Issue 082
December 2011
A mainstay in the UFC for an incredible 10 years, we break down how the BJJ specialist has survived at the top for longer than almost any other fighter
NEED TO KNOW
NAME: Frank Mir
AGE: 32
STARTED: 2001
DIVISION: HEAVYWEIGHT STYLE BJJ
BASED: Las Vegas, Nevada
RECORD: 15-5
3 (T)KOs (20%)
8 Subs (53.3%)
3 Decisions (20%)
1 DQ (6.7%)
This former UFC heavyweight champion is arguably the most consistent fighter in MMA’s premier promotional entity. With 13 of his 15 career wins coming inside the Octagon, Frank Mir has carved a hugely successful career in mixed martial arts. utilizing all of his skills and attributes in order to do so.
After winning his first two professional mixed martial arts contests within little over a month of each other in 2001, Mir entered the UFC and won another two straight, including a 46-second submission victory over veteran Pete Williams.
Although having started out in wrestling during his high school days, even winning the Nevada State Championship in his senior year, it was his impressive submission skills that made Mir a force to be reckoned with in the professional fight game. After using an armbar to break Tim Sylvia’s arm at UFC 48 and win the heavyweight belt, Mir was forced to vacate the title after a horrendous motorcycle accident, in which he broke his femur and tore all the ligaments in his knee.
Making his return to the cage in 2006, despite suffering two losses along the way, Mir showed amazing improvement, determination and toughness by fighting his way back up the ratings, becoming the first fighter ever to defeat Brazilian legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via stoppage and win the UFC Interim heavyweight belt at UFC 92.
Since losing to hulking heavyweight Brock Lesnar, the BJJ black belt has once again begun his steady climb back to the top, falling once at the hands of Shane Carwin before putting together a string of wins against MMA veterans Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ and Roy Nelson.
Because he’s been a staple of the UFC for so long, many people forget that Frank Mir is only 32 years old. The Vegas-based warrior still has years of fight left in him and, if his past record is anything to go by, that’s plenty of time for him to battle his way back to a shot at number one.
RESILIENT
His career has had ups and downs, but Mir has never suffered a defeat without getting back on the winning track in his next fight, always following a loss with a win. Not only that, but in all except one of his comeback wins he has finished the fight by knockout or submission. No wonder the UFC have kept him around for so long.
INTELLIGENT
With his smooth fight commentary and sharp interviews, you can’t deny that Frank is one smart dude. Some people find his long and wordy answers to simple questions to be nothing but smug bravado, but as media attention continues to grow for MMA, talking the talk can do wonders for
a fighter’s career and the sport in general.
REALIST
Mir has grown from a submission-specific combatant into a dangerous and well-rounded fighter, largely thanks to his ability to be objective and realistic in his analysis of his own abilities. Never satisfied with how skillful or successful he may have become, Mir is always striving to improve himself. “When I do see those improvements I do have my moments of happiness, and I celebrate it for two or three seconds and then I get there and I go, ‘Well, my hook sucks. Let’s work on that now.’”
Career Snapshot
2004
After knocking out Wes Sims, Mir goes on to defeat Tim Sylvia via broken arm for the UFC heavyweight championship. But he is injured in a motorcycle accident three months later, forcing him to relinquish his title.
2005
Returns to the UFC after a year and a half absence from the cage, fighting three times that year. Wins one and loses two, including a TKO defeat at the hands of then heavyweight up-and-comer Brandon Vera.
2008
Kneebars a very green Brock Lesnar into submission, then coaches TUF season eight against opposing coach, Antonio ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira. TKO’s ‘Big Nog’ at UFC 92 to win the interim heavyweight title.
2009
Rematches fellow champ Brock Lesnar at UFC 100 to unify the belts, but is brutally beaten and defeated by the former WWE star. Bounces back at the end of the year in a bout against Cheick Kongo, shocking fans with his boxing ability and dropping his opponent before finishing him on the ground with a tight guillotine choke.
2010
Once again competes for the interim championship, this time against heavy-handed Shane Carwin, losing by knockout. Battles MMA legend Mirko ‘Cro Cop,’ winning by KO with less than a minute to go in the final round in an otherwise disappointing fight.
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