Mir: Fighting in Brazil ‘probably not the best idea’

Frank Mir turned down a fight against Fabricio Werdum in Brazil, and will instead face Cain Velasquez at UFC 146 on May 26 in Las Vegas, USA. The problem was not so much the opponent, as the place. Mir explains in the interview with CraveOnline (4:57 mark).

“I think (Werdum) is a phenomenal fighter. I think he has greatly improved stand-up. And I think his jiu-jitsu is some of the best in the world: multiple Abu Dhabi champion, and a world champion with the gi mundial. The guy is awesome.

“The only reason why I at first said, ‘hmmm, maybe not a good idea’ (was) when I found out he wanted to fight in June in Brazil. I was like, ‘Ah, I don’t know if that would be such a great idea, I don’t know if I’m gonna be that well received there.’

“I’d have to go there for a whole week with my family, my wife and my children … I don’t think I’m in (Chael Sonnen’s) boat yet. But at the same time if I go to a restaurant and someone is a Nogueira fan, what are they gonna do to my food? Brazilian fans, fans in general, can be kinda crazy … I’ve received quite a few crazy Emails … Google translate is a phenomenal thing but it kind of makes you cringe a little bit when you see what people wanna say.”

“For example, Dos Santos and I, when he did his last Q&A here in Vegas, we did a couple of pictures a couple of days before at a fundraiser. They were posted up on Twitter. He and I were doing to do a video (shoot) for THQ, for the coming out of UFC (Undisputed) 3. About an hour before I get a phone call that he can’t do it with me. He said basically he had too many threats from his own countrymen, saying how dare you be in a picture with Frank Mir!!?!”

“Now if he has problems with his countrymen just being in a picture with me, I’m not sure I am travelling down there to fight a guy who is a hero down there. Probably not the best idea.”