UFC.com recently confirmed several bouts for UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 5.
However, one fight that was mysteriously removed from the card is the heavyweight showdown between former division champion, Frank Mir, and Justin McCully.
No explanation was given. In fact, the match up simply disappeared from the Web site.
So what gives?
It's likely that Mir has more important responsibilities on the horizon, including perhaps a role as coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) show opposite UFC Heavyweight Champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Of course, if the scenario plays out Mir would challenge "Minotauro" at a later date and attempt to reclaim his world title. He's coming off a big submission win over Brock Lesnar at UFC 81: "Breaking Point," which has catapulted him back into serious title contender discussions.
And it appears that with the division in a bit of turmoil right now it was enough to get him another crack at championship glory.
What a difference a knee bar makes.
TUF 8 will feature lightweights and light heavyweights and is scheduled to debut some time in late August or early September, meaning that a fight between Mir and "Big Nog" would not take place until after that timeframe if it is indeed in the works.
Another option is that Mir vs. McCully will be moved to the UFC 85 card to help make up for the loss of Chuck Liddell. That's certainly a possibility. However, more intriguing, BloodyElbow.com speculates that TUF 8 will be bypassed altogether and Mir-Nog will go down in London.
Oh the possibilities.
Stay tuned for more details on this developing story.
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