The UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2 co-main event on Saturday pitted two former heavyweight champions against each other in a fight that took a decade to come together.
Frank Mir won the heavyweight title at UFC 48 in June 2004, but was later stripped of the title after suffering a serious leg injury during a motorcycle accident that kept him from defending his belt. While he recovered from his injuries, Andrei Arlovski won the interim title and was expected to face Mir in a unification bout in 2005. The fight didn’t materialize until Saturday’s fight card in Las Vegas.
The two former champions had opposite game plans. Arlovski, known for his crisp boxing and knockout power, wanted to keep the fight standing. He hoped to keep his distance and fight at range where he could be most effective. Mir planned to close the distance, fight on the inside, and put Arlovski on his back.
Both had success with their strategies, but at the end of the day, Arlovski earned a unanimous decision.
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As expected, Arlovski was faster than Mir. He was able to move in and out while Mir’s attack consisted of plodding forward and clinching. As the fight played out, the pace slowed. Referee “Big” John McCarthy had to separate, or stand the fighters up on four occasions.
The biggest moment in the fight came in the final frame when Mir knocked Arlovski down with a right hand. Arlovski immediately scrambled back to his feet. “The Pit Bull” finished strong and likely stole the round to earn the decision.
Following the fight, Arlovski was disappointed with his performance and admitted to underestimating Mir.
“I’m disappointed because I didn’t expect Frank could go three hard rounds with me,” said Arlovski while shaking his head. “I’m disappointed that I underestimated him.”
“I felt that it was going to be an easy fight, and it wasn’t.”
With the win, Arlvoski extended his winning streak to six consecutive fights. Currently ranked fifth in the heavyweight division, Arlovski could have put himself in line for a title shot in his next outing.
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