On February 2, 2008, a rivalry was born. Despite plenty of jokes and criticism, former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar made his UFC debut against former heavyweight champion Frank Mir.
The jokes were short lived as Lesnar came within seconds of a first round stoppage.
After a few “illegal” ground strikes, referee Steve Mazzagatti deducted a point from Lesnar and saved Mir from drifting into unconsciousness.
The reset gave Mir just the time he needed to regain his composure and pull off a kneebar to avoid the upset.
The two met again in the main event of the celebrated UFC 100 card, but it was a much different fight the second time around. Fans no longer saw Lesnar as an MMA circus act.
After defeating UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture for the heavyweight title, Lesnar had emerged as arguably the best heavyweight in the world, and he didn’t hold back in his violent demonstration to Mir.
Once again, both fighters find themselves in a position where it would be plausible for paths to cross. Mir is in need of a top five opponent to continue his heavyweight ascension, and Lesnar will be looking for upper-echelon opposition in his return from an extended hiatus.
Time is the primary hurdle in this bout coming to fruition. Lesnar was recently diagnosed with his second case of diverticulitis and is expected to be sidelined until early 2012.
Will Mir wait around for a possible rubber match with Lesnar, or will he chance his status as a heavyweight contender against a UFC up and comer?
Here are five reasons the rubber match between Mir and Lesnar makes the most sense.