Carwin well thought out

Shane Carwin hasn't had an Ultimate Fighting Championship bout in more than a year, but he's had no trouble filling his downtime.

After two reschedulings and an opponent change, the 6-foot-4-inch, 265-pound heavyweight returns to action Saturday when he fights Frank Mir for the interim title in one of two championship bouts on the UFC 111 card at Newark, N.J.

Carwin, 35, has an 11-0 professional record, stopping every opponent in the first half of the first round. In three UFC bouts, no one has lasted longer than 1:31.

But Carwin's credentials outside the cage are more impressive. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a bachelor's in environmental technology from Western State College.

Carwin works as an engineer for the North Weld County Water District in Colorado, where he maintains a day job while pursuing a career at the highest level of mixed martial arts.

"Honestly, the day job for me is a place for relaxation. Right now, it's just reduced hours and it's a spot for me to get away from fighting and go sit down with normal people that really don't care that I fight," Carwin said.

"I (can) just have normal conversation and work in the real world for a little bit. It is actually something I enjoy, and it is probably something I will continue to do."

Carwin's opponents probably wish he would stay in his office. His longest fight was his professional debut on a minor circuit and lasted 2:11.

He was tested in his last bout, finding himself in a bad position and with a broken nose before escaping and finishing off Gabriel Gonzaga. Even then, the fight lasted only 1:09.

Carwin faces his toughest test in the two-time former champion Mir.

Mir made quick work of Cheick Kongo in December after losing his belt to Brock Lesnar in July. The Las Vegan also maintained a workaday job long after becoming a star in the sport but says it would be difficult to handle now.

"I notice I'm in the gym quite a bit, and when I'm not there, I like to be with my family and my children," Mir said. "If I had a job and had to train, I think that would put a little bit of a strain on me emotionally."

He thinks Carwin's other job, no matter how impressive, could impact his determination.

"I think it gives him a little relaxation. He doesn't have the same kind of motivation that I have, the reason being this is my day job, my only job," Mir said. "Shane, if this doesn't work out for him, he has a comfortable living to go back to that he's had before and will continue to have after the UFC."

Carwin, married with two children, insists he is plenty motivated to become champion and won't settle for the interim title. The belt was created because it was unclear how long champion Brock Lesnar would be out with an intestinal illness. Lesnar is now scheduled to return, which Carwin thinks greatly diminishes Saturday's stakes, but not the importance of the fight.

"The interim belt to me is just a semifinal of getting to that championship," he said. "You just have to go in there and fight this fight with your heart (so you can) move on to the next round."

Still, it will be the biggest stage of Carwin's MMA career. The former star wrestler and football player at Western State says he is well prepared.

"I've been in sports since I was 6, so all this stuff and championship matches have always been a part of my life," he said. "It's a great sense of accomplishment when you're coming out to 17,000 screaming fans. There's nothing that gets the blood boiling like that."

Apparently sitting in an office trying to manage water resources in North Weld County doesn't compare.

Contact sports reporter Adam Hill at 702-224-5509 or at Ahill@reviewjournal.com