Matt Mitrione Replaces Josh Barnett, Faces Ronny Markes at Bellator 241 on March 13

Matt Mitrione will step in on short notice to face Ronny Markes at Bellator 241.

Sherdog.com confirmed the new heavyweight booking with a promotion official on Wednesday following an initial report from MMAFighting.com. Mitrione replaces Josh Barnett, who was pulled from the card after failing a “medical requirement,” according to Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation director Mike Mazzulli.

“Mr. Barnett has failed medical requirement by the Mohegan Tribe Athletic Department and will not be fighting on the March 13 Bellator Event. He will not be allowed to fight till he resolves the failed test," Mazzulli wrote in an email to Sherdog.com.

Barnett was initially scheduled to face Ronny Markes in his promotional debut at Bellator 235 on Dec. 20, but an illness forced him to withdraw from the contest on the day of the fight.

Bellator 241 takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on March 13 and is headlined by a featherweight grand prix clash between Patricio Freire and Pedro Carvalho.

Mitrione is winless in his last three Bellator appearances. “The Ultimate Fighter 10” cast member last appeared at Bellator 225, where he was stopped in the second frame by Sergei Kharitonov after their initial meeting resulted in a no contest. “Meathead” began his promotional tenure with four consecutive triumphs.

Markes will be making his Bellator debut after previous stints in the Professional Fighters League and the UFC. The 31-year-old Brazilian last competed in a PFL regular season bout on June 6, when he scored a second-round TKO of Sigi Pesaleli.