Matyushenko signs new 4-Fight Deal with UFC

Longtime veteran Vladimir Matyushenko has secured his spot with the MMA juggernaut that is the UFC.

Since his inception into the world of mixed martial arts, Matyushenko has experienced the full gamut that the sport as had to offer, the highs and lows. The former IFL light heavyweight champion holds signature wins over Jamal Patterson, Pedro Rizzo and Antonio Rogerio Nogueria. He’s challeneged for the UFC’s 205-pound strap against then champion Tito Ortiz, was a contender in it’s heavyweight division, but has never been able to secure a top spot in the organization.

While his second stint in the UFC was fairing well, with commanding victories over Eliot Marshall and Igor Pokrajac, Matyushenko appeared to be on the fast track towards contender status once again. That is, until the IFL champ locked horns with 205-spitfire Jon Jones. The New Yorker was able to mop the floor with “The Janitor”, easily handling Matyushenko to the ground before locking up Vlad with a crucifix on the ground, before delivering rapid fire elbows to the head, halting a stop to the contest.

While some have been cut from the UFC for less, Matyushenko has now officially secured his spot in the promotion and will now look to work his way back up the ranks, once again. Though at the ripe age of 39, Vlad’s time is limited and he will have to work quickly.

Matyushenko’s representation, Alchemist Management broke the news that the Belarusian signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC. And interesting enough, thanks to MMAFighting for having initiated this, Vlad’s next fight will signify the first time that “The Janitor” would fight four times, consecutively inside the UFC.

So, who should Vlad’s next opponent be? Who would you like to see him up against next? And has the loss to Jones set him back considerably, or just a little bit–considering where Jones has been heading in his UFC career.