Matt Mitrione says that free agency has treated him well, and he’s waiting to see if a Bellator offer to him will be matched by the UFC.
Matt Mitrione took his chances on free agency, and it looks like it might pay off for him. The heavyweight has only ever fought in the UFC and would apparently be okay with returning there, but other offers on the table are likely going to earn him more money. The UFC has the right to match though so for now, Mitrione is playing the waiting game.
He explained his situation in a recent MMA Hour appearance, and stated that he received a good offer from the UFC’s chief rival (via MMA Fighting):
“I’m in a good spot, man.
“UFC has the right to match. Definitely, I’ve got a very nice offer from Bellator. I’m very happy with that. I’ve been in talks with ONE [Championship]. I feel I am very happy with where things are with Bellator right now.
“As a matter of fact,” he continued, “I actually sent in today the official offer sheet from Bellator into the UFC to see if they want to match.”
He believes that the UFC has two weeks to match or decline, but usually get it done within a week. If they do decide to match though, he is hellbent on a rematch with Travis Browne. Browne defeated him by TKO in the third round of a foul-filled fight that left Mitrione’s eye puffed out to cartoonish proportions, and he wants his change for revenge:
“I’d be happy with the offer from Bellator, but I feel that I have unfinished business in UFC,” he said. “If the UFC matched, my first fight would be with Travis again. That’s my money fight. I want that fight. I was beating him, I’m better than him, the world knows it, the world saw it, especially if they’re calling fouls where he can’t stop my forward aggression coming forwards. Travis is going to have a really bad night and he knows it, too. The world knows it.”
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“And like I said, I’m still stuck on Travis. I want to fight Travis,” Mitrione stressed. “I got a grievance and I have a vendetta.”
Mitrione (9-5) should have all of his questions answered soon.