UFC 169: Dana White not willing to label Alistair Overeem vs. Frank Mir fight a do-or-die situation

Alistair Overeem and Frank Mir have seen better days inside a mixed martial arts (MMA) cage, as both men seem to have hit a speed bump in their respective combat sports careers.

"The Reem" has been knocked out in consecutive fights for the first time in his career, suffering back-to-back losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne.

Mir, on the other hand, has lost three fights in a row, to Junior dos Santos, Daniel Cormier, and most recently at UFC 164, Josh Barnett.

Nevertheless, when the two hard-hitting heavyweights meet in the center of the cage this weekend (Feb. 1, 2014) at UFC 169 in Newark, New Jersey, something has to give, as only one will find himself back in the win column.

And while many believe the loser will likely get his pink slip from the ZUFFA-owned promotion, UFC President Dana White didn't fully commit to labeling the pivotal bout a do-or-die situation for either fighter during a recent media luncheon to promote the event (via Erik Fontanez).

While the news may come as a breath of fresh air for Mir and Overeem and likely ease some of the pressure off their broad shoulders, you can bet they won't lack any motivation come fight night to get the all-important win in "The Garden State."

Because as we've seen in the past, White has a tendency to change his mind.