Vladimir Matyushenko has competed in professional Mixed Martial Arts since 1997. Matyushenko once fought against Tito Ortiz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, almost a full decade ago. By the time Matyushenko became the first Light Heavyweight Champion of the short-lived but nationally-broadcast IFL promotion, his record stood at 19-3 with a full decade of experience.

“The Janitor” made his UFC return in 2009, and would go on to win two straight fights. Matyushenko was then matched up against Jon Jones, who would one day become UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. But this fight was before that, in August 2010 in fact, although it ended in much the same way every Jon Jones fight ends: after an all-out blitzkrieg left his opponent dazed and confused, a barrage of powerful strikes ended with Jon Jones winning by TKO. It would be the fastest loss of Matyushenko’s career. But not to be deterred, Matyushenko recently rebounded with a first-round TKO over Alexandre Ferreira at UFC 122.

His opponent, Jason Brilz, entered the UFC with a record of 15-1-1 and had been competing professionally since 2000. Brilz is currently 3-2 in the Octagon, with both losses via Split Decision. And it was Brilz’s last fight in particular that raises the ire of a certain section of fans. Those fans wholeheartedly believe that Jason Brilz defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and to be honest, their argument is not without logic.

UFC bad boy extraordinaire Chael Sonnen offered up a unique and very controversial view of the fight by saying that Rogerio looked like “Roy Nelson in a Frankenstein mask” while echoing the cynic’s sentiments that Brilz won the fight. Brilz has been inactive since that fight with “Little Nog”, which took place in May 2010. Brilz and Matyushenko were originally expected to fight each other at UFC 122, but an injury forced the cancellation of the bout.

This fight will be an important step in the right direction for whoever wins it. I think Brilz learned a lot from his fight with “Little Nog”, and he should be both willing and able to step into the Octagon against another respected, well-rounded veteran. For Matyushenko, it’s all about realizing his dream nearly a decade after his last title shot. And while that seems unlikely, there’s no doubting that Matyushenko looked great in his last fight.

I think this fight will end up being an all-out brawl, and one man’s chin will crumble. There’s a chance that Matyushenko’s chin will be the first one to fall, but right now I’m pulling for “The Janitor”. He may be an old dog that hasn’t learned any new tricks, but his old bag of tricks still seems to be holding up pretty well.

And that’s that, fans and friends. Only two fights remain for “UFC 129 Complete Collection”. Check back here soon for the final two parts of this series, covering the two title fights of UFC 129. And what about you, fans and friends? Any thoughts on this fight in particular?

Instead, the Llyod Irvin product who trains alongside former UFC contender Brandon Vera and UFC champion Dominick Cruz, will be taking on Jason Brilz at UFC 129, which takes place at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada.

MMAJunkie.com originally reported the new match-up for the pay-per-view event, which will be headlined by a welterweight showdown pitting champion Georges St. Pierre against former Strikeforce titleholder Jake Shields.

Brilz steps in for Matt Hamill who was originally slated to take on the former collegiate wrestling star, however “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran has since been called to replace Thiago Silva in a bout with former champion Quinton Jackson at UFC 130 in May.

Jason was last seen in action when he lost a controversial split-decision to perennial top-10 fighter Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 114 last May. Since then, Brilz had been slated for several match-ups though has bowed out due to injury.

Davis, meanwhile, is undefeated in his young mixed martial arts career, and is currently riding a four-fight win streak inside the octagon. Phil, 26, holds notable victories over the likes of former WEC champ Brian Stann and budding prospect Alexander Gustafsson. Most recently, “Mr. Wonderful” defeated veteran Tim Boetsch, submitting “The Barbarian” with a modified kimura in the second-round of their November meeting. The loss marked Tim’s first by submission.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the new match-up? Who do you favor? Both men come from wrestling backgrounds, but make no mistake that Davis holds the more prestigious pedigree of the two, as he achieved national acclaim earning the NCAA Division I title in 2008. Sound off in the comment section below.

It was already known that Belfort had planned to return in November. The UFC’s November outing will be UFC 122, which is expected to take place in the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. The tentative date is November 13. The event, like most overseas affairs for the UFC, is expected to air via tape-delay on Spike TV. This fight would headline a card with rumored fights that include Jason Brilz vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara, and Amir Sadollah vs. Peter Sobotta.

While it may not be the most eagerly-anticipated main event, I think this is a good headline attraction for an overseas Pay-Per-View, since non-US and non-Canadian shows have developed a bit of a reputation for not having the same quality of fights that the US and Canada gets. I hope that doesn’t paint either man in a negative light, since I’m a big fan of both Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami. I think this fight will accomplish a lot: it will give Belfort a win against an actual Middleweight, a point that many held against him when it was announced that he would be next in line to challenge Silva. If Okami wins, it will give him that one major victory over a big name that has constantly eluded him in his eleven-fight career in the UFC.

In regards to the fight itself, this seems to be a very interesting clash of styles. Belfort has always been known to bum-rush and brawl, it has lead to almost all of his famous victories. However, his move to Middleweight has resulted in a more refined Belfort, someone who has the same deadly strikes but is far more technical in their implementation. Okami is a gamer, and knows how to take a punch, having only been stopped once in his entire MMA career while having a majority of his wins via Unanimous Decision. Even though Belfort only has four (T)KO wins over Okami when you take the time to look at both men’s records, the striking advantage obviously goes to “The Phenom”. Down on the ground, though, it may just be Okami’s fight to win.

This fight will most likely determine the next man to face Anderson Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship, and I’m strongly in favor of that. I think this latest career rebirth has resulted in the best Vitor Belfort that there’s ever been, and I think Silva/Belfort would be a real dream-match super-fight. Okami has always been a dark horse candidate for #1 contender, consistently beating opponents without ever really making any waves. He’s still the last man to ever beat Anderson Silva (even though it was because Silva got DQ’d when he threw an illegal kick), so there’s some good history between the two. I think Okami’s shot at the belt is long overdue, while Belfort’s utterly dominating wins at Middleweight would justify him receiving a title shot so soon. It’s an interesting fight between two great fighters, so I think the German fans have an awesome fight to look forward to.

But what about you, fans and friends? How excited are you about the prospect of Vitor Belfort fighting Yushin Okami? And who do you think wins this fight?

The event will take place in Germany for just the second time in the promotions history. The UFC’s original inception into Germany began last year, for UFC 99, which was headlined by former champions Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin who met at a catch weight of 195-pounds.

And while the event in of itself was an exciting night of fights, things behind the scenes did not fair so swimmingly. There’s was an almost immediate backlash the UFC took once the MMA Juggernaut was readying itself for it’s new venture. The German media didn’t take too kindly to the blood and violence that is rightfully and indirectly associated with the sport, and in doing so, had the Government and sanctioning bodies take notice. Their reaction–a ban on minors below the age of 17 were not allowed to attend said events.

Returning after a year-plus hiatus, the UFC will visit Oberhausen for UFC 122, no headline fight has been officially announced the preliminary reports indicate that Brilz and Matyushenko will be apart of the fight card. Jason may be remembered best for his highly controversial split-decision fight with Antonio Rogerio Nogueria, twin brother of former UFC and Pride champion Minotauro Nogueria. Brilz appeared to be ahead of the score cards, dominating the first two rounds with effective wrestling, scrambles, and strong hooks on the feet. Rogerio had his best moments of the fight in the third, but was still able to squeak out the narrow decision.

Matyushenko on the other hand, is not one who can be praised in defeat, well…not the defeat he suffered at the hands of the highly touted Jon Jones on August 1. The 39-year-old father was dominated from the get go, when Jones was able to take down the 10-plus year veteran, ended up in a mounted crucifix and landed repeated unanswered elbows to Vlad’s head before the bout was mercifully waived off.

It’s likely do or die for both competitors, as the sting of two defeats more often than not, doesn’t sit quite well with the UFC brass.

So, who do you have in this match up of competitive wrestlers? The old-dog Matyushenko–a perennial contender, or the spirited Jason Brilz?

Marshall lost to a top 15 fighter in “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (24-4) and his record inside the Octagon is now 3-1. The fight itself went to a decision where one judge had the fight for Marshall at 29-28 and the other two judges saw the fight for Vladimir with scores of 30-27. The fight was plagued by booed from the crowd in an attempt to get the fighters to engage more. Seems like it did not help though.

On an interview with MMA Junkie Eliot said I could have fought better,” “I could have fought more aggressively. I thought Vladdy wasn’t really engaging much; it was hard for me to find my distance with him.”

“But those are the kind of fights Vladdy has: he either beats the crap out of somebody or he has close decisions. I’m disappointed in myself. I didn’t fight to the best of my abilities.”

Regardless of the outcome many, including Marshall, are shocked by the cut. Yet in mixed martial arts (MMA) and specifically in the UFC the threat of being cut is always a possibility fighters are aware of every fight.

“They want to get rid of you, they get rid of you,” Marshall said. “If they don’t, they don’t. That’s how it goes.”

I understand that but with this being his first loss the cut must have been made from an excitement stand point. Eliot last fought “The Hitman” Jason Brilz (18-2-1) at UFC 103 and that fight went to a split decision as well.

“I beat Brilz, and he gets a little easier of a fight, and I get a little bit harder fight,” Marshall said. “And now, I’m the one that’s not there anymore, even though I fought a top-15 guy.

“I guess I should have lost the Brilz fight and fought Eric Schafer.”

We have heard Dana White and the UFC say in the past that it does not matter if you win or lose as long as you leave it all in the cage and put on a hell of a show. So maybe he could not overlook three decisions in his four UFC fights. Yet even though Dana stated wins and losses don’t matter, we all know that to be untrue.

If you doubt that just ask Brazilian jiu jitsu black black belt who would rather stand and trade, Jorge Gurgel (13-6). Jorge fought seven times in the UFC with three wins. Jorge put it on the line every fight and went away from his bread and butter just to be a more exciting fighter and satisfy the UFC. Yet Jorge is now cut from the company and fighting for Strikeforce.

So what exactly is the process for cutting a fighter? The trimming of fat is needed in any business and especially in arguably the top MMA promotion in the world. This is understood but not me, the fighters, the fans and I would venture to guess most employed by the UFC actually have a clue as to the criteria that decides a cut.

As a fighter who is under contract to UFC and Zuffa would you not like it to be stated what the stipulations are for being cut?

I feel that fighters the need to stand up and demand that they have a clear concise picture of what will get you cut written into their contracts. After all, isn’t that what contracts are for in the first place?

“Jesus, I love you,” shouted Belfort in the Octagon after the fight, and in his dressing room he added,  “God gave me a gift and I’m using it.  And, I’m ready.  A lot of people thought I was done, you know, and that’s what I’m bringing to this game – hope, faith, and hard work.

In Dallas, Franklin’s disastrous strategy most evidently handed Belfort his fifth straight victory since losing a UD to “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (25-7) at PRIDE 32 in Las Vegas in 2006.  The usually cool as a cucumber Franklin pawed impatiently at Belfort with his right jab, leaving himself exposed to Belfort’s quick hands.

“First round, you have to feel your opponent, see where he are,” explained Belfort post-fight.  “I saw he was kind of rushed trying to pace the fight.  And then, I was just taking my time.”

One lunging Franklin jab too many and the quick-handed former UFC champion dropped Franklin with a grazing counter left hook and pushing right hook.

“I just listen to all my coaches,” said Belfort.  “They were saying, ‘Find your distance and throw.’”

Franklin fell to his knees, face down; and, Belfort crammed another left hook into Franklin’s jaw.  Franklin’s body limped up; and, referee Yves Lavigne pushed Belfort off Franklin.

Though Belfort and Franklin fought at 195 pounds, Belfort’s last several wins were earned in the middleweight division.  He now finds himself contending with Henderson and “Great” Nate Marquardt (29-8-2) for a title shot against Fighters.com Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4).

Franklin falls to 1-2 in his last three and remains without a clear future at either middleweight or light heavyweight.  “Losing wasn’t part of my plan,” Franklin admitted after the loss.  “So I’m just going to have to let the dust settle and figure out what’s going on.”

In the co-main event, heavyweight prospect “Cigano” Junior dos Santos (9-1) forced once-feared “Cro Cop” Mirko Filipovic (25-8-2) to quit at 2:00 of round three after a dos Santos straight right blinded Filipovic.

Though Filipovic overpowered the larger “Cigano” in the clinch in the first two rounds and connected a smattering of straights that left a healthy mouse beneath dos Santos’s left eye, “Cro Cop” phoned in another jittery performance in the Octagon. 

“My game is to move forward and be attacking at all times,” “Cigano” described after the fight.

When dos Santos advanced whipping combos at “Cro Cop”, “Cro Cop” backpedaled and threw his hands out to halt dos Santos’s advance.  Though Filipovic’s defensive strategy had the sophistication of a playground brawl, it actually kept the fight within reach for two rounds.

In round three though, dos Santos connected an uppercut beneath Filipovic’s defensive tactic and unloaded an assault of knee strikes to Filipovic’s body and head, until a knee to Filipovic’s body in the clinch against the fence opened “Cro Cop” up for the punch that left him blinded and waving off the fight.

“I’m here to finish fights,” proclaimed dos Santos after the third win during his 11-month UFC career.
 
Welterweight “Semtex” Paul Daley (19-9-2) TKO’d Xtreme Couture’s “Hitman” Martin Kampmann (15-3) at 2:31 of round one in Daley’s UFC debut.  Daley staggered Kampmann with a left hook, sending Kampmann reeling to the cage.  Another left hook clammed Kampmann up as Daley teed off in the barrage of punches that ended Kampmann’s night.  Referee Yves Lavigne stepped in to stop the fight while Kampmann was still on his feet.

“I was saying to myself at the beginning of the fight, standing across the cage from him, ‘I’m going to knock you out.  I’m going to knock you out,’” Daley said after the fight.  “I just kept repeating it in my head.  ‘I’m going to knock you out.  I’m going to knock you out.’  I stood there looking at him thinking, ‘I’m going to knock you out.’  And, there you go.”

American Kickboxing Academy welterweight Josh Koscheck (13-4) TKO’d “Twinkle Toes” Frank Trigg (19-7) with a straight right at 1:25 of round one as Trigg clutched the cage.  Trigg dropped to the mat and Koscheck followed-up with two right hands before the referee stepped in.

After the victory, Koscheck announced, “I know there’s a guy who just signed a new contract.  His name is Matt Hughes. I’ve been asking for that for a long time.”

Xtreme Couture lightweight Tyson Griffin (14-2) TKO’d Hermes Franca (19-8) at 3:26 of round two.  Griffin crumpled Franca with a straight right, then pounced in a flurry while dodging Franca’s submission attempts until Griffin landed flush to end the fight on the mat.

Lightweight Efrain Escudero (8-0) TKO’d American Top Team’s “Magrinho” Cole Miller (15-3) at 3:36 of round one.

Middleweight “Gorilla” Tomas Drwal (17-2) tapped out Miletich Fighting Systems’ “Massacre” Drew McFedries (8-6) in a guillotine choke at 1:03 of round two.

Lightweight “Mongoose” Jim Miller (15-2) won a TKO 45-seconds into round two when Steve Lopez (2-2) injured his shoulder in his Octagon debut.

Lightweight “Carny” Nik Lentz (14-3-1) won a three-round unanimous decision over “Tractor” Rafaello Oliveira (8-2).

Welterweight Rick Story (6-2) tapped out Brian Foster (12-4) in an arm triangle at 1:09 of the second round.

Light heavyweight Eliot Marshall (7-1) won a three-round split decision over “Hitman” Jason Brilz (17-2-1).

Light heavyweight “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4) won a three-round unanimous decision over Igor Pokrajac (14-6).

Lightweight Rafael Dos Anjos (13-3) won a three-round unanimous decision over “Saint” Rob Emerson (9-8).

Omaha-native Brilz fought only once since late 2006, submitting Erik Jenks (2-4) via first-round rear naked choke in May.

Australia’s Morris last fought in April and was TKO’d in 2:10 by Cain Velasquez (4-0).

Miller was the IFL’s final Middleweight Champ. In his last fight he submitted Ryan McGivern (12-6) with a kneebar in May to win the title.

Kimmons, from Kansas, submitted Rob Yundt (6-2) with a guillotine in round one during the TUF finale in June.