Matt Mitrione returns to the Bellator cage Friday in Connecticut against an opponent who got the promotion’s attention in a big way his most recent time out.
Mitrione (13-7 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) takes on Timothy Johnson (13-6 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) in the Bellator 243 co-main event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Paramount following prelims on MMA Junkie.
In February, Johnson picked up his first Bellator win with a stunning first-round knockout of Tyrell Fortune in Oklahoma. Fortune was a huge 9-1 favorite in the fight, but Johnson shocked the division with his finish.
Now he takes on Mitrione, who has gone two and a half years without a Bellator win. After he beat Roy Nelson in the heavyweight tournament quarterfinals, he was bounced by eventual dual champion Ryan Bader in the semis. After a 15-second no contest with Sergei Kharitonov, he was stopped by the Russian in their rematch nearly a year ago.
So Mitrione needs a win in a big way – and he’s got four big ones on his Bellator resume, including three straight knockouts to start his tenure in the promotion.
Take a look at some of his key highlights in the video above. Then don’t miss his fight with Johnson on Friday on Paramount.
