Kris Gratalo focused on Elijah Gbollie, but rematch with Joey Angelo within sight
Kris Gratalo will step inside the Maverick MMA cage this weekend at Maverick 9 to take on Elijah Gbollie in a pro middleweight bout. We caught up with Gratalo at Three Mugs Pub in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he works, to discuss his career as a bartender, the upcoming fight, teammates, and possibly running back a fight with Joey Angelo.
Angelo and Gratalo fought for the Maverick MMA middleweight title in September 2017. Gratalo’s fight on Saturday will be the first since he loss a decision that night.
“I got a lot of heart man,” Gratalo said about the loss.
“Joey Angelo is a tough guy. I think he’s got some good wins. I think he’s on a six-fight win-streak. He’s ranked in the nation as one of the top prospects. I know that I’m only going to fight the tougher guys. My former loss before that, Bevon Lewis, he just got signed to the UFC.
“I’m not out here trying to fight any scrubs. I know that I want to compete. I know that I want a challenge, and that’s what I’m always looking for,” Gratalo said.
Both Gbollie and Gratalo have a common loss to Angelo. It is a fight that Gratalo feels he could do again.
“Me and Joey Angelo are cool. We spoke a lot after the fight. Really stand up guy but at the end of the day I’m here for my career, and if I can wipe that stain off my career, I would do a lot better.”
Maverick 9 goes down September 22 at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
