Frank Mir Asks For His UFC Release

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir was informed by USADA in April that he has violated the Anti-Doping Policy stemming from an in-competition sample collected the day of his fight on March 20, 2016 (UFC Fight Night 85 against Mark Hunt) in Brisbane, Australia. Now, Mir is looking to get out of the UFC so he can make a living.

“As of now I’m under suspension, as of April 2018 I’ll be eligible to fight again the UFC, and even more, as troubling as that is, they have it to where I can’t do any broadcasting,” Mir said on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour. “Not that I was ever going to get it in there, just because I’ve been asking for several years since the WEC since put this in the rotation, right now I’d like to be released by the UFC so I can continue my career in other avenues.”

“I didn’t see any advantage or course of action that would have been conclusive or really had any percentages on my side where I could win,” Mir said. It’s starting to look very expensive to fight, and if at the end of it I’m still suspended, and I’m not allowed to fight or broadcast, I have to start to think about my savings as I’m trying to raise children, I made a decision to forego trying to battle it anymore.”

Mir explained that he knows UFC officials are busy, so he is patiently waiting for them to grant his release.

“After I realized three weeks ago the situation in its entirety, and looked at my savings account and what my kids cost to raise, I realized I have to go make a living,” Mir said. “Being tied up not able to fight and not able to do any analytical works. .. I know they’re very busy, there’s a lot on their plate, so I’m trying as patiently as a person can be find time to get in front of them and discuss the issue.”

Mir (18-11) is currently on a two fight losing streak. In his last six bouts, he’s 2-4. As of this writing, the UFC has yet to grant his release.