Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir (18-9 MMA) is enjoying a career resurgence, this after earning back-to-back first-round knockout victories over opponents Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Todd Duffee.

The 36-year-old, who heard cries for his retirement following a four-fight losing skid that stretched from 2012-2014, recently told FOX Sports that he is not only still improving as a fighter, but that this is the best that he has ever been:

“This is the best I’ve ever been,” Mir told FOX Sports. “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.”

Frank Mir is busy preparing for his UFC 191 pay-per-view bout opposite fellow former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. The winner of that bout could very well be the next man in line for a shot at the UFC’s coveted heavyweight title.

Who do you have winning on September 5, Mir or Arlovski? Sound off Penn Nation!

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