UFC 100 Preview: Brock Lesnar Proves That Size Does Matter
UFC 100's climactic finish on Saturday night will feature a rematch between former WWE superstar professional wrestler and current UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and former UFC Heavyweight champion and current interim UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir. It promises to be a true clash of technique vs. strength. In their first match at UFC 81 in February of 2008, Lesnar had only one professional MMA bout under his belt, a win over Min-Soo Kim at K-1 Dynamite! USA in June of 2007. Lesnar's lack of experience was the main focus of Mir's gameplan in their first bout, and he subsequently submitted Lesnar via kneebar in the first round of the fight.
Today, things have completely changed. Mir went on to coach on The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 against PRIDE veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The coaches' bout after the show gave Mir a shot at Nogueira's UFC Interim Heavyweight title (created due to Randy Couture's holdout from the UFC). Mir TKO'd Nogueira in the second round of the bout at UFC 92, winning the belt and convincing many that he was the true champion of the division.
Unfortunately for Mir, fortune smiled on Lesnar. After a dominating performance against Heath Herring at UFC 87, Lesnar was given the opportunity to fight a returning Randy Couture for the UFC Heavyweight title. On November 15th, 2008, Lesnar vs. Couture took place at UFC 91 with Lesnar defeating Couture via TKO in the second round after Lesnar landed a right that downed Couture. Couture worked a solid gameplan of using his Greco-Roman wrestling and clinch work to wear down Lesnar, but Couture later stated that Lesnar's reach was such a huge factor in the fight because it makes his punches almost impossible to avoid. The win set up the unification bout between Mir and Lesnar.
We're now back to the same question that was seemingly answered in the first bout between Mir and Lesnar. Does Brock Lesnar have the submission defense and experience to avoid Mir's strengths? Interestingly enough, UFC 87 saw some changes in Brock Lesnar's training regiment as he brought in seven-time BJJ world champion and ADCC veteran Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros to help him with his submission defense. Medeiros will also help add some submission skills to Lesnar's game, which could become a huge asset considering his overall strength.
With a couple of fights under his belt following his defeat at the hands of Frank Mir and the added trainers to help him improve his MMA skill set, can Brock Lesnar truly defeat a fighter who has been training BJJ for years and has suddenly gained a gas tank?
Mir has stated that his gameplan could revolve around Lesnar's immense size and conditioning. Lesnar's huge physique should suck in a lot more oxygen than your average heavyweight fighter, but he can also end a fight quickly with such huge power. It was evident in the Couture fight that Lesnar was beginning to tire toward the middle of the second round, but he quickly snuffed any hopes that the match could be won by Couture in the later rounds. Couture stated recently that Mir's plan is probably not the best idea considering Lesnar's reach, but Mir could also be driving home a skillful plan of misdirection using the media.
In the end, the bout comes down to whether Lesnar can avoid the submission. If Mir truly thinks he can strike with Lesnar, he's probably going to lose. Standing in a cage for five rounds with a man who has such immense power in his punches isn't good even if Lesnar's stand-up boxing isn't that great. He's eventually going to land a shot that is going to hurt enough to visibly show Lesnar that it's time to crush you.
Mir's best chance is to work the submission game, and to be perfectly honest, the heel hook, ankle lock, or kneebar is the perfect weapon once again. Lesnar's size doesn't exactly work to his advantage when it comes to leg attack submissions. Mir has stated over and over again in the media that bigger heavyweights are slower than him, so why not take full advantage of that by showing Lesnar some submission skills that he isn't expecting. I think it's the only chance he has of winning this fight.
photo via ufc.comThe FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
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38 comments
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Comments
I don’t see how Mir can get into position to work his submissions without working his standup. I’d say the chances of Mir taking Lesnar down are about the same as Lesnar submitting Mir. As always, your articles get me pumped for these fights!
by Patrick79x on Jul 10, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So the idea has to be to frustrate Lesnar into going for the takedown and working off his back in your mind?
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sharp as always
Especially if you saw that recent wrasslin vid someone put up from Brock’s school days.
by asa on Jul 10, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boy is this getting redundant
Frank Mir For Teh WIN
by JAYGK95 on Jul 10, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Look at all you dreamers, thinking Frank’s got a chance. How cute.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don’t I remember you from Matt Serra vs. GSP 1?
Everyone has a chance. I have a chance against Lesnar, be it ever so tiny.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I grant your logical point.
That said, Brock Lesnar by first round TKO.
by subo on Jul 10, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Against me? Sure. :-)
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It promises to be a true clash of technique vs. strength.
I’m sorry but I’m so sick of this description. You’d think from reading enough articles like this, that Lesnar was the only really huge dude who ever had to cut to 265 despite almost no body fat (which he is far from), or that he was some sort of shiftless, shaved gorilla that they threw in the cage against Mir to see if skill and experience can overcome the raw, gorilla strength that can tear limbs off.
Lesnar is not just any shaved gorilla. He is a shaved gorilla with freakish speed, killer instinct even by gorilla standards, and excellent wrestling and teachability. It amazed me constantly how Lesnar keeps improving despite his small, simian gorilla brain, not to mention how he looked like he shaved his entire gorilla body for every public appearance (I’m guessing electrolysis).
I feel badly for Mir being forced to represent the human race against another species, but if the apes should rise against us and enslave the human race, we know who is to blame. Thanks Joe Silva, you may have just doomed us all.
by Chromium on Jul 10, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why are you sick of this description? It is a battle of technique vs. strength. There is no way in a million years you could convince me that Lesnar has the technique to battle with Mir on the floor. Standing wise, it’s a different story, but on the ground… Mir is a technical goliath over Lesnar. Lesnar simply needs to be strong enough and smart enough to recognize submission attempts, that’s it.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do people keep thinking Brock was tired in the Couture fight?

Brock’s plan was to make Randy work against his size. Brock was pacing himself and not trying to go donkey kong too early.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Jul 10, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
He was tired. Watch halfway through the second round. It’s evident as they were standing that he was beginning to huff and puff big time. Once he knocks down Couture, it’s all adrenaline and going for the kill. Fact of the matter is… Couture was done after the punch.
And saying people saying Lesnar can go 5 rounds are delusional. His frame and body would not withstand more than 3 rounds before some serious conditioning problems. I’d love to see a mammoth guy like Lesnar truly go all out for even 3 rounds. It’s just not possible with that size.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And saying people saying Lesnar can go 5 rounds are delusional. His frame and body would not withstand more than 3 rounds before some serious conditioning problems. I’d love to see a mammoth guy like Lesnar truly go all out for even 3 rounds. It’s just not possible with that size.
I disagree, because it would entirely depend on the context of the match. Could he stand and trade for 5? No. Could he trade for 2 and ride out 3 in top position? Absolutely.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he stands for that long, then it’s possible, but with a guy trying to lean on him or move him around and expending energy, I think he lasts at least 3 rounds tops.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well either way, it’s hardly “delusional” to think Brock could go 5. That was my point. Against Mir, what you’re saying won’t be an issue. Against Shane Carwin, okay. But not Mir.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suppose delusional was a bit much considering Brock could potentially go 5 rounds STANDING. But it could become an issue with Mir, if say… Mir gets him to the ground and puts on a chess match with Lesnar trying to defend for the entire time.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow. You think Mir could actually end up in top position in this fight? At all? Ever?
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, but from the bottom, he could put Lesnar in a lot of danger, especially with leg submissions. Getting Lesnar moving aorund quickly in any given position on the floor isn’t going to help his cardio. Defending those locks is pretty tough if you haven’t practiced extensively. The question becomes whether his BJJ trainers focused on that a lot because I think that’s a major weakness for the bigger guys.
If Lesnar is in top control, he could probably lean on Mir and hold him down without losing much breath.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
After watching Lesnar jump and laugh after 15 minutes with Herring, I’m pretty confident both in his conditioning and ability to maintain dominant position.
by subo on Jul 10, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, it’s a fight. He could end up there through no skill of his own. Slips, falls, accidentally punching himself with those sledgehammers he calls hands.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. I phrased that incorrectly. I meant more along the lines of Mir getting it there intentionally.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he was very tired
Couture was wearing him out, Brock was turning red and gasping for air against the cage. The adrenaline rush of knocking down the Hall of fame inducted UFC heavyweight champion does NOT indicate great conditioning.
by Shaun32887 on Jul 10, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, so what are you getting at?
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With Mir's BJJ game there
is always the chance he catches Lesnar & subs him, but the way that Lesnar seems to keep evolving & learning at such a quick pace makes me think he is not going to give Mir many opportunities to sub him. Lesnar via TKO rd 2
Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.
by dnevil001 on Jul 10, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Serious question (for once): Other than the reports from his camp, what is this “evolving & learning at such a quick pace” based on?
In his fight with Mir we didn’t see much skill outside his excellent movement on the ground. In the Herring fight he had a couple strong but technically unsound punches and a ground game that couldn’t stop a guy who turtled for 3 rounds. In the Couture fight he was getting muscled around the cage by an old man who he outweighed by more than 40 pounds and more sloppy but strong punching. What are these skills that he’s picked up?
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
Brock should just retire so he doesn’t get hurt by all these guys who out skill him so much.
by Riney on Jul 10, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not trying to bag on the guy – hell, if I were a betting man and had to put my house on the line for this match, I’d go for Lesnar. But I hear a ton of talk about his MMA skill from his camp and don’t see it in his fights. What am I missing?
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1. He paced himself much better from fight to fight.
2. He knew enough not to sink in hooks on Herring, because Herring often uses the hooks attempt to escape to his feet. A lot better positioning than the Mir fight.
That’s all I got right now. : )
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The pacing is a good point, but you’d expect that in a newbie fighter from his second to fourth match, you know?
Respecting Herring’s ground game was smart – something he probably learned from the loss to Mir. But Herring mostly uses his submissions to gain position. Lesnar’s going to have to learn a lot more than that to stay clear of Mir’s much more offensive guard.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both good points. It’s part of the reason why I think Lesnar is going to do all he can to keep it standing, because he’s in way less danger on the feet.
http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com
by Beer Monster on Jul 10, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couture never muscled Lesnar around. Lesnar got 2 TDs, Randy got none. Randy got to clinch with him for a while, doing nothing but taking some huge knees. On the ground, Lesnar pinned Randy’s arm momentarily from half guard to reign down strikes. His striking was good, if not complicated, and he outstruck Randy, and showed he could take a shot and not be phased.
Against Herring, he mounted Heath a few times, controlled him easily from top control, and inflicted damage from there without allowing Heath to initiate scrambles and regain his feet, which is Herring’s speciality.
by Hardcharger on Jul 10, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You really didn’t see Randy pushing him around against the cage? Maybe your PPV feed went bad or something.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Jul 10, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couture had Lesnar against the cage. That doesn’t mean he was muscling him anywhere. Lesnar knew what Couture wanted to do, so he didn’t overly exert himself to fight against the clinch. When he needed to, he threw Randy to the ground, threw him off attempting to get his back, and dug in underhooks to avoid the TD.
But beside, that, Brock did demonstrate plenty of technique that I described in the earlier post. He’s not GSP or Machida, but he does have technique, and it’s clear he trains hard to get better at it.
by Hardcharger on Jul 10, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I feel like this is a completely different account of the fight.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Jul 10, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the only UFC 100 poll where there its close. Lesnar by TKO.
Keep firing Assholes!
Out out, you demons of stupidity!
by Ubernoober on Jul 10, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lesnar definitely can win but if he doesn’t finish Mir in the first three minutes he’s probably going to get submitted.
by Ahhhoki on Jul 11, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, probably.
How's the weather up your own ass? - Stephen Colbert
by subo on Jul 12, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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