Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir: Round by Round Recap and Analysis

Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier makes his highly anticipated UFC debut tonight against former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

The bout serves as the co-main event of UFC on Fox 7, which takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. 

Stay right here for live recap and analysis of the heavyweight clash on the upcoming slides.

Round 1

Frank Mir, the former champ, throws kicks early to keep the distance, but Cormier closes the distance with a combination before moving into the clinch. From here, the former Strikeforce champion is looking to smother the underdog. He's doing a wonderful job of that. 

With two minutes remaining in the round, Mir finds himself still up against the cage, but Cormier lets him loose shortly after, only to reengage in the clinch with just over 60 seconds to go. Mir is very limited offensively in this position. 

Cormier separates again with around 30 seconds left and throws a head kick, but misses and slips to the ground. Mir grabs hold of his opponent's neck, but Cormier pulls away without much effort.

Score: 10-9 Cormier

Round 2

The round is opened with a series of kicks, courtesy of Mir, but Cormier attempts an acrobatic one himself. Ultimately, he opts for another clinch game, and Mir once again finds his back up against the fence. 

After a minute or so in the clinch, Cormier steps back again, clearly content to fight Mir anywhere on the feet. He quickly moves back in for the clinch, effortlessly taking the position. Mir, back against the cage and mouth agape, seems helpless against will of Cormier. 

Just past the midpoint of the round, Cormier again disengaged from the clinch, before again regaining the position moments later. Seemingly toying with Mir, he opens up with just over 60 seconds left on the clock. And Mir makes him pay, relatively speaking, with a big shot. 

Cormier, however, lands several vicious strikes before clinching with Mir again. Referee Herb Dean separates them, and no more action occurs before the sounding of the horn. 

Score: 10-9 Cormier

Round 3

Mir enters the third and final frame with intensity, but Cormier is more than game. He grabs hold of Mir and pulls him against the cage, but Mir escapes. 

Back to the striking game, Mir lands a strong kick to the body, but Cormier, once again, ties him up against the cage. Tired, Cormier presses Mir against the fence, and referee Herb Dean urges them to work. Little response from either fighter, and Dean separates them at the midpoint of the round.

The former UFC champ, Mir, looks to work, but Cormier, again, moves the fight to the position he wants: the clinch. With under one minute to go, the former Strikeforce champ presses Mir against the cage, but the referee separates them for the final 30 ticks of the clock. Neither find success in the round's waning moments.

Cormier should sweep on the judges' scorecards.

Score: 10-9 Cormier

Official Decision: Cormier defeats Mir via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)