Frank Mir: I've had an easier time with elusive strikers

On hardest style matchup:
"Stylistically, actually Velasquez.


Anybody can run down the list of losses I've had, (Shane) Carwin and Brock (Lesnar) being the last two in the last 10 fights or so. I've had a harder time with guys that are straightforward grinders that'll pin you against the cage and hold you and try to take you down and stay on top and smother you.


Guys that are more elusive strikers and try to move around, I've had an easier time with. Cheick Kongo's a good striker. Mirko "Cro Cop" (Filipovic) is a good striker. Both are guys that I was very successful with."



On Nogueira's fight:
"I got caught with a punch (chuckles)

Roy Nelson hits extremely hard and I was able to fight with him for 15 minutes and be fine. Mirko 'Cro Cop' for almost all of three rounds never really landed a shot.


It's still a sport where a certain percentage are going to get through, and that happened with Nogueira. It's funny how people's memories are so short. Immediately, "Oh, gee, you suck at boxing."


The guy landed one punch. How many fights have I had where that hadn't happened, where I was able to slip and avoid? It eventually happens.


I remember, I think, (Kazuyuki) Fujita almost knocked out Fedor (Emelianenko) back in the day. Caught him with a forearm shot in Pride. Fujita is not known for his boxing at all. Who would be saying at that point in his career Fedor sucked at stand-up? "Oh look, he got caught and wobbled."



Very interesting interview.