Mir A Free Agent, Interested In Doing Commentary Work

Due to the unfamiliarity COVID-19 has brought onto the fighting world, it is unknown when Frank Mir will be able to compete next. As a result, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion is looking at an alternative call to action.

Mir (19-13) announced on his Phone Booth Fighting podcast that he still has one fight left on his Bellator MMA contract. However, due to recent events, Mir is interested in exploring other opportunities down the line. The 40-year-old talked about a way to work through the deal in order to get what he wants.

“Basically I had a good conversation with Scott Coker,” Mir stated, via MMA Junkie. “(I’m) still going to have a fight with them, just because there’s a fight left on my fight contract. Scott was very easy to talk to about it – their company’s shut down, he hasn’t even left his house in three weeks – so, once they start up, there’s going to be a backlog of fights because they have so many fighters on their roster.

“So now I’m basically, not basically, I am a free agent. Even though I would still do fights for Bellator, I’m not beholden to any contract to anybody now. So I can try out the free market and see whoever opens up to fighting first.”

Joining Bellator in 2018, Mir made his debut for the promotion in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix. He lost to Fedor Emelianenko in the first round, before losing his second fight there against Javy Ayala via TKO. Mir finally won his first bout with the promotion against Roy Nelson back in October via split decision. It ended a four-fight losing streak dating back to 2015.

Mir had six fights left on his UFC deal but left the promotion in 2017 after dealing with a suspension by USADA. He spent 16 years with the promotion, going 16-11 during that time. He is hoping to do right by Bellator by complying with his end of the deal. As far as what he would like to do, Mir has an interest in both fighting and providing commentary.

“It has always been a dream of mine to fight in Japan,” Mir went on to say. “I remember watching the old PRIDEs back in the day, and RIZIN looks like they have a card coming up in August. So now I’m opened up to where now I can actually start talking to other companies and seeing where to go, which is great for commentary stuff, as I know before being exclusive fight-wise with Bellator I think hurt me as far as maybe commentating for the UFC. So maybe it’ll open up that avenue to where I could start commentary for UFC fights again and other organizations.”

With Bellator known for collaborating with other promotions, perhaps a deal could be in place for Mir that wouldn’t hurt his future with Bellator. If he was to fight again, Mir has chosen KSW in Poland as one of the promotions he wants to venture towards. He even wants to face Mariusz Pudzianowski, one of the strongest fighters in the world.

“KSW looks like a phenomenal show,” said Mir. “Man, their production value is crazy. They have some interesting fights over there in the heavyweight division.”

Mir isn’t the only one expressing interest. KSW might be willing to bring Mir aboard.

Let's talk @thefrankmir. https://t.co/G24HCWXaJp

— KSW (@KSW_MMA) April 19, 2020