Robert T. Bakker
"M. brentbaatar" was described by Robert T. Bakker in 1998, who originally placed it in the genus "Ctenacodon". The fossil remains consist of a jaw fragment containing two upper premolars and the sockets corresponding to two molars. The remains were found in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation in Wyoming. The species name honours the Wyoming paleontologist Brent Breithaupt, while "Baatar" is a Mongolian for "hero".