Prime Carwin vs Rozenstruik

[Adamant]

Carwin via Round 1 KO.

 

[Aluminati]

Honestly, we really didn't see that much of prime Carwin against elite competition. He tried to KO Brock which was a smart game plan until he totally gassed. He stood with prime JDS, though he did try some TDs, but JDS had really good TDD. JDS beat him silly but couldn't finish him. It was similar to some of Roy Nelson's losses--meaning Carwin probably had an iron chin. He got quick KOs against Gonzaga and Mir--again smart, because he probably didn't want to spend much time on the ground with BJJ experts. He took down Neil Wain after getting in a bit of trouble, as someone else mentioned, but barely used his wrestling outside of that.

I really didn't see enought of his MMA wrestling to evaluate it. He stuffed Brock's early TD attempts which was impressive. Did he have good GnP? It would seem so with his short punch power, but who knows. Did he have any kind of submission game (doubtful)? Would he be content to LnP for 3 rounds or would his brawling instincts get the best of him (think Hendo, Chandler, Yoel and other wrestlers who would rather stand and abandon their wrestling).

He had really bad neck and back problems (post JDS I think). Like most older guys, he didn't want to grapple unless he had to. Wish he could have worked his clinch game a bit more against JDS.

 

[Phisher]

Lol I knew what you meant.
It’s not totally true though. Just recently I picked Vettori to beat Tim Kennedy and Michael Bisping for example. I’m also pretty sure I’m on record picking Khabib to beat prime BJ Penn.
When it comes to Carwin, I’d pick Gane to beat him, and prime Stipe to beat him. But Rozenstruik?? No way. Rozenstruik would basically have to survive a couple rounds and hope Carwin gasses so that he could ourpoint him. Carwin was never stopped by strikes in his career. He hits damn near as hard as Ngannou but is the more accomplished wrestler, so if needed Carwin could take Rozenstruik down pretty easily I’d think. Rozenstruik’s TDD is not great, his striking defense is even worse, and he has literally no ground game to speak of.

I’m sorry man, but this one isn’t even that hard to predict. I doubt Rozenstruik would make it out of the first round.

Carwin should be able to outwrestle him and has the power to KO him, but he also had a shitty gas tank and Rozenstruik is a better technical striker. I'd say 60/40 Carwin.

Carwin never outwrestled a decent fighter or outstruck anybody as skilled as Rozenstruik.

LOL @ the people claiming he'd run through him.

The nostalgia factor on this forum is insane.

 

[NoSmilez]

I think pure striking match Bigi boy beats Carwin. Carwin hasn't really fought strikers. His opponents were mainly grapplers or other wrestlers. His career was pretty short. When he fought JDS, I really thought it was going to be competitive due to punching power but he turned his face into lunch meat.
Bigi boy beats most of his opponents that strike except for Big Frank. Maybe if we get early wrestling Carwin then he would do well but MMA striking match I don't think so.

 

[mkt]

Carwin obviously wasn’t some super elite grappler but he is a purple belt and has 4 sub wins (not against anyone of note, but that wouldn’t be a problem here as Rozenstruik has no grappling credentials that I’m aware of and no real ground game at all).

Yeah, I think Carwin could win if he mixed up striking and wrestling (focusing mostly on wrestling) and followed his gameplan. If he decided he'd rather brawl, he either gets a KO or loses a decision. Like Roy Nelson, he wasn't built to win 3 to 5 round kickboxing contests. It's either get the KO or get outpointed if he keeps it standing.

Like I said earlier, we didn't see much of him vs. quality fighters. He either got a quick finish or he lost...no middle ground.