INDIANAPOLIS – Frank Mir walked into the UFC 119 post-fight press conference and sat down, leaning back in his chair. His body language told the story of dejection, an emotion at odds with the truth of what had just happened.
Rebounding into the win column six months after his interim title fight loss to Shane Carwin, Mir knocked out PRIDE legend Mirko Cro Cop late in the third round of their main event fight before 15,811 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Despite the win, Mir voiced disappointment at his performance.
“No disrespect, it was a pretty s—– performance as far as I wanted to push the pace more,” Mir said. “While he’s swinging punches at you, it’s not as easy. He caught my attention with his velocity. He did some different things. Exiting out to my left threw me. As far as striking, I could have gotten more busy. And pushing him against the cage, I drilled so much but I made mistakes that I wasn’t making like lifting my arm up and exposing my ribcage. I think I had too much time to think and I had to clear my mind. But then again, without a single takedown, I was able to stand up with Mirko for two and a half rounds and win by KO.”