Seventeen years ago, the fighter responsible for one of the UFC`s biggest upsets admitted he never expected to win the monumental contest.
UFC 92 took place on December 27, 2008, in Las Vegas. While the main event saw Rashad Evans defeat Forrest Griffin to become the new light heavyweight champion, the true shocker of the night occurred during the heavyweight co-main event.
Frank Mir`s Unthinkable Knockout of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Frank Mir, striving to return to the top of the heavyweight division after a career-halting motorcycle accident in 2004, challenged the legendary Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the interim heavyweight title. Mir had recently shocked the world by submitting Brock Lesnar, a win that boosted his status.
Lesnar, who had since gone on to claim the undisputed heavyweight title, was cageside for the showdown with ‘Minotauro,’ anticipating a future unification bout against the victor. Most observers expected the durable Brazilian legend to prevail and set up a massive title fight.
However, the night belonged to Mir. Known primarily as a grappling specialist, Mir surprised everyone by dominating Nogueira with his boxing. He dropped `Big Nog` multiple times in the first round before securing a **stunning TKO finish in the second round**.
This monumental victory marked a historic turning point: it was the **very first time in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira`s 38-fight professional career that he had been finished**.
Reflecting on his improbable journey back from injury and the dramatic win, Mir confessed he even doubted his own ability to succeed:
“I faced such demons after my wreck,” Mir said regarding his comeback following the motorcycle crash. “To come back from that, I’m proof you can do things. I didn’t even think I could beat Nogueira.”
Mir Achieves Another First Against ‘Minotauro’ with Bone-Snapping Submission
The rivalry between Mir and Nogueira didn`t end with the UFC 92 knockout. They ran it back three years later at UFC 140, where ‘Minotauro’ sought to avenge the first finish of his career. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, his second defeat to Mir proved even more brutal.
In the rematch, Mir proved he truly had Nogueira`s number inside the Octagon. He defeated the submission icon by catching him in a **gruesome kimura lock** that resulted in a bone-snapping finish.
Mir cemented his place in the history books, becoming the first fighter not only to knock Nogueira out but also the first to submit him, thus being the first man ever to finish the revered legend twice.
