Tag: Dan McGuane

Exclusive: Bellator’s Mike Mucitelli Discusses Dan McGuane Controversy, Bullies, And ‘Attacking to Win’

Mucitelli (black trunks) most recently defeated Matt Van Buren at Bellator 73

On Sunday, we reported that Bellator had released light-heavyweight Dan McGuane from the promotion due to a previous manslaughter conviction. While we were quick to applaud Bellator for cutting ties with such an unpleasant individual, it was unfortunate that Dan’s opponent, “Crazy” Mike Mucitelli, was now without a fight. Mucitelli, 3-0 in professional competition, has a very fan-friendly style, finishing all of his professional bouts before the second round. It would be tragic if the New York prospect became a casualty of Dan McGuane’s unsavory reputation.

Fortunately, Bellator has booked a replacement fight: a 210 lb. catchweight fight between Mike Mucitelli and Matt Uhde, a 3-1 heavyweight from Kansas City. While on the road to Rhode Island for tomorrow’s weigh-ins, Mucitelli filled us in on the entire situation concerning Dan McGuane, as well as what fans can expect from his fight this Friday.

In a way, you know Mike’s background without ever hearing it: The youngest of four children in a lower-middle class family, Mike was drawn to sports at an early age, as all of his siblings were also athletes. Mike played basketball and baseball, but football was his favorite sport because of the physicality. His passion for football eventually led to a scholarship to play for Wagner College.

But Mike’s story is more interesting and complex than the typical “Ex-College Football Player Trying Out MMA” script. Check out our interview with Mike after the jump, and be sure to tune in to the Bellator 81 prelims at 6 PM ET this Friday.

CAGEPOTATO.COM: How soon did you find out about Dan McGuane’s previous conviction?


Mucitelli (black trunks) most recently defeated Matt Van Buren at Bellator 73

On Sunday, we reported that Bellator had released light-heavyweight Dan McGuane from the promotion due to a previous manslaughter conviction. While we were quick to applaud Bellator for cutting ties with such an unpleasant individual, it was unfortunate that Dan’s opponent, “Crazy” Mike Mucitelli, was now without a fight. Mucitelli, 3-0 in professional competition, has a very fan-friendly style, finishing all of his professional bouts before the second round. It would be tragic if the New York prospect became a casualty of Dan McGuane’s unsavory reputation.

Fortunately, Bellator has booked a replacement fight: a 210 lb. catchweight fight between Mike Mucitelli and Matt Uhde, a 3-1 heavyweight from Kansas City. While on the road to Rhode Island for tomorrow’s weigh-ins, Mucitelli filled us in on the entire situation concerning Dan McGuane, as well as what fans can expect from his fight this Friday.

In a way, you know Mike’s background without ever hearing it: The youngest of four children in a lower-middle class family, Mike was drawn to sports at an early age, as all of his siblings were also athletes. Mike played basketball and baseball, but football was his favorite sport because of the physicality. His passion for football eventually led to a scholarship to play for Wagner College.

But Mike’s story is more interesting and complex than the typical “Ex-College Football Player Trying Out MMA” script. Check out our interview with Mike after the jump, and be sure to tune in to the Bellator 81 prelims at 6 PM ET this Friday.

CAGEPOTATO.COM: How soon did you find out about Dan McGuane’s previous conviction?

MIKE MUCITELLI: I found out about McGuane’s conviction as soon as I heard he was to be my opponent.  I like to do my research on my opponents and the first results that come up are about his history, not his MMA career.  So, I spent some time on the various stories and sources about that, but tried to focus on what the task at hand was, which was dealing with him as a fighter.

You told Mac’s New York MMA that his past motivated you to show the world how a martial artist fights a bully, but did you know the full story about Dan’s conviction, or just that he had been convicted for manslaughter?

I did tell the MMA blog that I was looking forward to showing the world the difference of a martial artist and a bully.  I knew the full story about his conviction, and frankly, the events turned my stomach.  Two on one, a smaller victim, kicking while down – it was just awful.  I don’t believe that there’s room in my sport for a representative such as him, so I was looking forward to showing the world that a martial artist who believes in the core values of martial arts – discipline, respect, honor, integrity, etc. – could succeed over a bully who has always relied on physical/mental intimidation.

Were you bullied growing up?

I wasn’t “bullied” necessarily growing up.  However, I believe that it’s a different world to grow up in and bullying has an entirely different meaning.  It wasn’t always easy, of course.  It never is.

I transferred from public school to private school in seventh grade because of some problems my family had with the public school system.  When I transferred I left all the friends I had grown up with and spent all my life to that point with and moved to a school where everyone had more money, and had all been a tight clique since first grade.  It was difficult at the time trying to “fit in,” and I don’t know if I ever was “one of the in crowd” or a “cool” kid, but I don’t know if I could characterize it as “bullying”.

How did you find out that Dan had been removed from the card? And what were your first thoughts upon hearing you’d need a new opponent?

I had actually finished up an extremely intense training session all Saturday morning at Tai Kai, and I got home to relax and browsed through my Twitter feed to see Bellator’s official twitter: “Dan McGuane removed from Bellator 81 card due to previous incident.”

I was completely shocked at first.  I stared at it for a solid fifteen minutes trying to figure out what that meant.  Then I called my manager who promptly responded with “I’m on the phone with the Bellator matchmaker now, I just found out too.”  I ran the full gamut of emotion.  I was upset that I wouldn’t get to use the inspiration for training in the fight.  I was upset that the fighter I was training for wouldn’t be my opponent.  I was panicked that the hardest ten week fight camp I’ve ever put in was about to have no payoff.

I quickly regained my bearings, however, and realized I train to fight wherever the fight goes, not for a single opponent, and that a league of Bellator’s stature would have much less trouble finding an opponent than smaller circuits.

What got you into MMA? 

Getting into MMA is an interesting story (I hope!).  I went to Wagner College on a football scholarship, but a reoccurring knee injury took me out.  Since I wasn’t playing football anymore I couldn’t afford Wagner, so I transferred to SUNY Albany, and it was the same situation again.  I went from being a football star in a small college, to a nobody in the biggest college in NY.  I got too caught up in being social and trying to make friends and party.  I fell out of shape, and picked up a pretty bad drinking habit.  Finally, I realized I needed something to get off my ever-growing ass.

My friend at the time was really into Capoeira, and I tagged along (a little drunk) to a Capoeira class, and I loved it.  I spent two years studying Capoeira but I felt I needed something to really bring back that competitive edge again.  I had always been a fan of MMA (I even had the old UFC game for the first Xbox) and now that I was training martial arts, I was curious about it.

I searched the internet (not knowing MMA was illegal in NY) at the time for local events.  I came across a post on an internet forum for a “smoker” event for “charity” in the Catskills.  I called the number on the post and ended up talking to the event’s matchmaker.  I intended to call to get information about what was required to be a fighter, and maybe to attend to watch some live.  Somewhere along the lines signals must’ve gotten crossed because before the conversation ended I had signed on to fight a Sambo specialist in the back of a bar at a “resort” (see: camp).  I ended up winning by unanimous decision, and I was addicted to the rush from having my hand raised after a war.  I was lucky enough to find Tai Kai when I got home, and quickly learned that I knew absolutely nothing about the fight game, and have trained ever since.

How does it feel only being three fights into your professional career and having an opportunity with a major promotion [Author’s Note: Two, actually.]?

I know that I’m very fortunate for the opportunities that I have received.  The chance to fight in Bellator is amazing to someone with such a short pro-record.  However, I don’t think that my record tells my entire story.  I have had four (sanctioned) MMA amateur fights (two for titles) and boxing and Muay Thai fights.  Also, I have had more training than many modern MMA fighters coming up.  I trained for three years before my first sanctioned amateur MMA bout.

Being from New York, every fight has been on the road, where I’m the underdog sent in there to lose and I’ve come out on top.  I do recognize that many fighters with ten times the fight experience I have would give everything they have in order to have the chances that I have gotten, and that is a great inspiration for me to make sure that I make the most out of every opportunity I have.


Mucitelli (red corner) made quick work out of Eddie Hardison at Matrix Fights 6

What can the fans expect from you on Friday night?

On Friday fans can expect action.  I know my opponent likes to come forward and push the action quickly and brawl.  I like to start fights quickly and keep the action going.  I don’t fight to grind out wins or just take a round.  I have finished all seven of my sanctioned bouts and I feel like that is part of my draw as a fighter.  I attack from every position, and I attack to win.

Is there anything else you want to say before the fight?

I am very thankful for the chances I have gotten so far, and I’m very honored to have the chance to represent my school, friends, and family in competition.  I moved out of my apartment and in with my sister, quit my full time desk job, and have given up any semblance of a social life to afford to train full time and dedicate my life fully to my craft.  I won’t stop fighting until I’ve made my mark on the worldwide MMA scene.

Make sure to tune in for Mike’s fight Friday night, and also be sure to follow him on Twitter.

@SethFalvo

Dan McGuane Removed from Bellator 81 for Being a Deplorable Scumbag


Dan’s opponent for Bellator 81, Mike Mucitelli, who is now waiting for a new fight. Taken directly from bandanmcguane.com

It isn’t often that the booking of an undercard fight can cause controversy, but Bellator recently found itself in hot water when they booked Dan McGuane on the undercard of this week’s Bellator 81. Bellator booked a fight between McGuane and 3-0 Light-Heavyweight Mike Mucitelli, ignoring the fact that Dan McGuane was convicted of manslaughter in 2005. No big deal, it was just self-defense, right? Unfortunately, no. Not even close.

Recently, a website BanDanMcGuane.com popped up after the webmaster had learned that Bellator had signed the fighter. According to reports, McGuane and his twin brother beat an eighteen year old, one hundred and fifty-five pound man named Kelly Proctor to death after Dan’s brother thought he heard Kelly say something. I wish I were exaggerating, but I’m not. After the jump, the grisly details, courtesy of the website (they’ve since been removed):


Dan’s opponent for Bellator 81, Mike Mucitelli, who is now waiting for a new fight. Taken directly from bandanmcguane.com

It isn’t often that the booking of an undercard fight can cause controversy, but Bellator recently found itself in hot water when they booked Dan McGuane on the undercard of this week’s Bellator 81. Bellator booked a fight between McGuane and 3-0 Light-Heavyweight Mike Mucitelli, ignoring the fact that Dan McGuane was convicted of manslaughter in 2005. No big deal, it was just self-defense, right? Unfortunately, no. Not even close.

Recently, a website BanDanMcGuane.com popped up after the webmaster had learned that Bellator had signed the fighter. According to reports, McGuane and his twin brother beat an eighteen year old, one hundred and fifty-five pound man named Kelly Proctor to death after Dan’s brother thought he heard Kelly say something. I wish I were exaggerating, but I’m not. After the jump, the grisly details, courtesy of the website (they’ve since been removed):

At the time of the incident that led to his death, the victim was five feet, eight inches tall and weighed approximately 155 pounds. Each defendant was approximately six feet, four inches tall and weighed nearly 200 pounds.

On the evening of Saturday, July 2, 2005, the victim and his girlfriend, Jayme Rotondi, watched part of the town of Ayer’s annual Independence Day fireworks at Pirone Park, but left early to avoid the crowds at the end of the display. As they left the park, the victim and Rotondi passed a group of at least six people walking toward the park. The group consisted of the defendants, Greg Shultz, an exchange student from Denmark, who was approximately the same size as the defendants, Brandi Livingston, Mary Papalucas and Sara Jones. Rotondi noticed one of the defendants staring at her; she smiled, then heard someone laugh. The victim stopped and asked Rotondi, “What are they laughing at?” Peter left the group and walked back toward the victim and asked, “Did you say something? Do you want me to beat your ass in front of your girl?” Papalucas positioned herself between Peter and the victim and said to Peter, “Don’t do this, let’s go.” At that point, Peter reached over Papalucas’s head and, with an open hand, slapped the victim across the face, knocking from his mouth a straw on which he had been chewing. After Peter slapped the victim, Daniel joined in the attack. Both defendants punched the victim several times. The victim began crawling, trying to escape the assault.

The fight gradually moved from the street to the curb, then onto the sidewalk, where the defendants forced the victim back up against a sport utility vehicle (SUV). Rotondi, in an attempt to break up the fight, jumped onto Daniel’s back and scratched him, tearing his blue polo shirt. She was pulled off Daniel by Papalucas, who also tried unsuccessfully to break up the fight. One of the defendants shoved Papalucas and Rotondi aside, then Daniel kicked the victim in the chest. The victim fell to the ground and ended up under the SUV. The defendants walked away, leaving the victim under the SUV. As he left the scene, Peter said, “What do you have to say now?”

The victim remained under the SUV, lying on his chest, with blood coming from his nose. His breathing was labored. Papalucas told the victim it was okay to come out from under the SUV, but he was not responsive. She and some of the defendants’ friends, who remained at the scene, pulled the victim from under the SUV. The victim was unconscious and his eyes were open but rolled back in his head.

Long story short, Dan and his equally deplorable brother beat a younger, smaller Kelly Proctor to death because they heard him ask his girlfriend a question. I’d compare them to the lunkhead pieces of shit who wear Affliction, but I have – and I can’t believe I’m typing this – more respect for those people than I do for the McGuanes.

Before we go any further, I understand that everyone has a right to make a living. At the same token, not everyone has a right to make a living as a professional fighter. There are plenty of other ways to make a living besides fighting.

It’s bad enough that certain politicians still compare our sport to cock-fighting and dog-fighting; we don’t need to give those comparisons legitimacy by glorifying a despicable human being like Dan McGuane. Beating a younger, smaller person to death with your twin brother isn’t “brave” or “athletic,” it’s something that only a completely sick, deranged individual would do.

If someone is unable to separate the person in the cage from the person outside of it, they simply aren’t mentally stable enough to deserve the right to represent out sport. If you disagree, that’s fine, as long as you don’t complain about the mainstream media representing MMA fighters as douchebag high school dropouts who are too stupid to work at Burger King. At least be consistent with your beliefs.

For the record, I also wouldn’t want current Bellator fighters Brett Rogers and War Machine representing my brand due to their – ahem – “character issues.” Unlike McGuane, though, not only did those two never kill anybody, but they’re also both names that hardcore fans are familiar with who have demonstrated that they have at least some talent. I’m not saying I agree with either man being on Bellator’s payroll, but at least I understand why they were signed. There were literally never any such advantages to signing Dan McGuane.

Within hours of BloodyElbow running with the story yesterday, Bellator tweeted that Dan McGuane had been removed from their card and that they would begin looking for a replacement fight. We applaud Bellator for doing the right thing and cutting their ties with Dan McGuane.

@SethFalvo