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Saturday, Jun 01, 2013

Opinion: Frank Mir Should Be Able to Get By Josh Barnett

UFC heavyweight Frank Mir

By Michael Hatamoto

Heavyweight contender Josh Barnett will reportedly return to the UFC and be thrown in the deep end, as former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is his first opponent.

The fight will take place at UFC 164 on August 31 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and both fighters should have enough time to show up in shape.

A victory against Mir would legitimize Barnett’s chances to work towards a potential title shot – Barnett is still very much a top-level fighter and said a fight against Mir would make sense prior to the fight announcement.

I think Mir has the advantage while striking – which is something he’s worked on more in the past few years – while Barnett would prefer to grapple. The grappling battle between both fighters should be fun to watch, with Barnett a better wrestler, while Mir is a better BJJ fighter.

I believe Barnett could win the fight, but expect Mir to pick up a unanimous decision if the fight goes all three rounds, making him a potentially great UFC gate keeper.

Prior to his loss to Daniel Cormier, Barnett looked unstoppable in Sengoku, Affliction, DREAM, and Strikeforce, though staying busy inside the cage has been difficult for the MMA fighter and professional wrestler.

Follow Full Contact Fighter when UFC 164 rolls around in late August, as Barnett vs. Mir is an important fight in the heavyweight division.

posted by FCF Staff @ 3:43 pm
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