When Todd Duffee made his UFC debut in 2007, he stormed through the heavyweight division, racking up his first six wins by knockout. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he looked ready to dominate the 265-pound division.

However, at UFC 114, in a fight that he was winning, Duffee was suddenly knocked out by Mike Russow. Subsequently, Duffee was released from the organization. He then fought in lesser-known organizations until making his way back to the UFC in 2012.

Upon his return to the world’s largest mixed martial arts brand, Duffee (9-2) has demonstrated his potential for success by knocking out his last three opponents. In fact, aside from the two losses at the end of his first stint, the 29-year-old has knocked out every one of his foes.

He is in the process of working his way back up the division’s totem pole, and now he has the opportunity to face former world champion Frank Mir at UFC Fight Night 71.

All roads lead through Mir, as he is the heavyweight division’s No. 10 contender. Without a doubt, Mir represents the greatest challenge Duffee has faced in the UFC. Mir has conquered legends and world champions, such as Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), Mirko (Cro Cop) Filipovic, Brock Lesnar and Tim Sylvia.

However, at 36 years old, Mir is 1-4 in his last five fights, and he considered leaving the sport for good after his decision loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 169. According to Damon Martin of Fox Sports, Mir stated, “After the Alistair Overeem fight, I actually even had a meeting with Lorenzo (Fertitta) and told him I’m done. Let me look at doing broadcasting or what not.”

However, with his most recent knockout victory against Antonio Silva at UFC Fight Night 61, Mir has reinvigorated his career to a degree.

At the same time, on July 15, he’ll face a man who is coming off a three-fight winning streak and sports tremendous knockout power. Per Damon Martin of Fox Sports, Duffee stated:

It’s clear as day. I’m very dangerous. Everybody knows it, it’s no secret. It’s a dangerous fight for Frank Mir. I’m young, athletic, I finish people and he knows that. We’ve trained together, he knows that.

Toppling Mir will present Duffee with the opportunity to break into the division’s top 10 for the first time and cement himself among the UFC’s most prominent heavyweights.

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Follow this contributor @clintonbullock

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

When Todd Duffee made his UFC debut in 2007, he stormed through the heavyweight division, racking up his first six wins by knockout. He was a force to be reckoned with, and he looked ready to dominate the 265-pound division.

However, at UFC 114, in a fight that he was winning, Duffee was suddenly knocked out by Mike Russow. Subsequently, Duffee was released from the organization. He then fought in lesser-known organizations until making his way back to the UFC in 2012.

Upon his return to the world’s largest mixed martial arts brand, Duffee (9-2) has demonstrated his potential for success by knocking out his last three opponents. In fact, aside from the two losses at the end of his first stint, the 29-year-old has knocked out every one of his foes.

He is in the process of working his way back up the division’s totem pole, and now he has the opportunity to face former world champion Frank Mir at UFC Fight Night 71.

All roads lead through Mir, as he is the heavyweight division’s No. 10 contender. Without a doubt, Mir represents the greatest challenge Duffee has faced in the UFC. Mir has conquered legends and world champions, such as Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (twice), Mirko (Cro Cop) Filipovic, Brock Lesnar and Tim Sylvia.

However, at 36 years old, Mir is 1-4 in his last five fights, and he considered leaving the sport for good after his decision loss to Alistair Overeem at UFC 169. According to Damon Martin of Fox Sports, Mir stated, “After the Alistair Overeem fight, I actually even had a meeting with Lorenzo (Fertitta) and told him I’m done. Let me look at doing broadcasting or what not.”

However, with his most recent knockout victory against Antonio Silva at UFC Fight Night 61, Mir has reinvigorated his career to a degree.

At the same time, on July 15, he’ll face a man who is coming off a three-fight winning streak and sports tremendous knockout power. Per Damon Martin of Fox Sports, Duffee stated:

It’s clear as day. I’m very dangerous. Everybody knows it, it’s no secret. It’s a dangerous fight for Frank Mir. I’m young, athletic, I finish people and he knows that. We’ve trained together, he knows that.

Toppling Mir will present Duffee with the opportunity to break into the division’s top 10 for the first time and cement himself among the UFC’s most prominent heavyweights.

______________________

Follow this contributor @clintonbullock

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com