MMA News: Frank Mir Claims UFC Had Plans For Him To Face Brock Lesnar At Madison Square Garden
Legendary Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Frank Mir claims that the company had tentative plans in place for him to fight Brock Lesnar in a rematch.
During an interview with Fox Sports, Mir stated that when Lesnar was in talks to return to UFC, a third fight between him and Lesnar was talked about, with Madison Square Garden as the venue. Lesnar is considered to be the biggest draw in UFC history, a level that current fighters like Conor McGregor have yet to reach, in Mir’s mind.
“I was very disappointed in it because everybody talks right now about Conor McGregor, how big Conor McGregor is — I don’t think any of Conor McGregor’s pay-per-views have outsold what Brock Lesnar’s pay-per-views were up to this point. This past weekend might do so, but as of now every time Brock stepped into the arena, he’s a fan favorite. People just go nuts over the guy.”
Mir and Lesnar, as stated, have fought each other on two different occasions. During Lesnar’s debut at UFC 81, he lost to Mir in the first round via submission. Then, in their much-anticipated rematch at UFC 100, Mir lost to Lesnar via TKO in the second round.
To this day, UFC 100 remains the company’s most successful and watched event ever. With that in mind, Mir was excited at the idea of facing Lesnar for a third time and utilizing both of their name values for an event that could possibly rival the success of UFC 100.
“So knowing that I’d be able to fight him for a third time, I could catapult and feed off of that and bring a lot of attention. I know there was talk about Madison Square Garden was in the conversation so I knew a fight with Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir would be contingency to fight in that area. So all kind of opportunities would be opening up.”
A mega fight of that caliber at the World’s Most Famous Arena would have likely done tremendously successful numbers. But Lesnar ended up re-signing with WWE and announced he was done with MMA as a whole. Therefore, a third and decisive fight between Mir and Lesnar will likely never happen.
However, Mir still holds Lesnar in high regard for his ability both in the octagon and to attract a crowd and sell a pay-per-view, with his name alone.
“I think Brock Lesnar, because who he is outside of the UFC and mixed martial arts, he has a bigger name than (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira does. Still to this day because of the notoriety from pro wrestling fan base, Brock has the most attention.”
[Image via ArenaSportsNet]
