UFC 140 Results: The Deadly Calm of Frank Mir
by Fraser Coffeen on Dec 12, 2011 11:14 AM EST
in UFC Analysis
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Calm. That is the word I would use to describe Frank Mir inside the Octagon: calm. Perhaps that seems like a strange word choice for a 260 pound man who has, on more than one occasion, snapped another man's harm like a matchstick, but it is the truth. As a fighter, Frank Mir is calm.
At UFC 140, Mir showed that calmness in his victory over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Dazed after a barrage of punches, Mir found himself on the mat trading submissions with his highly acclaimed submission master opponent. Mir stayed relaxed, fighting through the submission, reversing to his own kimura, and then sinking it in for the win and breaking Minotauro's arm in the process. Ben Thapa broke down the techniques Mir used to gain the submission:
Once that bump into side control is achieved, Mir has the correct angles to get Big Nog's arm into the right positions. He has his left hand pinning Nogueira's right wrist to the ground and his right hand snaking underneath Big Nog's upper arm and locked onto his own left wrist. This is the classic figure four double wristlock that judokas call the reverse ude garami and BJJ players the "kimura". The submission is essentially set now. Mir steps over the head - or at least tries to - and smashes his chest downwards as Nog looks like he knows exactly what is coming and wants no part of it.
From a technical standpoint, it was indeed impressive. But it wouldn't have worked if Mir had not kept his head focused, stayed ready for Nogueira, and fought through his tough spots.
In short, if he had not remained calm.
But for Frank Mir that calmness is a double-edged sword. When used properly, that attitude has propelled Mir to success. We saw it last night against Nogueira, and also against Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop - two other fights where Mir stayed focused and executed his gameplan to win with apparent ease.
Against Brock Lesnar (in the UFC 100 rematch) and Shane Carwin, that calm attitude yielded considerably different results. In both of those fights, Mir faced stronger, more aggressive fighters. Both men were able to get Mir in difficult positions, then bring down a series of blows to stop the fight. And in both instances, Mir remained calm... until it was too late. Trapped against the cage by Carwin, trapped beneath Lesnar's massive frame, Mir stayed relaxed. But as he did so, the blows quickly accumulated, and without even putting up a significant fight to escape the position, Frank Mir was done. In these fights, that calmness became almost complacency, and the fast, heavy hands of Lesnar and Carwin made Mir pay for his lapse.
Now, as Mir prepares to once again make a run at regaining the UFC Heavyweight title that he held years ago, this issue is likely to come up once again. Because the men above him in the UFC are all the same kind of explosive knock-out fighters that have used Mir's calm against him. Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem - these are powerful strikers who finish fights, and if they catch Mir, they will pour it on until he is done. As those heavy punches come at him, Mir will surely remain calm, maybe up until the point that he finds himself looking up at a referee waving the fight off.
Can Frank Mir fix this issue? It's likely he can. But will doing so also cost him the ability to focus his attack, grab an opponent's arm and do what he does best? That's a more difficult question. But if he wants that UFC Heavyweight title belt back around his waist, it's a question Frank Mir will need to answer.
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I actually think instinctive
might be better. Or in addition to. Listening to him in the post-fight presser, he was literally running through a laundry list of little things one needs to do in order to secure that move – “widen your stance, lower your hips, move to the right” that really only comes with years and years of rote muscle memory. Yes, calmness is certainly part of that, but the amount of training he’s put into it makes it just instinct to him now.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Dec 12, 2011 11:07 AM EST reply actions
Yes, I'd say it was instinct too.
On the ground, Mir is absolutely frightening in ways that other BJJ specialists aren’t. His killer instinct is second to none. That said, he’s going to have to be more active and have more urgency when fighting Brock this third time. The last time, he had no success with Brock on top of him. The only success he had was in the short time they were standing when Mir rocked Lesnar with that knee before getting taken down.
"You've got Floyd Mayweather making $25 million. He can't stop a double-leg..." Nick Diaz.
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I know Brock joked around when he said he saw tweety birds on that knee
but he barely wobbled and pounced right on top of him. I think people give that far too much credit than it should.
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Dec 12, 2011 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
i think mir gave him the easy take down by trying the double knee in the clinch
it definately did some damage to brock
Mark Hunt's Special Move: Oceanic Heritage! Years ago someone told Polynesian DNA that everyone was surrounded by sea monsters and it believed them. It made humans that were immune to head injuries, fast enough to run on the highway, and big enough to use the carpool lane. Putting two of them in the same ring is like telling your local tectonic plates to fuck themselves.
"I said ‘let me tell you, you’re one punch away from being worth zero’ and I was wrong, he was one triangle choke away from being worth zero." - Dana on Fedor
"Guillard told the commission he used cocaine on March 30 and expected it to be out of his system by the time he stepped into the Octagon"
by Kevin Jennison J. Zametov-St Pierre on Dec 12, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Although Mir is sub-hungry I’d say that Barnett has a far more dangerous ground game. Put these two guys in a cage and I think Mir is going home in pieces.
by basvanderwolk on Dec 12, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
I highly doubt that.
But I would still love to see that fight.
by The Armchair Juggernaut on Dec 12, 2011 1:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Mir has highly effective BJJ for MMA, in a way most of the top jits players seldom show…
"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne
Death before dishonor, drinks before lunch.
Never send sheep to kill a wolf.
by The American Ronin on Dec 12, 2011 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
No way
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
I used to be an MMA blogger like you.....but then I took an arrow to the knee.
I agree
Based on seeing Barnett destroy world class BB’s his first time ever wearing a gi. And im prbly the biggest Mir fan on this site. I also thought that Frank Mir was better on the ground than Nelson, AND that he could play in Nogs guard, like Fedor did.
by OneFitchTwoFitchRedFitchBlueFitch on Dec 12, 2011 4:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Even against Carwin he still had those instincts too
You rewatch and you’ll see him practically out of it trying to isolate an arm as he goes down before Carwin pounds him into unconsciousness.
Mildly off topic
but Frank’s own breakdown of the action in the fight in the press conference — a fight in which he got badly rocked — was amazingly detailed and technical. I’ve always liked the guy, and I hope he finds his way back into an announcing gig when he retires.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
Yeah, I was surprised at how lucid he was even right after when Joe interviewed him. It’s like it was a math formula for him, the way he described it. I know he gets a lot of hate and I admit sometimes that stupid grin he has bothers me, but he’s one of my favorite fighters. Lots of fun to watch.
"You've got Floyd Mayweather making $25 million. He can't stop a double-leg..." Nick Diaz.
Twitter - @pud333 Follow me and I shall lead you to the promised land!
that calmness also gets him caught standing.
I don’t like ifs, but if he is more mobile, and if he keeps hands higher , he can do better in stand up. I see him beating Alistar or Cain, but not JDS.
by Nodir Shermatov on Dec 12, 2011 11:16 AM EST reply actions
Beating Overeem? The K-1 Champ?
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Dec 12, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
the K1 champ in a crappy year of contenders, Overeem has always had a suspect chin and has more KO loses then Mir
its very possible
Mark Hunt's Special Move: Oceanic Heritage! Years ago someone told Polynesian DNA that everyone was surrounded by sea monsters and it believed them. It made humans that were immune to head injuries, fast enough to run on the highway, and big enough to use the carpool lane. Putting two of them in the same ring is like telling your local tectonic plates to fuck themselves.
"I said ‘let me tell you, you’re one punch away from being worth zero’ and I was wrong, he was one triangle choke away from being worth zero." - Dana on Fedor
"Guillard told the commission he used cocaine on March 30 and expected it to be out of his system by the time he stepped into the Octagon"
by Kevin Jennison J. Zametov-St Pierre on Dec 12, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Ya, if I remember correctly, Badr Hari didn’t even compete in the Tourney.
So how can the winner of that really claim they are the best kickboxer in the world.
Also, Overeem’s kickboxing didn’t look so great when he fought Werdum.
I pray that Overeem doesn’t show up in the Octagon, or he will have a short UFC career.
by Dalton Jones on Dec 12, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
To be fair, Badr Hari hasn't been competing in kickboxing in a good long while.
Isn’t he doing boxing, now?
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by Unabomberman on Dec 12, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
he’s slated to start boxing soon. i believe he’s already started training.
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 12, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
That is a bit ignorant. Badr Hari is no doubt a great fighter, solid top 3 guy, but he’s 0-2 against Bonjasky, 1-1 with Schilt, 1-1 with Overeem. Hari has never won the WGP when he participated in previous years, so to call him the best in the world is a bit dubious. Would have been great if he had been there, but he himself chose not to, that doesn’t invalidate the whole tournament (especially seeing as he’s not ranked #1).
I agree though it was a little bit weaker starting field than some of the previous years.
by Horselover Fat on Dec 12, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Badr Hari is not the best kickboxer in the world.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
I used to be an MMA blogger like you.....but then I took an arrow to the knee.
You kinda did
Ya, if I remember correctly, Badr Hari didn’t even compete in the Tourney.
So how can the winner of that really claim they are the best kickboxer in the world.
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
I used to be an MMA blogger like you.....but then I took an arrow to the knee.
by RolloTomasi on Dec 12, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Overeem has always had a suspect chin and has more KO loses then Mir
its very possible
in 47 fights Reem has been KO’d 6 times
in 21 fights Frank has been KO’d 5 times……
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
I used to be an MMA blogger like you.....but then I took an arrow to the knee.
by RolloTomasi on Dec 12, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Shut up!!!
There’s no place for logic here
by IRodC on Dec 12, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
nasty, nasty pic.
mirs junk is right in nogs face.
i tried to change my username to 'big country fit' but the system wouldnt let me.
not that there's anything wrong with that
especially for you
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Dec 12, 2011 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Total outrage.
I demand that image be doctored to protect the children.
The Internets: Where there are no girls and men become children.
by Unabomberman on Dec 12, 2011 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Erik Paulson thinks the way Mir dropped his junk on Nog was disrespectful.
"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco.
It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wylde
by SanFranpsycho on Dec 12, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
Um...
The Internets: Where there are no girls and men become children.
by Unabomberman on Dec 12, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
Super un-serious.
"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco.
It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wylde
by SanFranpsycho on Dec 12, 2011 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
Id like to see Jon Jones move up and fight Frank Mir. I think it would be interesting.
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by ProfessorBLove on Dec 12, 2011 11:29 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I'd like to see Jones
Defeat Hendo, Evans, Davis, and Lil Nog first. Then bring over Moussasi and King Mo. Then have Stann, Sonnen, and AS go up to 205 and defeat them. There’s still plenty for Jones at LHW.
Just Breed!
by ScoreCardOTN on Dec 12, 2011 11:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
These fights make no sense, Stann can’t even get a title shot at MW and Sonnen has to get passed AS first.
But Hendo, Evans , Davis, King Mo, and Anderson Silva make sense.
by Dalton Jones on Dec 12, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I was just talking about Stann and Sonnen, I erased more of my original comment than I should have.
Oh I see.
Ya, Stann, Gegard, and Lil Nog make no sense.
I am actually fairly certain Jon Jones could beat each of them in a one night Tournament.
by Dalton Jones on Dec 12, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
Lol
Frank mir kills Jon Jones.
Frank is way to big, and way to strong for Jon Jones.
Two of Jon Jones’ strength’s would be virtually nullified in a fight with Frank Mir right now:
His Height/Reach
His strength in the clinch and his ability to take opponents down from the clinch.
Frank Mir is pretty strong in the clinch and his very good at stuffing takedowns from the clinch.
Maybe in about 3-4 years, giving Jon Jones enough time to pack on muscle and become a real Heavyweight, he would be a terror….But by then, Frank Mir will likely have retired.
by Dalton Jones on Dec 12, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
Frank Mir is absolutely immune
to adrenaline dumps.
Just Breed!
by ScoreCardOTN on Dec 12, 2011 11:31 AM EST via mobile reply actions
His chin, on the other hand, seems to always have one...
The Internets: Where there are no girls and men become children.
by Unabomberman on Dec 12, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
I think some of the calm comes form him trying to recuperate.
That said this is my face when I say the break
by IRodC on Dec 12, 2011 11:43 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Kinda like when my last blowjob turned wrong...
The Internets: Where there are no girls and men become children.
by Unabomberman on Dec 12, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
NO TEETH!!!!
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
I used to be an MMA blogger like you.....but then I took an arrow to the knee.
the Department of Somewhat Off-Kilter Kinky Shit disagrees…
"Men like us... we never get back the things we love."
- Jaron Namir
by Victor Rodriguez on Dec 12, 2011 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
Mire just got caught and almost finished in the feet by a rather slow big nog, does anyone really believe his striking is good enough go even get the opportunity to find an arm against the top strikers in the division.
His striking defense is not good enough to go against the best hw’s I think that has been proven and we will all get a refresher course know that fact soon enough
by troyd on Dec 12, 2011 11:45 AM EST via mobile reply actions
does anyone really believe his striking is good enough go even get the opportunity to find an arm
i don’t even know what that is supposed to mean.
Do I think Frank Mir is going to find a flying armbar? No.
by Dalton Jones on Dec 12, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Sorry mobile commenting. Too many typos and I was too brief, I was trying to say he won’t last long enough before he is knocked out to even find the opportunity to work for the sub
Hope this explains my opinion a little better
He just continues to look good against everyone outside the top five. Not that that makes him crap, just not gonna be champ any time soon
by troyd on Dec 12, 2011 4:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It's interesting- I think this calm comes from being a BJJ guy.
In my jiu jitsu classes (disclaimer, Japanese jiu jitsu) my professor always spoke about being calm and relaxed (“Don’t forget to BREEEEEEEEEATHE, Dreadlocks”), and then quickly making a move when you felt an opening.
My boxing coaches have always spoken about continuing to move and feint, and to try to make your own openings. Almost seems like Mir strikes like a grappler.
"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco.
It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wylde
interesting point
However if he’s so calm in his striking against anyone better then him we see what happens. He gets rocked big time and carwin koed him and if big nog had that power then he would’ve koed him to. He needs more movement and feints in his standup or he will get rocked and koed again.
by benten20 on Dec 12, 2011 12:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions
After rewatching Mir's kimura
I was reminded of Sakuraba.
The way Frank grabed the kimura when Nog had his back was Saku style.
They roll
Then
POP
Learn JiuJitsu.
Semper Fi'
I used to be an MMA blogger like you.....but then I took an arrow to the knee.
I actually thought Mir looked about as bad as can be up until the point he locked on that Kimura,and that amazing sub and finish made most fans forget just how awful he actually looked. Pre fight he has his old gut and looked very soft and bloated, and that showed during the fight. I was shocked at how slow and sluggish Mir was. Yes he has had past cardio issues and is not the most nimble of HW’s when it comes to movement and quickness but it was more evident then is last few fights, then as the 1st round went on he started turing a purple redish color which tells you right away he is having a hard time taking in oxygan and getting into his blood stream. I could not believe his was getting tired that quick, like I said Mir has always has issues with cardio but this was almost like the Frank Mir who came back way to early after the crash. Also he showed his abilty to take damage is just as bad as never,and actually seems to be getting worse ? This has always been in my opinion Mir’s biggest flaw he just retreats into himself and almost becomes a punching bag the second a first semi decent shot hits. So overall I was not to impressed with Mir and thought he actually looked as bad as ever before he locked on that Kimura. If not for Big Nog’s huge mistake of stoping the GNP and going for the choke I think the talk coming out of this fight would be how bad Mir actually looked ?
Mir, Aoki and Palhares are the three most ruthless submission artists in MMA.
Those three will take a limb and crank it with no regard for your own wellbeing. There may be more technical submission fighters out there, but few compare in terms of violence.
how do you snap a harm?
just curious …
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by RolloTomasi on Dec 12, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
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