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.
Relive some of Matt Mitrione's best highlights ahead of Bellator 243
