Authentic Sports Management

Rising star Matt Mitrione

"Deerfield Beach, Fla. - Authentic Sports Management® (ASM®) today announced that it has signed UFC heavyweight and rising star Matt Mitrione. Mitrione burst onto the MMA scene during his appearance on Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter ® , where he put away UFC veteran Scott Junk in his first exhibition bout. A former NFL player, Mitrione (5-1) is considered one of the most talented heavyweights in the division. Mitrione now joins the Blackzilians and Team Jaco Athletics under the management of ASM.

"I think that Glenn Robinson and Authentic Sports Management represent the new wave of sports management in MMA," said Mitrione. "They are legitimate and have integrity, and Glenn has put together a great team, both in professional management and for training. I've been moving around a lot since I started my career, but now I feel like I have a home and a family with ASM and the Blackziians."

"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to work with Matt Mitrione, who I consider to be one of the most promising heavyweights in the sport," said Glenn Robinson, President, Authentic Sports Management. "I look forward to guiding him in his career and to watching him rise to his potential as a professional athlete."

The 6'3" 260-pound Mitrione was born in Springfield, Illinois, starring as a two-position football All-American at Sacred Heart Griffin High School. He attended Purdue University, where he played defensive end for the football team and earned All-Big Ten honors for his performance. Despite not being drafted, Mitrione played his way onto the New York Giants. After suffering a severe foot injury in a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, he endured seven surgeries and a long stint on crutches before rehabbing his way back into the NFL. He signed on with the Minnesota Vikings, but left the game in 2006 to pursue other interests, which included mixed martial arts.

As a teenager, Mitrione studied martial arts, and maintained a strong interest even as he focused on football. After leaving the game, he began to train in MMA. His first training camp was with UFC vets Chris Lytle and Jake O'Brien in Indiana. After trying out for The Ultimate Fighter , Mitrione was chosen for the show, and later for Coach Rashad Evans' team. He defeated UFC veteran Scott Junk via decision in the first round, but was felled by migraines and dizziness after the fight. Many questioned whether or not he'd be able to continue in the competition, but he toughed it out and fought on. His lack of experience came into play in his next fight against McSweeney, and he was submitted. However, Mitrione showed enough talent and heart to earn a shot with the UFC.

In his first professional MMA fight, Mitrione took on fellow NFL alum Marcus Jones at the season finale of The Ultimate Fighter, ending his foe's night in the second round via TKO. He followed that performance up by chopping down and TKOing Kimbo Slice at UFC 113 last year in Montreal. After that came a "Fight of the Night" decision victory over Joey Beltran at UFC 119. Mitrione then finished both Tim Hague and Christian Morecraft before falling to his first loss against Cheick Kongo last Saturday at UFC 137."

Mitrione is now part of the premier roster of fighters with ASM, including "Suga" Rashad Evans, Kenny Florian, Jake Shields, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, Michael Johnson, Melvin Guillard, Jorge Santiago, Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante, Claude Patrick, Yuri and Danillo Villefort, and Cosmo Alexandre. Companies interested in sponsorship information for Mitrione or other ASM athletes should email contact@authenticsportsmgmt.com .

For more information on Mitrione, please visit www.mattmitrione.com and follow on Twitter @mattmitrione.