UFC NEWS: Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson in the works for UFC 130 in May [UPDATED}

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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A heavyweight bout between Frank Mir and Roy Nelson might be on its way, as BetUS.com reports that the two will be fighting on the UFC 130 card in Las Vegas on May 28.

Nelson was supposed to fight Shane Carwin at UFC 125, but a back injury to Carwin forced him out of the bout, and a contract issue for Nelson from his pre-UFC career has led the UFC to hold him on the sidelines. He'll be looking to rebound from his first loss in the Octagon, suffered at the hands of Junior Dos Santos by decision last August.

Mir would be out to win his second straight fight since a knockout loss to Shane Carwin last March. His most recent performance saw him knock out Mirko Cro Cop in the third round at UFC 119 after a highly disappointing fight up to that point.

UFC 130 is expected to take place from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 28, the UFC's annual event on Memorial Day Weekend.

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Penick's Analysis: If this report is accurate, this is an excellent heavyweight fight. Also, with Mir having been reportedly expected to meet Brock Lesnar, this would open up the possibility of a Lesnar vs. Dos Santos fight with Cain Velasquez sidelined due to injury. Mir vs. Nelson could have been a possible replacement fight at 125 in the first place, but the UFC didn't got that route, citing Nelson's contract issue with Roy Jones Jr.'s Square Ring Productions. Still, this would be a great fight for both fighters if the UFC is putting this one together.

UPDATE: MMAJunkie.com reports that the contract issues that forced Nelson off of UFC 125 will not be an issue and that this fight is indeed in the works. Both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout, and contracts should be finalized soon.

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

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_8086.shtml

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