Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight champion, Frank Mir (18-11), has already stated that he is done inside the Octagon. And he reiterated those intentions this past weekend, discussing his future in combat sports with Russian mixed martial arts (MMA) website Cageside.ru.
Mir — who is still under contract with UFC — made his Absolute Championship Berkut Fights (ACB) commentary debut at ACB 48 this past weekend.
“I am [still under contract],” he said (via FloCombat.com). “But, I am trying to get out of it. They are not going to utilize me as a fighter and I am not getting any younger. And even if they do not let me go after my suspension, I’m up and I am able to fight again. I really would like to step outside.”
Mir was flagged by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which detected a small amount of oral turinabol metabolites in his system, prior to his first round knockout loss to Mark Hunt back in March. He made a “calculated decision” shortly thereafter to request his UFC release. Clearly, that hasn’t happened yet, but Mir is working diligently on it.
“UFC is not going to be able to get into Russia,” said Mir. “Here you already have phenomenal leagues. Obviously, UFC is a very big thing in the U.S., Canada, Brazil. But I like coming over here, I like the culture, the people. Fighting here and in Japan are two dreams of mine to be able to accomplish. And also fighting in different types of fights, as right now UFC only allows me to fight MMA.”
Mir’s color commentary for ACB 48 was his first taste of it since doing it for World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) before it was absorbed by UFC. Mir has always loved doing color commentary for MMA, and being able to do it in Russia was basically a win-win for him. In addition to wanting to do more color commentary, Mir wants to pursue opportunities in K-1 and boxing.
“I have never got to do kickboxing matches,” said Mir. “I have only fought an amateur boxing match. I want to do a professional boxing match. You know, I always wanted to test myself and find out different things. And UFC wants to protect me like any other fighter under the contract.… They have already made a lot of money, they are very famous, very important and I am very grateful for what they helped me accomplish.”
The ex-champ was also very specific about what he wanted to do with K-1 and boxing if he is released from his contract.
“I am being limited in what I am going to be able to do before I enter into full coaching. I want more experience in different aspects of the sport. My goal is to do at least five K-1-rule kickboxing matches, five professional boxing matches before I retire.”
Along with K-1 kickboxing and boxing, Mir was asked about performing in combat sambo.
“Even the combat sambo, I like watching it and I would be interested in entering the tournament. However, the UFC limits it because they do not want me to go out and take adventures.”
Mir can be added to the long list of fighters on UFC’s roster who have recently spoken out against Dana White and Co. After USADA hit him with a two-year suspension — which Mir is still confused by since he doesn’t know how he tested positive — the 37-year-old is ready to take the next step in his career.
And it’s not going to be inside the Octagon.