Kizer: 'No denial' was ever made regarding Frank Mir at UFC74

by MMAmania.com on Jun 4, 2007 2:16 PM EDT in UFC News

Frank Mir ufc We passed along a report not too long ago that former heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia and Frank Mir would rematch at UFC 74 on August 25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

However, over the weekend MMAWeekly.com took down that rumor from its Web site and now has Sylvia vs. an unnamed opponent. There is now tons of Internet chatter today that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) will not let the two fight because Mir is incapable of fighting an opponent the "caliber" of the "Maine-iac," particularly after his bad loss to Brandon Vera at UFC 65.

It sounded a little funny to me ... so I contacted the NSAC Executive Director, Keith Kizer, directly earlier this afternoon. He was kind enough to issue a response.

Here it is:

"That fight [Silvia-Mir II] has not been presented to me, and thus no 'denial' has been made. I was asked about the match-up by a reporter and said I would have a hard time approving that fight unless I see a quality win from Mr. Mir first. However, I will keep an open mind. Please note that I approved Mir vs. Hardonk a short while back. I still think that would be a good match-up."

I guess it's hard to nix a fight that never was even presented -- the rematch was clearly just a rumor. And, Kizer vows to keep an "open mind" if the UFC ever does put it on the table.

Mir recently had to pull out of his fight with Antoni Hardonk at UFC Fight Night 9 with a shoulder injury. Similarly, Sylvia is on the mend from back surgery.

In hindsight, it appears that an August showdown was perhaps jumping the gun.

However, even if both heal up before that time (Mir is scheduled to face Babalu in a grappling match on June 22), there is still a possibility that these two could fight.

The door has not been totally closed.

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Comments

I just dont think the time frame would/will work. Tim would have to be priming to get ready to fight now… which we havent heard anything about his physical condition for some time now. That saying his surgeory is over? I doubt it. I dont think you will see Tim Sylvia back in the cage until atleast Novemberish. Does that give Mir enough time to fight Hardonk and then prime for another fight? Absolutely if there is no suspension involved and he basically rips through Hardonk.

I just find it difficult to believe Sylvia would be ready to fight by August. We certainly would have heard about his situation by now if that was the fact.

by Luppers on Jun 4, 2007 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

I saw Mir announcing the WEC last night…his “play-by-play” gives you an idea of what a technician he really is.
Mir is fighting Babalu in a “grappling only” fight June 22nd –
http://mmamania.com/2007/05/31/tuff-n-uff-babalu-vs-frank-mir-in-submission-grappling-superfight-on-june-22/

The NSAC needs to get off their high horse when it comes to sanctioning fights. If a fighter is licensed in Nevada, said fighter and his contracted organization should be able to match up to any other fighter in the same weight class/organization.

I would have a hard time approving that fight

Sounds like the NSAC has a bit too much power in sanctioning on a fight-by-fight basis. If a guy can’t hang in his weight class/organization, pull his license.
With this kind of power, we will never see any open-weight GP style tourneys in the UFC.

by SaVaGe on Jun 4, 2007 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

There is still a bit of babying on behalf of NSAC…maybe Mir is really not or going to be 100% who knows..I’m a big fan of his, and his game. Let’s see what happens.

by PhilQNY on Jun 4, 2007 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

I was actually looking foward to seeing Mir/Slyvia II a rematch we should have seen a while ago.
Too bad Frank got into that accident, I guarentee you if he did not he could be still at the top of the Heavyweight Division.
But who knows?

by "Mr. NC-17" on Jun 4, 2007 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

I may just be dreaming and hoping but watching the WEC last night Frank Mir looked really good and fit. A black dress shirt can be decieving though. I guess I am just hoping that one day Mir become competitive in the heavyweight divison again. I mean maybe Mir will find the old Mir barried somewhere down with in the depths of himself. “Mr. NC-17” it would be really nice to dream and think about where and what Frank Mir could have done had that accident never happened. The “old” Frank Mir vs Cro Cop… wow!

by "The Ghost" on Jun 4, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

I thought that the UFC decided who faught, not the NSAC? Naive on my part, I guess. I hope that Mir has been getting into shape, he hasn’t looked that good in the last couple of fights. What did he do to himself in the accident. I’ve heard and read that he had one, but how did he injure himself?

by Freddy on Jun 4, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

What did he do to himself in the accident. I’ve heard and read that he had one, but how did he injure himself?

On 17 September 2004, Mir was knocked off his motorcycle by a car. Some reports suggest that he flew 60 to 70 feet off the bike. The accident caused a break in Mir’s femur bone. The bone had broken in two places but the injury did not end Mir’s career as a MMA fighter. Major surgery was needed to repair the bone in his leg1.

That is directly copied from Frank Mir’s Wikipedia.

by "The Ghost" on Jun 4, 2007 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

I thought that the UFC decided who faught, not the NSAC? Naive on my part, I guess.

The UFC does decide who fights. The NSAC does have some type of veto power, although it is used sparingly. If piss came to squat, I find it hard to believe that the NSAC would not let Mir fight. He’s a former champion and Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt with numerous UFC fights. It sounds more like Kizer was just talking about the topic off the cuff … not a hard and fast decision like some are making it out to be.

by UFCmania on Jun 4, 2007 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

Good work, bro. Have to say that seemed VERY suspicious to me, also.
Too much BS going on right now all over the net regarding MMA.

I see your guy Desert Dog is picking Serra over Hughes? Interesting…

by MoreThanUFC on Jun 4, 2007 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Frank did a good job of commentating WEC last nite, maybe he should just stick wit that for now.

by LongIslandguy on Jun 4, 2007 3:26 PM EDT reply actions

I may just be dreaming and hoping but watching the WEC last night Frank Mir looked really good and fit. A black dress shirt can be decieving though. I guess I am just hoping that one day Mir become competitive in the heavyweight divison again. I mean maybe Mir will find the old Mir barried somewhere down with in the depths of himself. “Mr. NC-17” it would be really nice to dream and think about where and what Frank Mir could have done had that accident never happened. The “old” Frank Mir vs Cro Cop… wow!

Must say Old Frank Mir vs. Gabirel Gonzalez.
wow.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Jun 4, 2007 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

If piss came to squat,

Rofl, where the hell did that come from?

by Luppers on Jun 4, 2007 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Babalu is gonna wear Mirs crippled ass down. I love Frank Mir simply because he broke that retarded ogre’s arm but he hasnt been the same since that bike accident. If he ever fought sylvia again, they should call it “UFC 74:The Battle Of The Sloths”

by Jenna_gave_ me_aids on Jun 4, 2007 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

I like Mir and I can only hope he gets himself back into the game. I hope that his return is sooner then later.

Later
Chris Valentine

by Chris Valentine on Jun 4, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

I like Mir and I can only hope he gets himself back into the game. I hope that his return is sooner then later.

love mir
hope he gets his shit back together too
just not when hes fighting babalu

by GasManShad on Jun 4, 2007 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

They need to put Timid Tim in with Vera or Big Nog already. I think either one will force Tim to fight or go home.

by Tommy on Jun 4, 2007 8:06 PM EDT reply actions

They need to put Timid Tim in with Vera or Big Nog already.

Vera is totally untested… and for playing the striking game, Tim would knock his ass out. Minotauro on the other hand is in another league..

by Luppers on Jun 4, 2007 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

There is still a bit of babying on behalf of NSAC…maybe Mir is really not or going to be 100% who knows..I’m a big fan of his, and his game. Let’s see what happens.

Wow, you are one of the few then (Mir fans).

by Mamas Boy on Jun 4, 2007 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, you are one of the few then (Mir fans).

You think there are few Mir fans? Are you new to MMA? We just all know he ain’t the same so don’t bother really throwing in the mix much in the debates.

by The Anomaly on Jun 4, 2007 10:18 PM EDT reply actions

You think there are few Mir fans? Are you new to MMA? We just all know he ain’t the same so don’t bother really throwing in the mix much in the debates.

Mir was very entertaining to watch back in the day. When he fought tank Abbott he was slick as hell, not a guy to be toyed with. However after the Vera fight i’ve all but counted him out.

by BLOodyMEss on Jun 4, 2007 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

is the Mir/Sobral grappling match going to be shown on tv? Babalu is my second favorite fighter im taking him

by ChuckLand on Jun 4, 2007 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

is the Mir/Sobral grappling match going to be shown on tv? Babalu is my second favorite fighter im taking him

internet live. havent seen a tv listing yet

by GasManShad on Jun 4, 2007 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

I hope this fight goes down. Man do I miss the old Frank Mir. I wish this guy would snap out of it and start beating the hell out of guys in the Heavy division.

by Stafo on Jun 4, 2007 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

Vera is totally untested… and for playing the striking game, Tim would knock his ass out. Minotauro on the other hand is in another league..

Well if he untested it’s about time they put him to the test then. Vera and Tim would be a good fight. I would be pulling for The Truth. I would just want to see Big N destroy Tim.

by Tommy on Jun 5, 2007 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

Vera is totally untested… and for playing the striking game, Tim would knock his ass out. Minotauro on the other hand is in another league..

If he is so untested what evidance is there that he can’t hang with Tim, if he is so untested then how do you know this?

by The Anomaly on Jun 5, 2007 12:14 AM EDT reply actions

Hardonk must feel he’s shit if NSAC want him to fight Mir.

by jason bang on Jun 5, 2007 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

is the Mir/Sobral grappling match going to be shown on tv? Babalu is my second favorite fighter im taking him

As long as you have DSL or cable, you can see it live on the net. I’m guessing ProElite, but no confirm yet. I’ll post on an active thread when I find out.

by MoreThanUFC on Jun 5, 2007 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

Hardonk must feel he’s shit if NSAC want him to fight Mir.

Thats cuz Hardonk IS shit

by I_did_a_mistake on Jun 5, 2007 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

As long as you have DSL or cable, you can see it live on the net. I’m guessing ProElite, but no confirm yet. I’ll post on an active thread when I find out.

thanks guys

by ChuckLand on Jun 5, 2007 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Mir was very entertaining to watch back in the day. When he fought tank Abbott he was slick as hell, not a guy to be toyed with. However after the Vera fight i’ve all but counted him out.

Counting him out is different then being a fan. I am one of those guys that once I am a fan, I usually try to back that fighter win or lose. Mir was good at one time and showed great potential, and if he ever does come back to his old domination I will be right there to back him.

Later
Chris Valentine

by Chris Valentine on Jun 6, 2007 3:39 AM EDT reply actions