Bellator’s return to action this April received a co-main event yesterday. Today, the promotion’s debut on Showtime received a heavyweight showdown.
In a battle of youth vs. experience, Tyrell Fortune (9-1, 1NC) will take on Matt Mitrione (13-8, 1NC) at Bellator 255 on April 2. Promotion officials announced the booking via social media.
🚨 Fight News! 🚨 @MattMitrione takes on @FortuneOverFam at #Bellator255!
Hit the link below bio to get #BellatorOnShowtime.
🔗 https://t.co/RyV8JOHsEW pic.twitter.com/Bd8KTIuJpI
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2021
Mittrione last fought in August at Bellator 243, where he was on the wrong end of a knockout at the hands of current heavyweight contender Tim Johnson. “Meathead” hit the spotlight as part of The Ultimate Fighter 10 in 2009, making the transition from football to fighting. He spent the entirety of his mixed martial arts career in the UFC before jumping to Bellator as a free agent in 2016. However, after winning his first four fights against the likes of Fedor Emelianenko and Roy Nelson, Mitrione hit hard times. He’s 0-3-1 in his last four, and without a win since 2018.
A win over Fortune for the 42-year old is very much a necessity. But that won’t be easy. Fortune has compiled considerable experience inside the Bellator cage, passing the 10-fight mark in the only promotion he has ever called home. Most recently, the 30-year old, still young for the heavyweight division, picked up a win over Said Sowma. Fortune’s only career loss came against Tim Johnson.
Bellator 255 takes place April 2 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Patricio Pitbull puts his featherweight title on the line against Emmanuel Sanchez in the main event. That fight is a featherweight grand prix semifinal.
