Lesnar-Mir Rematch Headlines UFC 98

Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir will meet to unify the heavyweight championship in the main event at UFC 98 “Lesnar vs. Mir 2” on May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The UFC made the rematch official on Monday.

Lesnar (3-1) captured the heavyweight crown in just his fourth professional bout at UFC 91 in November, as he stopped hall of famer Randy Couture on second-round strikes. The former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar has won back-to-back bouts since his submission loss to Mir in his promotional debut at UFC 81 in February 2007. At 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, Lesnar has emerged as one of the sport’s most intimidating figures. Based at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, he leans on an impeccable amateur wrestling background inside the cage.

Mir (12-3), meanwhile, became the first man to finish Brazilian legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 92 in December. The 29-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt showcased improved boxing skills and conditioning, as he won the UFC interim heavyweight title from Nogueira with an impressive second-round stoppage and did what Fedor Emelianenko, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Josh Barnett could not.

Since his 2001 debut, Mir’s career has taken wild turns. He first won the heavyweight belt as a 25-year-old in 2004, only to surrender it a few months later when a motorcycle accident left him with a career-threatening leg injury. Out of action for nearly two years, Mir returned in 2006 and succumbed to strikes against Marcio Cruz and followed the defeat with an uninspiring victory against Dan Christison. A brutal technical knockout loss to Brandon Vera came next, and many wondered if Mir had seen his better days. He has since rattled off three wins in a row, including his 90-second submission against Lesnar 13 months ago.

Other bouts rumored for UFC 98 include a welterweight showdown between former champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra, along with a lightweight tilt pairing former titleholder Sean Sherk with Frankie Edgar. The event will also likely feature the return of welterweight contender Josh Koscheck in a match with Team Quest veteran Chris Wilson.

UFC 98 "Lesnar vs. Mir 2"
Saturday, May 23
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas

UFC Heavyweight Championship
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Wilson
James Irvin vs. Drew McFedries
Patrick Barry vs. Tim Hague
Houston Alexander vs. Andre Gusmao
Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
David Kaplan vs. George Roop