It’s official, UFC Dublin has lost a marquee heavyweight clash, but for a brief time it looked like the co-main event would be salvaged.
News broke on Wednesday night that elite heavyweight Stipe Miocic was forced to withdraw from his bout with Ben Rothwell due to injury.
There were several ridiculous names thrown around as possible replacements for Miocic including WSOF fighter Tyrone Spong, middleweight Derek Brunson and the man who just lost to Rothwell, Matt Mitrione.
When the UFC confirmed that they couldn’t find an adequate replacement for the co-main event, Mitrione took to Twitter to make the claim that Rothwell turned down a second bout with him for the Dublin event.
I got the call. @RothwellFighter turned it down. You should contact Twitter to see if just @Rothwell is available https://t.co/ld3b3SXk3h
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) October 14, 2015
Big Ben was shocked at Mitrione’s accusation that he was ducking him, which sparked an aggressive back and forth between the two fighters.
' @mattmitrione lost all respect4u now, spewing such bullshit lies-make no mistake I'll crush ur lying mouth4free NO @ufc contract needed
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) October 14, 2015
If u would fight for free, lets sign & donate ur show purse to charity! @RothwellFighter oh wait, u didn't mean that https://t.co/BrSCNrwQZQ
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) October 14, 2015
@mattmitrione but serious what's wrong with you
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) October 14, 2015
Mitrione is already signed to fight the man who came within one fight of contendership Travis Browne atUFC Fight Night 81 in January. However, he claimed UFC matchmaker Joe Silva had called him to try to make an arrangement which would see him fight Rothwell in Dublin.
We discussed doing a +1 addendum for your fight so it wouldn't affect my fight with Travis. https://t.co/XruZEIzRkk
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) October 14, 2015
' @mattmitrione your on your last fight of your contract, and you signed. There was nothing offered just you throwing ideas around
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) October 14, 2015
That's cute, Ben because you already turned it down on Twitter & asked for Travis instead. Fight for free??? stupid https://t.co/cfwdOCem6Q
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) October 14, 2015
Despite Rothwell consistently shooting his idea down and accusing Mitirione of lying about the situation, “Meathead” persisted that the matchmakers tried to make the fight happen.
I made a mistake BUT u capitalized on it. Good 4u but u know I answered when Joe called. All u had to do was say yes https://t.co/cfwdOCem6Q
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) October 14, 2015
Keep lying and this can happen again @mattmitrione @ufc pic.twitter.com/OqORLsXMj1
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) October 14, 2015
It can't, you see, because you'd have to fight me again and we all see where that went just now. See ya around, Ben! https://t.co/Q6UQkupLi6
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) October 14, 2015
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani confirmed that Rothwell was willing to take any fight in order to stay on the highly anticipated event, but the UFC couldn’t find a suitable stand-in on such short notice. Rothwell will still travel to Dublin next week and will be in attendance at the 3Arena.
1 note on Rothwell: he was adamant that he was down to fight anyone: unranked, coming off a loss, UFC rook … Really wanted to fight in IRE.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 14, 2015
