“Brock did a lot in WWE. He’s got a big name,” said Tim Sylvia (26-3), who fights Brazil’s Antonio Nogueira (30-4-1) for the interim UFC heavyweight title in the main event. “Wrestling is the base of (MMA) fighting. It’s the best base to have.”

Sylvia doesn’t need to be told about Lesnar’s extensive wrestling background. But he’s more concerned about his own main event against Nogueira, a former Pride FC champion in Japan.

“I’m glad I get to fight Nogueira. Fans are always saying that Pride is better than UFC, but we haven’t seen that,” said Sylvia hinting toward wins over former Pride fighters like Shogun Rua by UFC’s Forrest Griffin. “I truly believe he’s (Nogueira) the best heavyweight jujitsu fighter in the world. He’s a stud.”

Sylvia and UFC president Dana White also feel Lesnar is a stud too. The UFC jefe placed him head on against a former champion, a hungry former champion in Mir.

“I feel because of the publicity, a win against Lesnar can bring a lot of attention,” said Mir. “Also, if Tim Sylvia wins, it puts me up with him because of our history.”

Mir beat Sylvia to capture the UFC title in 2004 with an arm bar that broke his forearm.

Lesnar shrugs it off.

“I want to be tested right away,” said Lesnar, 30. “You only get one shot at this.”

Other UFC fights scheduled
In the middleweight division: Jeremy Horn (88-16-5) tangles with Nate Marquardt (28-7-1); Ricardo Almeida (8-2) meets Alan Belcher (11-3); and Marvin Eastman (14-7-1) fights Terry Martin.

In the welterweight contests: Chris Lytle (34-15-4) opposes Kyle Bradley (13-4-1); and Keita Nakamura (14-2-2) fights Rob Emerson (8-6-1). In the lone lightweight bout Gleison Tibau (27-3) meets Tyson Griffin (10-1). A light heavyweight bout features David Heath (9-2) grappling with Tim Boetsch (6-1).

Friday night Bodog MMA card
Nick “The Goat” Thompson (33-9-1) tangles with John Troyer (8-0) in a welterweight bout on Friday night Feb. 1 at the Sports Center in Las Vegas. The fight card is promoted by Bodog and is called “Tuff N Uff.”

Thompson, the Bodog welterweight champion, is coming off an impressive knockout win over Eddie Alvarez. The veteran MMA fighter has 43 professional MMA fights at a high level. Troyer is undefeated and hopes his youth can help him shoot down Thompson and capture the title.

Also, the Bodog fight card features a four-man welterweight tournament with the finalists meeting each other later in the night. Those participating are Seth Baczynski, Chris Kennedy, Jerome Martinez and Waachim Spiritwolf.

A female match between Angela Magana (2-1) and Lynn Alvarez (1-0) is one of several other fights taking place.

Fights coming up

• Fri. Feb. 1: Hardcore Championship Fighting at Stampede Corral in Calgary, Canada. (403) 269-9822.
• Fri. Feb. 1: Bodog: Tuff N Uff at Las Vegas Sports Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (702) 377-7777.
• Sat. Feb. 2: UFC 81: Breaking Point at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (877) 632-7800.

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