UFC 191: Frank Mir is 'the best he's ever been' ahead of Andrei Arlovski fight

Not too long ago, the majority of the mixed martial arts (MMA) community was calling, almost hoping, that Frank Mir would call it a day on his combat career.

And you could hardly find reason to blame them, either, as Frank lost four in a row from 2012-2014, including knockout losses to Junior dos Santos and Josh Barnett, as well as coming up short on the judges scorecards against Alistair Overeem and Daniel Cormier.

But, just like that, the former UFC Heavyweight champion of the world turned it around and won two straight in impressive fashion, knocking out Antonio Silva and Todd Duffee in the very first round, silencing his doubters in the process.

According to Frank, he's feeling and fighting the best he's ever been. And as he told FOX Sports, he hopes to be even better a year from now because he never stops trying to improve.

"This is the best I've ever been. I hope a year from now, that will be the best I've ever been. That's one thing that really keeps me from wanting to retire is that I'm improving. If you're seeing improvements and getting better and not going backwards, it inspires you to go out there and keep pushing it. And really that's why I fight -- I go out there, I love martial arts, I love what it teaches me about myself, (it) breaks myself down and I go out there and perform. Going out there and performing against other world-class fighters showcases and brings out the truest in what I'm doing and how I'm living. I can go back and work and improve and strive to be a better person."

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Mir will look to show off his ever-improving game at UFC 191, when he faces Andrei Arlovski in the co-main event on Sept. 5, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A tall task to say the least, as "The Pitbull" himself has shown he has what it takes to stay at the top of the game in a young mans sport, winning five in a row including his previous two UFC bouts by first-round knockout.

Just like Mir.