One of the few people to benefit from this news, if such a thing can be said, is UFC heavyweight Shane Carwin. He's stepping in for an ill Brock Lesnar and has an extraordinarily tough fight with Junior dos Santos. Lots of questions to be asked here, most notably, is he ready? Carwin was originally scheduled to face Jon Olav Einemo on the same card, but Einemo is a radically different opponent.
Shane Carwin Talks Brock Lesnar, Title Shot And Preparing For Junior Dos Santos
In a statement published on his website, Carwin wrote the following:
I was training and my phone was blowing up so I looked over and saw some missed calls from Dana and Joe Silva. I reached out to my manager to see what was going on and he informed me that we are taking Lesnar's spot for 131.
Junior is a serious fight and not the type of fight that you would normally take on a 30 day notice but I have a dream to chase and I do not have a lot of time to chase it. This is an opportunity to put myself in contention for the title. I know my Coaches will have me ready so I have everything to gain.
My manager said "This is where you belong" and I am going to make sure I do everything I can to prove him right.
Please help make UFC 131 one of the biggest cards in the year.
I hope Brock is able to recover. I look forward to facing him again one day.
According to Kevin Iole, the winner of this bout will still receive a title shot against UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez:
The Carwin-dos Santos fight is a No 1 contender's fight, per Dana #UFC #MMAless than a minute ago via web 
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Kevin Iole
KevinI
Jordan Breen argues some might be more enthusiastic about this bout than Lesnar vs. dos Santos given the unique power both Carwin and dos Santos possess:
Many people seem more excited by Carwin-JDS by virtue of the fact that it makes it nearly a lock that someone's head gets put on backwards.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Reply
Jordan Breen
jordanbreen
Whatever the virtues of Carwin vs. Dos Santos (and there are many), the bout cannot be considered the promotional juggernaut that Lesnar vs. dos Santos or any other reasonably popular heavyweight could provide.
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