Lesnar vs. Carwin likely for UFC 106

In an overwhelming flurry of swapping, it appears that top heavyweight contender Shane Carwin is headed to UFC 106 on Nov. 21 to challenge UFC champion Brock Lesnar. Multiple MMAWeekly.com sources close to the bout indicate that, while the fight has yet to be officially signed off, both parties have verbally agreed to it.

Carwin had originally been slated to face fellow heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez at UFC 104 on Oct. 24 in Los Angeles. MMAMadness first reported speculation on Wednesday night that Carwin would instead be picked up to face Lesnar in the main event of UFC 106.

MMAWeekly.com sources on Thursday confirmed the agreed to bout between Carwin and Lesnar, and also indicated that Ben Rothwell would now step into the fight with Velasquez at UFC 104. Rothwell had been expected to fight fellow Affliction transfer Chase Gormley on the UFC 104 undercard.

So once contracts are issued and the ink dries, the new schedule will now pit Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin in the main event of UFC 106 in Las Vegas; and Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell will serve as the co-main event of UFC 104 in Los Angeles, supporting a main event of Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the light heavyweight title.

Lesnar enters the bout hot on the heels of his UFC 100 unification bout win over then interim champ Frank Mir. He currently sports a record of 4-1, winning his last three bouts.

Carwin, undefeated at 11-0, is coming off of an injury stemming from his hard-fought victory over former UFC title contender Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 96 in March.

A new opponent for Chase Gormley has yet to be determined.