UFC
Frank Mir replaces Alistair Overeem in UFC 146 Heavyweight Title bout against Junior dos Santos
Apr 21, 2012 - 9:45:06 AM Frank Mir replaces Alistair Overeem in UFC 146 Heavyweight Title bout against Junior dos Santos

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC has opted to switch up the UFC 146 main event regardless of the outcome of Alistair Overeem's hearing on Tuesday, as UFC President Dana White announced on Twitter that UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos will now take on Frank Mir at UFC 146 on May 26.

Overeem meets with the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday to answer for his positive drug test for an elevated T/E ratio, but the UFC has decided to take him out of a title fight with dos Santos and has promoted Mir to that slot instead.

Mir has won three straight fights in the UFC since a loss to Shane Carwin in March of 2010. The former Heavyweight Champion was scheduled to take on fellow former Champ Cain Velasquez on the card, but has been promoted in light of Overeem's situation.

No opponent has yet been set for Velasquez in lieu of Mir, though some rumors point to Overeem being moved into that fight if he's licensed by the NSAC on Tuesday. Regardless, Mir is officially in for Overeem, and Overeem's status in the UFC is likely dependent on Tuesday's hearing.

Penick's Analysis: In the short term and long term this was the right move for the UFC. If Overeem does manage to get licensed for UFC 146, they can put him against Velasquez and won't have the issue of him tarnishing the Heavyweight Title under the cloud of PEDs. If he's not licensed, they've got the replacement ready to go and can figure out a different opponent for Velasquez instead of trying to scramble for a new opponent against Overeem. This is ultimately a crappy spot for the UFC to be in, but they've made the right move in putting Mir in.

[Frank Mir art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]