Coming off a knockout win in his Bellator debut last month, Matt Mitrione will indeed be allowed to fight in just over two weeks at Bellator 158 against Oli Thompson.
Mitrione (10-5) was medically cleared following his win and will meet Thompson in the co-main event of the card.
The headline fight features Paul Daley vs. Douglas Lima, while Michael Page takes on Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and Linton Vassell meets Francis Carmont in other Spike TV bouts.
The 37-year-old Mitrione knocked out out Carl Seumanutafa (10-6) in his promotional debut on June 24. A native of Indianapolis, “Meathead” joined the Bellator MMA team as one of the highest profile free agent acquisitions ever, carrying with him a talented athletic background that includes stints in the NFL with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.
Mitrione is a 14-time UFC veteran that is known for ending fights early and violently, with nine of his ten victories coming by way of knockout and six of them ending in the first round.
Thompson will be making his Bellator MMA debut after 25 career fights among the heavyweight division’s elite. “The Spartan,” who solidified himself as “Britain’s Strongest Man” in 2006, is looking to build off an impressive 2015 campaign, in which he emerged victorious in all five of his bouts, including two first round knockouts.
Since making his professional debut in 2009, Thompson has fought under the direction of multiple regional promotions, and the UFC. At 36 years of age, he will undoubtedly make the most important appearance of his career when he takes center stage in front of thousands of hometown fans in the main event of “Bellator: London” on July 16.
The card airs on Spike TV via beginning at 9 p.m. ET July 16.
