FRANK MIR

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

RIGHT/LEFT GUARDED HOOK

Level 2—Both Standing, Striking Range

Mir famously dropped Antonio Nogueira with his surprisingly improved boxing back at UFC 92. Use these excellent technique strikes to land hard shots on the opponent during the stand-up exchange.

DIRECT CATCH TO KNEEBAR

Level 3—Open Guard, Top

Mir has nasty leg locks, including a powerful kneebar that’s available in Open Guard or Half Guard. He can switch this into an equally dangerous toe-hold submission if the kneebar isn’t going to work.

DIRECT CATCH TO TRIANGLE CHOKE

Level 2—Open Guard Clinch, Bottom

Mir can work for dangerous submissions off his back as well, including this tight triangle. Look to switch this into an even tighter armbar if the opponent is about to slip free.

STRENGTHS

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt

• Boxing

• Champion experience

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is a dangerous jiu-jitsu black belt with incredible strength and elite-level skills on the ground with his dominant grappling and submission games.

Mir has also worked at developing his boxing technique over the course of his long career with the UFC.

Use his powerful and technical boxing skill to draw the opponent into the striking battle, then duck under with a powerful takedown to bring the fight into his world.

Mir is a very strong submission grappler with excellent control and subs on the ground—his excellent leg locks are his go-to subs because they’re available from the easy-to-reach Open Guard and Half Guard positions.

He’s also excellent at fighting off of his back—if his standing takedowns aren’t working, try clinching with the opponent and pulling him into Open Guard instead.

Bring the fight to the ground in this fashion to set up Mir’s dangerous triangles and kimuras from the bottom.

WEAKNESSES

• Speed

• Cardio

• Clinch game

Mir is a terror to roll with on the ground, so don’t fight him in his element. Remain elusive on the feet and outstrike him with superior speed and timing.

He has heavy hands and can throw some powerful and technical hooks, so don’t get caught exchanging with him for long.

Keep your distance and pick him apart with long, fast strikes and counters, and remain ready to defend against his takedowns at all times.

Mir’s clinch game has given him trouble in the past, but the closeness of the position makes it risky to employ against him for all but the most skilled dirty boxers and Muay Thai specialists.

Avoid the clinch if that’s not you, because he’s good at pulling guard and bringing you into his dangerous submission grappling game even from neutral clinch positions such as the Single Collar Tie.

Keep the fight on the feet and work Mir over in the stand-up battle with superior striking speed and footwork.