UFC 46: Supernatural Preview

Heavyweight Bout: Frank Mir vs. Wes "The Project" Sims

FRANK MIR: American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist, wrestler, 1998 Nevada Wrestling Champion with a 43-1 record, HOOK'n'SHOOT veteran, IFC veteran, training with Ricardo Pires and the Las Vegas Combat Club, with a MMA record of 6-1, making his 6th appearance in the UFC (4-1)

Abbreviated Fight History: Having been taught the philosophy of Kempo by his parents as a boy, Mir added boxing, wrestling and finally Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to his training. He won a number of BJJ tournaments and competed in an Abu Dhabi style tournament at a HOOK'n'SHOOT event. There he defeated Rodrigo Vaghi heavyweight Mike Rogers and Renzo Gracie student John Rallo, only losing to wrestler and KOTC veteran Roger Neff. Frank defeated Jerome Smith by decision in HOOK'n'SHOOT and then traveled to the IFC where he submitted Dan Quinn at the IFC 15 Warriors Challenge show. Mir debuted at UFC 34 and carries a 4-1 record in the octagon. Below are some of Mir's more significant contests:

Mir/Roberto Traven: In 2001 Mir made his Octagon debut at UFC 34: High Voltage where he armbarred Brazil's Roberto "Spider" Traven in just over a minute.

Mir/Pete Williams: At UFC 36: Worlds Collide, Mir faced a member of the fabled Lion's Den. Pete "El Duro" Williams, an 8-time UFC veteran, was taken by surprise with a modified shoulder lock and tapped out to Mir in under a minute.

Mir/Ian Freeman: At UFC 38: The Brawl at the Hall in England, Mir came in headstrong and found himself on the losing end of the battle for the first time in the Octagon. Ian "The Machine" Freeman had more than ample motivation to bring home the victory in his homeland and did just that. Freeman was able to shake off many valiant attempts at submission by Mir, including some unusual maneuvers rarely seem in MMA. The proud Englishman pounded Mir, forcing a stand up late in the first round. Frank did not respond and Big John was forced to stop the bout giving Freeman the win via TKO.

Mir/David Abbott: At UFC 41: Onslaught, Mir faced a challenge many thought would go the same way it had in England. David "Tank" Abbott was returning to MMA and the crushing punching power in his hands was legendary. Rather play Abbott's game, Mir quickly forced the action to the mat and submitted the brawler in under a minute. The fans were disappointed, I imagine the promoters were disappointed, but Mir did what he does best and came away with hardly a scratch.

Strengths And Weaknesses: Mir's groundgame is everything to him. He can strike on the feet but it is usually only done to set up a takedown. There is no other heavyweight in the UFC that has proven himself as efficient at applying submission holds as Mir. A weakness may be his mental preparation. Frank needs to be "up" for a fight. By his own admission he underestimated Ian Freeman and paid for it.

How He Can Beat Sims: By submission. Mir cannot effectively strike with Sims for very long. The height and reach disadvantage could bring a Rodriguez/Sylvia-type outcome. Frank was controlling the bout on the ground and should feel confident he can do it again. Sims has shown ability to avoid submission but Mir knows this and will simply have to work for the opportunity to apply a flawless submission technique.

WES SIMS: American wrestler, Absolute Fighting Heavyweight Champion, trains with Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman and the rest of Team Hammer House as well as Ricco Rodriguez, with a MMA record of 6-2-0-1, making his 2nd appearance in the UFC (0-1)

Abbreviated Fight History: Sims played basketball in college but had an interest in professional wrestling. He and Mark Coleman shared the same doctor and upon an introduction, they began training together. It wasn't wrestling but Sims liked it. He debuted in MMA against UFC triple-crown winner (UFC 8-man tournament, Superfight and Ultimate Ultimate winner) Dan "The Beast" Severn and lost by decision. Wes fought 5 times in 2002 and went 4-0-0-1. He got out of hand with his stomping and has a No Contest on his record. His big break came in Jeff Osbourne's HOOK'n'SHOOT show where he won the Absolute Fighting Championships heavyweight championship title against former Extreme Fighting heavyweight champion Marcus "Conan" Silveira. Below are some of Sims' more significant contests:

Sims/Marcus Silveira: Simms faced Marcus "Conan" Silveira at the HOOK'n'SHOOT Absolute Fighting Championships. Wes didn't appear to be difficult to take down which I thought was odd for a wrestler. Conan had him mounted and had a sidechoke sunk in within the first minute of the bout and Sims could not get Conan off of him. Somehow he survived what looked to be a seriously deep arm triangle that "Conan" had turned into a rear naked choke late in the round. Referee James Warring (you may remember him as the guy who dragged Eric Paulson around the cage by his ponytail at the World Combat Championships) had a close watch on all of the submission attempts by Silveria and Sims assured Warring he wasn't in danger. Wes did throw some big Muay Thai style knees and elbows in the second round but Silveira looked completely gassed from the first round and was still able to fight him off. Regardless, the strikes had enough on them to get Silveira shaky and call a halt to the bout

Sims/Frank Mir: The reason for the rematch. Sims rushes in and immediately taken to the ground by Mir. Wes had a headlock but Frank quickly moves to north/south position and attacks an arm. Mir can't get the arm but he stays busy on top landing knees and elbows to the head. From the mount Mir continues to punish Sims (possibly eye gouging him at one point) and he eventually turns him and takes Sims' back. A rear choke appears moments away but Sims is able to turn to his back. They fight with Mir in mount and Mir sets up an armbar. Sims rises off the canvas and slams Mir once, shaking him off. But instead of waiting for Mir to get back up, Sims foolishly grabs the fence and stomps Mir in the face multiple times. The fight is called on disqualification and Mir is the winner.

Also worthy of note Sims battled: Dan Severn (loss/decision)

Strengths And Weaknesses: Sims is huge at 6'10 and 244 lbs and uses his reach very effectively. Wes likes submissions, especially the triangle choke, but it is his height and length that gives him his edge. His main weakness, as exhibited in his UFC debut, appears to be his temper. He's hotheaded. The opportunity to take advantage of Mir was there and he blew it. Another weakness may be his takedown defense. Sims is a wrestler but I've seen him brought down with less than stellar effort.

How He Can Beat Mir: Good old fashioned Ground'n'Pound Mir has fallen to strikes and the stomps from the last bout may still be ringing in his head. Wes knows submission but the chances of his getting one on Frank are incredibly slim. He'll need to have drastically improved his takedown defense and overall ground game but if he can stay standing, he can KO Mir.

MY PICK: Sims, I had picked Mir to win the first bout (and he did) but I think both fighters have done some growing in the interim. Mir did his growing physically and tried to pack on 20 pounds of muscle for the rematch. He competed in a grappling event to "test" his new body and got thoroughly handled in the process. Apparently he is back down to 255lbs and will fight at his normal weight. Sims seems to be over the initial shock of getting in the UFC and felt he had been fouled first in the bout with Mir. Sims also began training with Ricco Rodriguez so we should see a significant improvement in his ground game and takedown defense. Originally I thought Mir would win the rematch by submission as well (and he still might) but I'm going with Sims here. I feel it will be Sims by TKO from (legal) strikes in the 2nd Round.

DOWN THE ROAD:
Mir/Andre Arlovski: He blasted "The Machine" and "The Janitor" and if Frank can beat "The Project", they should meet.

Mir/Ricco Rodriguez: This was already supposed to happen. It becomes even more interesting if Sims beats Mir.

Sims/Sylvia: That's if they can sign it before Sylvia leaves for Pride. If the rumors are true we could see McGee, Sylvia and Sims all in the Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix this year.

Sims/Francisco Bueno: "Chico" was signed by the UFC about 2 years ago but never appeared in the cage. He hasn't lost since the big KO in Pride 8 at the hands of Igor Vovchanchyn.