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The sporting world is filled with sculpted physiques, men and women whose pursuit of athletic perfection is directly reflected by their appearance. We admire and idolize athletes for not only for their accomplishments but for the ideals they represent. We live vicariously through our sporting heroes and, especially as kids, latch onto the hero archetype as a way of finding personal identity. Mix Martial Arts is no different, where image is a selling point in promotion, a psychological edge in competition, and an indication to some degree of prowess. Brock Lesnar and George St. Pierre are two fighters who are prime examples of the power of image. Both are physical specimens at the apex of their game. Coupled with their success in the UFC Octagon, they have the crossover appeal that makes waves in the mainstream. Even a guy like Kimbo Slice has savvily cultivated an image with fans that has brought him fame and fortune. Matt Mitrione revealed what Kimbo was made of in the end, but didn't many of us out there want that fearsome image to be true? Images can be deceiving then, and we are told not to judge a book by it's cover. Is there not a better example at this moment than Roy "Big Country" Nelson?

Roy Nelson was at best a lesser known fighter before his appearance on TUF 10. The former IFL HW champ and Renzo Gracie BJJ black belt was coming off back to back losses to Jeff Monson and Andre Arlovski. In both fights he more than held his own and if not for some questionable judging and a bad stand up, he might have walked away with the victories. When Nelson made the choice to appear as one of the heavyweights on TUF it was a no brainer to peg him as a favorite.  From a promoters point of view Nelson was a tough cookie to swallow. At 6 feet and 265 pounds,rocking a mullet that would make MacGyver proud, Big Country was the exact opposite of what one would envision a mixed martial artist. The Las Vegas native had an image that betrayed his true skills. Growing up in the 80s I was fan of Sammo Hung, the legendary martial arts actor and fight choreographer, so I knew in fact that fat men could kick ass. (Note Sammo's use of leg kicks Mr. Peoples)

Sammo Hung vs Billy Chow- Kickboxing Match! (via theportlykicker)

It was fitting Roy would face Kimbo Slice in the first fight of the show. Slice, the Youtube phenom and EliteXC headliner, was there to rehab a tarnished image of his own. These two very contrasting physiques and personas would clash in what would be one of MMAs most watched battles.With over 6 million viewers, Kimbo vs Big Country was the fourth most watched MMA match in US history. Dana should've been loving every minute of it, but all the hype and buildup led to one thing: Kimbo Slice being dominated on the ground by the mother of all moonbellies. For those in the know it was textbook grappling by a skilled practitioner. For the rest of the world it was a fat guy laying on top of Kimbo Slice. For two rounds, on cable televison.  This was a major buzzkill for the legions of Kimbo fans and for the casual observer who dropped in to see what the fuss was all about. Looking back it was the highlight of a season featuring the worst gas shortage on US soil since 1979. Kimbo would not fight again but by hanging with Big Country he started making his way towards credibility. Roy Nelson would only draw scorn for his fight strategy.

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Cleary Dana White was unhappy with Nelson beating Slice, who even despite the loss continued to draw boffo ratings. Heated words would fly between the UFC President and Roy. It appeared Nelson had no alternative but to run the table if he wanted any future in the UFC. Eventually he would make it to the TUF finale facing Brendan Schaub, a former NFL player and decidedly more svelte athelete. Then it happened. In a blink of an eye Roy "Big Country" Nelson would make us reconsider our opinion of him 

Walking towards the Octagon to the tune of Weird Al Yankovic's "Fat", Nelson threw the collective MMA community a knowing wink and nod. This is who I am, take it or leave it. I'm here, I'm fat and I can fight. For all the grumbling over his training methods to his perceived demeanor, we allowed ourselves to crack a smile. After knocking out Brendan Schaub in devastating fashion, Nelson also put the rest any doubts he could deliver an exciting fight. Follow that up with his recent KO victory over Stefan Struve (and second Knockout of the Night honors) and it is clear that Big Country is winning over the skeptics. 

There has been a history of rotund athletes in traditional professional sports. Names like Babe Ruth, Cecil Fielder,David Wells, Charles Barkley and Refrigerator Perry all come to mind. Hell, I think John Kruk might be Roy's long lost brother. Successful and popular athletes come in all shapes and sizes...so why not so in MMA? In reality isn't Fedor just a chubby LHW?

via image3.examiner.com  via blog.m3.com

I think in this day and age of sporting perfection we need guys like Big Country. Let's face it, most of us are far from chiseled and sporting rock hard abs. We have no choice but to accept ourselves as is, because in the end that's all we have.We are a nation of excess.I eagerly look forward to the reality of a Nelson/Junior Dos Santos matchup. Dana White is set on throwing Roy to the wolves and well, Roy is eager to eat those very same wolves. You can certainly argue that all that extra weight isn't helping Nelson but it's not holding him down either.In fact it's really just holding other people down (right Kimbo?) So Roy Nelson I raise this Rodeo Cheeseburger in salute to you, kind sir. Le Roi est mort. Vive le Roi!

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Giants roam the Octagon! It's been a very exciting time these last few months as the current roster of UFC HW contenders has risen to the occasion.  Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos both put the MMA community on notice with their KO victories over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga respectively, and both are on the short list to a title shot. They continue to win, and improve each and every outing. It's very apparent both men will have a potential date with destiny in the form of UFC HW champ Brock Lesnar. Unfortunately both will have to wait just a bit longer, because at UFC 111 Shane Carwin brutally reasserted his place in the UFC HW picture. 

In just 3:48 of round one, Carwin used his superior strength and devastating punching power to render Frank Mir unconscious. It might have been the longest fight of his career but it was also a very frightening display of the legitimacy of Shane Carwin the fighter. This was the bigger,stronger version of Frank Mir. The one who dropped Cheick Kongo and viciously choked him out. A fresher,more experienced,more versatile Frank Mir. He was supposed to have an edge. Carwin was coming off a long layoff, recovering from injury and adjusting to the newest addition to his family. I think most people would rightly favor Frank Mir. It's reasonable to assume that a rematch with Lesnar was a solid possibility and a far more marketable matchup. Carwin would have none of this however and now the UFC is in the position of hyping a very intelligent ,respectful and ultimately static personality.  At face value this may seem like a less attractive matchup for the return of Brock Lesnar.  However I think there is something in a Carwin/Lesnar showdown that is worthy and sellable.

Carwin's victory has proven that Frank Mir cannot compete with this new HW protoype.Carwin and Lesnar are hulking men who can translate that mass into frightening power. Throw in wrestling and football backgrounds and you have two big,strong athletes with bad intentions. Carwin possesses a real wrestling background. Yes it's not as decorated as Lesnar's but it's valid nonetheless. There is a very legitimate possibilty that Carwin can keep himself from being controlled on the ground, and can fight to get back to his feet. I do not see Lesnar changing his gameplan, and will go to his strength on the ground. To his advantage Carwin possesses brutal KO power. I would go as far as saying he has the heaviest hands in the division, with Dos Santos a close second. If Carwin can get Lesnar in the clinch and work his dirty boxing, he can quickly end this fight. As much as I am not sold on the quality of Carwin's TD defense, I am not sold on Lesnar's ability to take a punch.  His superior size,strength, and grappling have allowed him to dictate his fights. The huge gap that existed before has now been tightened. There is a real uncertainty to the outcome that I don't think existed before. Carwin has the tools to be competitive where Mir does not.

The greatest appeal of a Mir/Lesnar 3 is the back story, and there's no denying it's impact. I still think Carwin/Lesnar can work on many levels. Lesnar thrives on being the polarizing figure and that dynamic won't change. Carwin on the other hand is a shift towards a more humble,grounded persona. Mir was all about being the antagonizing heel, intelligent but arrogant. Carwin comes off as a bit subdued, and with his background as a full-time engineer he's workmanlike in his manner. I feel this all plays well against Lesnar's image as the ultimate bully. There is also a weird vibe to Carwin bubbling underneath the surface. It's like he's part Hulk,part Dr. Banner...

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The UFC should jump on this. I can hear the voiceover now: "Brock ,don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry". When Lesnar stepped into the Octagon at the end of the fight, there was a very uneasy feeling. Lesnar had no choice but to give Carwin his props, and Carwin just looked a bit crazed. It was a wonderfully awkward moment of failed trash talk. In conclusion I'm not pro Carwin or anti Mir. I feel like this is a more competitive matchup and will produce a better fight and better test for Lesnar. He is going to have face this new breed of HW, so if it wasn't Carwin it would be Velasquez or Dos Santos. I'm just excited at the potential of the many great,competitive fights at HW. This means providing a high profile champ like Lesnar the best and brightest matchups. Given the events of the last year, it's now or never. Shane Carwin is a very game opponent, and the guy finishes fights period. Given the fact he's 35  time is ticking and there is a very real sense of urgency. I think this and all the factors mentioned above will provide a fight that is well worthy of the hype and the attention of MMA fans. Besides, who doesn't want to see the Hulk fight the Juggernaut in 5 ounce gloves?