Former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir says he has nothing to prove in his second bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira, but his words on today’s UFC 140 media conference call paints quite a different picture.
Mir was asked by Damon Martin of MMAWeekly.com if he was surprised that this rematch was made after such a clear cut victory in the first one.
“Obviously the first fight was not so clear cut based on a lot of words, circumstances so I do feel that due to injuries or what not that there is some unfinished business.” Mir stated in a recent blog on Sportsnet.ca that he has nothing to prove in this second meeting with Nogueira but did admit he was bothered by all the post-fight injury talk and had his own perspective about revealing injuries after a fight.
“It did bother me yes, I mean if the injury affects the outcome sure, like if you are asked why you didn’t use your boxing much and you say you have a broken hand, well that’s legit. But anytime a guy explains poor performance with injuries and doesn’t acknowledge I lost because the guy in front of you beat you, I feel it’s disrespectful”
Mir is the longest serving heavyweight in the UFC, has the most victories in the UFC of any heavyweight at 13, and has held the title twice. He was asked if he sees himself right in the title mix in 2012?
“I think so, if i get a win in this fight I will be on a three fight winning streak so I don’t see why not.
It has been over two years since he fought Nogueira and many wonder how each fighter has evolved in that time and if there has been a significant change in Big Nog’s style in that time.
“After so many fights, I don’t really see much of a style drift in him, it’s pretty much locked in. The big difference I see may be in his confidence coming off his last win in Brazil. Sometimes it’s confidence that is the difference between executing a technique.”
In all of his years in mixed martial arts, Mir has never fought for the fans in Canada and was asked about that.
“I’ve been up there many times before with appearances and etc., and it’s amazing. We think we get pretty good recognition and support here in the States but it increases dramatically the minute we cross the border.”
Frank Mir faces Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 on December 10th from the Air Canada Center in Toronto.
For a full fight by fight preview of the card click here!
Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.
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