Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Brock Lesnar was already a massive star leading into UFC 100 way back in July 2009, but his continued rivalry with Frank Mir only helped to grow his MMA legend.
A year prior, Mir has quickly submitted the wrestler with a tricky kneebar from his back. The former and future WWE Superstar would quickly rebound with a pair of wins over Heath Herring and Randy Couture to capture UFC gold, but Mir picked up an interim title by knocking out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the same period. Just like that, the rematch was lined up and set atop the marquee UFC 100 event.
The fight itself was one-sided. Though Mir survived into the second, he had no real answer for Lesnar’s wrestling, incredible strength, and paint can-sized fists. Lesnar grounded Mir in both rounds and smashed his face bloody for one of the more iconic moments in UFC history.
The fight can be viewed in the above video player in full. Given we’re still two weeks away from the next UFC event, the timing is perfect for a throwback title clash! Really, the only bummer about this video is that Lesnar’s legendary post-fight interview — which featured him butt horseshoes, light beer preferences, and risqué evening plans — has been cut off.
At any rate, 2009 was an awful long time ago. Brock Lesnar hasn’t competed since 2016 and returned to professional wrestling. Frank Mir hasn’t fought since 2019, but he did recently sign with the retirement home known as Global Fight League and could be competing again in 2025.
Just for fun: where would you rank a PRIME Brock Lesnar in the modern Heavyweight standings?
Insomnia
Wrestling sharks feels like a better way to prepare for Khamzat than Strickland.
In Sam Sheridan’s 2010 book A Fighter’s Mind — an excellent read for any fight fan and/or athlete — there’s a section that discusses relief being the most common reaction to a loss.
Lightweight banger alert!
One wonders how many of those pounds are straight belly.
Doo Ho Choi vs. Bryce Mitchell is definitely the fight to make.
Wild stuff happening over in the world of slap.
Slips, rips, and KO clips
This knockout almost looks fake, but it would take a Hollywood A-lister to pull off the knee collapsing on itself quite like that.
Cung Le is one of those guys who doesn’t get much love nowadays, but the Sanshou fighter was definitely a special athlete during his peak.
Remember how long it took France to legalize MMA? Think about that while watching the below clip.
Random Land
Winter photography.
Midnight Music: Indie, 2024
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
