Tito Ortiz, King Mo among fighters to offer to fight Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 172

A handful of fighters offered to fight Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 172 tonight after Matt Mitrione fell ill.

Matt Mitrione was forced out of the Bellator 172 main event on Saturday evening, just hours before the tent-pole event kicked off, and opponent Fedor Emelianenko was left without an opponent. MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani reported that a late replacement was briefly sought; Chael Sonnen, who recently made his comeback to mixed martial arts, offered his services, and Oli Thompson, who fights Cheick Kongo tonight on the main card, was also in discussions.

Chael Sonnen offered to fight Fedor on just hours notice, I’m told. He was ready to go. Bellator was interested but it didn’t come together.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 18, 2017

To add onto Sonnen and Thompson, after the news broke, Bellator MMA contenders Muhammed Lawal and Tito Ortiz both offered to fight Emelianenko.

Moneyweight @KingMoFH is in the house already, and he said he’ll fight Fedor tonight. Lol. Gotta love it.

— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) February 19, 2017

#Bellator172 looks like I need to step up for the company! @BellatorMMA

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) February 19, 2017

However, it appears that Emelianenko was not open to the idea of fighting someone not named Mitrione on so little notice. It should be noted, however, that even if Emelianenko accepted a fight with one of the above candidates, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) allowing the fight to occur would have been highly unlikely.

Another name discussed as a late replacement was Oli Thompson, but again, no dice. Doesn’t sound like Fedor was into late replacement idea.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 18, 2017

Meanwhile, Patricio Pitbull jokingly wanted his featherweight title fight vs. champion Daniel Straus moved from April to tonight’s event.

found out that @BellatorMMA 172 main event is scrapped . @ScottCoker move my Title fight w/ @DanielStraus from April to tonight,i stay ready

— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) February 18, 2017

Bellator 172 takes place live from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., this evening. A pivotal lightweight bout between Josh Thomson and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire now headlines. The event also marks the Bellator MMA debut of veteran Josh Koscheck.

A handful of fighters offered to fight Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 172 tonight after Matt Mitrione fell ill.

Matt Mitrione was forced out of the Bellator 172 main event on Saturday evening, just hours before the tent-pole event kicked off, and opponent Fedor Emelianenko was left without an opponent. MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani reported that a late replacement was briefly sought; Chael Sonnen, who recently made his comeback to mixed martial arts, offered his services, and Oli Thompson, who fights Cheick Kongo tonight on the main card, was also in discussions.

To add onto Sonnen and Thompson, after the news broke, Bellator MMA contenders Muhammed Lawal and Tito Ortiz both offered to fight Emelianenko.

However, it appears that Emelianenko was not open to the idea of fighting someone not named Mitrione on so little notice. It should be noted, however, that even if Emelianenko accepted a fight with one of the above candidates, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) allowing the fight to occur would have been highly unlikely.

Meanwhile, Patricio Pitbull jokingly wanted his featherweight title fight vs. champion Daniel Straus moved from April to tonight’s event.

Bellator 172 takes place live from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., this evening. A pivotal lightweight bout between Josh Thomson and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire now headlines. The event also marks the Bellator MMA debut of veteran Josh Koscheck.