Matt Mitrione on why he turned down Daniel Cormier fight

Quote :

First, I want to thank Dana White and Joe Silva for even offering that fight. It was an honor to get that call, and I would love to fight Daniel Cormier, but I’m just not ready right now. He has Olympic level wrestling, and although I have spent a great deal of time working on my wresting, I don’t feel it would be my best fight back after such a long layoff. UFC worked hard to get me a fight this year, but my old opponent had visa issues and it caused additional time out of the cage. Wrestling is, by far, my weakest skill. I’m working hard on my wrestling, but it would be a huge weakness against me in a short notice fight against Cormier… if I thought I was ready for Cormier, I would fight him in Strikeforce or the UFC, or wherever.”

http://www.bjpenn.com/mmanews/2012/10/02/mitrione-explains-reason-for-turning-down-cormier-fight-ufc-news-37900.html

Was this a smart move, or should he have jumped at the opportunity?

long lay off, opponets best weapon is your biggest weakness. I understand his view but this was a big oppertunity that even if he lost, it probably wouldnt have hurt his chances at another fight in the ufc seeing most people know he wouldnt have much of chance to begin with. he could have a called it stepping up for the bussiness.

Do I understand why he didn't take it? Absolutely

Do I think it was a smart career move to not take it? Absolutely Not

Yeah, Dana's gonna be pissed about this (apparently he already is). It probably did him more harm than good to turn it down, at least in the immediate future.

It was a complete win/win situation for Mitrione. He loses and it has almost no affect and if he wins it has a huge affect and in either case he would be helping his company out big time and would probably receive preferential treatment in the future...Dumb move.

^^
Yep. One thing Dana is really high on is fighters stepping up to help the company. He's shown in the past that he takes care of those guys.
This was Matt's golden ticket, and he chose not to accept it.