Bellator pic.twitter.com/jiysk6sBVb

— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) November 21, 2017

The Bellator heavyweight tournament will begin in 2018, and will ultimately crown a new champion. Fedor Emelianenko, Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, Matt Mitrione, Ryan Bader, Muhammed Lawal, Quinton Jackson and Chael Sonnen are all slated to compete. Matchups have yet to be announced, but the bracket will take place during seven events throughout next year.

Carwin has not competed since June 11, 2011, when he lost a unanimous decision to Junior dos Santos at UFC 131. The Greeley, Colo., native owns a 12-2 professional mark with notable wins against Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga. Carwin recently flirted with an MMA return at Rizin Fighting Federation’s open-weight grand prix, but his participation in that event ultimately did not come to fruition.