1. Overview
Francisco Santos Mir III, widely known as Frank Mir, is an American mixed martial artist who has competed primarily in the heavyweight division. Standing at 75 in (191 cm) with a reach of 79 in (201 cm) and weighing around 260 lb (118 kg), he is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mir holds the distinction of having the most finishes and the most submission victories in UFC Heavyweight history. He also holds the record for the longest uninterrupted tenure of any fighter in UFC history, competing with the promotion from 2001 to 2016. Throughout his career, Mir became the first fighter to both knock out and submit the legendary Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Beyond his extensive MMA career, Mir has also ventured into other combat sports, including professional boxing, professional wrestling, Triad Combat, and the Global Fight League.
2. Early Life and Background
Frank Mir's formative years in Las Vegas, Nevada, were deeply influenced by his family's involvement in martial arts and his diverse athletic pursuits.
2.1. Childhood and Upbringing
Born on May 24, 1979, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Frank Mir was raised in a household steeped in martial arts. His parents owned and operated a Kenpo Karate school, providing him with early exposure to martial arts training. Mir is also of Cuban heritage through his father.
2.2. Martial Arts Training
Mir began training in Kenpo Karate at a young age at his parents' school, eventually earning his black belt as a teenager. This foundational training in Kenpo Karate laid the groundwork for his future in combat sports. He later pursued Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under Ricardo Pires, earning a black belt in that discipline as well.
2.3. Wrestling and High School Career
In addition to his martial arts training, Mir was a formidable athlete in high school. He joined the wrestling team at Bonanza High School during his junior year, initially struggling with nine consecutive losses. However, he rapidly improved, achieving a remarkable 44-1 record during his senior year in 1998 and winning the Nevada state championship. Mir also showcased his athleticism in other sports, playing fullback and defensive end on his high school's football team, which reached the Southern Zone semifinals in 1997. Furthermore, he competed in track and field, where his discus throw of 178 ft (54.2 m) remains a Sunset Regional record.
3. Professional MMA Career
Frank Mir's professional mixed martial arts career is marked by his long tenure in the UFC, his championship reigns, and his later ventures into other promotions and combat sports.
3.1. Professional Debut
Mir's entry into professional mixed martial arts was prompted by a suggestion from UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, whom he met at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school. Mir made his professional debut on July 14, 2001, at HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown against Jerome Smith, securing a victory by unanimous decision after two rounds. His second professional fight took place on August 31, 2001, at IFC Warriors Challenge 15, where he defeated Dan Quinn via triangle choke in the first round.
3.2. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Frank Mir's most significant period as a mixed martial artist was his extensive career within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he competed for nearly 16 years.
3.2.1. UFC Debut and Early Success
Mir made his highly anticipated UFC debut on November 2, 2001, at UFC 34: High Voltage, facing the accomplished 6th-degree BJJ black belt Roberto Traven. Mir quickly submitted Traven with an armbar at 1:05 of the first round, earning "Tapout of the Night" honors. He continued his early success at UFC 36: Worlds Collide on March 22, 2002, where he submitted eight-time UFC veteran Pete Williams in just 46 seconds with an inside shoulder lock, a move that has since been named the "Mir Lock." This marked the only submission loss of Williams' career.
Mir faced his first professional setback on July 13, 2002, at UFC 38: Brawl at the Hall in London, England, against Ian Freeman. Despite Mir's attempts at leglocks, Freeman secured side control and landed numerous punches and elbows, leading to a TKO loss for Mir in the first round after a cut on his face and his inability to stand.
He quickly rebounded, submitting Tank Abbott with a toe hold in 46 seconds at UFC 41 on February 28, 2003. On June 26, 2003, at UFC 43: Meltdown, Mir fought Wes Sims, winning by disqualification in the first round after Sims illegally stomped on Mir's jaw. In their rematch at UFC 46: Supernatural on January 31, 2004, Mir secured a knockout victory at 4:21 of the second round.
3.2.2. Heavyweight Championship Reign and Injury
On June 19, 2004, Frank Mir faced Tim Sylvia for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 48: Payback. Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight just 50 seconds into the first round after Mir applied a straight armbar, breaking Sylvia's right forearm in four places (two in both the radius and ulna bones). Sylvia underwent surgery later that week. Following this impressive victory, Mir was awarded his BJJ black belt from Ricardo Pires.
However, Mir's championship reign was cut short by a severe motorcycle accident on September 17, 2004. The accident resulted in two breaks in his femur and torn ligaments in his knee, necessitating a long recovery period. While Mir recovered, an Interim Heavyweight Championship was created, which Andrei Arlovski won by defeating Tim Sylvia. On August 12, 2005, after 14 months as champion, Mir was officially stripped of his title by the UFC, and Arlovski was promoted to undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. Mir later expressed gratitude for the accident, stating it allowed him valuable time with his wife.
3.2.3. Second Championship and Unification Bout
Mir's journey back to championship contention involved overcoming significant challenges and culminated in another title reign, leading to a highly anticipated unification bout.
In his first fight back since the accident, Mir faced 4th-degree BJJ black belt and six-time Mundials champion Márcio Cruz at UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 on February 4, 2006. In a surprising upset, Mir was defeated by first-round TKO. He returned to the octagon on July 8, 2006, at UFC 61: Bitter Rivals against Dan Christison, winning by unanimous decision. Despite the win, Mir was criticized for his appearance and inability to finish a seemingly mismatched opponent. He then faced Brandon Vera at UFC 65: Bad Intentions to determine the number one contender. Mir showed improved striking but was quickly stunned and dropped by Vera, losing by TKO in the first round. Mir later attributed his poor performance in these initial return bouts to lingering health issues from his accident.
Mir's path to redemption began to solidify with a victory over Antoni Hardonk at UFC 74 on August 25, 2007, where he won via kimura at 1:17 of the first round, emphatically declaring "I'm back!" to the cameras.
On February 2, 2008, at UFC 81, Mir welcomed former WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar to the octagon for his highly anticipated debut. Lesnar quickly took Mir down and landed strikes, but referee Steve Mazzagatti controversially deducted a point from Lesnar for illegal punches to the back of Mir's head. After a stand-up and recovery period, Lesnar dropped Mir again, but Mir caught him in a kneebar, forcing Lesnar to tap out at 1:30 of the first round. Mir earned Submission of the Night honors for this victory.
On May 12, 2008, it was announced that Frank Mir would coach the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite the current UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. The season, which premiered on September 17, featured light heavyweight and lightweight fighters.
Mir fought Nogueira at UFC 92 on December 27, 2008, for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Mir showcased vastly improved striking, knocking Nogueira down twice in the first round and once in the second. Referee Herb Dean stopped the match at 1:54 of the second round, declaring Mir the winner by TKO. This marked the first time Nogueira had lost a fight due to strikes. In a post-fight interview, Mir credited his improved conditioning for his striking performance. UFC President Dana White later revealed that Nogueira had been recovering from a Staph infection and a knee injury prior to the fight, though Nogueira still praised Mir's ability to maintain "very good distance."
Mir's victory over Nogueira set up a rematch with undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 100 on July 11, 2009, to unify the titles. Mir had previously stated that his victories over Nogueira and Lesnar already made him the "real" champion. Originally scheduled for UFC 98, the fight was moved to UFC 100 after Mir sustained a knee injury requiring arthroscopic surgery. At UFC 100, Lesnar's superior wrestling and positional dominance proved too much for Mir. Lesnar controlled the first round with wrestling, and in the second, after a brief stand-up exchange where Mir landed a knee, Lesnar secured another takedown. Lesnar then delivered multiple unanswered heavy blows to Mir's face against the cage, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight via TKO at 1:48 in the second round. With this win, Lesnar became the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. UFC 100 broke several UFC records for pay-per-view sales.
3.2.4. Later UFC Career
Following his championship unification bout, Frank Mir continued to compete at the highest level in the UFC, facing a mix of triumphs and challenges, including a significant anti-doping violation.
On December 12, 2009, at UFC 107, Mir faced Cheick Kongo. Mir, who had replaced his striking coach and focused on improving his physique, weighed in at 264.5 lb (264.5 lb). Early in the fight, Mir dropped Kongo with an overhand left and secured a guillotine choke, rendering Kongo unconscious at 1:12 of the first round. In the post-fight press conference, Mir expressed a desire for a rubber match with Brock Lesnar, controversially stating he wanted to break Lesnar's neck and make him the first fighter to die in competition. Mir later issued an apology for these comments after being admonished by Dana White.
Mir then faced Shane Carwin for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship on March 27, 2010, at UFC 111. After a brief stand-up exchange, Carwin pushed Mir against the cage and delivered several short uppercuts, resulting in a knockout loss for Mir at 3:48 of the first round.
Following this loss, Mir briefly considered dropping to the light heavyweight division but ultimately decided to remain at heavyweight. He was scheduled for a rematch with Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 119 on September 25, 2010, but Nogueira pulled out due to knee surgery and was replaced by Mirko Cro Cop. Mir defeated Cro Cop via third-round knockout with a knee from the clinch in a largely uneventful fight.
On May 28, 2011, at UFC 130, Mir faced former IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy Nelson. Mir won by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, and 30-26), demonstrating improved wrestling by pushing Nelson against the cage, executing a Judo hip throw, and securing several takedowns in the third round. He also landed multiple knees and elbows from the Muay Thai clinch.
A highly anticipated rematch with Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira took place on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140. In the first round, Mir was dropped by a punch from Nogueira and was nearly stopped. However, he quickly recovered, gained superior positioning, and defeated Nogueira by kimura at 3:38 of round 1, snapping Nogueira's arm in the process as Nogueira refused to tap. This victory made Mir the first fighter to defeat Nogueira via submission in mixed martial arts, in addition to being the first to finish him via knockout. The win earned Mir Submission of the Night honors, and Dana White famously called it the "submission of the century."
Mir was initially scheduled to face Cain Velasquez at UFC 146 on May 25, 2012. However, he was later announced as the replacement for Alistair Overeem to challenge Junior dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. In their fight, dos Santos utilized superior footwork to strike effectively before Mir could mount significant offense. Mir lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Later in 2012, the UFC announced that Mir had been given a one fight sabbatical to compete under the Strikeforce banner to challenge Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion Daniel Cormier. The bout was initially scheduled for November 3, 2012, but Mir was forced to withdraw due to a training injury. The fight was rescheduled for April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7, where Mir lost by unanimous decision.
Mir then faced returning former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164, losing via TKO in the first round from a knee strike. His next bout was against Alistair Overeem on February 1, 2014, at UFC 169, resulting in a unanimous decision loss, marking his fourth consecutive defeat in the UFC.
On February 22, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 61, Mir faced Antônio Silva. Despite being the betting underdog, Mir won the fight via knockout in the first round, dropping Silva with a left hook and finishing him with ground and pound. This performance earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. On March 16, 2015, Mir was notably invited to the presidential palace of Chechen Republic President Ramzan Kadyrov.
Mir continued his resurgence, facing Todd Duffee at UFC Fight Night 71 on July 15, 2015. He won the fight via knockout in the first round, dropping Duffee with a straight left. This earned him his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus.
Mir's winning streak was halted on September 5, 2015, at UFC 191, where he faced Andrei Arlovski. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision, though some, including UFC president Dana White, believed Mir had won.
His final UFC fight was against Mark Hunt on March 20, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 85 in Brisbane, Australia. Mir lost the fight via KO in the first round. On April 7, 2016, Mir was notified by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that his sample from the fight tested positive for oral turinabol metabolites. Mir stated he did not take any performance-enhancing drugs, but he was nonetheless suspended for two years. In early 2017, Mir expressed interest in a potential comeback and a third fight with Brock Lesnar. On July 8, 2017, after nearly 16 years with the promotion and six fights remaining on his contract, Mir was granted his release from the UFC due to his distrust of USADA.
3.2.5. Pay-per-view Bouts
Mir headlined or co-headlined several UFC pay-per-view events:
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UFC 100 | Lesnar vs. Mir 2 | July 11, 2009 | Mandalay Bay Events Center | Las Vegas, Nevada | 1,600,000 |
| 2 | UFC 119 | Mir vs. Cro Cop | September 25, 2010 | Conseco Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, Indiana | 295,000 |
| 3 | UFC 146 | Dos Santos vs. Mir | May 26, 2012 | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada | 560,000 |
3.3. Bellator MMA
After his departure from the UFC, Frank Mir signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA on August 16, 2017.
His Bellator debut was on April 28, 2018, at Bellator 198, where he faced Fedor Emelianenko as part of the opening round of the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament. Mir lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
In his second Bellator fight, Mir faced Javy Ayala at Bellator 212 on December 14, 2018. Mir won the first round by taking Ayala down and controlling him on the ground. However, Ayala rallied in the second round, and Mir eventually lost by TKO after tapping to punches that caused an alveolar ridge fracture.
Mir then had a rematch with Roy Nelson on October 25, 2019, headlining Bellator 231. Mir won the fight via unanimous decision, snapping a four-fight losing streak across both promotions. On April 1, 2020, Mir's contract with Bellator expired, making him a free agent.
3.4. Other Combat Sports Activities
Beyond his primary focus on mixed martial arts, Frank Mir has explored various other combat sports disciplines.
3.4.1. United Fight League
Frank Mir is currently under a two-fight contract with the United Fight League (UFL), where he also serves as an ambassador. He has announced his intention to retire from MMA after completing these two fights, with plans to potentially share a fight card with his daughter, Bella Mir. His debut with the UFL was originally scheduled for August 2023 but was canceled.
3.4.2. Professional wrestling
In January 2019, Mir made his professional wrestling debut for Game Changer Wrestling's Bloodsport event, an independent wrestling show featuring matches presented in an MMA style. His debut match on April 4, 2019, during WrestleMania 35 weekend, was against former UFC Superfight Champion and NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dan Severn. Mir defeated Severn and, in a post-match interview, called out his former UFC rival, Brock Lesnar.
3.4.3. Professional boxing
On February 25, 2021, Mir announced his professional boxing debut against former multi-time light heavyweight and cruiserweight boxing champion Antonio Tarver on April 17, on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren event. However, Tarver was pulled from the bout after failing to meet the requirements of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission. Mir instead faced former IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham at the event, losing by unanimous decision.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loss | 0-1 | Steve Cunningham | Unanimous decision | 6 | April 17, 2021 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
3.4.4. Triad Combat
On November 27, 2021, Mir participated in Triad Combat, a boxing vs. MMA card promoted by Triller, facing Kubrat Pulev in the main event. Mir lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loss | 0-1 | Kubrat Pulev | TKO | 1 (9) 1:59 | November 27, 2021 | Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas, U.S. |
3.4.5. Global Fight League
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Frank Mir had signed with the newly launched Global Fight League (GFL). He is scheduled to face Fabrício Werdum at a date and location yet to be announced.
4. Championships and Achievements
Frank Mir's career is marked by significant accomplishments in mixed martial arts, particularly within the UFC, and notable achievements in other grappling and combat sports.
4.1. MMA Titles and Records
Mir's accolades in mixed martial arts include:
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Brock Lesnar and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Antônio Silva and Todd Duffee
- Third most wins in UFC Heavyweight division history (16)
- Third most fights in UFC Heavyweight division history (27)
- Second most finishes in UFC Heavyweight division history (13)
- Second most first-round finishes in UFC history (11) (behind Jim Miller)
- Most submissions in UFC Heavyweight division history (8)
- Most submission attempts in UFC Heavyweight division history (21)
- Most submissions per 15-minute average in UFC Heavyweight division history (2.02)
- Fastest submission in UFC Heavyweight division (45 seconds)
- Tied with Gunnar Nelson and Michael Chiesa for seventh most submission wins in UFC history (8)
- First and only toe hold finish in UFC history
- Fought five different UFC Heavyweight Champions
- Defeated three different UFC Heavyweight Champions
- UFC.com Awards
- 2008: Upset of the Year (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira 1), Ranked #5 Fighter of the Year, Ranked #2 Submission of the Year (vs. Brock Lesnar)
- 2009: Ranked #3 Submission of the Year (vs. Cheick Kongo)
- 2011: Submission of the Year (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira 2)
- FIGHT! Magazine
- 2008 Submission of the Year (vs. Brock Lesnar on February 2)
- Sherdog
- 2008 Comeback Fighter of the Year
- 2011 Submission of the Year (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira on December 10)
- 2011 All-Violence Second Team
- Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame
- ESPN
- 2011 Submission of the Year (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira on December 10)
- World MMA Awards
- 2011 Submission of the Year (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140)
- 2011 Comeback of the Year (vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140)
4.2. Other Combat Sports Achievements
Mir has also achieved success in other combat sports disciplines:
- Submission grappling
- Pan American Championships
- Blue Belt Pesadissimo: 1st place (2001)
- North American Grappling Association
- NAGA Absolute Division Champion (2007)
- Pan American Championships
- Amateur wrestling
- Nevada State Wrestling
- Nevada State Wrestling Champion (1998)
- Nevada State Wrestling
4.3. Awards and Recognition
In recognition of his contributions to combat sports, Frank Mir was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in January 2016, becoming the first mixed martial artist to receive this honor.
5. Personal Life
Frank Mir's life outside the octagon includes his family, personal beliefs, and other professional endeavors.
5.1. Family and Relationships
Frank Mir is married to Jennifer, and together they have three children. Jennifer also has a son from a previous relationship whom Mir adopted. His oldest biological child, Isabella "Bella Mir" Miranda, has followed in her father's footsteps and also competes as a professional mixed martial artist, winning her debut in October 2020 with her father in her corner.
5.2. Beliefs and Lifestyle
Mir is an atheist and identifies as a libertarian. He experimented with a vegan diet for a year but later switched to a paleo diet due to a lack of energy. He has openly discussed his experience with low testosterone, for which he underwent testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) from 2012 until its ban from combat sports in 2014. He has kanji tattoos on his upper back ("Samurai"), left upper arm ("Unconditional Love"), and right arm ("Uncrowned King").
5.3. Other Ventures
Before his UFC career, Mir worked as a bouncer at the Spearmint Rhino in Las Vegas and continued to serve as its Director of Security while competing in the UFC. He has also pursued a career in commentary, serving as a color commentator for World Extreme Cagefighting until 2010. Mir has expressed a strong desire to pursue commentary full-time after his fighting career concludes, stating he enjoys analyzing fights. In 2015, he was appointed as a color commentator for Absolute Championship Berkut. His former entrance music was "Hate Me Now" by Nas featuring Puff Daddy, and he later used "Amazing" by Kanye West.
6. Legacy and Influence
Frank Mir's legacy in mixed martial arts is defined by his distinctive fighting style, his enduring presence in the heavyweight division, and his memorable rivalries.
6.1. Impact on Mixed Martial Arts
Mir's impact on mixed martial arts, particularly the heavyweight division, is significant. He is renowned for his exceptional grappling skills, especially his submissions, which allowed him to achieve notable victories over powerful strikers and fellow grapplers alike. His ability to finish opponents with unique techniques, such as the toe hold and the "Mir Lock," showcased his innovative approach to jiu-jitsu in an MMA context. He was a pioneer in demonstrating the effectiveness of high-level submission grappling in the heavyweight division.
6.2. Notable Rivalries
Throughout his career, Frank Mir was involved in several high-profile rivalries that captivated fans and produced memorable fights. His two-fight series with Brock Lesnar was particularly intense, marked by both a submission victory for Mir and a TKO loss in their unification bout. Another defining rivalry was with Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, a two-fight series that saw Mir become the first fighter to both knock out and submit the legendary Brazilian, including the infamous arm-breaking kimura at UFC 140.
6.3. Enduring Influence
Mir's career longevity and his ability to overcome significant adversity, such as his devastating motorcycle accident and subsequent return to championship contention, highlight his resilience and dedication. His consistent presence in the UFC's heavyweight division for nearly 16 years, holding records for most finishes and submissions, cemented his place as one of the division's all-time greats. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the sport's history, influencing future generations of heavyweights with his technical grappling prowess.
6.4. Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19-13 | Roy Nelson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 231 | October 25, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 18-13 | Javy Ayala | TKO (submission to punches) | Bellator 212 | December 14, 2018 | 2 | 4:30 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 18-12 | Fedor Emelianenko | KO (punches) | Bellator 198 | April 28, 2018 | 1 | 0:48 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 18-11 | Mark Hunt | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir | March 20, 2016 | 1 | 3:01 | Brisbane, Australia | Mir tested positive for a turinabol metabolite. |
| Loss | 18-10 | Andrei Arlovski | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 191 | September 5, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18-9 | Todd Duffee | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee | July 15, 2015 | 1 | 1:13 | San Diego, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 17-9 | Antônio Silva | KO (elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir | February 22, 2015 | 1 | 1:40 | Porto Alegre, Brazil | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 16-9 | Alistair Overeem | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 169 | February 1, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 16-8 | Josh Barnett | TKO (knee) | UFC 164 | August 31, 2013 | 1 | 1:56 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 16-7 | Daniel Cormier | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez | April 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 16-6 | Junior dos Santos | TKO (punches) | UFC 146 | May 26, 2012 | 2 | 3:04 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 16-5 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Technical Submission (kimura) | UFC 140 | December 10, 2011 | 1 | 3:38 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 15-5 | Roy Nelson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 130 | May 28, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14-5 | Mirko Cro Cop | KO (knee) | UFC 119 | September 25, 2010 | 3 | 4:02 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 13-5 | Shane Carwin | KO (punches) | UFC 111 | March 27, 2010 | 1 | 3:48 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | For the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13-4 | Cheick Kongo | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 107 | December 12, 2009 | 1 | 1:12 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Loss | 12-4 | Brock Lesnar | TKO (punches) | UFC 100 | July 11, 2009 | 2 | 1:48 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12-3 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | TKO (punches) | UFC 92 | December 27, 2008 | 2 | 1:57 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11-3 | Brock Lesnar | Submission (kneebar) | UFC 81 | February 2, 2008 | 1 | 1:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lesnar was deducted one point in round 1 for strikes to the back of the head. Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 10-3 | Antoni Hardonk | Submission (kimura) | UFC 74 | August 25, 2007 | 1 | 1:17 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 9-3 | Brandon Vera | TKO (punches) | UFC 65 | November 18, 2006 | 1 | 1:09 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Win | 9-2 | Dan Christison | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 61 | July 8, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 8-2 | Márcio Cruz | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC 57 | February 4, 2006 | 1 | 4:10 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8-1 | Tim Sylvia | Technical Submission (armbar) | UFC 48 | June 19, 2004 | 1 | 0:50 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. Mir was stripped of the title on August 12, 2005 due to injury. |
| Win | 7-1 | Wes Sims | KO (punches) | UFC 46 | January 31, 2004 | 2 | 4:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6-1 | Wes Sims | DQ (kicking a downed opponent) | UFC 43 | June 6, 2003 | 1 | 2:55 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5-1 | Tank Abbott | Submission (toe hold) | UFC 41 | February 28, 2003 | 1 | 0:45 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 4-1 | Ian Freeman | TKO (punches) | UFC 38 | July 13, 2002 | 1 | 4:35 | London, England | |
| Win | 4-0 | Pete Williams | Submission (inside shoulder lock) | UFC 36 | March 22, 2002 | 1 | 0:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 3-0 | Roberto Traven | Submission (armbar) | UFC 34 | November 2, 2001 | 1 | 1:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 2-0 | Dan Quinn | Submission (triangle choke) | IFC: Warriors Challenge 15 | August 31, 2001 | 1 | 2:15 | Oroville, California, United States | |
| Win | Jerome Smith | Decision (unanimous) | HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown | July 14, 2001 | 2 | 5:00 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | Heavyweight debut. |