The ties that bond MMA and pro wrestling are very real, and they just got a bit tighter with news that former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir will be making his wrasslin’ debut on April 4th at the next Bloodsport event in Jersey City, New Jersey.
For lovers of the squared circle, that’s the start a magical weekend: WrestleMania 35 goes down just a few days later on April 7th.
The news was confirmed by another former UFC champion, Josh Barnett. Bloodsport also happens to be his promotion now that Matt Riddle has gone WWE, so you’ve got three times the MMA connections on this one.
Just when you thought me and @GCWrestling_ couldn’t surprise you…
We bring FRANK MIR to the ring.@thefrankmir is coming to Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport.
Don’t miss you chance to see it live!https://t.co/rfViB203Tt pic.twitter.com/MMCzLu6RQQ
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 11, 2019
Frank Mir’s had a rough couple of years in mixed martial arts. After dual losses to Andrei Arlovski and Mark Hunt, he tested positive for oral turinabol metabolites and was suspended for two years by USADA. Following that suspension, he asked for and received his release from the UFC, but struggled to regain his form in Bellator.
A 48-second loss to Fedor Emelianenko in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal was followed by a TKO loss to Javy Ayala that saw Mir lose his mouthguard and get his alveolar ridge fractured. While Frank made it clear he was considering retirement from MMA, no official decision has been announced. But we think it’s safe to say he’s moving on to new things with this pro wrestling debut.
Here’s wishing the best to Frank in his new career. We also say goodbye, because this Mania is all about the MMA, not wrestling, damnit.