UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Matt Mitrione opened up his Bellator 215 post-fight news conference with an apology. Really, that’s about all he could do.
In the wake of a main event that lasted just 15 seconds due to an accidental low kick from Mitrione (13-6 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) to Sergei Kharitonov’s (28-6 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) cup and a resulting no-contest, all the heavyweight could do was apologize and start the moving-on process.
Mitrione said he told Bellator President Scott Coker that if one of the heavyweights fighting on Saturday’s Bellator 216 card has to drop off suddenly, he gladly would step in to fight.
But beyond that unlikely scenario, Mitrione was left wondering when he’ll be able to get another fight since the long buildup to this one was anti-climactic.
“It just sucks, man,” Mitrione told MMAjunkie after the fight. “… Mr. Coker and I were already talking about some stuff. I have to get in Mr. (Bellator matchmaker Rich) Chou’s ear and see what I can get on. If it’s all booked out, maybe they can bump somebody. I know there’s a card in Chicago (in May), and I live in the Midwest. I’ll bring a gang of people there and we’ll act straight foolish in there if we can get a fight in Chicago.”
Bellator 215 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMAjunkie. Bellator 216 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday.
Mitrione said he’d welcome another try with Kharitonov if he is able. Kharitonov was transported to a local hospital, a Bellator official told MMAjunkie. Both he and Mitrione will be paid their show money for the fight.
“If Sergei is down to go, if he can do it, if his body’s good – hopefully he didn’t rupture a (testicle) – but if he can do it again, then obviously I’m 100 percent down,” Mitrione said. “He’s the only person I really want to fight in this situation because everybody, I think, deserves that. It would’ve been a great fight and a lot of fun. It just sucks, man.”
Mitrione opened his news conference apologizing for the outcome:
“I cannot begin to explain how sorry I am for everybody that paid to come to the fight to watch that fight between Sergei and I. It would’ve been really dope – it would’ve been a great fight. Obviously, it was not intentional – the worst possible situation.
“… Sergei: I’m genuinely sorry. I’m apologetic as I could possibly be.”
For complete coverage of Bellator 215, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
