Possessing a tongue that is every bit as vicious as his submissions portfolio, Frank Mir is without doubt one of the most controversial and box office fighters on the UFC's books. A former undisputed heavyweight champion who nearly had his career stripped away from him, Mir's history is more storied than most in the MMA world.

Claiming "Tapout of the Night" with an armbar victory over Roberto Traven during his UFC debut, Mir immediately provided evidence back in 2001 of the world class ground game that would later define him as a fighter. Nowadays a recognised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Mir created headlines back in 2001-02 by securing his first three victories via submission, notably tapping out Tank Abbott in just 46 seconds with a toe hold.

Seven victories in eight MMA fights saw Mir compete for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 48, where he confirmed his status as one of the most dangerous submissions practitioners in the world by snapping the arm of champion Tim Sylvia in just 50 seconds. Mir has based a career on saying that he plans to alter his opponents' limbs inside the Octagon, and against Sylvia he delivered on that promise, fracturing the arm in four places.

A glorious career beckoned for the new heavyweight king, but then disaster struck in September 2004 when a motorcycle accident destroyed Mir's leg, snapping the femur and tearing the ligaments in his knee. An enforced 19-month absence from action saw Mir stripped of his title by the UFC, who could not allow the heavyweight division to become stagnant, and upon returning in February 2006 Mir suffered two shocking losses in three fights.

With his career seemingly in tatters, Mir crucially won a do-or-die fight with Antoni Hardonk to avoid being cut from the UFC, sending him down the path towards what has become arguably the most vitriolic head-to-head in UFC history with Brock Lesnar. Mir ruined the former WWE star's UFC debut, clamping on a kneebar, but Lesnar has since avenged that defeat with a second round stoppage at the blockbuster UFC 100 event.

Sandwiched in between those duels was one of the best performances of Mir's career, when he gave Antonio Minotauro Nogueira a boxing lesson, but it is Lesnar who continues to dominate Mir's thoughts. Recently he stated that he hoped to make Lesnar the first Octagon-related death in MMA, a comment he later apologised for, but he will have to wait a while to get back in the ring with his arch rival after a devastating loss to Shane Carwin at UFC 111.

Victories over Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson hardly improved Mir's prospects in his most recent bouts, drawing widespread criticism for his lacklustre performances. However, he made a statement by breaking the arm of Nogueira in their UFC 140 rematch, becoming the first man to submit the Brazilian as he re-established himself as a heavyweight force.

Career high
Beating Tim Sylvia to claim the UFC heavyweight title. Mir became one of the most feared fighters on the planet courtesy of that victory, only to then be cut down in his prime.

Career low
Recently claiming that he wanted to kill Brock Lesnar and make him the first Octagon-related death. Mir later retracted his statement.

Quote
"The long-term goal for me and my own satisfaction is to take off Brock Lesnar's arm. At the end of the day, that's what my goal is when I go to the gym and train."

Trivia
Frank Mir used to be a bouncer at Spearmint Rhino nightclub.