UFC 119: Five Questions Heading Into Frank Mir vs. Mirko Cro Cop

A bout between Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop would have drawn a lot of relevancy to the heavyweight division four years ago, mainly to determine ring supremacy. However, at UFC 119, both competitors will be fighting for much more than just relevancy as the stakes couldn't be any higher for both of them.

In what could possibly be a career defining moment in either Mir or Cro Cop's careers, they will step inside the Octagon this weekend to compete in an intriguing main event that has major implications.

While the anticipation for this heavyweight "dream match" builds, so will the questions that has media and MMA fans pondering until the opening bell sounds.

Here are the 5 questions heading into Frank Mir vs. Mirko Cro Cop.

No. 5: How Much Preperation Has Mirko Cro Cop Put In?

When Frank Mir's original opponent, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, pulled out of this bout due to a knee injury, Mirko Cro Cop stepped in and replaced the Brazilian, setting up a mouth-watering clash between two of the sport's greatest heavyweights of all-time.

As much excitement and anticipation the match up has brought, the amount of time and preparation for Cro Cop to train for isn't as nearly as exciting as it was time consuming. Cro Cop accepted to fight Mir on just five weeks notice, a time frame that would have most fighters cringe at the thought of accomplishing; it's impossible.

But because Cro Cop has been very loyal to UFC and its fans, he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to disappoint anyone. The unfortunate thing is that the amount of time he has had isn't enough to fully train and prepare for an opponent, so even if Cro Cop were to enter in great condition and high spirits, there are probably one or two things he didn't address in training camp about his opponent or himself.

Also something else to think about is that Cro Cop is 36 years old and his best days are clearly behind him, so the amount of training could fatigue him just a bit. For Cro Cop's sake, he might want to think about finishing the fight as early as he can before fatigue begins to set in.

No. 4: What Is Frank Mir's Strategy?

In his last fight with heavy hitter Shane Carwin, Frank Mir decided to stand with his opponent before being pummeled in the clinch and eventually being knocked out in the first round.

Even though finishing off Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and dropping French striker Cheick Kongo would obviously raise his confidence in his striking ability, Mir has become a little too confident in his abilities against fighters like Shane Carwin and Brock Lesnar and has ultimately lost in the process.

While his striking has greatly improved and made him successful in recent years, it has never been Mir's overall strength. And although Cro Cop is not the fearful striker he once was, he still holds a slight advantage over Mir on the feet so it'd be wise for Mir to go back using his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

If Mir is able get the fight to ground then it's safe to predict a satisfying victory for him.

No.3: How Will An Eye Injury Affect Mirko Cro Cop's Performance?

A week prior to UFC 119, rumors began to surface that Cro Cop suffered an eye injury during training and it could have forced him pull out of the event, leaving the main event in jeopardy.

While the rumors were indeed true, UFC President Dana White assured fans that Cro Cop was fine and cleared to fight.

Although he is cleared to fight, it is unsure how well Cro Cop can perform when his vision is partly impaired. He might be able to fight cautiously but this could break his confidence prior to the fight and could be a deciding factor on whether he wins or loses.

No. 2: Will A Victory For Either Competitor Put Them In Title Contention?

This fight will be a step up in competition for both Mir and Cro Cop, as neither fighter has fought quality competition in recent memory. Mir took on Shane Carwin, who we've learned is nothing more than a glorified brawler, and Chieck Kongo, a strong kick boxer with a weak ground game.

The same could be said for Cro Cop, earning subpar victories over fighters such as Pat Barry and Mustapha-Al-Turk are nothing more that.

A win is a win, regardless, but it is a must win for both men and while it might not necessarily guarantee them a title shot just yet, it certainly will put them on the right track.

No. 1: What Does A Loss Do For Frank Mir Or Mirko Cro Cop?

A loss for either Frank Mir or Mirko Cro Cop will not only eliminate them from title contention but it will also be a devastating one to deal with.

Should Mir lose at UFC 119, his chances of reclaiming UFC Heavyweight title will be very slim. It will not only ruin another title run but it will put his status in UFC heavyweight division in limbo, solidifying him as a gatekeeper. He will also have suffered three losses in his past four bouts.

If Cro Cop is not able to win then it could very well be his last match, as he has stated in past interviews he's leaning towards retirement. That isn't to say he will retire immediately but it's obvious that his best days are behind him and he no longer can compete with tier competition.

It would be harsh of UFC management to release Cro Cop considering he accepted the fight on a short notice and the circumstances he's had to endure.

A loss will determine the fate of either man's status and it will undoubtedly shuffle them down the rankings of the heavyweight division, with their pride and irrelevancy intact.