The massive upset delivered by Frank Mir 17 years ago was so surprising that even the man responsible for the shock victory did not expect to have his hand raised.
This historic event took place at UFC 92 on December 27, 2008, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. While the main event featured the first-ever title fight between two winners of The Ultimate Fighter, the co-main event delivered an equally momentous heavyweight clash.
Rashad Evans knocked out Forrest Griffin to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in the main event of what remains one of the most memorable pay-per-views in the promotion’s history. However, the co-main event saw a legendary heavyweight’s chin cracked for the very first time.
Frank Mir Achieves Historic Knockout Against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Frank Mir returned to action at UFC 92, challenging the legendary Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the interim heavyweight title. Mir had previously shocked the world by submitting Brock Lesnar, furthering his ambition to return to the heavyweight throne. Mir`s initial reign as champion had ended after a devastating motorcycle accident in 2004 sidelined him for nearly two years.
After his loss to Mir, Lesnar rebounded and eventually claimed the undisputed heavyweight title in November 2008. With the champion watching cageside, many expected the Brazilian Nogueira to defeat Mir and set up a title unification bout against Lesnar.
That expectation failed to materialize. Instead, Mir dominated Nogueira with his striking, dropping ‘Big Nog’ multiple times in the first round before securing a knockout finish in the second round.
The result was monumental: it marked the first time Nogueira had ever been finished in his 38 professional fights, an outcome that Mir himself admitted seemed impossible beforehand.
“I faced such demons after my wreck,” Mir said regarding his journey back following the motorcycle crash after the win. “To come back from that, I’m proof you can do things. I didn’t even think I could beat Nogueira.”
Mir Solidifies Dominance with Bone-Snapping Submission in Rematch
The history books credit Mir not only as the first man to knock Nogueira out but also for achieving another gruesome milestone against the legend.
They met again three years later at UFC 140, where ‘Minotauro’ sought revenge against his American rival. But the rematch proved even more brutal and decisive for Nogueira.
After being stopped with strikes the first time around, Nogueira had his arm broken by Mir in the rematch after being caught in a horrific kimura lock.
Having been the first fighter to finish, knock out, and submit the UFC legend, it is safe to say that Frank Mir had a profound and definitive advantage over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira inside the Octagon.
