Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir snapped a four fight losing streak on Sunday night in Brazil as he defeated Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva by knockout in the first round.
It was his first victory in over three years as his last win came at UFC 140 against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and it was his 13th career victory by stoppage.
During the UFC Fight Night 61 Post Fight Press Conference, Mir was asked about potential trilogy bout against former UFC champion Brock Lesnar.
“I think it would be a huge, big fight,” Mir said when asked if he would be interested in facing Lesnar. “I think it’s something that would catapult my name even higher up. I think a rubber match between the two of us would be a phenomenal fight. To keep that anywhere near in the works, I had to get a win tonight. I have really just kept it in the back of my mind and honestly, it’s not something that I am going to win this to face Brock. I was like, man I need to win this so I can keep my job or my wife is not going to let me go to the gym anymore. It’s not going to pay the bills and I am going to have to get a 9 to 5.”
Later in the press conference, Mir was asked about whether he is trying to work his way back to the UFC title fight. After discussing how the sky is the limit for him, he stated that he told UFC Executive Marshall Zelaznik that he would be open to facing Nogueira in Brazil.
“One thing that I stick to and I was talking to Marshall about, is that if they want me to fight in Brazil again — I have a lot of respect for Nogueira,” Mir said. “I have always extended him that respect. If he only has one fight left and he wanted to retire by facing me, I would be more than happy to give him that because as fighters, we know that one has to win and one has to lose. Without each other, there are no fights. We have to fight other great fighters to reach up levels and get our name out there. I think that would be a great fight and give him a reason to be watched again. The guy is a phenomenal warrior. I have a ton of respect for him and that is a guy I use to mimic and watch when I was young on how to be a martial artist when he was in Pride. That is something on the table too.”
Mir would continue to talk about what is next for him and he continued to state he would be interested in a trilogy bout if Lesnar came back to the UFC. In addition, he stated that when he feels the way he did on Sunday night in Brazil, he feels that no one should bet against him.
“If Brock Lesnar decides to come back, I’ll welcome him back,” he said. “I’m very happy and that would be a good fight. I do not think he likes getting punched very much and I am actually figuring out how to punch pretty hard. Whoever they give me. Really, everyday it’s a fight with me. If I come in at 100 percent and I feel good like I did tonight, I would not bet on anyone across from me.”