Bellator just got themselves a new heavyweight and a new kickboxing commentator. No, not Sergei Kharitonov, Matt Mitrione!
It looks like the deliberation over former UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione’s next MMA contract is over. The fighter recently completed his UFC deal with a controversial loss to Travis Browne back in January. And unlike most fighters under the Zuffa umbrella, Mitrione opted not to re-sign before his deal was up, instead entering the free agency market and a potential bidding war for his services. Would the UFC step up and make him a better offer? Would Bellator be serious about bringing him over? Or would he take a chance on some other 3rd promotion that might offer him a big one-fight purse or a combination deal few others would be prepared to match?
Well, those questions have been answered now. And the winner was Bellator. The Viacom promotion appears to have made a serious play for the former TUF contestant who has spent his entire pro-MMA career as a Zuffa fighter. Mitrione took his first pro-MMA bout at the TUF 10 Finale against Marcus Jones, having come in as a contestant on the reality show with no pro experience. He fought for the UFC for six years before making the jump to Bellator. Mitrione spoke to MMA fighting about the move and his new four-fight contract, which will include a guaranteed six-figure fight purse. Separate from the deal, he also successfully auditioned for the role as a color commentator for Bellator kickboxing bouts:
“I was really interested in the options that Bellator was offering and I was really interested in the conversation they were willing to have. I think that they’re making the rights moves,” Mitrione said. “I think sometimes you get into a spot where the things you fall in love about one organization don’t necessarily seem to be anymore and greener pastures seem to be somewhere else.”
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“I have no axe to grind with the UFC at all,” Mitrione said. “I don’t think some of the things that happened, especially with like the sponsor were handled as well as they should have been. And I’ve always said my opinion directly to [UFC CEO] Lorenzo [Fertitta]. I told Lorenzo my thoughts on it, how to make it better. It just wasn’t the conversation that I was hoping it would go. But I don’t think that had a reason in them not offering me something else. I think they know that I have a value.”
Mitrione will apparently make his commentary debut on the promotion’s April 16th show. And while no opponent or debut date has yet to be announced for his next bout, he told MMAFighting he expects to be in the cage “very, very soon.”
It’s interesting to see what was essentially a “home grown” UFC talent leave the promotion for other opportunities, but given what Bellator had to offer him, it’s hard to see him getting nearly as much from the UFC, even further down the road.