Breakdown UFC 92: Frank Mir vs. Rodrigo Nogueira

It is time for the meat and potatoes of The Ultimate 2008.  The final three fights left in MMAOpinion’s Breakdown UFC 92 are the ones that people can’t wait for.  This time around we will take a look at the Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira battle.  This one has a bit of a back story.  Turns out this season of TUF contained more than the Junie Browning jungle, there was actually coaches.  Mir and Nog battled on the show and now they will finally meet in the cage.

Frank Mir is slowly becoming one of the most seen faces of the UFC.  He seems to do it all.  He broadcasts, does radio, and still finds the time to fight in cages.  This well rounded fighter almost seen the door shut to his UFC career in 2004 when he was in a horrific motorcycle accident.  4 years later he is back to the promise land and will have a chance to become the champion in the UFC’s mini tournament for the heavy weight title.  Overall Mir is 11-3.  Mir Jitsu is gaining strength and a submission victory over Nog would be huge for the submission artist.  If Mir is to win this fight he will need to get the fight on the ground as fast as possible.  On the show it was said that Nog has very basic jits skills.  If that is true it could be a short night for former Pride superstar.

Big Nog is one of the most storied fighters from Pride.  Unlike Mir he has a fighting resume that is rare to find.  He owns victories over stars such as Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Cro Cop, Rocco Rodriguez, Dan Henderson, Bob Sapp, Mark Coleman, and fought Fedor to a no contest.  He is considered to be one of the best heavy weight fighters in history.  Nog tried to bring a family type of feel to his team on TUF.  It is a testament to his camp.  It is also his camp that helps him with a very well rounded game.  He is known to have a chin that can barely be broken.  He recovers instantly and has no problem taking a punch.  He was treading on very dangerous territory in his fight against Heath Herring, but Herring’s failure to finish let Nog recover and push for the win.  In this fight Nog should try to keep it standing.  His stand up and striking is no question better than Mir’s.  However if he leaves any limb free Mir can capitalize and finish him.

This fight will be one of styles.  Mir has some of the best jits in the world, and Nog has one of the best complete games around.  Most fights hit the ground and when this one does it will either because of a Nog strike or a Mir take down.  At that point it will be a battle of advanced jits versus basic jits.  On the show several of the fighters said that Nog has very basic jits.  Once this one hits the ground we will find out for sure.  In terms of a prediction, I don’t see Mir being able to win this fight.  He will have to get in the proper position and when you punch a jits guy in the face he loses a belt.  Although Mir has some of the best in the world, I don’t see him getting in the position to use it.  I am taking Nog by referee stoppage.