Why Mir?

Frank Mir is a lot of things; heavyweight contender is not one of them.

The announcement of Mir and heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira as coaches of the upcoming season of the Ultimate Fighter reality series, has been met with a lot of anger, resentment and disappointment from MMA across the world.

Frank Mir does not deserve a shot at the title. Why would the UFC do this?

Look no further than to what’s left of the UFC heavyweight division. The lose of Randy Couture, Tim Sylvia, Mirko Filipovic and possibly Andrei Arlovski have left the division a shell of its former self.

In response, the UFC has started building the division from the bottom-up. Shane Carwin, Cain Valensquez and Brock Lesnar are just a few of the fighters who have been added in an attempt to build a future for the fleeting division. While the future looks bright, the present doesn’t look so hot.

What the UFC needs is time. What better way than The Ultimate Fighter? The popular reality series gives the organization both the time it desires (for the division to work itself out) and the promotion it needs.

Still, why Frank Mir? Other options for the title are simply lackluster; Brandon Vera and Fabricio Werdom have recent, high profile loses, Heath Herring owns three loses to the champion and Andrei Arlovski doesn’t even have a UFC contract.  That leaves Frank Mir.

After making quick work of Brock Lesnar, Mir has positioned himself as a man on the rise. Riding a two-fight win streak over unranked opponents normally doesn’t mean much, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Due to his high profile victory and high visibility as face of the WEC, Mir was chosen for one reason only, he sells.

The two most deserving candidates are far from appealing.  Fabricio Werdum is a virtual unknown outside of the hardcore MMA community, and Brandon Vera isn’t much more publicized. *

The UFC seems to agree, and has chosen Mir because of his ability to sell more seats and get higher ratings than any other heavyweight on the roster. No, Frank Mir is no Randy Couture, but Brandon Vera is no Frank Mir. (Not saying much, I know)

People forget that Mir is an interesting guy. As a coach of The Ultimate Fighter, the former heavyweight champion will introduce the casual MMA fan to the cocky world of man once considered the future of the heavyweight division.

Will he stand a chance against Big Nog? Doubtful, but that’s not why he got the job. Mir’s got the gig for simply being the guy who was in the right place at the right time.

Fittingly, the show itself has been muddled in controversy from hardcore fans since its debut; this will do nothing to change that. Mir’s presence will incite, where a more deserving coach would simply create a stir.

No, the choice of Mir is not the one that most MMA fans would have made (including myself), but it may be the one that helps move the stagnant division in the right division.

PEACE
Brett ” The Conqueror” Beverly

* Werdum and Vera will get an opportunity to via for position when they face off at UFC 85 in London.