Matt Mitrione Turns Down Fight With Daniel Cormier; Search For Opponent Continues

The search to find an opponent for unbeaten heavyweight standout Daniel Cormier (10-0) is proving to be more difficult as the days pass for Zuffa.

Cormier was originally scheduled to lock horns with former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir on November 3 under the Strikeforce banner, however, Mir was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury. With one month until the bout, Zuffa officials are now left scrambling to find a foe for the unbeaten heavyweight.

Following Saturday's UFC on FUEL TV 5 event, UFC President Dana White confirmed to MMAJunkie.com that UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione (5-1) recently declined an inter-promotional bout with Cormier. 

"It f---ing makes me sick," White told MMAjunkie.com on Saturday. "Listen, you don't want big opportunities, I hear you. I get it, then. All I can say is, I guess he doesn't want big opportunities. I get it. Duly noted.

"F---in' insane," White said. "It makes no sense to me, and it's insane. I'm a little bummed out by it. We'll figure it out. Yeah, (he's already got a fight booked). He said, 'I'll just take that one.'" 

Mitrione is scheduled to take on Phil De Fries at UFC 155 this December, looking to bounce back from his first career defeat after coming up short to Cheick Kongo last October.

Cormier, meanwhile, remains unbeaten as a professional, including a perfect 7-0 run as a member of the Strikeforce roster. After entering the promotion's World Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament as an alternate last year, the former two-time Olympic wrestler went on to defeat Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and Josh Barnett to win the eight-fighter tourney. 

UFC heavyweights Pat Barry and Roy Nelson both campaigned for a fight with Cormier via their respective Twitter accounts late Saturday, however, promotion officials have yet to announce a replacement.

(Pictured: Matt Mitrione)