UFC 119 Preview: Frank Mir Vs. Mirko Filipovic

In what was supposed to be a rematch of the surprisingly one-sided beating Frank Mir put upon Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira, the main event has now transformed as Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic steps in for an injured Nogueira on short notice. Mir is coming off a 1^st round TKO loss to Shane Carwin at UFC 111 as well as the psychological ramifications of an unsuccessful weight gain to the Heavyweight maximum of 265 lbs. and an equally ineffective weight cut to Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.). Conversely Crocop, the 2006 PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix Champion, is on a two-fight winning streak with a "Submission of the Night" choke out of Pat Barry and a TKO stoppage of Anthony Perosh after having some initial trouble adjusting from the ring to the cage. While this fight doesn't have any immediate title implications, the loser of contest will assuredly be out of the championship picture for quite some time.

One of the bigger stories going in to the fight is the condition of Mirko Crocop, specifically his right eye. Rumors swirled recently about Crocop having to pull out of the fight due to a severe eye injury. While those rumors were quickly quelled, Dana White and the UFC were forced to admit that Crocop had indeed suffered an injury to his eye, but had been cleared by doctors to fight. The unfortunate thing is his right eye just happens to be on the southpaw Mir's power hand side; a left hook or a left head-kick could go unseen by Crocop's damaged eye and swiftly end the fight.

Besides the eye injury, Crocop hasn't been facing the cream of the UFC crop in his latest outings. While Pat Barry is a solid UFC prospect, he doesn't present many problems for a top-level UFC Heavyweight. It's the exact same thing with Anthony Perosh who was a local last-minute replacement for Ben Rothwell at UFC 110 in Australia. More important than that is Crocop's mentality going into the fight. Many have commented that Crocop has lost his desire to fight and some of his latest quotes lend credence to that line of thought.

To be completely honest, the money was pretty decent and I can assure you that no one would decline that offer.

I will try to do my best, more as routine fight, and if the fight goes to the 3rd round it will be handicap for me. But you know, that's life and nothing is ideal. I will take all responsibility but I just wanted to clarify the reasons why I accepted the fight.

I am ready to take the risk but I can say you this, all the money in the world is not worth getting my eye injured but at this point there is no chance in hell to back up.

Frank Mir is going to be my toughest fight in my UFC career (great fighter). It won't be easy. It would be easier for me if I had time to do a full preparation cycle but at the end of the day that's my problem. I accepted the fight under these conditions.

Again I have to be honest, when you have 70 fights under your belt your priorities change. There is a fear of injuries but I assure I will give my best. I will most certainly go for a win but I think I did a lot just by accepting this fight. That's my opinion.

Unfortunately for Mir, t he narrative for this fight is focused on his opponent's injuries; a position Mir knows all too well. He was the first man in history to stop Minotauro Nogueira and that momentous occasion is all but diminished thanks to Nogueira's bout with a staph infection. He also is the only man to defeat UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, tapping him with a kneebar in 90 seconds and that win has also been diminished. This has caused frustration in Mir as he sees another one of his potential wins with an asterisk next to it.

Before Mir lost to Shane Carwin, he destroyed Cheick Kongo in 72 seconds, first dropping him with a punch and then choking him out with a modified guillotine. When it comes to a Frank Mir fight, you never know which Frank Mir you will get. Will it be the striking dynamo who schooled Nogueira on the feet with the wicked Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to tap UFC Heavyweight champions Brock Lesnar and Tim Sylvia off his back? Or will you get the Frank Mir who was outstruck by Marcio Cruz or taken down at will by Brock Lesnar? It all depends on Mir's mindset, at his apex he is one of the most cerebral fighters in the game; however he is known to have mental breaks, especially when the pressure is put on him.

In terms of analysis, this fight has too many variables to make a secure prognostication and the biggest variable is the 3 pounds of gray matter in between both fighters' ears. The fighter who can effectively put pressure on his opponent should be the victory. Has Mirko Crocop's once elite takedown defense deteriorated to the point where Mir could take him down? Are the recent fluctuations in weight a sign of an erratic Frank Mir? How much of a factor will the eye injury play in the contest? If I were a betting man, and I am, I would put my money on Mir based strongly on the eye injury and the belief that Crocop's once preeminent skill-set isn't up to snuff for the UFC's new Heavyweight division.

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SBN coverage of UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop