Frank Mir
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion with most submission wins in division history.
via Wikipedia: Frank Mir · see source
Frank Mir, born Francisco Santos Miranda III, was a heavyweight fighter in the UFC from the early 2000s through the 2010s, ending his pro career with Bellator MMA in 2019. As a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, he still has the most submission wins in the division’s history. He also made history as the first person to both knock out and submit Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Francisco Santos Miranda III
- Born
- 24 May 1979
- Birthplace
- Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
- Height
- 6 ft 3 in / 1.91 m
- Reach
- 79 in / 2.01 m
- Stance
- Southpaw
- Team
- Syndicate MMA
- Trainer
- John Wood
- Carl Prince
- Robert Drysdale
Facts from the source article.
Background
Frank Mir grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, where his parents ran an American Kenpo school. He started training there as a child and earned his black belt as a teenager. His father pushed him to take up wrestling, arguing it would teach him how to avoid submissions. Mir joined the Bonanza High School wrestling team in his junior year, losing his first nine matches. The following year, his senior season in 1998, he went 44–1 and captured the state championship. He also played fullback and defensive end for the school's football team, which advanced to the Southern Zone semifinals in 1997. In track and field, his discus throw of 177 feet remains a Sunset Regional record.
Career
Mir met UFC matchmaker Joe Silva at a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) school, and Silva suggested that he compete in mixed martial arts. Mir made his professional debut against Jerome Smith at HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown on July 14, 2001, winning by unanimous decision after two rounds. He won his second fight by triangle choke in the first round against Dan Quinn at IFC Warriors Challenge 15 on August 31, 2001. On November 2, 2001, at UFC 34: High Voltage, Mir made his UFC debut against 6th degree BJJ black belt Roberto Traven, defeating him by armbar at 1:05 of round one and earning Tapout of the Night. His next UFC match was against Lion's Den fighter and eight-time UFC veteran Pete Williams at UFC 36: Worlds Collide on March 22, 2002, submitting Williams in 46 seconds with an inside shoulder lock that has since been named after himself; it was the only submission loss of Williams' career. Mir faced Ian Freeman in London, England, at UFC 38: Brawl at the Hall on July 13, 2002; despite several leglock attempts by Mir, Freeman achieved side control four minutes into the first round and landed numerous punches and elbows to Mir's head, and the fight was stopped after a cut and Mir struggling to stand up. Mir then submitted Tank Abbott with a toe hold in 46 seconds at UFC 41 on February 28, 2003. On June 26, 2003, Mir fought Wes Sims at UFC 43: Meltdown, winning by disqualification at 2:55 of the first round after Sims stomped on Mir's jaw following a slam escape of an armbar attempt. They rematched at UFC 46: Supernatural on January 31, 2004, with Mir winning by knockout at 4:21 of the second round. On June 19, 2004, Mir faced Tim Sylvia for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 48: Payback; referee Herb Dean stopped the fight 50 seconds into the first round after Mir broke Sylvia's right forearm with a straight armbar. Sylvia initially protested but relented following a replay of the break, and an x-ray showed his arm was broken in four places. Mir earned his BJJ black belt from Ricardo Pires following this performance.
Personal life
No other personal details are provided.
Mixed martial arts record
It states that Mir's professional record includes 19 wins and 13 losses, but does not list individual fights beyond those mentioned in the Career section.
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