Brock Lesnar: 'I've Improved Dramatically' Since First Frank Mir Fight

By Michael David Smith - Lead Blogger

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UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is hoping to avenge his only loss and unify the heavyweight title against interim champion Frank Mir at UFC 100. And Lesnar says Mir is going to find out when they fight that Lesnar is a much better fighter than he was when they first met a year and a half ago.

"I've improved dramatically," Lesnar said on a call this week to promote their main event bout at UFC 100.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Lesnar is widely regarded as a physical freak of nature who uses his overwhelming strength to destroy his opponents, but he said that he doesn't care nearly as much about being physically strong as he does about being a well-rounded fighter.

"I hardly even lift weights anymore," Lesnar said. "I lift weights, but that's not my main focus. I'm a fighter now, and I want to evolve and make myself a well-rounded fighter, so obviously I'm not going to leave any stone unturned, when it comes to submissions, submission defense, striking, knees, leg kicks, and also learning to defend everything. It's not just an offensive sport because you're going to take some punches and you're going to give some punches. You've got to be able to handle both sides of the spectrum. I've brought in a number of highly trained trainers to help me evolve, and I believe we've left no stone unturned."

Lesnar knows that there are some MMA fans -- and even some MMA fighters, like Dan Henderson -- who think he was handed his title shot because of his WWE fame, and not because of what he had accomplished as a mixed martial artist. But Lesnar says he doesn't care what the critics think.

"I don't run around looking for any respect," Lesnar said. "I guess the main thing is, I enjoy what I'm doing. I've got the best job in the world, I think. It's great. I get paid to train, I get paid to fight, I'm home with my family every night. ... I'm lucky and feel very fortunate. There are going to be critics, but I don't give a damn what anybody thinks. The only thing that matters to me is that I'm happy and my family is happy."

Lesnar and his family will be even happier if he wins on July 11.

Read More: brocklesnar, frankmir, ufc 100, ufc100, Brock Lesnar (MMA), Frank Mir (MMA)

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