Frank Mir Disappointed by Performance, but Happy to Win at UFC 119

Filed under: UFC, NewsINDIANAPOLIS – 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.

Re…

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Frank MirINDIANAPOLIS – 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.”

UFC 119: Live Results and Commentary

(Well, now I’m going to have nightmares. That’s great. Thanks for nothing, Joe Rogan. PicProps: UFC.com)Look, we’ve been trying to think of a good way to tell you this. In the end, maybe it’s best if we just come right out and s…


(Well, now I’m going to have nightmares. That’s great. Thanks for nothing, Joe Rogan. PicProps: UFC.com)

Look, we’ve been trying to think of a good way to tell you this. In the end, maybe it’s best if we just come right out and say it: UFC 119 isn’t a great PPV card. Your main event features two guys just trying to cling to life in the heavyweight division, while the rest of the card is kind of … meh. Not saying it’s terrible, but if you wanted to save your money for, say, UFC 121 and just follow the live blog for this baby, we’d understand. We got you, player. That’s what we’re here for. And if you’re some big swinging dick who has money out the yaz (even in these tough economic times) and you’re ordering the thing, but for some reason still feel compelled to follow along online – maybe as a respite from how empty and shallow your life really is, maybe just to toss out sweet zingers in the comments section — that’s fine too. We don’t discriminate. Except against fat people. And the old.

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Ryan Bader: Once Big Nog’s ‘Golden Boy,’ Now Little Nog’s Enemy

Filed under: UFCINDIANAPOLIS — Just over two years ago, Ryan Bader walked into a Las Vegas gym with a dream to fight in the UFC. He was a blue-chip prospect, a two-time collegiate All-American wrestler who’d steamrolled his way to an unbeaten 7-0 reco…

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INDIANAPOLIS — Just over two years ago, Ryan Bader walked into a Las Vegas gym with a dream to fight in the UFC. He was a blue-chip prospect, a two-time collegiate All-American wrestler who’d steamrolled his way to an unbeaten 7-0 record.

Bader made the cut for The Ultimate Fighter, where he quickly impressed everyone, but perhaps none more than season eight coach Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. In fact, Nogueira thought so highly of Bader that he immediately earmarked him for his first pick in the draft.

“I remember we were in the octagon, me, Frank Mir and Dana White, the first day we pick the guys,” Nogueira recalled. “They were training, light sparring and we were watching before we picked them. I saw him shoot the double leg, it was so good. And he had fast hands. He was my first pick. I said, ‘That’s my golden boy.'”

UFC 119: By the Odds

Filed under: UFCOkay, so there’s no title on the line at UFC 119 in Indianapolis this weekend. There’s probably not even anyone who will emerge as a No. 1 contender in their division as a result of a win on Saturday night, at least not unless another m…

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Okay, so there’s no title on the line at UFC 119 in Indianapolis this weekend. There’s probably not even anyone who will emerge as a No. 1 contender in their division as a result of a win on Saturday night, at least not unless another major injury bug clears the path.

So where does that leave us? As far as the main event, we’re in ‘just for fun’ territory. Two former heavyweight greats with uncertain futures square off in a fight that is not terribly meaningful for the state of the division, but is still pretty interesting.

Is that worth your pay-per-view dollar? Depends on your perspective and your amount of disposable income. But if you’re on the fence about it, let me just remind you that Matt Serra and Chris Lytle are also on the card, and Serra didn’t bring a pair of big sunglasses to Indy with him for nothing.

Now let’s take a look at the betting odds for Saturday’s fights and make some hasty, financially ruinous decisions, shall we?

Wanderlei Silva Tells Chael Sonnen to Watch His Mouth When Talking About Brazil

(Video courtesy YouTube/WandFightTeam)
*Editor’s note: Turn down your volume before pressing play or Burt Watson will scare the shit out of you. If you’ve never watched any of the episodes from Wanderlei Silva’s video blog series, you’re missing …

(Video courtesy YouTube/WandFightTeam)

*Editor’s note: Turn down your volume before pressing play or Burt Watson will scare the shit out of you.

If you’ve never watched any of the episodes from Wanderlei Silva’s video blog series, you’re missing out. It gives a rare and uncut glimpse into Wand’s life and his thoughts on the sport and his career.

The latest one takes place during the pre-fight media blitz ahead of Ultimate Fight Night 22 in Texas last week, but the best part is something that happened behind the scenes during a limo ride from one event to another. At around the 3:53 mark the usually quiet and cordial in person "The Axe Murderer" confronts Chael Sonnen about his recent bashing of Brazilian MMA luminaries Antonio Rogerio and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira when he said that earning a black belt from the two is like getting a Happy Meal toy from MacDonald’s.

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Older Brother, Former Coach Couldn’t Tell ‘Lil’ Nog’ Much About Ryan Bader

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, Videos

MMA Fighting spoke to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira about his upcoming UFC 119 fight against Ryan Bader, his last fight against Jason Brilz and the health of his twin brother, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

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MMA Fighting spoke to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira about his upcoming UFC 119 fight against Ryan Bader, his last fight against Jason Brilz and the health of his twin brother, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.