Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Last night from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas the UFC's heavyweight division was on display. Former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar was the talk of the event. He was hyped up to be the next heavyweight champion and the biggest star the UFC has seen in years.  My cousin Scott says someone forgot to tell Frank Mir all that.  The Spoon Man recaps Mir-Lesnar and the rest of UFC 81 for us in his latest effort. Last night from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas the UFC's heavyweight division was on display. Former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar was the talk of the event. He was hyped up to be the next heavyweight champion and the biggest star the UFC has seen in years. I think they forgot to tell Frank Mir that.

Brock Lesnar is clearly a big and strong guy with great wrestling and freak power. He was able to display that for a minute of the first round. Lesnar did what everyone thought he would do. The fight immediately went to the ground where Lesnar was able to pound on Mir's face with punches and elbows. It looked like it was going to be a quick fight with Mir getting pummeled.

Lesnar was deducted a point for hitting Mir in the back of the head. The fight went back to the feet after that. It didn't matter, Lesnar again got a takedown and landed more shots. Mir then was patient and did what he does.

Mir looked for an armbar, almost got it and then there was a scramble. Lesnar tried to pull away from Mir's guard and fell right into a foot lock. Fight over, Mir wins. Welcome to the world of mixed martial arts.

Lesnar did look good with his power and strength. He is a huge guy and is quick. Wrestlers that come into mma with as little experience as Brock has will have to learn submission defense. I really think Lesnar will be a force to reckon with once he is able to get that must needed experience.

With his win, Frank Mir deserves a title shot. He is the former UFC champ who never lost his belt in the octagon. His motorcycle accident forced him out of the sport for a few years and he looks to be back to championship form.

The new UFC Heavyweight Champion is Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira and he had to work to get that title.

Nogueira stepped in with two time former champion Tim Sylvia in what was a difference in styles. Sylvia loves the stand up game and wants to throw bombs. Nogueira is a wizard in submissions and would prefer to be on the mat.

Through the first two rounds Sylvia was dominating the fight with rights and lefts to Minotauro's head. He was trying to get the fight to the ground but Sylvia wanted no part of the ground battle. Tim did have him rocked a few times and was close to closing the show.

On to the third round, and very similar to Frank Mir, Nogueira imposed his will and got a solid takedown. They battled for position and Sylvia found himself tapping from a guillotine choke.

The winner and new heavyweight champion is Antonio "MInotauro" Nogueira.  In his last two fights, he was close to being knocked out and found the will to win. He is the first fighter be both Pride champion and UFC champion.  Now, let's see him take on Frank Mir in a battle of ground wizards that just happen to be huge guys.

Nate "The Great" Marquardt lived up to his nickname. Coming off of his only loss in the UFC, Marquardt dominated Jeremy Horn.

Nate was solid in every aspect of the game. Jeremy Horn has seen his better days and it looks as if the game has past him by. Horn made one submission attempt that Marquardt got out of at the end of the first round.

Once the second round started, it was the beginning of the end. Marquardt came out and got an easy submission one minute and thirty seven seconds into the 2^nd. Look for Marquardt to back in the title picture very soon. His all around game is phenomenal.

Full results:

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira def. Tim Sylvia via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 3, 1:28

Frank Mir def. Brock Lesnar via submission (knee bar) - Round 1, 1:30

Nate Marquardt def. Jeremy Horn via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 2, 1:37

Ricardo Almeida def. Rob Yundt via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 1:08

Tyson Griffin def. Gleison Tibau via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Chris Lytle def. Kyle Bradley via KO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:33

Tim Boetsch def. David Heath via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 4:52

Marvin Eastman def. Terry Martin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Rob Emerson def. Keita Nakamura via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Last night was a great night for the sport of mixed martial arts. I'm sure the organization earned new fans because of Brock Lesnar. The Undertaker, Stone Cold and Kurt Angle were all in the crowd for crying out loud. If they weren't fans before and tuned in and saw what the sport is all about, they should be hooked. Frank Mir showed what this great sport is all about. Fighters now need to be solid in all aspects of the game.

Brock Lesnar will learn from this mistake and will be back better for it. The guy does have star power and is simply a freak of nature.

Frank Mir showed he is back and hopefully this fight will keep him focused. When he is at the top of his game, he is fun to watch.

Mixed martial arts is the greatest sport in the world and it was proven yet again last night. UFC 82 will be coming to us from the great city of Columbus, Ohio. I can't wait to take it in live.