MMAFrenzy.com Exclusive: Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo
Frank Mir will likely face Cheick Kongo at a UFC event later this year according to a source close to one of the fighters. No specific date has been determined though UFC 78 in November and UFC 79 in December remain very open cards.
Mir is 10-3 in MMA and is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. After just two fights outside of the organization Mir made his UFC debut in 2001 defeating Roberto Traven. He then went 4-1 in his next 5 bouts in the octagon and earned the chance to face Tim Sylvia for the vacant Heavyweight Championship. The bout was stopped after just :50 seconds after Sylvia suffered a broken arm giving Mir the heavyweight title.
Before he could defend the title Mir was in a major motorcycle accident which fractured his leg and required major surgery. After more than a year and a half off Mir returned to the UFC but lost the return bout to Marcio Cruz. He won his next bout against Dan Christison but was handed another setback when he was defeated by Brandon Vera late last year.
Mir looked impressive in his last UFC fight defeating Antoni Hardonk by kimura just over a minute into the first round at UFC 74.
Kongo is 11-3 and is coming off the biggest win of his career. After opening his UFC career with wins over Gilbert Aldana and Christian Wellish Kongo was defeated by Carmelo Marrero at UFC 64. He returned to defeated Assuerio Silva at UFC 70 to earn a chance to face Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 75 in his biggest fight to date. Several illegal knees aside, Kongo showed improvement over his previous fights in a unanimous decision upset win over “Cro Cop”.
Tags: Cheick Kongo, Frank Mir
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What the heck?
I thought I just read somewhere that Frank Mir was going to fight Big Nog???
What’s the deal here?
It all started when TAGG Radio reported Mir would be facing Nog. I haven’t listened to the audio to know their source on what they reported but our source is very close to one of the fighters involved. Nothing has been signed yet but a fight between the two is likely to happen.
Can we please have MIR go away. This guy is a washed up has been. I would rather see Kongo and Arlovski. Some with some talent. MIR is a waste.
I think he still has a lot of potential. He is only 28 years old and his last win was impressive. His opponent may not have been top tier but nobody who fights in the UFC is a push over. He won in just over a minute which is impressive in the UFC no matter who your opponent is. I think they need to slowly increase his competition but this is a huge step in the right direction for him I think. It’s an interesting fight and should really test Kongo on the ground.
Kris, I agree with your assessment of Frank Mir. A win over Kongo would be great for Mir. I think Mir will beat Kongo, if the rumor is true. All Mir has to do is take the fight to the ground and the match is pretty much over. Kongo’s ground game needs some more work. Mir by submission in the first round.
Nog vs. Mir doesn’t make much sense anyway.
I’ll go with your source.
I think people would tune into wither fight, whether Mir is fighting Nog or Mir. I agree Accomando that a Mir vs. kongo does semm more logical. I was not impressed with Nog’s performance against Herring, so I think Mir had a good chance of pulling off an upset. Either way, I am a huge Mir fan and I am glad to see him fighting top opponents again.
Sorry for the typo I meant to say either fight.
Come on Red! Since when did spelling matter in comments
I think it’s a great fight for Mir to reestablish himself as a top tier heavyweight. It’s also a great fight for Kongo. If he can beat someone with Mir’s submission skills, it gives him more cred for a title shot. I hope your tip is right.
Hey thanks Kris. I appreciate knowing that spelling doesn’t count:) Joe, Kris is definately correct about this tip. This fight does make sense, since Kongo has called out Mir before. After Kongo defeated Christain Wellisch (sorry I spelled his name wrong); Joe Rogan in the post fight interview asked Kongo, what is next for you or who would you like to fight next and Kongo replied “Frank Mir”.
I am sure the call out is part of the equation but Mir matches up very well with Kongo (much better than with Nog) and that also plays into them wanting this fight. Nog is inline for a title shot or one fight away at the most but Mir and Kongo aren’t close yet so this fight could boost their stock and basically speed up how quick they could fight for the title, especially in the case of Mir.
You’re right Kris. We all know that if Mir is fighting Kongo or Nog; he will come into the fight in the best shape of his life. We should see thr best Mir ever, if either fight happens. A victory over Kongo or Nog will catapult him in the rankings and Mir will be taken more seriously by everyone in MMA.
i like both fighters but congo is my fav fighter so i would kongo to fight mir it would test kongo on his new but not that much improved ground game
I am glad Mir is climbing back up the ladder. I am a little confused as to how they (the UFC,or Nevada Athletic Commision) denied Mir a chance to fight Sylvia, saying he wasn’t tallented enough, yet he can face Kongo who is a much faster, and maybe a more challenging fight for Mir. I hope if Mir wins he is granted a fight with Sylvia so he can break his other arm.
P.S. Welcome back Kris, we missed you.
this would be a great fight 4 kongo
I think although Frank deserves a shot at Cheick, Cheick will prove to be to strong in all areas, Cheick is at the top of his game and in my opinion has got what it takes to go all the way. like Tim said at the beginning of this debate Kongo and Arlovski would be a great fight.
I would like to see either Mir or Kongo fight Tim Sylvia. I am pretty sure Tim won’t be able to keep up with the talent in the Heavyweight division anymore. He was considered a great heavyweight because the division was very lacking in talent. I also think (it has happened before) he might try steroids to up his game. If he racks up a couple of more loses, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Milititch take him over to the IFL. I think someone like Sylvia would do very well over there and help the company grow a little into a better sports league. I predict he looses his next 2 fights, and pops up at Elite XC, IFL, or K1. I don’t see many fighters joining Bodog.
I think a Sylvia vs. Kongo fight sounds good SCOTCYDOW. I think that will happen if Sylvia loses to Vera, but it can also happen if Sylvia beats Vera, too. That is a fight I see happening in the future.
I, also think if Sylvia loses; he might fight Cro Cop next. Only time will tell.
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