Disaster struck Bellator on Saturday, as a fight day hospitalization to Matt Mitrione resulted in the cancellation of Bellator 172's headlining bout between Mitrione and heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko just hours before the show was slated to kick off in San Jose, Calif.
As a result, Emelianenko was removed from the card and a lightweight contest between Josh Thomson and Patricky Freire was upgraded into Bellator 172's main event.
Check out reaction to the disappointing news below.
Due to illness, @mattmitrione will be unable to compete tonight at #Bellator172. @THEREALPUNK vs @PatrickyPitbull promoted to main event.
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) February 18, 2017
Man I'm pissed the Fedors fight is off
— Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) February 19, 2017
Hey I was my pants when I fought @DinThomas WTF Mitrione https://t.co/NnSHpDJS5H
— Georgi Karakhanyan (@georgimma) February 18, 2017
#Bellator172 looks like I need to step up for the company! @BellatorMMA
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) February 19, 2017
found out that @BellatorMMA 172 main event is scrapped . @ScottCoker move my Title fight w/ @DanielStraus from April to tonight,i stay ready
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) February 18, 2017
Agreed!!!!! https://t.co/aSdNYL2g6s
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) February 18, 2017
I'm really looking forward to see #Fedor. In relation to the result, it does not matter. I want to see the Monster of #Pride. @BellatorMMA
— Dudu Dantas (@DuduDantasMMA) February 19, 2017
Ohhhhh https://t.co/SitS0VuE8w
— Dudu Dantas (@DuduDantasMMA) February 19, 2017
This honestly killed my day, good thing there's @UFC tomorrow https://t.co/iQNkaWKcRi
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) February 19, 2017
#Bellator172 still got some potential for fire with Josh Thompson vs Pitbull
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) February 19, 2017
Damn the Fedor fight for canceled I literally want to cry!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) February 19, 2017
I can't believe Mitrione backed out day of!! He better have gotten really sick after talking about Fedor was just another day at the office.
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) February 19, 2017
@mattmitrione Wishing you ALL the best & speedy recovery! REMEMBER how understanding & compassionate you were when @StefanStruve fell ill.
— Justin Wren MMA (@TheBigPygmy) February 19, 2017
My fault on the "after party" tweet. The person who does my fight day tweets didn't know I was in the hospital. Innocent mistake.
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 18, 2017