Fists Will Fly! Cheick Kongo Versus Paul Buentello at UFC on Versus

UFC’s Versus debut March 21 north of Denver will feature a heavyweight slugger matchup between Cheick Kongo (14-6-1) and “Head Hunter” Paul Buentello (25-11).

Hopelessly overmatched Kongo was KO’d in 1:12 by Fighters.com’s  third-ranked heavyweight Frank Mir (13-4) at UFC 107 in Memphis December 12.

The same night, Buentello narrowly lost a majority decision to “SkySkraper” Stefan Struve (23-3).

A lot is on the line for both fighters.

Kongo has lost consecutive fights and is consistently disappointing when matched above the middle tier of the UFC.

Buentello just earned a spot back in the UFC’s heavyweight division and, with one loss already recorded, the UFC rarely holds onto a fighter with consecutive losses at the beginning of a contract.  A loss to Kongo could be Buentello’s pink slip back onto the open market.

Both fighters should be motivated to fight their A-games and, for both, that’s striking.  Buentello is a heavy-handed brawler with good footwork.  Kongo is a European-style kickboxer with viscious knees.