Frank Mir Ready to Take Alistair Overeem’s Slot in UFC 146 Title Shot

Frank Mir is slated to face fellow former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in a No. 1 contender’s bout on May 26 at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, but in light of current challenger Alistair Overeem’s positive drug test result for elevated levels of testosterone, Mir may get a shot a little sooner than expected.

Mir had hoped to defeat Velasquez and then six or eight months down the road get a shot at the winner between current champion Junior dos Santos and Overeem, who were to fight on the same card. But unless something miraculous happens, Overeem is more than likely out of the fight and the UFC will have to tap a replacement for dos Santos.

Mir would be more than happy to step in.

“I would be excited if given the opportunity to compete for the UFC’s heavyweight title at UFC 146 if the reports released earlier today regarding Alistair Overeem failing his ‘A’ sample drug test are true,” Mir said on Wednesday.

“I have been fortunate to be able to fight in the UFC for more than a decade, and it is a dream of mine to become the first three-time heavyweight champion in the UFC. Being able to fight Junior dos Santos would put me one step closer to that dream.”

UFC president Dana White has yet to say what he intends to do, the situation is just too fresh. Right now, he’s still venting.

“It’s beyond — what’s the word I’m looking for — it’s beyond belief. It’s beyond comprehension. You’re an absolute moron, a brain-dead absolute (expletive) dummy. It goes beyond a guy have any common sense whatsoever,” White told the StarPhoenix on Wednesday, still reeling from the news of Overeem’s positive drug test result.

Having just learned of the test prior to talking to the StarPhoenix, White added, “I don’t have a plan-B,” when asked what he intended to do.

Mir would be the most logical choice to replace Overeem in the title fight. Velasquez’s last fight was a knockout loss to dos Santos, so an immediate rematch wouldn’t make much sense. Mir, on the other hand, has won his last three fights and seven of his last nine, including a win over UFC 146 cardmate Roy Nelson.

Just what happens next remains to be seen, but the UFC generally moves rather swiftly in such cases.

Stay tuned as MMAWeekly.com keeps you covered as the story develops.

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