Kubrat Pulev KOs Frank Mir on Triller Triad Combat Ring Card in Texas
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In the featured bout of the night at Globe Field in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday night, November 27, 2021, heavyweight contender Kubrat Pulev scored a first-round knockout of MMA fighter Frank Mir (out on his feet) at 1:59 of the first round. BoxRec has the bout listed, but as a No Decision.
This is because this particular bout was fought as a Triad Combat rules bout in a triangular ring as part of Triller Triad Combat. Pulev, 28-2 with 14 knockouts, Sofia, Bulgaria, a two-time world heavyweight title challenger, had to adjust to the modified rules of the new triangular professional boxing ring, which functions somewhere in the middle between boxing and MMA.
The two fighters wore eight ounces hybrid boxing gloves, and used the usual boxing punching techniques, with added allowed grappling, spinning backfists, elbows, and forearms, or so it appeared. Once Pulev got Mir out of distance range where he could simply box, Pulev landed pinpoint head shots and Mir staggered backwards into a triangular corner, dazed and out of it, prompting the stoppage by referee Dan Miragliotta.
The specific motto of leveling the playing field between the two sports utilizing crossover gloves, and with grappling and holding allowed, is meant to offer boxing and MMA fighters an even chance, whereby neither opponent has a greater advantage. In the case of Pulev, it sure seemed Pulev had the advantage when he drew distance from his opponent and only had to box, making the match end quickly when he took boxing target practice with pinpoint head shots.
The southpaw Mir, 42, has a 19-13 professional MMA record, with 14 wins by way of knockout or submission. Mir won the UFC’s interim heavyweight championship at UFC 92 in December 2008. In his professional boxing debut in April 2021 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Mir lost a six round decision to former World Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham.
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