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Fox Sports: "Zach Arnold's Fight Opinion site is one of the best spots on the Web for thought-provoking MMA pieces."

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Frank Mir: I don’t see anyone on the #UFC HW roster who can beat Cain Velasquez

By Zach Arnold | June 15, 2011

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Josh Gross has an excellent radio interview with Frank Mir this week that you can listen to right here. Josh asked him a wide-array of questions and got some interesting answers in return.

On the concept that MMA is a niche sport and will remain so…

“I really don’t know. I think the one thing that we have a hard time with because of the individualists of the sport it makes it to where I think people have a harder time following a particular fighter because on any given day we only fight once or, you know, twice a year, even some of the Lightweights that stay very active fight three-to-four times a year so when you follow somebody on that level, they only fight every now and then. Whereas in some of the team sports, they have seasons. In baseball they have over 150 games a season. You know, football has 16 games a season not counting the playoffs, basketball, you know, they have an in-season type of thing where I think that kind of hold sports back like boxing and MMA from ever over-eclipse a sport like soccer or a sport like football.”

During the radio interview, Frank said that he had his knee scoped 8 weeks before the Roy Nelson fight and that the swelling in the knee didn’t go down as fast as he first thought it would.

What’s next in Frank’s UFC career after his win at UFC 130 over Roy Nelson…

“I think it keeps me right there in the talk about moving up. Strategically, though, I’m still one fight away if I want to be in a title fight. Obviously, dos Santos is fighting next for the title versus Velasquez and so, you know, hopefully I’ll be looking for one more fight before that. Maybe right now would be a good idea to try to fight (Shane) Carwin, you know, I’m coming off two wins in a row and he’s coming off two losses, I guess there’s a good argument for having a rematch where even though he won the first bout I’m the way up and he’s having a bit of a speed bump.

“Taking a off of couple weeks and get right back into training. Any time, you know, September would be a great time to get back in there. Really, honestly, if I could fight three times a year I think that would be best as far as staying active and not pushing yourself too much to where you’re not able to recover from injuries or any kind of training between fights.”

Frank also said that he would be interested in fighting either Fedor Emelianenko or Alistair Overeem once everything from Strikeforce gets folded up into UFC. (He compared the Strikeforce situation to that of what happened with the WEC.)

Frank’s thoughts on Brock Lesnar’s current predicament with his medical situation.

“Oh, I definitely do (feel sympathy for Brock). I mean, right now, what he’s going through is not having to do with us as competitors competing in the Octagon, you know, he’s a father, a husband, and he’s having health issues. I don’t wish that on anybody. I hope that he’s able to recover and provide a lifestyle for his family that they’re used to. That’s something that, you know, I have complete empathy for. I can’t imagine being in the same situation right now as far as, you know, being a father.”

Josh asked Frank about the spotlight turning brighter on the UFC in light of various media reports regarding FTC investigations into the company. Throw into the mix the recent legislative battles in New York and discussion about the rights of fighters in relation to how much money UFC is making.

“A lot of guys will try to argue that, you know, we deserve more of the money but I’m like, yeah, if you put your name on a marquee and rented out the Mandalay Bay, how many people would show up to watch you fight anybody else? How much money are you going to make? So, that’s kind of always been my argument is like, well, go off and do it yourself. If you think you’ll make more money outside of the UFC, then why are you fighting in the UFC? Are you just stupid or not smart to do this? Can’t figure it out? If I thought for whatever reason I could make 3 or 4 times more money fighting outside of the UFC, I mean I love the guys and they take care of me but I’d be a silly person for not trying to do so.

“It’s best for me. If other guys feel like it’s not, then that’s up to them as an individual to make that decision. But my family and I are pretty well-taken care of…”

Frank’s thoughts on an upcoming UFC Heavyweight title match between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez…

“I’m still not completely sold on dos Santos. (He hasn’t seen the UFC 131 fight between JDS/Carwin). I don’t know how well-rounded he is. Velasquez right now, though, I think is a hard match-up for everybody. I think he posses the one tool that is every heavyweight’s Achilles heel and that’s his cardio. It’s amazing that he has cardio on the same level as most Welterweights that are at the top of their cardio game. He’s shown to be extremely well-rounded as far as hands, takedowns. He threw Brock Lesnar around like a rag doll, I couldn’t believe it, I mean he out-struck him obviously but he picked him up and threw him down and I was blown away by that. Also, Brock with all that size and power couldn’t even hold him down once he had taken him down. So, right now, I’m pretty much if you tell me Cain Velasquez and anybody to name on the other end of that roster, I would bet on Cain Velasquez.”

How do you see the proposed fight between JDS & Velasquez playing out in the cage?

Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 13 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

13 Responses to “Frank Mir: I don’t see anyone on the #UFC HW roster who can beat Cain Velasquez”

  1. The Gaijin says:

    “A lot of guys will try to argue that, you know, we deserve more of the money but I’m like, yeah, if you put your name on a marquee and rented out the Mandalay Bay, how many people would show up to watch you fight anybody else? How much money are you going to make? So, that’s kind of always been my argument is like, well, go off and do it yourself. If you think you’ll make more money outside of the UFC, then why are you fighting in the UFC?”

    Really Frank? LOL…

    • Light23 says:

      It’s actually a good argument. There’s a reason the UFC takes as big a share as they do. It’s Zuffa and their business machine that enables fighters to sell PPVs. Other fight promotions have a hard time just breaking even.

      Yes, they still need guys like Jon Jones, GSP, and Lesnar to make money. That’s why these guys are so well compensated. Still, these guys are where they are because of the UFC.

      People also massively overestimate the profit Zuffa make, as if they get 100% of PPV revenue, have negligent operating expenses, and can put on shows for next to nothing.

      • The Gaijin says:

        I was laughing because people have tried, people who might have actually made a go on their own ppv, e.g. Randy Couture, and were tied up in court for so long they gave up.

        I was LOL’ing b/c Mir’s comment is weaker than a wet paper bag. Any of the guys that would be capable of trying to headline their own ppv like GSP or Lesnar, would be sued to kingdom come if they even thought of trying it, and guys who are the best and champs are tied into “champion’s clauses” preventing them from leaving to even attept it so it rings pretty hollow to me.

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  3. edub says:

    Good interview. Frank is always entertaining to listen too. It’s always gonna be detailed and thoughtout, just sometimes goes a little off the deep end (which i think makes it more entertaining). I thought this one was pretty intelligent for the most part. Thought it was funny that he commented on Junior’s skill set without seeing his most recent performance though.

    I got Cain against pretty much the entire world at the moment, so gotta go with him right now.

    Ed. — Frank’s on vacation right now which is why he didn’t see the UFC 131 fight.

  4. Chuck says:

    Snowden’s piece was spot on, especially about the whole “Giant heavyweights are going to dominate!!!” phenomena, which is pretty much dead in the water. Most of the best heavyweights are going to be faster and better technique-wise. Yeah Cain Velazquez is pretty big, but he is damn good anyway. Same for Antonio Silva (he might be too slow and plodding to be able to beat guys like Dos Santos). Even though Snowden’s example of Kevin Randleman is a little sketchy, considering that he won the UFC heavyweight title during its “dark ages” and he lost the title in his first title defense.

    As most of us know already, bigger doesn’t always mean better…

  5. Kelvin Hunt says:

    “How do you see the proposed fight between JDS & Velasquez playing out in the cage?”

    The biggest thing will be the time Velasquez has been out of action…How will that affect him? I think JDS has the skillset to give Cain problems. He can match him speed wise and has good power. He’s shown that he can pop right back up when taken down. Can Cain take him down and keep him there?

    I think Cain puts combinations better using his hands and kicks. It will be a five round title fight, obviously if the longer the fight goes the better for Velasquez with his superior cardio.

    I give JDS about a 45% chance of beating Cain coming off the long layoff and this will be the best heavyweight showdown since Fedor/Cro Cop IMO.

  6. 45 Huddle says:

    1) Giant Heavyweights have never really dominated the division, which is why all of this talk of a Cruiserweight Division was always so funny. For years the division has been ruled by oversized Light Heavyweights (by today’s standard). Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Fedor Emelianenko, and even Antonio Noguiera who has the body frame of a LHW.

    Now we are seeing actual legit Heavyweights ruling like Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. Both would have a hard time making LHW and probably couldn’t. Guys who walk around at 265 or around there are actually too big to contender in the division and it’s more of a hinderance then anything else.

    2) I actually agree with Frank Mir. The UFC is what sells. Not the fighters. It’s no different then the New York Yankee name selling in baseball. It’s always different athletes, but it’s the tradition and expectations of a standard of athlete that brings the fans back time and time again.

    But I do think Frank is doing a little bit of kissing up there too.

    3) If Cain Velasquez beats Junior Dos Santos, I really don’t see anybody who can beat him at Heavyweight. I know he would only be 2 title fights in, but there really isn’t anybody who is as good as him. His biggest threat would really be Jon Jones.

    4) Frank is spot on about team sports. People cheer for the teams not the athletes. Individual sports just cannot compete with that on a grand scale over a long period of time.

    3)

    • The Gaijin says:

      “3) If Cain Velasquez beats Junior Dos Santos, I really don’t see anybody who can beat him at Heavyweight. I know he would only be 2 title fights in, but there really isn’t anybody who is as good as him. His biggest threat would really be Jon Jones.”

      I’ll wait on that proclamation until after the SF tourney. IF, and it’s a big IF, Overeem shows that he can back up the ridiculous hype and wins this tournament in convincing fashion, I would like to see him against Cain.

      Overeem would have beaten Rogers, Werdum, Bigfoot and Josh/Sergei. I think ringing off those wins would back-up the hype and make for an interesting champ vs. champ match-up and he’ll have went thru pretty much every different style of fighter to get there (brawler, BJJ ace, MT/BJJ/Grappler, wrestler/boxer-sambo).

      • edub says:

        No question about it, if Overeem wins the tourney a SF/UFC title fight must be made. He will have defeated a top 5, top 10, and a guy who will be close(if not also in) the top 10 in the final.

        Diaz IMO was undeserving of a title vs. title match up where SF champs are concerned. He is evenly ranked with Jacare, but MW is a notoriously weaker division than WW. Henderson I hope to god doesn’t get a champ vs. champ fight.

        But the winner of the GP will be more qualified than anybody else in the UFC.

  7. […] Frank Mir on Josh Gross’ podcast (via Fight Opinion) sharing his thoughts on Junior dos Santos and Cain […]

  8. Zack says:

    The mighty Zach Arnold got a shout out in this interesting piece:

    http://unlimitedfightnews.com/wordpress/?p=14858

    • The Gaijin says:

      FWIW, keep in mind that Mr. Bergeron has a long history with Zuffa and Xyience, including a $25-million lawsuit in Nevada court.

      Not saying that anything he is saying is without merit, the guy clearly does his homework. But he is not without his own agenda/bias (which I don’t believe he would deny himself) with respect to their business practices and dealings.

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