SATURDAY NEWS DIGEST 4/22: Frank Mir gets two year suspension, referees critical of late stoppage, Pitbull fine, McGregor teammate (w/Analysis)

By Cole Henry, MMATorch contributor

Frank Mir
Frank Mir (artist Grant Gould © MMATorch)

Frank Mir gets a two-year suspension

It was announced today that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir will receive a two-year suspension following his failed drug test at UFC Fight Night 85. Mir has asked for his release from the UFC, but he is still under contract.

Mir tested positive for dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) following his knockout loss to Mark Hunt. He contested the failure, even going as far as to claim that tainted kangaroo meat could be responsible. Apparently, he couldn’t convince USADA so they are moving forward with his suspension.

Analysis: This is an unfortunate way for Frank Mir’s career to end, if this is in fact the end. He has stated that he wants to fight, specifically in Russian and Japan, but if he isn’t released from his contract, he will be nearly forty years old when he is allowed to fight again. If he is released, I would like to see him fight Vitaly Minakov, but until then I guess Mir will just have to stay in shape and prepare for the future. 

Conor McGregor announces that teammate Charlie Ward will return at UFC Glasgow

Not much to this, but Conor McGregor stated on his Instagram that his teammate Charlie Ward will be fighting at UFC Glasgow. He didn’t name an opponent, but after a rough debut Ward will certainly be looking to make an impression if these statements turn out to be accurate.

Referees criticize late stoppage

At a recent Fight Nights event in Russia, UFC and Bellator veteran Maiquel Falcao had a rematch against Vladimir Mineev, an opponent that he had defeated on a previous occasion. This time the outcome was different, but the story of the fight is the finish. The referee in the fight is being heavily criticized for allowing the fight to continue even after Mineev had rendered Falcao defenseless. If you watch the fight, it’s clear that Falcao is finished, yet the fight continues for another thirty seconds or so. Notable referees such as Marc Goddard and John McCarthy criticized the referee’s actions.

Pitbull fined for climbing on cage

Following a championship-winning performance last night at Bellator 178, newly crowned Bellator Featherweight Champion Patricio Pitbull jumped atop of the cage in celebration, and for that he will have to pay a price. The director of the Mohegan Tribes Athletic Commission confirmed that Pitbull will be fined $2,500 for his actions.

Fight Announcements 

Warlley Alves vs. Kiichi Kunimoto announced for UFN 110

Aaron Pico vs. Zack Freeman announced for Bellator: NYC

Patricky Pitbull vs. Derek Campos 2 announced for Bellator 181


NOW CHECK OUT YESTERDAY’S UPDATE: FRIDAY NEWS DIGEST 4/21: Jones vs. Cormier targeted now for UFC 214, Ronda Rousey news, McGregor makes Top 100 list (w/Analysis)

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