Frank Mir

Mir’s Las Vegas roots are unusually direct for a star in a sport whose athletes often relocate to train here. At Bonanza High School he won a state wrestling title and also competed in football and track. Martial arts training with his father preceded Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the UFC.

He defeated Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight championship in June 2004. A serious motorcycle accident interrupted that rise, but Mir returned to competition and won the interim heavyweight title against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in December 2008. His local involvement also included assisting wrestling at Bishop Gorman and supporting youth charities. The distinction between the undisputed 2004 title and the interim 2008 title is retained here.