Frank Mir Is Expecting Nerves to Kick In Before Bellator 198 Fight

Frank Mir spoke with MMAjunkie ahead of his fight with Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 198. Highlights are below:

On preparing for the fight: “I’m just trying to get back into the rhythm of what it’s like to be during a fight week. I’m sure nerves are going to kick in eventually, and I’m waiting for that and a lot of other distractions leading up to it will help.”

On his age: “This is the thing all fighters my age are going to have to deal with: One bad performance…I can go smash Fedor. I can smash Chael and look like the best version I’ve ever presented. And let’s say I fight (Matt) Mitrione in the finals, (or Ryan) Bader, (Muhammed) ‘King Mo’ (Lawal). Whoever. And I go out there and have a bad performance. The very first conversation when I walk out of that cage will be, ‘Are you going to retire?’ They were talking about retirement when I was 28. I can’t imagine when I’m 38 what they’re going to say. That’s the part that (I’ve) been apprehensive (about). Another fighter can have an off night, but if you’re an older fighter and you have an off night, all of a sudden the fat lady’s standing up getting ready to belt one out for you: ‘You should retire.’”

On facing Emelianenko: “Of course I’ve always wanted to match up against him, and I feel like I match up well against him. Fedor’s not a big guy. He’s quick and he’s fast, but that’s why I came in shape. When I’m in shape, I’m just as quick as he is. … I think it’s an interesting fight, and I’ve wanted to put myself out there and dance with him for a long time.”

On Emelianenko’s reputation: “When you talk about Fedor and you say he’s one of the best heavyweights in the world, I say, ‘Are we talking about inside a cage, or inside a boxing ring?’ It makes a difference, just as much as clay vs. grass if you play tennis. … In a boxing ring, PRIDE rules, Fedor is Hall of Fame, one of the top five heavyweights of all time. In a cage, he’s small, he doesn’t have good cage technique, and I don’t know if I can put him in the top five.”