Massachusetts Commission Denies Matt Mitrione’s Appeal of Loss to Travis Browne

It looks like UFC veteran Matt Mitrione appeal to overturn a January loss was done in vain.

After the heavyweight slugger was stopped in the third at the hands of Travis Browne at UFC Fight Night in Boston, Mitrione immediately protested the loss. During their skirmish, Browne poked Mitrione in the eyes repeatedly. While he was warned by referee Gary Forman, Browne was never penalized.

Mitrione filed an official complaint of the outcome with the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission and sought to have the loss overturned to a “no-contest,” claiming that Forman failed to properly officiate the bout. Mitrione also claimed that Forman refereed the fight under a conflict of interest. Mitrione claimed that Forman followed many fighters on social media as well as being the proxy head of a regional fight promotion, and that Forman used his job as a referee inside the Octagon to promote his own business.

The MSAC on Tuesday voted unanimously to uphold the result of Mitrione’s Jan. 17 loss and opted against disciplining Forman. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the news.

The loss was Mitrione’s second in a row inside the Octagon. The popular fighter signed with Bellator MMA in March and will make his promotional debut for the Viacom-owned company on June 24 at Bellator 157 against Carl Seumanutafa.