Sherdog’s Top 10: Jiu-Jitsu Players in MMA

5. Frank Mir

Among the most dangerous heavyweights to ever enter the cage, Mir lacks the lengthy jiu-jitsu resume of your typical bone-snapping submission grappler. However, that did not stop the Las Vegas native from become UFC heavyweight champion and racking up some of the most unforgettable submission wins in the history of the organization.

No heavyweight has more UFC wins or finishes than Mir, who has remained a formidable contender well into his 30s, through a career-threatening motorcycle accident and questions about his commitment. He holds submission victories over Chieck Kongo, Brock Lesnar, Roberto Traven, David Abbott and Pete Williams, but his two greatest achievements came with devastating consequences. At UFC 48 on June 19, 2004, Mir snapped the forearm of Tim Sylvia to capture the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight crown. More than seven years later at UFC 140, he broke the upper arm of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with a kimura, becoming the first man to submit “Minotauro” in MMA competition. And they call jiu-jitsu the gentile art.

Continue Reading » Number 4