By CagePotato guest contributor Mike Schmitz
(Meathead says he and HD will throw down if it makes dollars and cents.)
Matt Mitrione and Pat Barry are a one-of-a-kind duo. The former training partners turned close friends are two of UFC’s most likable fighters, as goofy as can be while still possessing lethal knockout power.
They enjoy their jobs, carry a demeanor unlike most into the Octagon and definitely have fun outside of the UFC (maybe Barry more than Meathead, see Barry underwear pic).
“Pat and I really sincerely enjoy our positions,” Mitrione pointed out in an exclusive interview he did with TapouT’s Virtual Training Center on behalf of CagePotato.com recently. “We understand that it’s a job, it’s a very, very tough boat. You get in, you earn your money or you get your ass cut and we understand that so we both respect the grind, we respect the sport, but I feel that as a result of that we enjoy it.”
Mitrione and Barry developed a close bond training at Roufusport where the two heavyweights became “very, very good friends,” according to Meathead.
They help each other game-plan for their opponents, but would they ever dare to come to blows in a UFC bout?
The answer is a unanimous, “yes.”
“Yeah, sure I would absolutely fight Pat. Pat and I have talked about it before, but the money needs to be right. I’m not going to fight Pat — who’s a very, very good friend of mine — I’m not going to fight him for normal money,” Mitrione, who next faces Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 explains. “If they want that fight to happen then they’re going to have to pay that fight out. Pat knows that, Pat agrees the exact same way.”
There’s no doubt that Barry and Mitrione would sell the fight and ultimately deliver. Four out of “Meathead’s” five fights have ended by stoppage, and six of “HD’s” nine bouts resulted in a knockout.
The moral of the story: Mitrione and Barry are willing to fight for the right price, and there’s no question that they’d put on a damn good show.
“If Pat and I ever scrap it’s going to be worth our time. It’s going to be worth everybody else’s time because we’re going to get in there and try to hurt each other. We’re going to do it,” Mitrione says. “We’re going to stand up, earn our money. I’m going to try to submit Pat or put my chin across his forehead and he’s going to do the exact same thing to me.”
Train with Barry and Mitrione at TapouT VTC
(Video courtesy of YouTube/TapouTVTC)
Barry and Mitirone brought their friendship to TapouT VTC, where they teach two modules each like the sample lesson in the video above. Mitrione teaches stand-up and grappling while Barry focuses on punching and kicking.
TapouT VTC offers over 400 “on demand” MMA training videos from the top coaches and fighters in the game. Learn from over 30 fighters and trainers with content updated on a weekly basis.
“With TapouT VTC you can watch the best MMA fighters and trainers teach the best techniques, which is pretty damn good for your development,” Mitrione said. “It’s much better than watching YouTube or DVDs because it’s explicit and very direct. You can also take it to the gym and say ‘I just saw this, I want to try this piece out.’ Or even put it on at the gym and say ‘hey guys let’s try this because it looks pretty crafty. I saw Bob get stuck in this the other day.’”
Members also get MMA workout videos, nutritional tips and exclusive interviews.
Train with Mitrione and Barry at TapouT VTC today.