UFC heavyweight and one time title contender, Shane Carwin, expects to rebound in late 2011/2012 according to fightersonlymagazine.co.uk.

"I will be back maybe at the end of the year, maybe the beginning of next year, we'll see what the UFC has lined up for me. I'm not in camp right now, but I'm working on the things I need to be working on to stay competitive," Carwin said.

Carwin (12-2) is currently riding a two fight losing streak after being undefeated for 12 bouts prior. His last bout was a unanimous decision loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 131, a bout in which Carwin was thoroughly out struck. Another loss might not be enough to send Carwin packing, his preferred stand up battles are always a crowd pleaser, but a successful return in the Octagon is critical for the aging Carwin if he hopes to make another run at the title. Carwin will turn 37 in January of 2012.

The opponent for Carwin in his return remains to be seen. He has pointed to possible match ups with Strikeforce heavyweights that might be making their transitions over to the UFC such as Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier. Ultimately Carwin will leave the match making in the hands of the UFC, ready to face anyone he's paired with.

"Overall I think I've just got to go back to being a little more aggressive as a fighter. As long as I stay passionate about who as I am a fighter, as long as I still love it, then things will be fine," Carwin added.