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[wolunt]

"I would like to apologize to Brock Lesnar, his family, the UFC, and the UFC fans for my stupid remarks. I respect Brock, all the other fighters, and the sport of mixed martial arts. I’m sorry that I stepped out of line."—Frank Mir

I figured that it would be most appropriate that I write about Mir’s apology, because in fairness, I was probably one of his toughest critics in these past couple of days.

First, please let me speak on behalf of myself—and myself alone—when I say that Mir’s apology is absolutely accepted.

“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.”—Bruce Lee

In fact, I should be thanking Frank Mir.

Despite what some fight fans may think, I do not hate Frank Mir. I never have.

Have I been a bit critical of him for some of his “mind-game” antics? Yes.

Did he annoy me during his stint as a TUF coach with his constant “Junie...Niiiiiiicce!” remarks? Yes.

So then, why (at the risk of sounding like a back-peddler—which would require an apology, by the way) am I thanking Frank Mir?

I am thanking him, because if not for him, we would not have all been discussing the issue of fight-hyping, trash-talking, and “how far is too far?”

Here is an obvious example: "I want to fight Brock Lesnar. I hate who he is as a person. I want to break his neck in the ring. I want him to be the first person that dies to Octagon-related injuries.”—Frank Mir, WXDX Radio

It’s tough to say that this comment crossed the line because in fairness to Mir, there was no predetermined line to cross. Bad behaviour has been tolerated and excused by many up until this point, and there needs to be a higher level of accountability and professionalism in MMA if we want this sport to continue its incredible growth as an industry (still not legal in New York and Ontario).

For all of the complaining that fight fans did when Brock Lesnar first came into the UFC about not wanting it to emulate the poor characteristics and bad behaviours typically found in the WWE, I was surprised that some fans didn’t really have a problem with Mir’s remarks. In fact, they liked them.

Personally, I found them unprofessional, irresponsible, and downright idiotic.

Anyway, enough said about that. We all make mistakes.

It’s water under the bridge for this fight fan.

Lord knows that I am in no way perfect, and the folks that are probably the most upset with me for writing my last article (c’mon Gary...how ‘bout a hug?!) would certainly be the first in line to tell you exactly that.

I accept that about myself, and I accept that about Frank Mir.

I take my responsibility as a parent and as a coach seriously.

Maybe a little too seriously sometimes...

In fact, a common trend amongst my articles (even the ones bashing Tito) has been ensuring that all professional athletes act in a way that influences our youth positively and responsibly.

Admittedly, Frank Mir had me second guessing my own involvement in this sport. Even some of the comments by the fans had me wondering, why on earth I would want to associate my name and reputation with MMA.

Then, I received this private e-mail from a young man:

“I was trying to get my dad to watch MMA. I was showing him stuff on the web and telling him about the sport. When we came up on Mir’s comments . He is a very critical man and decided he did not think much of the sportsmanship. This morning I sent him a link to your article. He liked what he read. He emailed me back and said maybe. I appreciate your article because it does show that the fans are not barbaric and do not think it should be tolerated. I read somewhere Mir would not let his children watch TUF because of a reason that in my opinion was not even close to what he said. Please excuse spelling and capital letters I’m really trying.”

This has really inspired me to keep going and so, like it or not, I will continue to speak out on the things that I do not like about this sport, in the hopes that one day, it could be something that everyone would all be proud to let their own children get involved with (it’s all about planting “roots,” folks).

Look, I’m not a naive guy.

I know that this is a violent sport. I just really thought that Mir went too far.

More than anything, I felt that Mir’s remarks warranted a serious discussion, exploring all possible consequences.

Martial arts, for me, has NEVER been about violence. I don’t see any competitive fighting sport that way. I have always looked at it more like a physical chess game.

A Sport!

Why would I want to endorse and promote MMA if I thought that it was just stupid brutality?

I could just go down to any local bar instead and watch two idiots kick the crap out of each other for free.

You can call me soft if you want (thanks Stoke), but I call it...being responsible.

And in the best interests of Frank Mir and his mental health, I feel the following quote by a “fan” sums it up best:

“Realistically, the loss to Lesnar has obviously affected Mir and it's clear that he's got some issues involving Lesnar to the level that his judgment is clouded on subjects relating to Brock. I know when I heard him say his motivation to train insane and beat Kongo was so that he could one day tear off Brocks arm in a rematch, I actually was on the fence about where Frank was mentally with his loss. I don't wonder now, Frank needs some closure on that issue, whether it's in the cage or in a therapists room, he needs it badly, it's clear. We've all said and done things we have regretted or STILL regret because we haven't reconciled the situation and I'm pretty sure at SOME point it would be prudent for Frank to make an apology for what was said and rectify his career in the sport.”

Frank Mir is without a doubt a future Hall of Famer in this sport.

We should all want what is best for him.

Source: • View topic - Frank Mir Apologizes for Comments: Should the Fans Accept?

I think I'm ok with this. Not the best apology but it's enough for me. Fighters are not politicians and don't always say the smartest things. While this was down right stupid, he's still just a fighter. While he tries to sound smarter than he really is, clearly he is not with these types of comments. I'm glad he made a quick apology but don't know if he would have if Dana hadn't chewed his arse. I'm ready to move on, bring on Carwin/Mir and lets see Mir do something he's actually really good at.

[bingo]

Some people you can believe, some you can't. After all his comments, it's just hard to believe.
He's probably doing PR repair because a lot of people, fan's and non fans alike, were shocked or down right pissed about his comments. In his heart, he still hates everything about Brock.

[Black]

Brock probably fell same thing about him and about everybody in heavyweight division... anyway who cares they will settle it in cage...

[Y2JUBAE]

I don't see where he owes anyone an apology. It's trash talk, yea, he took it a little too far but I have seen worse. See BJ Penn. He always says he's going to kill someone lol.

I think the apology is a good idea if he does end up fighting Brock. Brock does not like trash talk! LOL.

[U shut ur FACE]

I think he feels that he is becoming more like Brock every day. His insatiable appetite for the destruction of his oppressor haunts him every waking second and the more he despises Brock, the more he turns into him. This blood lust that Frank Mir obsesses with shall grant him immortality in the eyes of the weak but at what cost? Mir will eventually look talk and act like Lesner, he will become.......

a Werelesner.

[likebutta]

... I respect Brock ...

I don't think the apology should be taken because of that above. Obviously, it's not a genuine apology and it was forced. So in effect, what apology is there to "accept"? I'll forgive him when I see his face turned into hamburger meat again; out of pity.

[IraVirus]

I hate the whole apologizing to fans. I especially hate grown fans who think they deserve an apology. What do athletes owe us? the only person that deserves an apology would be Brock and I don't see Brock being the type of person to get hurt over trash talk anyway. With this whole nation obsessing over Tigers apology, to the fans, i'm tired of hearing it. Sincere or not, who cares. People are going to like Frank Mir, or hate him, despite his sincere/insincere apology. With that said... I accept.. hahaha jk

[Trojan Fight Club]

I don't accept the apology. The sport of mma has had to overcome many obstacles including the human cock fighting outlook on the sport. When a former champion of the biggest MMA organization talks about hoping someone dies in the octagon it sets all of us back years. Mir just needs to grow up and quit it with the fake apologies. I'd be much more impressed if he just shut his mouth and I could go to this website for a full week without reading about him flapping his mouth about something or other.

[Pasha K]

I think some people takes this much more serious than it should be.
To be honest I find funny the title "Should we accept his apology?", lol it is like Mir offended us personally in a terrible way, we are all upset and now we must have a serious discussion about if we have to accept his apologies or not lol.

He talks out of his ass, he likes very much to say the first bullshit that comes to his mind, he is like that. He makes a lot of idiotic statements, but he says all that just to gain attention, to hype himself. I really dont think that he as idiot to that level, it is just that he has chosen this way to hype himself.

He can say all the garbage he wants, I dont care at all. I disagree with almost everything he says, but LOL, seriously I have to think if I should accept his apology??

[wolunt]

Originally Posted by Y2JUBAE

I don't see where he owes anyone an apology. It's trash talk, yea, he took it a little too far but I have seen worse. See BJ Penn. He always says he's going to kill someone lol.

I think the apology is a good idea if he does end up fighting Brock. Brock does not like trash talk! LOL.

I disagree, first, I don't see it as trash talk cause he's not even scheduled to fight Brock. But more important, it's a really, really bad message about MMA. MMA is still fighting the battle to become legal in New York and parts of Canada. Stupid comments like this only fuel stupid politicians that are fighting to hold MMA back. And imagine if the rubber match does happen and somehow it ends up with Brock having a broken neck. It could/would set MMA back for years. I could even see Congress getting involved to "investigate" MMA. They will do anything to avoid the issues that really matter. Not all pub is good pub for MMA. Jim Rome even opened his show yesterday with Mir's stupid comments.