When I say Brock Lesnar, do you still automatically think former World Wrestling Entertainment “professional” Wrestler? Or, do you think of Brock Lesnar, the newest addition to the UFC heavyweight class?
Lesnar made his high profile MMA debut last June, emerging victorious against Min Soo Kim during a fight in which he stopped the former Judo champion within the first two minutes via verbal submission (strikes).
Not bad for a former “professional” wrestler now is it?
But what you might not of known is that Lesnar is a very decorated and accomplished collegiate wrestler who was the 2000 Division 1 National Wrestling Champion in the heavyweight class. He has also been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Royce Gracie and the Gracie family for a little more than two years now.
Frank Mir — who will take on Lesnar in his Octagon debut at UFC 81: “Breaking Point” on February 2 — is dubbed “The Baddest Man on the Planet.” He used to be the former UFC heavyweight champion of the world, snapping the forearm of Tim Sylvoa to capture the belt.
Then, a terrible motorcycle accident derailed his promising career. He hasn’t really be the same since his recovery and return.
Here we sit less than two weeks away from UFC 81, with both men out to prove that they belong with the elite fighters of the heavyweight division.
Both of these fighters really do not have an advantage over one another.
What can Frank Mir really expect to see out of Brock Lesnar? We all know he is a former college wrestler, but does Brock have good stand up? Good submission defense? Does this put Frank at a disadvantage, or advantage?
There’s not much there to come to an accurate conclusion.
What can Brock expect from Frank Mir? Will Brock take down Frank Mir and try to gas him? Will Frank Mir be the old Frank Mir and submit Brock Lesnar within two minutes of the fight?
Unfortunately, we never quite know which Frank Mir is going to appear.
What we do know is that Mir and Lesnar each need this victory to prove to themselves, the fans and the UFC brass that they belong near the top of the food chain. And that might just mean FIREWORKS.
Is Lesnar really “The Next Big Thing” in MMA, or is he just another Sokodjou and have all of this hype, and then step in the Octagon and get defeated with ease?
Can Frank Mir ever return to form? Can he be the man who was feared in the Heavyweight Division more than three years ago? What can we expect to make out of this fight?
It’s really impossible to tell — there are so many unknowns. But my money is going to a first round stoppage, either via submission or technical knockout.
Now I just need to figure out whose arm will be raised at the end of the night on SuperBowl weekend.
Help me out … what’s your call?
I still can’t believe the UFC threw Lesnar in against Mir right off the bat. Most people struggle their first time in the octagon, plus the style match-up is just horrible for Lesnar. He has the potential to be a huge money-maker for years. I don’t know why they would run a serious risk of Lesnar losing badly his first time out when stiffs like Justin McCully are available to take a beating and make Lesnar look good while he gains experience. Lesnar is powerful and athletic enough to pull the upset, and I think it would be an upset if he wins, but I think Mir takes it by triangle.
Well it was rumored, UFC asked Brock Lesnar who he wanted to fight, and in his response he said “Frank Mir.”
Maybe Brock really thinks he can size up Frank, and like I said, is there something we really dont know about Brock? Does Brock have this incredible submission defense that we do not know about? I mean he should have some decent submission defense if he trains with The Gracies.
Its a tough call.
I dont know how credible this news is and you should probably just all judge for yourselves. If this is true, I hope it doesn’t become a trend to see WWE guys fighting in MMA.
Check it out:
Another Major WWE Wrestler Follows Lesnar, Quits For MMA
http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2008…1201113763.php
Bobby Lashley is a former ECW champion and has main-evented their pay per views.
From Wikipedia:
Lashley attended Missouri Valley College, where he won three national amateur wrestling championships between 1996 and 1998, placing fourth in 1995. Throughout 1997 and 1998 he was the NAIA National Wrestling Champion, competing at the weight of 177 pounds (80 kilograms).[3] Lashley later joined the United States Army, where he continued to wrestle.[2][4]
My thoughts:
He’s only 31 years old, he’s a veteran, has a strong wrestling background….. I think this guy has serious potential and I really look forward to hm fighting.
Edit: confirmed by Meltzer (thanks to bma44)
http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/….asp?aID=21906