Frank Mir Breaks Down Upcoming Title Bout With Brock Lesnar

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 20, 2009 3:08 PM EST in News Comment 64 comments

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Frank Mir exuded confidence in a recent interview with MMA Weekly. Mir doesn't seem to believe that Brock Lesnar's skills match up with the champion's hype:

"I think he's improved a little bit, but I still think it takes a long time. No one picks this up in four or five fights," said the UFC interim heavyweight titleholder. "What fighter have you seen yet that in four fights is unbelievably technical? We can go through any weight class you want.

"Lets look at Urijah Faber at his fourth or fifth fight. What was he compared to what he is now? If we go to Miguel Torres, if we go to St. Pierre, you can pick the best fighters in the world. How good are they on their fifth fight compared to how good they are now," asked Mir. "We're talking about world-class guys. We're talking BJ Penn's and stuff. Let's be realistic - Matt Hughes. Come on. If Brock Lesnar is able to be a world-class mixed martial artist on his fifth fight, that means he's the best mixed martial artist pound-for-pound that ever came into MMA. That's a pretty steep statement there. We're talking you're up there with Anderson Silva and St. Pierre and Miguel Torres. That's a pretty long, tall list to be on top of."

"If he does it, I'll be impressed out of my mind," he added.

The interim heavyweight champion believes he can defeat Lesnar standing or on the ground:

"My striking, now, is up to a level that I don't think his is at. My jiu-jistu's still at a level I don't think his is at. Obviously he can out wrestle me, but it's kind of like, okay, pick your poison," stated the former UFC heavyweight titleholder. "Do you want to stand with me? I can't take Brock down. If Brock wants to stand on our feet, it will be a stand-up war. Does he really want to stand up with me? Okay, Nogueira's a much better boxer than he is and we saw what happened there. At the same time, does he want to shoot and take me down? That might not be the best thing either. So, he's kind of really in a weird situation.

"I'm kind of curious what his plans will be, so I'm just preparing to go ahead and beat him at the stand-up and beat him on the ground."

This is really setting up to be an interesting rematch. Every fight that Brock Lesnar takes is a huge event, not just because he's extremely popular, but also because he is relatively inexperienced as a mixed martial artist. At the same time, Frank Mir continually has to prove that he's a legitimate top level heavyweight.

I realize that a lot of people are of the opinion that Nogueira's poor showing in the fight allowed Mir to look more impressive than he actually is. That may be true to a certain extent. However, I will give Mir his due. He was in shape and executed a flawless gameplan. That, in and of itself, leads me to believe that he may have something in his arsenal to combat Brock Lesnar. We shall see if a well prepared Mir can overcome the enormous hurdle that is the UFC heavyweight champion.

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Surely there are other possibilities? Here’s one: Brock uses his extensive reach to jab at Mir with his huge left hand, and when Mir gets close he can deliver brutal knees from the clinch. Here’s another: he can initiate a greco clinch, bully Mir against the fence, and deliver bad knees.

I don’t think Mir will win a striking exchange with Lesnar. He has technically better striking but he is giving up significant reach, power, and chin. He is overrating himself based on the last fight.

by Michael Rome on Jan 20, 2009 2:56 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

No kidding. I don’t see how Mir wins this fight if it stays standing.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Jan 20, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think You May be guilty...

of Overrating Brock just as much as Mir could be overrating himself…

by Loot on Jan 20, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The truth is probably both. Mir’s a legit heavyweight and his hands, while technically solid and powerful, are a little slow and he leaves himself open. Lesnar has a freakish reach and a ton of power, but I wasn’t impressed with his clinch work against Randy – just cage mashing for the most part. I doubt Mir can knock Lesnar out, but he might be able to force him into a ground game… where things get even harder to predict.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 20, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lesnar has a freakish reach and a ton of power, but I wasn’t impressed with his clinch work against Randy – just cage mashing for the most part.

Which is damned impressive, because Randy’s game against the fence is probably the best in the world. Stalemating Randy = grinding Mir to dust.

by Michaelthebox on Jan 20, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There is truth to what you say, though I think it also had to do with Lesnar’s ability to simply lean down on Randy. His size and weight gave him a huge advantage there, and even so, Randy was able to turn him and escape.

I mean, the thing here is, Mir won’t be training clinch work. He should – it’s probably going to happen at some point in the fight – but I doubt he will.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 20, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Agree

IMO… The fight is gonna be wherever Brock wants it to be… Due to his size, strength, and agility he can most likely put Mir on his back whenever he wants… BUT, I do think he is too anxious, and still hasn’t showed top control that will negate Mir’s BJJ, nor a real propensity for finishing on top… He needs to incorporate some elbows, as opposed to those hamhock hammer fists… After Watching the first fight, it’s obvious that Mir is comfortable off his back as he went for limb after limb til he caught Brock… Confidence can only help him here… He will likely be in the best shape of his life… and he has beaten Lesnar once, and a win over one of his heroes (Big Nog) in his last 2. Mir is also a big, athletic guy when he’s in shape (not to the degree of Lesnar obviously). If he gets a hold of a leg, ankle, arm, or neck… he could very well put Brock away.

by Loot on Jan 20, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right on.

My thoughts exactly. Yes, I like Mir and yes, I think he’s been impressive this past year, but Brock takes it this time. Mir is right in that I don’t think anyone can be a technical wiz in just four or five fights, but Brock doesn’t have to be. He’s got so much going for him, the way I see it, all he has to do is beef up his submission defence and he’ll be fine. I doubt Mir will catch him with a suprise submission like last time. Mir’s standup looked great against Nog but before that I never knew Mir to have a standup game. However, being better than Nog in that fight is sort of like being the smartest in a group of idiots. Mir definitely gets credit for stopping Nog, and certainly proved me wrong, but Nog didn’t show up that night. Brock wins, first round TKO. Maybe second.

by pud333 on Jan 20, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%

plus everyone is going off about Mir being in shape but I have my doubts he made quick work of Nog and looked good doing, but that really doesn’t answer the cardio question plus to quote BJ penn " you never get tired kicking somebody’s ass".

YAMATO DAMASHII

by R.T. on Jan 20, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone is saying that Mir is in great shape,

but really he has just always been in such horrible cardio shape any improvment looks tremendous. Mir was taking some huge gasps in that Nog fight.

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

true

YAMATO DAMASHII

by R.T. on Jan 20, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

not true at all

by adamdd on Jan 20, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

because Mir has been known for his world class cardio in the past!

by dnevil001 on Jan 21, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

" you never get tired kicking somebody’s ass".

Tell that to shogun…..

I think having someone like brock pushing you around and attacking you constantly is going to really push mir. I think brock keeps it standing until mir tags him a few times then shoots and gets him to the mat, a little GnP and then backs out and resets.

by Beren on Jan 20, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

except he wasn’t kicking anybody’s ass after the first round until the very very end.

YAMATO DAMASHII

by R.T. on Jan 21, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the way i look at it Mir beat Lesnar. That isnt sitting well with Brock. He looked like he wanted to jump in the cage the night of the mir vs nog fight. He wanted Mir he was honest about that he said it to mir right after he Beat Couture. Lesnar beats Mir he ties up his only loss in his young career. I think the motivation he will have in this fight and the experience he has gained will be the difference. he went 100mph in that first fight and mir didn’t know which end was up. Take away a questionable stoppage and a rookie mistake and Mir gets pounded into mush that fight. A calm collective Brock Lesnar is bad news for anybody. One punch connects and your down. And he has already showed the killer instinct when he smells blood he pounces. I like Mir and im glad he has got his career back on track but.. Brock doesn’t do interviews he dont talk shit before his fights he isnt even seen until a few weeks before his fight. He is in the gym he is working hard he is improving his skills. the Brock Lesnar thats shows up to face Frank Mir will be the best we have ever seen. And i think that Lesnar will become the undisputed champion. Frank bring your A game cause you will be facing a very determined hungry challenger. Brock said it himself his is not the champion until he beats his next challenge. And i think he will have all the tools and be as prepared as possible for this fight. Can Mir win? yes. Will it be easy? not a chance

"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye

by Pitbull on Jan 20, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This was exactly what I was going to say but since you put it so eloquently I don’t need to add another word. Mur is a blowhard and he’s way to full of himself. Could he win? Most definitely but to think he’s going to steamroll Brock is foolish.

by dedstrk316 on Jan 20, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

^^^

Brock Lesnar is going to whup that ass.

by subo on Jan 20, 2009 2:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It seems like a bad idea to underrate physical gifts based on skills. I think in a lot of cases physical gifts can take up a lot of slack when the skills may be underdeveloped.

Either way I’m excited for this fight. Mir is on a high now and in a much better place than he was when he first fought Lesnar. Lesnar wants avenge a loss and has a lot more confidence about fighting. It really should be an exciting match.

by pr0cs on Jan 20, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is Brock a world class MMA technician? Of coure not, which is where Mir’s point about having a limited skill set early in his career comes in.

What he is not mentioning is that from a size, strength, speed and agility standpoint Brock Lesnar most likely is the most impressive specimen to ever enter into the UFC. Those physical gifts and world class wrestling background give him a lot more leeway to be an elite fighter earlier in his career than guys like Faber, Silva or GSP.

by Day Man on Jan 20, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Those physical gifts and world class wrestling background give him a lot more leeway to be an elite fighter earlier in his career than guys like Faber, Silva or GSP.

The interesting thing is, GSP WAS an elite fighter 2 years into his career. He beat Karo Parisyan in his UFC debut just short of two years after his first fight.

Lesnar will be fighting Mir just short of two years after his first fight. If his talent and athleticism gives him a similar advantage over the HW division now that GSP had over the WW division then (I expect it will) Lesnar should handily defeat Mir.

by Michaelthebox on Jan 20, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rumor has it at the last PPV Lesnar was turning everyones water into wine backstage. I don’t personally believe it, but it was cool when he sneezed and a cripple walked for the first time in his life.

by mythbuster on Jan 20, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude please..

“Cripple” is not the preferred nomenclature, physically disabled please. ; )

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Jan 20, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can neither confirm nor deny the above, but he sure did turn my $500 into almost a grand. Thats good enough for me.

by Day Man on Jan 20, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You guys sure are trying to make it hard to fire up the Frank Mir hype train.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 20, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

But the Lesnar hate train is the Little Engine That Could.

by subo on Jan 20, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

WAR MIR

I think Brock is too confident himself… He wants to beat Mir so bad that relying on his physical gifts is going to cause him to be overzealous… Mir by Sub… rd. 2

by Loot on Jan 20, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think just the opposite.

Mir keeps talking at great length how Lesnar has no chance to beat him.

Lesnar, OTOH, is busy back in the woods of Minnesota working on his MMA game with top trainers, bringing in top jiu jitsu black belts to teach him, and reaching out to XTreme Couture to organize a stint of training there to get even more good training partners.

by Hardcharger on Jan 20, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m going to give Mir a little more credit for his trash talk. I believe he’s trying to get under Lesnar’s skin. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but it could be part of his strategy. With Nogueira, he practically talked as if it would be a miracle if he won that fight. I can’t believe Mir really believed he was overmatched to the extent that he conveyed. He did that for a reason, in my opinion.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 20, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's Beaten Him Once...

And Mir feels like he’s in a better place now, than when he beat him before… Making him more confident. Brock is the same cat that taunted Herring after holding him down for three rounds, and has talked shit about Fedor, Randy, and Mir (and even said Nog looked like shit— which is true). Mir is just saying his piece to hype up a fight that people are interested in. I think Mir wants to break Brock’s arm ala Sylvia, and prove all the detractors wrong again. He has the experience between the two of them, and is big and strong enough to grab ahold of a limb and snap it… Brock’s sheer strength is impressive, but Mir has enough technique combined with his athleticism to give himself a good shot at a victory.

by Loot on Jan 20, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lesnar never talked trash to Randy. The two guys were very respectful, thus Brock going to Randy’s gym to train a bit.

Herring talked mad shit on Lesnar, so after 14:50 of getting tooled, Herring got taunted by Lesnar. Tough luck Herring.

Mir can talk all he wants. It’s not a crime. I tend to disagree on the vast advantages Frank seems to think he has. While a big sub threat off his back, his routinely absorbs a lot of punishment as well.

by Hardcharger on Jan 20, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I never heard Lesnar

say one negative word about Randy or Fedor even. Where the heck did you get that from?

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see where Hardcharger said anything about Fedor.

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Jan 20, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure he was responding to Loot and just clicked the wrong reply button.

by Richard Wade on Jan 20, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, Loot said it.

I was just adding to Hardchargers

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

moral of the story is respect brock and he will respect you. Disrespect Brock and he will make a fool of you for every second of the fight.

"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye

by Pitbull on Jan 20, 2009 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mir says it himself

Mir admits that he cannot take Brock down. Brock can take mir down and pound on him while keeping him down. Mir descrided being under Lesnar like being underwater. Lesnar is fast, strong, and improving. I think Mir’s only real chance is to pull off another submission from his back and he just might do it. Again!

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Jan 20, 2009 3:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think Mir is going a little over himself when he’s talking about the stand up. Brock has the advantage on the feet no doubt. Im gonna be one of those guys and say, In a rematch Nog will win. I have nothing against Mir, i just think Brock is gonna be too much for him. Then again it is mma and anything can happen.

by poundnground on Jan 20, 2009 3:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

for 2 evenly matched opponents it all comes down to technique, but what many Martial Artist refuse to accept or believe is that there are certain situations where someones aggression, power, speed, athletic ability or determination will more than compensate for their lack of technique or skill.

by #5mmafan on Jan 20, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The only way that Mir

wins is the same as last time, which is possible but I doubt that Lesnar is going to be that easy again.

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This fight is going to be closer than a lot of people think. It bodes well for the UFC that both these guys know how to sell a fight in interviews, expect a deluge of these types of statemetents from both in the future.

by who me on Jan 20, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree it may be close,

but if Mir thinks he is going to walk thru Lesnar standing up I think he is making a huge mistake.

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't believe Mir is underestimating Lesnar.

From the MMA Weekly article:

“I don’t think it will be an easy fight by no means. I think he’s going to learn his lessons from the first time. I just still think that I’m the better fighter. I’ve been doing it a lot longer…”

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 20, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is just the latest response

from Mir. He has been saying for a while he would walk thru Lesnar like he did last time (laughing). I just meant that if he truly plans on trying to stand with Lesnar I think that would be a huge mistake. If his head is that swollen from stopping Nog he may really believe that he can.

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m really not sure what he said that you’re referring to, but it’s almost irrelevant what he says. Mir would have to be seriously deluded to believe he’ll roll over Lesnar. If he does, he probably deserves to lose. I just don’t think he’s that out of touch.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 20, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anything that any fighter

says about their gameplan is irrelevant until they implement it.

by dnevil001 on Jan 20, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think BJ Penn is actually planning on murdering GSP in the cage either but then I thought Mir was playing promo games through the press before the Nog fight too. Mir is already out there promoting the fight that might make him 1/2 half of the biggest draw in UFC history can you blame him for talking it up?

by who me on Jan 20, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly...

I don’t see why people are so quick to hate Mir for talkin shit, when it’s clearly a part of hyping the fight… Also, I’ve noticed how it seems to be the popular thing to ignore the context of the comments Mir makes, or the fact that he is clearly just offering up pros and cons of fighters each time he speaks on them (i.e. Brock’s strength, and physical gifts vs. his inexperience etc)

by Loot on Jan 20, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Brock will win do to referee stoppage and I think he will hold thebelt for awhile. A guy with his size, speed, skill and strenght will be tough for a lot of guys to handle.

by HEELHOOK on Jan 20, 2009 5:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Frank Mir continually has to prove that he’s a legitimate top level heavyweight.

Frank Mir snapped off Sylvia’s arm, stopped the unstopable Nog, and already beat Lesnar by kneebar i’ll say this once and one time only he doesn’t have to prove sh*t anymore to anyone.

Anyway as far as the fight goes lets not forget that Frank has really good leg kicks which he can use to stay away from Brock’s reach and punish him at the same time. Also if they clinch Frank can pull guard and Brock wants no part of Mir’s guard, also Mir has can tap Brock from any position so if he’s within range he can get caught win a sub. Mir I believe simply is the perfect match for a guy like Brock right now, his experience and style are going to be too much for Lesnar to handle in their rematch.

by Raker on Jan 20, 2009 5:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was only pointing out that people continue to discount Mir after his dismal performances following his accident. I think he’s definitely a top tier guy.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 20, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mir wins this fight 9/10 times. He is WAY too good on the ground for Lesnar to try and score a takedown and go for the GNP. Sure, he could def finish Mir on the ground and that’s his best chance but I think Mir is way too resourceful for that to happen a high % of the time.

I also think Mir showed something in his standup last fight. He is obviously working hard on his striking game.

I honestly think Lesnar is way too young in this sport to defeat a younger guy with as much experience as Mir. Sure, he beat Herring but I think Mir is a different animal.

by lbk on Jan 20, 2009 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

There’s pretty much zero chance of Lesnar taking this fight to the ground, so are you really of the opinion that Mir out-strikes Lesnar 9/10 times?

by Richard Wade on Jan 20, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you really think Brock is THAT skilled in the striking game at this point? He finishes with those strange uncoordinated hammer fists that force the ref to stop it. I don’t see him knocking anyone out yet and I think Mir’s guard game is too good for Lesnar if he gets him down to attempt those hammerfists.

by lbk on Jan 20, 2009 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good enough to win more than 1/10 fights against Mir on the feet.

by Richard Wade on Jan 20, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brock darn near killed Herring with one punch and he got Randy the same way. He’s not much of a technical striker yet but damn if he hits a guy they are going to feel it, even if it’s just those silly hammerfist on the ground. This is going to be a lot closer fight than people (on either side) give it credit for being.

by who me on Jan 20, 2009 8:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ummmmmm, in their first fight Lesnar had Mir down and was hammerfisting him into oblivion before Mario stood them up due to strikes to the back of the head.

by Day Man on Jan 20, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mir admits it, too. Before the Nog fight, he called Brock ‘a slow moving car.’ I believe it was a compliment.

by subo on Jan 20, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You should make a killing betting this fight then because I can guarantee you that Mir will come in as the underdog. Anytime you can get an underdog with a 90% chance to win you are in phenomenal shape.

by Day Man on Jan 20, 2009 6:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs