Matt Mitrione

Matt Mitrione is a professional mixed martial artist who is currently signed under Bellator MMA and competing in the heavyweight division. He was a former American football player in the National Football League playing under the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants. As of 2015, Mitrione is ranked twelfth in his division by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The professional fighter was born in charming Bloomington in Illinois but was raised in nearby Springfield. He was a superb athlete during his high school years at the Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, where he competed in several sports including track and field, diving, swimming and football. As a child, Mitrione trained in Shotokan Karate and started competing in his high school years. He attended Purdue University on a football scholarship.

In 2009, Mitrione started his career in mixed martial arts. Before competing under Bellator, he was part of the Ultimate Fighter Season 10 and was a fighter under the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was only in 2016 when he signed under Bellator. Some of his accomplishments in mixed martial arts include a one-time Fight of the Night and a two-time Performance of the Night under the UFC.

The American fighter is nicknamed as, “Meathead”. He stands 6 feet and 3 inches and comes with a 79-inch reach. His main styles of fighting include wrestling and kickboxing. At present, he trains with Blackzilians and boasts of a black belt in Shotokan Karate. His mixed martial arts record includes 14 fights with 9 wins and 5 losses.

Mitrione is half Irish and Italian. At present, he has one daughter and two sons. He got divorced in 2014 after 9 years of marriage and is actively involved in the anti-bullying program of Toronto.