Matt Mitrione talks about wanting to become the Dominick Cruz of the heavyweight division

UFC heavyweight slugger, Matt Mitrione has been explaining his post-fight comments where he said he was looking to become the division’s version of Dominick Cruz, as well as his reaction to the possibility that he might have to start fighting the odd grappler down the line.
Speaking via MMAWeekly.com, Mitrione said:

“He’s so elusive man. He uses his athleticism to make everybody else change their game. Scotty Jorgensen is a tough, tough little fellow and Dominick made him look like a child, took him down at will, head strikes coming from every angle, finished with beautiful leg kicks.”

“And the way that Dominick’s game plan is and the way that he makes everybody so uncomfortable with his movement because it’s so herky-jerky and so unpredictable. I love the way he fights. I respect it. I told him before hand, I’m going to try and fight like you.”

“This fight was the same as my last fight with Joey Beltran, so I can’t say where this really puts me as far as my progression as a martial artist. As a martial artist, I don’t really know where the hell I am because I haven’t really had the chance to capitalize or really see where my ground game is. I don’t really know where my progression is. I know as a stand-up guy I can really let ‘em fly.”

“I’m not asking for a wrestler, I’m just saying I don’t exactly know where (my ground game) is. I prefer to trade leather, I’d prefer to let my shins and my hands fly.”

Mitrione will no doubt have to test his wrestling and ground skills before long as he’s developing into quite the potent threat on the feet, something the rest of the division will no doubt notice. Stay tuned to MMABay in the coming weeks for news on when and where he’ll return as we get it.