[ads1]Mir-CormierThe UFC on FOX 7 co-main event will consist of a heavyweight bout between former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir and Strikeforce Heavyweight GP winner Daniel Cormier. This will mark Cormier’s UFC debut and is a huge fight that could put him in on the brink of a title shot should he drop down to the light heavyweight division with a win. Let’s see how this one breaks down.

Daniel Cormier (11-0) is coming off a TKO win over Dion Staring in January. Cormier was originally supposed to fight Mir in November, but Mir withdrew from the bout citing an injury. Cormier has won five fights via TKO/KO and three bouts via submission. He is a world class wrestler who has quickly developed his striking game over the past year or so. The only knock on him is his small stature for a heavyweight at only 5’11”.

Frank Mir (16-6) is coming off a TKO loss in his last outing at UFC 146 against then UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. It has been almost a year since he last fought, and was riding a three fight winning streak going into the fight with dos Santos. Mir actually took the fight on short notice when Alistair Overeem was pulled from the bout with dos Santos due to a failed drug test. Mir is known as one of the best heavyweight submission artist in MMA history. He is versed in striking but all six of his losses have come via TKO.

This should be an interesting fight. How will Cormier handle the nerves of making his UFC debut in the co-main event with millions of people watching at home? He has competed on the international stage in wrestling, so he should be able to handle it just fine. The question is will he take Mir down at any time in the fight or will he simply keep the fight on the feet and try to finish Mir with strikes like everyone else does?

Cormier is a cerebral fighter and I expect him to keep the fight on the feet. The only time I see him taking Mir down is near the end of a round or if he hurts Mir with strikes and goes in to finish him. If Mir can’t get this fight to the ground he has a puncher’s chance at best of winning this fight. Should the fight go to the ground I’ll up his chances of winning slightly, but not by much as Cormier’s build makes it hard to secure armbars, etc. Also, Cormier trains with a great team and I’m sure his submission defense is adequate.

Mir’s best days are behind him, couple that with the long layoff and a superb fighter like Cormier and it’s probably not going to be a good night for him. Cormier via TKO.

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