Lesnar vs Mir II at UFC 98 official

Tomas · 03-03-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Source: UFC.com

THE UFC ANNOUNCES UFC 98: LESNAR vs. MIR 2

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP® ANNOUNCES

UFC 98: LESNAR vs. MIR 2

For the World Heavyweight Championship

SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Long considered the most prestigious title in mixed martial arts, the UFC Heavyweight Championship currently rests in the hands of two men – Champion Brock Lesnar and interim
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holder Frank Mir. On Saturday, May 23rd, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lesnar and Mir will meet to not only determine an Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, but to settle some very personal business they began in this same city over a year ago.

“Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir put on one of the most intense one round fights I’ve ever seen at UFC 81,” said UFC President Dana White, referring to Mir’s submission victory over Lesnar in February of 2008. “But when it was over, both guys saw things very differently. Lesnar blamed his loss on inexperience and being too aggressive, while Mir saw his win as a triumph of his technique, something he says will happen every time they fight. On May 23rd, each fighter has his chance to prove his point, and while a lot has happened for these two since that first fight, I know the rematch is going to be just as intense as the first one, especially considering that the winner walks away as the UFC Heavyweight Champion.”

A gifted athlete with the size, speed, and power to impose his will on any opponent, 6-3 ½, 265 pound Brock Lesnar (3-1) made an immediate impact in the UFC when he debuted in February of 2008. A four-time All-American, two-time Big Ten Champion, and 2000 NCAA Division I National Champion in wrestling, Lesnar made a name for himself internationally after college as a professional wrestler, but he soon found his calling in mixed martial arts in 2006. After a 69 second win in his pro debut a year later, Lesnar entered the UFC in 2008 and was seconds away from victory against former heavyweight champ before a stoppage in the action for a point deduction allowed Mir to come back and submit the newcomer moments afterwards. But at UFC 87 in August of 2008, Lesnar showed why he was a force to be reckoned with by dominating Heath Herring, and by November 15, the ever improving Minnesotan shocked the world when he TKOd one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, Randy “The Natural” Couture. Now firmly entrenched on the top of the heavyweight division, Lesnar wants to even the score with Mir.

"I'm delighted to have a rematch against Frank Mir,” said Lesnar. “I can't wait to get my revenge and finish this fight on the ground the way it should have been finished last time.”

Many believe that 29-year old Las Vegan Frank Mir (12-3) was destined for stardom the moment he stepped in the UFC Octagon, and he lived up to all expectations when he submitted Tim Sylvia in 50 seconds in 2004 to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately, Mir’s career ground to a halt when a serious motorcycle accident later that year forced him to the sidelines for almost two years. His eagerness to return forced him into some spotty performances when he stepped back into the Octagon in 2006, but at UFC 74 in August of 2007, Mir was back in top notch form as he submitted Antoni Hardonk in just 77 seconds. He followed that pivotal win with a come-from-behind victory over Brock Lesnar at UFC 81 in February of 2008, but it wasn’t until UFC 92 on December 27, 2008 that Mir came all the way back, as he became the first man to stop the legendary Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira at UFC 92, en route to regaining the interim portion of the championship he never lost in the Octagon. On May 23rd, the 6-3, 240 pound Mir has the opportunity to once again reign as the undisputed title holder.

I'm glad it's happening sooner rather than later

Kimura · 03-03-2009, 11:24 PM

This fight would've been perfect for UFC 100, but whatever, I'm happy we'll get to watch this in less than 3 months from now.

The first time they fought my prediction was Frank Mir, but Brock Lesnar looked really good in that fight, and hadn't the ref stood them up, Brock might have won that fight.

Now I know I've been critical of Lesnar in the past, but I've never denied the fact, that he had all the tools to become great. His strenght and size are maybe too much for anyone to overcome. He even beat one of my all time faves Randy Couture.

Frank Mir took apart Big Nog, but ruomours have it that Nogueria was actually injured going in that fight. Still, Frank Mir looked awesome that day and I still consider him the favourite in this fight.

Tomas · 03-03-2009, 11:48 PM

I agree I'm shocked as well that they wanted to do it at 98 and not at 100 makes me wonder what is going to main event that card now.

Anyways, I had Lesnar to win in the first fight the whole way and he did look up to par to my expectations if not better,however he made that slight hesistation and Mir took full advantage.
Now I honestly can't wait as Brock has improved exponentially since his UFC debut and Mir seems to be on more focused than ever.
I'm honestly Estatic

James Deuce · 03-04-2009, 12:14 AM

Same as Narc, I was hoping for this to be at 100, but I guess that would be a bit far away. I honestly don't know who will win, I think it will all depend on which Mir shows up. I want Brock to win, but I don't think he will be able to handle Mir's superior submission game. Of course, Brock has had a lot of time to practice his hand at guarding those/producing some of his own. Brock loses the size advantage somewhat, he won't be able to hold Mir on the cage like he did Couture, I may be giving Mir too much credit. To be honest, if Mir wins, I want him to win with a leg lock.

xChumChumx · 03-04-2009, 02:59 PM

This is a fantastic match and will draw a lot for UFC. The first time these guys faced off Brock was a little too confident and kind of rushed in. Now Brock has had a little more experience and has showed that he isn't as green as he was when he first stepped into the octagon. Frank Mir is always dangerous though. He has loads more experience underneath his belt and he has a victory over Lesnar already, which has to be make his confidence high.

This match should be great because it can go either way. Lesnar is a beast and so is Mir. I would actually order this match because of how interesting this match alone is going to be.

The Hammer · 03-04-2009, 03:16 PM

In my opinion, if not for a rookie mistake, Lesnar dominates that whole first fight. There was absolutely no offensive from Mir and he looked completely overwhelmed, excluding the winning hold of course. The longer Lesnar is in this sport the deadlier he will become. His size and strength are freakish to put it mildly, add in his wrestling background and his work drive and in my opinion he becomes the most dominant heavy weight in MMA. Basically I say Brock wins this with out a doubt.

James Deuce · 03-04-2009, 04:08 PM

Luckily for me Buffalo Wild Wings which is like 5 minutes away from my house always shows the UFC events, so some friends and I usually go there to catch the fights.

Bigpapa42 · 03-04-2009, 04:10 PM

Given the Lesnar fought in November and Mir in December, waiting until UFC 100 would mean waiting until July. That's a long delay between heavyweight title fights, especially when you consider that the delay between the Nog-Sylvia interim fight and the Lesnar-Couture fight was nine months. Having the belt defended barely twice a year is not adequate when its supposed to be one of the flagship divisions for the promotion.

While the UFC wants to make 100 huge, they can't put every big fight possible on there without leaving nothing for the cards before and after. When you look at the cards, 96 through 98 aren't fantastic cards on paper. Some solid fights but some mediocre ones. Not just on the undercard, either.

Bigpapa42 · 03-04-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hammer
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In my opinion, if not for a rookie mistake, Lesnar dominates that whole first fight. There was absolutely no offensive from Mir and he looked completely overwhelmed, excluding the winning hold of course. The longer Lesnar is in this sport the deadlier he will become. His size and strength are freakish to put it mildly, add in his wrestling background and his work drive and in my opinion he becomes the most dominant heavy weight in MMA. Basically I say Brock wins this with out a doubt.

I expect Lesnar to win this fight as well, and he could go on to dominate the heavyweight division.

That said, I don't think it was one rookie mistake he made against Mir. It was a couple. Spazzing with the hammer fists when he knocked Mir down was a bad plan - it looked vicious, but not that much was landing. If Lesnar stayed controlled and was more deliberate with his punches there, it would have ended the fight. Against Couture in the similar situation, he didn't seem to "spazz" as much and it was more effective. There's also the heel hook, which is a very low percentage submission hold because its relatively easy to get out of. Lesnar actually even had his foot on Mir's but during the submission - all he had to do was extend his leg and he would have popped his foot out.

Lesnar's physical tools means he might be able to geta away without being a "complete" fighter in a lot of ways, but he isn't the only physical freak at heavyweight.

Kimura · 03-04-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hammer
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In my opinion, if not for a rookie mistake, Lesnar dominates that whole first fight. There was absolutely no offensive from Mir and he looked completely overwhelmed, excluding the winning hold of course. The longer Lesnar is in this sport the deadlier he will become. His size and strength are freakish to put it mildly, add in his wrestling background and his work drive and in my opinion he becomes the most dominant heavy weight in MMA. Basically I say Brock wins this with out a doubt.

Well, that was the gameplan from Mir. Everyone and their mother knew he was going to go for a heel hook.

The way Mir can beat Lesnar, is by going for his legs. Leg kicks are very effective especially on a guy who's legs look to be very weak.

Lesnar vs Mir II at UFC 98 official

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