OTD: Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir’s first-career defeat came at the hands of a future paramedic.
Frank Mir took down some of the baddest men to ever enter the UFC Octagon during his illustrious career. Mir defeated the likes of Brock Lesnar, Tim Sylvia, Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop during his UFC tenure.
After a 4-0 start to his career with two UFC victories, Mir faced UK star Ian Freeman in the UFC 38 co-main event on a card coined ‘Brawl at the Hall’ in London. Mir entered the fight as a significant favorite, but things went horribly wrong once the fight started.
Frank Mir’s first career loss came against a future paramedic in a gruesome TKO finish
Mir and Freeman opened the fight with heavy blows, including back-to-back head kicks thrown in the first few seconds by Mir. But Freeman secured a massive takedown and proceeded to land some brutal ground-and-pound strikes to wear down Mir early on.
But Mir was able to work his way back up to the feet, but at the price of several big knees in the clinch from Freeman. Freeman didn’t let off the gas pedal as he landed several nasty uppercuts to Mir’s chin that stunned his heavyweight rival.
Mir went on to secure a single-leg takedown and appeared on the cusp of turning the tide inside the Octagon. He nearly secured a knee-bar before Freeman responded by breaking the submission attempt by landing hammer fists to Mir’s jaw.
After a chaotic first half of the fight, Freeman earned top position and landed several big blows that busted a huge cut wide open on Mir’s browline. Freeman smartly gave Mir the opportunity to return to his feet, but Mir couldn’t stand up straight, stumbling repeatedly before referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy waved off the fight.
Watch the finishing sequence in the timestamped video below.
Ian Freeman transitioned from MMA to medical care years after Frank Mir fight
Freeman went on to fight two more times in the UFC in winless outings against Andrei Arlovski and Vernon White. He retired following a win over MMA legend Ricco Rodriguez in 2013.
Meanwhile, Mir was rushed to a local hospital after the brutal finish, but luckily didn’t suffer long-term injuries from the blows he took from Freeman. He went on to have a successful UFC career, winning the heavyweight belt over Sylvia at UFC 48.
After walking away from fighting, Freeman became a first responder and remains a cult figure in UK MMA through his gym and in supporting regional promotions.
