Coker, Nelson, Mitrione react to Bellator 194 main event
Scott Coker: “To me, it was entertaining. Matt’s legs really impressed me – not just his kicking ability, but here’s a guy moving around like he’s 25 years old.”
The second fight of Bellator’s 2018 Heavyweight Grand Prix ended with a degree of controversy on Friday night at Bellator 194. The opening round opening fight offered a clear winner – Chael Sonnen outwrestled Rampage Jackson. Friday’s fight ended with a majority draw for Matt Mitrione.
Opponent Roy Nelson let his fingers do the talking, as you can see.
The crowd was not impressed with the announced decision and booed loudly. One judge called it a draw. Had one of the two other judges called it a draw, there would have been an overtime round, which seems like a fair outcome.
At the post-fight press conference, Bellator MMA president Scott Coker agreed.
That was a fight that was tough, said Coker, as transcribed by Matt Erickson for MMAjunkie. I could’ve seen if it went to an extra round. But for the most part, I just sat there and watched it as a fan. I wasn’t writing down every round and monitoring every second of the fight like a judge would. To me, it was entertaining. Matt’s legs really impressed me – not just his kicking ability, but here’s a guy moving around like he’s 25 years old. So I thought he did a good job.
Bader and ‘King Mo’ are both wrestlers of a high level. Either one of them will be a challenge for anybody. Matt’s a great fighter, Bader’s a great fighter, ‘King Mo’ is a great fighter. It’s going to be fun to watch. We have this tournament, and it’s an all-year-long affair, and it’s just getting better and better and better.
Prior to the event, Mitrione offered his thoughts on the tournament, and a wish. He was asked if winning the GP makes him the best heavyweight in the world.
No, I do not, replied Mitrione to Mike Bohn and Matt Erickson for MMAjunkie. Stipe is the No. 1 guy in the world. I don’t think anybody can argue that at all.
I think it would be really dope to have the chance to compete against him. If the Ali Act ever got passed, I think that would be really dope. And I think it would be great for the fans. Then I find out, ‘Are you really that good or not?’
I think it would be great to have – to get rid of individual promotions. You can’t compete against each other, and I think that’s kind of silly. The American League and the National League compete against each other. It happens all the time in every other sport, so why not this one? It doesn���t make sense.
I look forward to proving to myself that I am the best heavyweight in Bellator.”
Mitrione moves on to fight the winner of Bellator light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader vs. Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal at Bellator 199 on May 12.