Lesnar beats Carwin, retains heavyweight title in comeback fight

Brock Lesnar survived an onslaught of Shane Carwin punches in the first round and retained the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 116 at the MGM Grand on Saturday night.

Lesnar secured a quick takedown in the second round and quickly worked to an arm triangle that eventually forced Carwin to tap out at 2:19 of the round.

Carwin appeared to be on the verge of finishing Lesnar in the first round after sending him to the canvas and trapping him against the cage in the opening minute.

But Lesnar was able to take more than three minutes of punishment in the position and get out of the round.

"He's got some heavy shots. I just had to hang around," Lesnar said. "I knew he was getting tired. Each shot was less dramatic."

Carwin felt he put all his energy into getting the finish.

"I was going for the kill there," he said.

Also on the card, Chris Leben submitted Yoshihiro Akiyama with a triangle choke with just 20 seconds remaining in the third and final round.