UFC 119 Preview of Frank Mir vs. Mirko Cro Cop: A Head-to-Toe Breakdown

An anticipated heavyweight dream match between Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop will become a reality for MMA fans when the two heavyweight contenders collide at UFC 119 on Saturday in Indianapolis.

When Cro Cop replaced Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mir's original opponent, this bout sounded mismatched considering Cro Cop's recent track record and his status in UFC.

However, with UFC 119 nearing closer, this heavyweight bout is much more marketable and a lot more intriguing to fight fans, especially hardcore fans. While the entire card has some entertaining matchups, this is one fight that deserves the main event treatment and either fighter has as much to gain as they have to lose. 

Both Mir and Cro Cop present problems for one another.

In the stand-up, it's debatable because both of them have great striking ability but overall Cro Cop has more experience and has fought more competitive fights, so it'd be hard to not favor the Croatian. But it's not wise to overlook Mir, for the past couple years his striking has greatly improved, evident in his bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2008.

Mir generally likes to keep his hands relatively low, as he initiates great head movement from in and outside of his opponents range. With his cool, calm demeanor he likes to also move around the octagon, in order to establish distance and setup his strikes. He tends to counter strike his opponents as he'll wait for them to engage first, then he wisely steps in and lands crisp, clean combination's while remaining composed.

If Mir wants to achieve any success on the feet, he'll need to be quick and time his movements well enough so that Cro Cop cannot gain any advantage and attack. From there, Mir must also try to wear down Cro Cop by preventing him from using his biggest and most dangerous weapon in his arsenal, his kickboxing.

Mir should mix up his strikes and use a combination of leg kicks to slow down Cro Cop and batter his legs so that he's either forced to stand and strike or get taken to the ground. Mir might also want to use his underrated Muay Thai clinch to wear down the body of Cro Cop and prevent less mobility throughout the fight.

The more strikes and openings that Mir is able to find and land, the more confidence he'll gain in order to keep the fight to his advantage and finish Cro Cop.

Cro Cop, a former kick boxer and K-1 veteran, fights in a traditional kickboxing stance, keeping his hands relatively low as well. He likes to make his opponents commit and press the action early and aggressively. He has unorthodox striking, as he'll loop his punches when he throws them, meanwhile he'll break down his opponents with bone shattering body kicks to slow down their mobility. Once they're beaten up, bruised and fatigued, Cro Cop likes to deliver his signature head kick to finish his opponents.

In order for Cro Cop to win, he must be able keep pace with Mir and pressure him early enough so that he can generate an attack, and prevent Mir from feeling comfortable inside the cage. He must not let Mir establish any distance so that he is out of his range and therefore would make Cro Cop chase and risk being countered.

Cro Cop should also set up body kicks and leg kicks early on so that if the fight goes into the third round, Mir will have less movement around the octagon and allow Cro Cop to use him as a punching bag. Another way to cut off the mobility of Mir is pressure him at the right times so that he is backed into the cage and has no chance but to stand and trade. Building pressure and keeping pace with Mir will not only slow down his cardio but it will allow Cro Cop to setup one of his patented head kicks.

If this fight goes to the ground, it's hard to see Mir not pulling off the victory as he is one of the best submission specialists in MMA, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mir is very dangerous from both top guard and bottom guard. On the ground Mir is very relaxed and composed and will either wait for his opponents to make a mistake or he'll control his opponents long enough to tire them out and sink in a submission.

Mir might want to get in close range if he wants to bring the fight to the ground and use his wrestling skills to bring Cro Cop to the canvas. Being in close range will also allow Mir to pull guard or implement some judo trips. Once the fight goes to the ground, Mir will dictate the pace of the fight and ultimately get the victory.

Cro Cop might want to pressure Mir at the right times, perhaps when he is hurt. It was shown in Mir's fight with Shane Carwin, when he is hurt and vulnerable he's taken out of his comfort zone and isn't able to remain composed. As a result, he lost focus of his game plan and was knocked out. If Cro Cop can pressure Mir early enough to force him into an uncomfortable situation then he will not need to worry about being submitted.

Whatever aspect of the bout either fighter is brought in, one fighter will have his strengths and the other will be at a disadvantage. Whoever comes out on top, whether it's Cro Cop or Mir, the winner will be one step closer to a title shot.