Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir III: 5 Reasons This Fight Makes Sense for Both Men

On February 2, 2008, a rivalry was born. Despite plenty of jokes and criticism, former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar made his UFC debut against former heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

The jokes were short lived as Lesnar came within seconds of a first round stoppage.

After a few "illegal" ground strikes, referee Steve Mazzagatti deducted a point from Lesnar and saved Mir from drifting into unconsciousness.

The reset gave Mir just the time he needed to regain his composure and pull off a kneebar to avoid the upset.

The two met again in the main event of the celebrated UFC 100 card, but it was a much different fight the second time around. Fans no longer saw Lesnar as an MMA circus act.

After defeating UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture for the heavyweight title, Lesnar had emerged as arguably the best heavyweight in the world, and he didn't hold back in his violent demonstration to Mir.

Once again, both fighters find themselves in a position where it would be plausible for paths to cross. Mir is in need of a top five opponent to continue his heavyweight ascension, and Lesnar will be looking for upper-echelon opposition in his return from an extended hiatus.

Time is the primary hurdle in this bout coming to fruition. Lesnar was recently diagnosed with his second case of diverticulitis and is expected to be sidelined until early 2012.

Will Mir wait around for a possible rubber match with Lesnar, or will he chance his status as a heavyweight contender against a UFC up and comer?

Here are five reasons the rubber match between Mir and Lesnar makes the most sense.

Unfinished Business

Every great rivalry has a rubber match, and Brock Lesnar versus Frank Mir is no exception.

There is clearly unfinished business between the two, and Mir deserves a chance to rectify his July 2009 loss.

Most critics would point to how the second fight was incredibly one-sided.

The bout consisted of Lesnar pummeling Mir from mount like a gargantuan bully on a schoolyard playground.

Still, Mir has picked up the wins needed to position himself into title contention. Unless he faces the loser of Junior Dos Santos and Shane Carwin, there really isn't any other fight out there that would prove beneficial to Mir's progression in the division.

Despite a long layoff, Lesnar would still come into the rubber match an overwhelming favorite, but odds shouldn't derail this inevitable showdown from happening.

Mir continues to show improvements in his striking with every outing, and there's no secret to his technical prowess in the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Is it enough to overtake Lesnar?

There's only one way to find out.

Who Faces the Winner of Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos/Shane Carwin?

When it comes to the heavyweight division, the UFC and Strikeforce are split in regards to the top-10 rankings.

There isn't a clear-cut opponent that makes sense for Mir outside of Lesnar, Dos Santos, Carwin, and Cain Velasquez.

Dos Santos will face Carwin on June 11 for a shot at Velasquez's heavyweight title, which could go down as early as October.

Mir is already on a two-fight winning streak, and his last victory was over a significant opponent in Roy "Big Country" Nelson.

Before coming down with illness, Lesnar was one fight away from receiving an opportunity to avenge his loss to Velasquez and reclaim his title. His projected return is early 2012.

By that time, it would've been well over a year since Lesnar last stepped into the octagon. The extended hiatus will likely drop him from the top-10 rankings of most publications, and a win over Mir could reinvigorate his status in the heavyweight division.

It doesn't get any better than Mir and Lesnar in a bout to decide the next contender for the UFC heavyweight title.

Mir’s Final Test

Mir is walking a fine line between contender and gatekeeper.

Despite his continued improvements, the former UFC champion still struggles against strong wrestlers with competent submission defense.

After getting bullied by Lesnar, Mir bounced back with an impressive first round submission victory over Cheick Kongo.

It looked like Mir had finally found his way. He talked about putting on extra size and improving his power. The evidence was clearly there as he leveled Kongo with an overhand left and pounced for the quick guillotine finish.

Unfortunately, the performance didn't carry over in his UFC 111 bout with Carwin. It was back to school for Mir as Carwin overpowered him in the clinch and finished the fight in the first round with vicious hooks and uppercuts.

Can Mir ever get over the hump, or will heavyweight grapplers plague him for the rest of his career?

The rubber match against Lesnar should give fans a definitive answer.

Good Style Match for Lesnar

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: Brock Lesnar holds down Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lesnar defeated Mir by a second round knockout. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

As Lesnar continues to shore up some major holes in his striking, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise that he isn't facing Dos Santos at UFC 130.

Along with solid takedown defense, Dos Santos is arguably the best boxer in the heavyweight division. This isn't a favorable matchup for Lesnar, who tends to panic when pressured by a superior striker.

Whether you love him or hate him, Lesnar was a major monetary acquisition for the UFC. For whatever reason, fans can't seem to get enough of Lesnar. It would've been a major blow to his stock if he was dominated in his second consecutive outing against Dos Santos.

This is in no way implying that Lesnar would have an easier time against Mir. It would still be a tough bout that would present different challenges.

Mir has really improved his striking since the two last met at UFC 100. As with the first couple of bouts, the rubber match would come down to Lesnar's ability to secure takedowns and fend off submissions.

Lesnar has the power to end Mir's night on the feet, but he lacks the technical efficiency to exchange for an extended period of time.

With such a long layoff, why not come back against an opponent that you're overly familiar with?

Blockbuster?

Any UFC card featuring Lesnar in the headliner is destined to do big numbers, but a rubber match with Mir has the potential to be something special.

Velasquez and Dos Santos are relatively quiet leading up to fights.

Outside of the actual fight, these guys aren't going to make the promotion's job any easier in regards to pay-per-view numbers.

Fans love a good storyline, and the continued verbal exchanges between Lesnar and Mir would make for great entertainment.

Lesnar's return from such a crippling illness is already a tremendous story in itself. A return against Mir in a rubber match has Primetime written all over it.

Lesnar's entire career would come full circle. He started his UFC journey against Mir, and he could either end or renew it the same way.

If the rest of the card is decent, the UFC could easily have a blockbuster on their hands.