Brock Lesnar finally makes his Octagon debut Saturday night against former heavyweight champion and UFC poster boy Frank Mir.
This is one of the more anticipated fight in recent memory. After dominating wrestling from the prep level through college and even in the WWE, Lesnar will be trying his hand at MMA at the highest level. He is 1-0 with his only MMA win coming against a sub-par opponent that he dominated.
He is big, fast and incredibly strong. He has desire and is training in Minnesota with the same camp as former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk. He has an impeccable amateur wrestling background. He was even the early betting favorite.
But is that enough?
Well, it shouldn’t be. His fight with Mir should be a baptism by fire.
Frank Mir was once considered a rising star and one of the best heavyweights in the world. He has knockout power combined with world-class Jiu-itsu.
He is 10-3 with impressive wins over some quality opponents. But he is 2-2 in his last four matches.
But what if Lesnar wins?
If he wins impressively or not and with his marketability, he puts himself on the fast-track to a title shot. His next fights would only become harder as he sheds his persona as a WWE wrestler and becomes a legitimate contender.
If Mir loses or does not win impressively, he takes on the burden of being the guy that lost to a professional wrestler. He might go back to fighting on untelevised matches.
In Japan, many athletes compete in professional wrestling and combat sports. But as we have seen recently, athletes that have tried their hand at MMA without much experience or training have been dealt with quickly.
So for Mir’s sake, end this fight quickly and decisively.
So for Lesnar’s sake. Pull off this victory and the sky is the limit.
My pick. Frank Mir by submission. Lesnar will be able to get the fight to the ground. But amateur wrestling and MMA grappling are different. Frank Mir is incredibly dangerous from his back and his Jiu-Jitsu will shine through.
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casey.meinberg@news-jrnl.com
Keep me posted on any locals competing in MMA and any combat sport. Also check out the Armory of Daytona for professional-style training run by MMA veteran Rich Crunkilton Jr. And the Code 3 Fight Club for training and MMA news.
Hey Casey. I did not know you were blogging about UFC. I think that's great.
I was not shocked Lesnar lost, but I thik this will only make him even more determined to rise in the ranks. We'll see.
Or he might just say, "I don't care." (The immortal words of Mr. Krueger) Seinfeld season 9 DVD is awesome.
David