As the overdue clash of former UFC heavyweight champions Josh Barnett (32-6) and Frank Mir (16-7) approaches, former Shooto champion Erik Paulson, the long-time coach of Josh Barnett, presented his view of the contest.
One of MMA’s most experienced coaches, Paulson spoke with FightHub.TV:
“This is not a case of who’s better and who’s worse, it’s a case of who’s on the up slope and who’s on the down slope and who’s in better shape. Frank’s on the way down and Josh is coming in, so he’s going to be on his way up. There’s a lot of pressure on Frank because he has to win. Being a great commentator as he is, being a big part of the UFC as he has been, a good poster child, win or lose he’ll still remain in the UFC because he’s still a great contender and a force to be reckoned with. He’s got a good ground game. Josh loves to rip people’s legs off and Frank prides himself on leg locks, also. This will be exciting. But all I can say, is be careful pulling guard.”
In a contest that sees two of MMA’s elite submission grapplers finally meet in the Octagon, Barnett returns to face Mir at UFC 164. The contest marks ‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ first UFC appearance since the multi-generational veteran last competed at UFC 36.
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