UFC 164 Picks Up Battle of Former UFC Champions: Frank Mir vs. Josh Barnett

The UFC continues to work toward filling out the August 31 UFC 164 fight card. On Wednesday evening the promotion announced that the event picked up a heavyweight bout between two former UFC champions, as Frank Mir will meet Josh Barnett:Mir (16-7) is …

The UFC continues to work toward filling out the August 31 UFC 164 fight card. On Wednesday evening the promotion announced that the event picked up a heavyweight bout between two former UFC champions, as Frank Mir will meet Josh Barnett:

Mir (16-7) is on a two-fight losing streak, dropping bouts to Junior dos Santos and Daniel Cormier. Prior to those two consecutive losses Mir had won three straight defeating Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop.

Barnett (32-6) is 9-1 in his last 10 fights. Barnett’s only loss during that run was a unanimous decision defeat to Cormier in the final of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix. 

Barnett became a free agent after defeating Nandor Guelmino on the final Strikeforce card in January of this year. Barnett shopped his services around before deciding to re-sign with the UFC.

Barnett was 4-1 during his first stint with the UFC. He defeated Randy Couture for the heavyweight title at UFC 36, earning a second-round TKO victory. Barnett was stripped of that title after testing positive for banned substances.  

After leaving the UFC Barnett spent most of his time fighting in Japan before signing with Strikeforce for the Grand Prix Tournament.

UFC will take place at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Three other fights have been booked for the event at this point including a featherweight bout between Clay Guida and Chad Mendes.

The fight card will coincide with the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which is headquartered in Milwaukee.

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