Matt Mitrione Blasts Malki Kawa, Hates Punishment For Marijuana Use
In the very shallow UFC heavyweight division, Matt Mitrione has all of a sudden become a possible contender. The former professional football player has looked very impressive as of late, scoring three-straight T/KO wins over Shawn Jordan, Derrick Lewis, and most recently veteran Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC on FOX 13 last December.
As of now, Mitrione doesn’t have another fight lined up, but he hasn’t remained quiet while waiting, voicing his opinions in interviews and on social media. He most recently called out former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski via twitter, but there has been no word on that potential fight yet.
The No. 12-ranked Mitrione continued to show his newly found outspoken personality when he sat down with Bloody Elbow, speaking up on a plethora of controversial topics.
One topic the heavyweight spoke upon was Jon Jones’ manager Malki Kawa, who seems to have a poor reputation in MMA. Mitrione has had past dealings with Kawa, and gave his thoughts on the manager, bashing him in the process:
“I don’t think Malki’s a good influence on anybody, including himself and anyone that’s involved with him. I do have personal experience with him, but it was limited to a short window of time and it’s been several years back. Maybe he’s changed his ways, I don’t know, but the Malki I knew back in the day…I wouldn’t hesitate to step on him to avoid a mud puddle. I wouldn’t hesitate one bit.”
Moving on, the slugger began to give his thoughts on performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) including anabolic steroids and also Marijuana, which he does not consider a PED. The question posed to Mitrione, was regarding how Nick Diaz, who tested positive for Marijuana following his UFC 183 loss to Anderson Silva, should be punished.
The former football player stated that he really has no problem with his opponents using Marijuana. He says it’s not a PED and shouldn’t have too harsh of a punishment:
“Marijuana is not a PED. I think it’s a relaxation device. There are so many fighters that are addicted to pain-killers, which can really spiral a life right out of control. If there’s a “green” way to help athletes cope with their pain a little better, without the need for pills that get you all twisted up, then I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all.
It’s pretty well documented that Nick has a substantial level of social anxiety, and that’s the way he deals with it. I couldn’t care less if my opponent burns down up until the week before we fight. Good for him. That’s not a PED, so go for it. However, if you can blow cocaine through your whole, entire camp until 12 hours before, and not get in any trouble for it, that’s a joke. That’s a scam.”
These are some bold opinions from the red hot heavyweight. Do you agree, and who would you like to see Mitrione take on next?
