Mir trying to get out of UFC contract
No heavyweight has competed for the UFC more than Frank Mir. If he has his way, he won't spend another minute inside the Octagon.
Following a commentary appearance for Absolute Championship Berkut in Russia this past weekend, Mir told Cageside.ru that he's still under UFC contract, but is working to change that.
"I am, but I am trying to get out of it," Mir said. "They are not going to utilize me as a fighter, and I am not getting any younger. Even if they do not let me go after my suspension, when I'm up and able to fight again, I really would like to step outside."
Mir's 27 UFC appearances are littered with displays of deadly jiu-jitsu, though he's also recorded brutal knockouts against the likes of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antonio Silva, and Todd Duffee. That striking success has Mir wondering how he might fare in a more traditional standup contest - something he won't be able to answer as a UFC employee.
"I have never got to do a kickboxing match," Mir said. "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 ...
"(The UFC) have already made a lot of money, they are very famous, very important and I am very grateful for what they helped me accomplish. But right now, I am being limited in what I'm able to do before I enter full-time 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."
The 37-year-old Mir has just two wins in his past eight fights, but remains an asset to the UFC, due to his status as a former champion within the relatively shallow heavyweight division. Should Mir continue with his complaint, he would be in the same company as high-profile fighters Georges St-Pierre, Jose Aldo, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, all of whom recently discussed cutting ties with the UFC.
- With h/t to FloCombat