The resurgent Vladimir Matyushenko, 40, will be meeting with rising contender Alexander Gustafsson, 24, at the PPV event.

UFC 133 takes place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 6th, and the winner could likely find themselves in the upper echelon of the division with title implications in there foreseeable future.

After an embarrassing first-round drubbing at the hands of current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones last August, Vladimir retooled and came back on a mission. The one-time title challenger returned to action just three months later at UFC 122 and took on Jiu-Jitsu ace Alexandre Ferreira in Germany. “The Janitor” mopped the floor with his Brazilian counterpart and scored a first-round TKO with less than three-minutes of action clocked in.

Next, Matyushenko was pitted against wrestling standout Jason Brilz, who was coming off of an exciting match with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Vladimir’s unofficial rival) which earned both men “Fight of the Night” honors, despite Brilz getting the short end of the controversial split-decision. The Brilz-Matyushenko bout was seen as a early snoozer by most hardcore fans as there styles would usually indicate that the two would indulge in a 15-minute grappling match. Instead, Vladimir knocked out Jason in just 20-seconds at UFC 129 last month.

Now, Vladimir will be looking to build on his two-fight win streak inside the octagon when he takes on 205-pound spitfire, Gustafsson. “The Mauler” has properly lived up to his moniker by having finished all of his opponents inside of two rounds–with the exception of two. One fighter went to a decision, while the other Phil Davis currently holds a submission win over Swedish fighter, though the two have since become fast friends and training partners over at Alliance MMA in Chula Vista, California.

Currently, Alexander is riding a two-fight win streak inside the octagon, and in his last outing met with Aussie James Te-Huna at UFC 127 in Sydney, Australia. After Te-Huna surprised Gustafsson with an early takedown and submission attempts, Alexander flipped the script by eventually securing James’ back and sinking in the rear-naked choke inside of the first-round, forcing the tapout at the 4:27 mark. The win helped build upon a previous submission victory over PRIDE veteran Cyrille Diabate just four-months earlier.

Now, the two men are on a collision course to meet at the upcoming UFC 133 pay-per-view event, with the winner moving one step closer to title contention in an always stacked 205-pound division.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the match-up? Who do you favor? Sound off in the comment section below.

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?

But, none the less, both competitors will find themselves pitted against one another when the collegiate wrestlers meet at an as of yet announced event in Las Vegas, Nev., for UFC 127.

Jones, the proverbial golden boy of the light heavyweight division, has been nothing but impressive since his inception into the UFC. While his record reads 11-1, by all means the Endicott, New York, native is an undefeated prodigy. His lone loss, a disqualification against “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran Matt Hamill, showed the new and improved Jon Jones, who had then transitioned to Greg Jackson’s camp. Almost immediately, Jones was able to take down the accomplished with a trip, mount, and unleash a hellish barrage of ground and pound, however the fight was stopped when Hamill was deemed unable to continue after illegal elbows were thrown.

While Jones picked up the first loss of his career, he also picked up the biggest push as well. In his next two fights, “Bones” was pitted against veterans Brand Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko–two men who have fought some of the best guys in the world, contenders in their division, and were deemed the toughest challenges in the 23-year-old Jones’ career. I guess someone forgot to tell Jon, whom ended both fighters inside of the first round with his patented ground-and-pound assault, with elbows as his weapon of choice.

The less flashy of the two, Bader, a collegiate wrestling All American, has risen to the top of his division with victories over veterans Eric Schafer, Keith Jardine, and most recently, top-5 light heavyweight Antonio Rogerio Nogueria.

Against “Minotoro” (not to be confused with “Minotauro”), Bader excelled with his wrestling prowess, which all took place at UFC 119 on September 23. Taking down the former PRIDE star all throughout the bout, the fight was decided only a little bit on the feet, where Ryan found he was a few years behind his Brazilian counterpart, who was part of Brazil’s Olympic Boxing team. Eventually, Bader was able to squeak out a unanimous decision victory, though the bout was much closer than the scores would indicate.

The two light heavyweight contenders are expected to meet at UFC 127, on Super Bowl weekend on February 5, in Sin City.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the match up between the two prospects of the 205 pound division? While Jones’ style is flashy and aggressive, Bader does represent a legitimate test as a power house wrestler. Sound off in the comments 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?

Jonny Bones has utterly destroyed every single opponent he’s ever faced. The only person to ever beat Jon Jones has in fact been Jon Jones, when Jones lost his head for a moment and landed some illegal elbows to Matt Hamill which forced those in charge to disqualify Jones. Jones dominated Stephan Bonnar like no one had ever dominated him before, he’s only one of two men that have ever (T)KO’d Brandon Vera, and he currently holds the record for the quickest (T)KO win over thirteen-year veteran Vladimir Matyushenko, a record that was held by former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski since 2003. I hate to say this, but I think Brandon Vera may be a bit bitter that Jones is realizing his potential as a superstar when Vera himself was in this same position a few years ago, only to hit some very hard stumbling blocks and ultimately fail at becoming a big-time star. Whereas Brandon Vera was touted as the future of the Heavyweight division and failed to live up to such acclaim, Jon Jones has done everything in his power to prove once and for all that he is definitely the future of the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division.

And remember, this is all coming from someone who went against the grain and predicted that Matyushenko would be the one to beat Jones. Instead, Jones gave us arguably the best performance of his career and seemed to have it all too easy finishing off a man that started fighting as a professional Mixed Martial Artist when Jon Jones was ten years old. I honestly don’t see Jones’ domination ending anytime soon, even as he finally transitions into fights with the super-elite of the Light Heavyweight division. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Jon Jones is “the chosen one” destined to bring about an end to the string of UFC Light Heavyweight Champions losing the belt in their first few fights. Jones will likely have his string of quick, all-out dominating finishes brought to a halt when he’s matched up with people like Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Quinton Jackson, or Mauricio Rua, but I gotta say: I think Jon Jones could win every single one of those fights.

In all honesty, I think Brandon Vera may be a little jealous, a little green with envy, when it comes to Jon Jones. I think a Jones/Vera rematch doesn’t make a whole lot of sense unless Vera gets some good wins under his belt, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it if Vera works his way back up. If Vera truly believes he can beat Jon Jones, actions always speak louder than words. I think Brandon Vera can work his way up to a rematch with Jon Jones if he tries hard enough, but until then, Vera is just stirring the pot and trying to keep his name out there while he heals up from the elbow Jones hit him with that broke his face in three places.

And what do you think, fans and friends? Does the prospect of Jones/Vera II appeal to you?

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.

After knocking out Tyson Griffin in just over a minute in the first round of their lightweight affair, Gomi not only picked up an impressive win over a perennial contender, he picked up the “Knockout of the Night”, which added additional pleasure to his already impressive portfolio, as the former Pride Lightweight champion.

Here are the fighter payouts, initially reported by MMAJunkie.com, through the California State Athletic Commission. Gomi earned the event high.

The following is in bout order.

The total list of paydays include:

Jon Jones: $46,000 ($23,000 win bonus)
def. Vladimir Matyushenko: $31,000

Yushin Okami: $46,000 ($23,000 win bonus)
def. Mark Munoz: $22,000

Jake Ellenberger: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus)
def. John Howard: $15,000

Takanori Gomi: $80,000 ($40,000 win bonus)
def. Tyson Griffin: $30,000

Jacob Volkmann: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus)
def. Paul Kelly: $17,000

Matt Riddle: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus)
def. DaMarques Johnson: $10,000

Igor Pokrajac: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. James Irvin: $20,000

Brian Stann: $34,000 ($17,000 win bonus)
def. Mike Massenzio: $5,000

Charles Oliveira: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Darren Elkins: $8000

Rob Kimmons: $18,000 ($9,000 win bonus)
def. Steve Steinbeiss: $6,000

http://mmajunkie.com/news/20176/ufc-on-versus-2-fighter-salaries-takanori-gomi-earns-event-high-80k-payday.mma

Do any of the figures above shock you, or are they as expected? I personally though, Jon Jones would be receiving a bigger pay day by now, since Brandon Vera was at one point making a flat rate of $100,000, after 3 fights into his UFC career, though at the time, Vera can be likened to the phenom that is Jones.

While the former light heavyweight champion has been on the mend since having necessary shoulder surgery following his win over Tito Ortiz at UFC 106 in November of last year, he has taken the opportunity to follow up his best selling book “Got Fight?” with another reader-pleaser, and is now en route on a book tour across the country.

The new book, cleverly titled “Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse”, is being sold where all major books can be purchased, and Forrest Griffin is answering any and all questions along with his book tour, and also addressed the issue that Jon Jones is beginning to become in the light heavyweight division.

“That’s just ridiculous,” he said in an interview with WWUZ. “(Vladimir) Matyushenko’s been around a decade. He fought Tito (Ortiz) for 25 minutes. He’s a great guy. So I haven’t really been paying attention, but I keep hearing he’s the next big thing, and I’m inclined to believe it.”

While Griffin is not inclined to take on any fights while he is still healing up from injury, he throws in his two cents, and is campaigning for a Jones-Silva match up.

“I think they should fight. I really do,” said Griffin about a potential bout with Anderson Silva and Jon Jones. “I think that’s a great fight. I think Jones is the next thing, man. I’ve known this for a while, and I thought Brandon Vera would be the test for him.”

So Griffin thinks Silva and Jones should get together, what do you think? Too much, too soon?

Even in a losing effort (albeit a disqualification) to TUF veteran Matt Hamill, Jones looked every bit as dominant as he has in wins over perennial contender’s Brand Vera and most recently, Vladimir Matyushenko.

It’s hard to say what will be next for the 205-pound wrestling stud, but Jones in the mean time is enjoying his most recent triumph none the less, which now moves him to 11-1 overall, and marks his fifth win, inside the octagon.

“It’s very exciting. Vladimir (Matyushenko) has the best record I’ve ever gone against”, said Jones while speaking with Sherdog.com in regards to the win.

“It’s an honor for me. It’s a testament to all my hard work and passion for this sport. It’s just great. My goal is to keep climbing from here, and that’s what I’m trying to do”.

UFC President Dana White has stated on several occasions, that a win over Matyushenko would not only garner Jones top billing in the light heavyweight division, but a crack into the top-8 of the weight class. Jones, though, is a little bit hungrier, and won’t settle for less than a top-5 opponent in his next bout.

“My fight’s have been going real well…but not to sound arrogant, that’s the last thing I would ever want, but these fight’s have been going real fast”, said the Greg Jackson product.

“I think it will take a top-5 guy to make it a great fight, and that’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for that war, I’m looking for that experience, and a top-5 guy would be good for me, I feel”.

While Jon hopes for a top tier opponent, it would be hard to imagine who will be available in the not-so distant future. Everyone seems to be tied up with fights, or injured. But for arguments sake, the light heavyweight picture, the top-5 at 205 in the UFC (below the champion, Mauricio Rua), are the following in my opinion: Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson, Anderson Silva, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueria.

Lyoto Machida and Rampage will be tied up soon.

Rashad Evans and Jones train together, so that’s a no, no.

Anderson Silva has stated on several occasions that at the moment, has no desire to fight at 205, and in all honesty, may be a little bit more than Jones can chew at the moment.

Antonio Nogueria is on tap to face Ryan Bader…

Well, how about Forrest Griffin? Now that, would be a fight.

So, what do you guys think? Should Jones hold out for some of the upper echelon guys, or wait till Forrest is done kissing babies, and signing autographs on his book tour (while he’s healing up from injury)?

While Jackson remains one of the more well respected trainers in the MMA industry, he takes all the credit in stride, and remains a humble human being, calling himself lucky to have made as many friends as he has in the industry that he has put so much into.

While Jones remains one of the hotter commodities produced out the Albuquerque gym in New Mexico, Jackson knows when to pull the reigns, and when to give praise.

And the one-sided dismantling over Vladimir Matyushenko last Sunday, deserves a lot of praise.

“Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, what can you say. Every strike that he threw landed. He was creative, he was flowing, and he finished the fight in pretty vicious fashion”, said the proud trainer, while speaking with Danny Acosta of Fight! Magazine.

“What we want to do with Jon, is keep him very creative, but work solid foundation basics at the same time. Work his timing, work his rhythm, but also just work jab-cross, so that he’s got a good balance of both, and just let him create. It’s important for an artist like Jon not to be limited by a certain game plan, or a certain thing. We should just let his timing flow, and give him the situation’s where he can kind of show his creativity”.

While Jackson acknowledges Jones as a person that needs no limitations, and with his quick work of opponents in his three most recent outings, including victories over Stephan Bonnar (in his second fight in the UFC) and prior to his bout with Matyushenko, Brandon Vera who also became a victim of the hype, Jackson wants stiffer competition even still, for the 23-year-old.

He feels that its that leg up in competition, where everyone will really get to see what the New York native is really made of.

“I think that he’s really working on his technique more, more, and more”, said Greg, while speaking with Fight! Magazine.

“As good as you see him now, he seems to be getting better, better, and better. So, it’s one of those things that, you haven’t seen the best Jon Jones, yet. As he steps up, and fights more and more experienced people, your going to see more and more devastating Jon Jones”.

1. Jon Jones is ready to take on anyone in the UFC light heavyweight division: The thing about Jones is that he takes very adept MMA fighters and makes them look worse than mediocre in every way.  After all, his opponent, Vladimir Matyushenko, had won 11 of his last 12 bouts coming into last night.  We’re talking about a former IFL champion here, with some of the best wrestling skills in the division.  But against Jones, he was taken down with an ease that would’ve made you wonder about his takedown defense, had you not known of his wrestling skills previously.  Then moments later, Jones moved to side mount with the same kind of ease that the takedown came to him with.

People just don’t make Matyushenko look that poor on the ground.

But perhaps the scariest thing about Jones isn’t his wrestling, nor is it those unorthodox strikes of his.  Nope, the most frightening thing about the man they call ‘Bones’ is the way he finishes people.  The elbows he hit home with from the crucifix position last night simply left nothing to guess at anymore.

Jones dominated Stephan Bonnar, Brandon Vera, Matt Hamill (before a DQ), and now Matyushenko for a reason.  He’s a superstar waiting to happen, who’s ready to compete against anyone- anyone- in the UFC light heavyweight division.

2. Takanori Gomi may have only one trick left, but it’s a great one: Gomi looked pretty human against Kenny Florian in his UFC debut, getting beaten both on his feet and then eventually on the ground.  But against Tyson Griffin last night, we were reminded of the reason why he was so dominant for all of those years in the PRIDE organization.

Hand speed and power, folks.

With one hard right hand, Griffin learned that Gomi was not a fighter to be trifled with.  Guess is that opponents are going to start trying to take him down quickly like they used to.

After all, there was a reason why people didn’t want to stand with Gomi.  Those hands of his are still pretty special.

3. Taking down Yushin Okami is very difficult: Okami is not the most exciting fighter in the world.  But the guy is very strong and possesses outstanding takedown defense.  After all, if a two-time All American wrestler with an NCAA title to his credit has extreme difficulty taking you down, and even when he does get you the canvas can’t keep you there, that means something.  For Okami last night, it meant a close decision victory.

4. Charles Oliveira is a fighter to watch: Oliveira looked scary good from his guard against Darren Elkins last night.  When you add that to his undefeated record (13-0) and the fact that he’s stopped 12 of 13 opponents during his short MMA career, he’s got to show up on your MMA radar.

5. John Howard hits hard: Sure, he lost to Jake Ellenberger last night.  Still, every time the guy threw a punch or a kick, it was done with bad intentions.  With just a tad more takedown defense, this guy could be seriously dangerous.

Jon Jones has seven knockouts on his record, and when you consider the fact that he’s only had eleven fights total, it’s not too soon to start calling him a knockout artist. But Matyushenko’s chin has held up remarkably well throughout the years. Since starting his professional MMA career in 1997, “The Janitor” has only ever been (T)KO’d twice. Andrei Arlovski was the first man to ever knock him out, and when it happened, Arlovski was in his glory days and considered one of the best strikers on the planet. His only other knockout loss would come six years later, at the hands (or more specifically, the knees) of Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Also, consider the fact that the only two other men Vladimir ever lost to were Tito Ortiz and Vernon White, and the only loss you can really hold against Matyushenko is White, since White had an abysmal 12-21-1 record going into that fight. My point is: other than Vernon White, it’s taken the cream of the crop to put away “The Janitor”.

But what about Jon Jones’ impressive wrestling ability? I admit that it will be a tall mountain to climb, but once again, I think Matyushenko is the man to climb it. Jones has an exciting, flashy style of wrestling utilizing all kinds of throws, slams, and ground and pound. Matyushenko’s style has always been no-frills, but it has also undoubtedly worked to his favor. Where Jones has two Unanimous Decision victories on his record, Matyushenko has nine. If Jonny Bones tries some of his crazy throws in order to impress the fans and look good in front of the men signing his checks, he may just find himself getting reversed, put on his back, and pounded out. Jones may have the better pure wrestling ability, but Matyushenko is the better strategist. If “The Janitor” can weather the storm and learn to predict Jones’ rhythm, he should have ample opportunity to make Jones pay for trying to get flashy on a no-nonsense grappler.

In fact, that’s how I see the fight in general working out. Matyushenko needs to weather the storm, survive the onslaught, and tire Jones out. If Matyushenko can start to grind on Jones and survive Jones’ attempts at big, exciting knockouts and throws, he’ll start wearing down “Bones” both physically and mentally.

I’ll admit that there’s a very real possibility that “The Janitor” could get knocked out. I don’t think he has a chance of getting submitted. I think if the fight goes to a decision, it’d be a tough one to call. But above all else, I think Vladimir Matyushenko has a far better chance to win this fight than almost anyone is giving him. The old dog still has a few tricks left in him, and I think he has a good shot at shocking the world and putting an end to Jon Jones’ run to the top. It’ll be an exciting fight regardless of anything else, and I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. I’ll be pulling for you, Janitor.

So what do you think, fans and friends? Will “Bones” add another tough opponent to his list of fallen foes, or will Matyushenko pull off the upset? And how do you see this fight playing out?

Anyone else feel like UFC President Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva are simply waiting to unleash Jones on the upper echelon of the MMA world?

Against Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94, Jones did things to one of the toughest guys in the sport that have rarely have made their way into MMA before.  We’re talking about a spinning back elbow that dropped Bonnar, spinning sidekicks, and some highly theatrical takedowns on his way to an easy decision victory.

Then came the fight against former TUF contestant Matt Hamill, where a man known for his takedowns and wrestling was tripped to the canvas by Jones with flair and then pounded on- we’re talking severely here- by an onslaught of elbows and punches that would’ve taken almost anyone out.  Unfortunately, Jones lost that fight because during the devastation he connected with two illegal up and down elbows, thus leaving Hamill with a win via disqualification.  But that didn’t change anything about what really happened.

Finally there was the Brandon Vera fight, Jones’ most recent.  Jones took Vera down quickly and eventually hit home with that killer elbow that ended things.  It was done with less flair than the other bouts discussed here, but was still impressive.

You would’ve thought that a win against Vera, a former contender, would’ve catapulted “Bones” into the conversation with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Rashad Evans, and Forrest Griffin rather quickly.  It did not with the UFC brass.  Rather, it netted him a somewhat parallel move to fight Vladimir Matyushenko, a veteran with great wrestling and an ability to grind out decision victories.  Sure, he’s a very good fighter; but the guy is not currently in the discussion that the aforementioned light heavyweight fighters are.  He still needs a win or two to be considered a contender in the UFC.

Which is why this has to be the last fight before the big time for Jones.  He wins here, and White and the gang do what everyone knows is coming; they unleash Jones’ amazing athleticism and talent on the upper echelon of the UFC light heavyweight division.  Even if Jones does somehow lose this fight, guess is that for a period of time people would still see exactly what this article refers to.

You know, that something truly different about Jones that makes him appear destined for greatness.

I have seen many people say they think this fight is a mismatch and that Jones is taking a step back in competition after his dismantling of “The Truth” Brandon Vera (11-5) at the first UFC on Versus.

The Janitor is a grinder in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). Similar to the poker player that can win at the mid and lower stake games but never can seem to pull the trigger in the higher stake games. The Janitor tends to use his strength and wrestling to wear men down and win by Unanimous Decisions.

His opponent Jones is a great wrestler though and will put the Janitor to the test. Jones has four wins inside the Octagon and should have five. He lost to “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (7-2) due to a disqualification from illegal elbows in the process of putting a severe beating on Matt.

Looking at his opponents it is clear the UFC is taking their time grooming him and giving him the best shot at a positive future in the UFC. Jones is very explosive and once on the ground has some of the best ground and pound I have seen in a long time. His striking game, while creative and interesting, has a way to go and this is what the UFC recognizes. Fighters.com believes they see a highly marketable fighter and future champion in Jones and they do not want to push him to fast.

The growth of a fighter can be a long road for some but Jones seems to be taking a short cut. He improves drastically each time I see him fight and his future is very bright if he keeps improving and doesn’t hit the plateau. So many promotions make the mistake of fast tracking a fighter with the potential of a guy like Jones and it ends up backfiring. Not only does it hurt the promotion but it hurts the fighter and can put them back a year or two in the growth process.

Booking this fight between the Janitor and Jones is an all around win for the UFC. They get the chance to see how Jones can handle a man who only has four losses and all against top-level competition. They also get to see if the Janitor can manage to grind out yet another win, making him even more marketable. Should Jones get passed the Janitor I look for the UFC to put him up against someone near the top of the division for his next fight.

Regardless of the outcome much will be learned about both of these fighters when UFC on Versus II takes place August 1 in Oakland, California.

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?

White wouldn’t disclose the nature of Cantwell’s ailment at the UFC 108 pre-fight press conference Wednesday.

UFC 108 will go on with ten bouts (as of today), five to air on pay-per-view, two on SpikeTV, and the first three for the live audience.

Matyushenko has been promised a return on a future UFC card.

Hamman is an EliteXC veteran with stoppages over powerhouse “Diesel” Travis Wiuff (57-12), Strikeforce prospect Aaron Rosa (10-3), and ADCC submission grappler and M-1 Global fighter Rogent Lloret (6-1-1).

Before his debut in the Octagon, Hamman spoke to Fighters.com about training with “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4), his only loss by 15-second knockout, and his preparations to fight Gustafsson.

Fighters.com: You train with Matyushenko at VMAT in El Segundo, who recently returned to the UFC.  Did his return lead directly to your signing?   Tell us how it came about that you signed with the UFC.

Jared Hamman: No, not exactly. Me and Vlad came under a new manager a few months ago.  Vlad signed with the UFC then and I was still working with strikeforce.  I was supposed to fight for them September 25.  During a meeting with my manager it was discovered that I was a free agent.  UFC made me an offer and I went with what I felt was the best decision.

Fighters.com: Why haven’t you competed in over a year?

Jared Hamman: When EliteXC went down, I was told that my contract was being held and being transferred over to strikeforce.  I had plenty of opportunities to fight, but I was told that I could’nt because I was still under contract.  So you can imagine how mad I was when I found out that I was a free agent.  In the end, though, it has given me a whole year to work on my game and increase my skill.

Fighters.com: You competed at ShoXC, which was televised and had the feel of a big production like the UFC.  Your opponent, Gustaffson, has only competed in northern Europe, where the MMA scene isn’t as developed.  Having come from smaller shows into ShoXc, what advantage do you have if any with both you and Gustaffson debuting in the Octagon?

Jared Hamman: You know, there may be some kind of advantage, but I dont think it’s a big one.  It helps to already have had the experience of having the camera in your face and doing pre-fight interview stuff for TV and what not, but I think any true fighter will tell you, when it comes down to it, a fight is a fight.  Whether its in the backyard or national TV you dont want to get your butt whooped and you want to fight hard and win.

Fighters.com: Besides the physical training, how is Vlad helping you mentally prepare for your UFC debut?

Jared Hamman: This is funny. Vlad and me are somewhat the same, yet totally different. I’m all fire and he’s ice. You see it in his face, stone cold, no emotion, just gets the job done and that’s it. Me, I’m a little bit more firey. I absolutely love to battle and go for it full bore. Vlad shoots it to me straight, lets me know when my technique sucked and when I’ve done well.  I respect that.  It’s easy to get around people in this sport that will tell you what you want to hear, but it’s important to have that person who tells you how it really is. The real thing, none of that fake stuff.  The fake stuff doesn’t make you a champion.

Fighters.com: You were KO’d in 15 seconds by Poai Suganuma (8-3) at EliteXC in April 2008, a loss you avenged in a first-round TKO four months later. I don’t believe in flukes. Do you believe in flukes and is that first loss to Suganuma an example? Or, was there a legititmate mistake Suganuma took advantage of and you worked to fix?

Jared Hamman: Something I have always said to my players (I coached college football) was, “The first person to hesitate is the first to get rocked!”  That fight I hesitated for a slight second, let my mind think instead of act, and it cost me. Now, I will say that I was still very able to fight and could’ve kept going, but the outcome is the way it is. I should have never put myself in that position in the first place. Poai is a good fighter and he did his thing perfectly that night. After that situation I will never hesitate again.

Fighters.com: I notice several of your stoppage wins are in the second round. Are you cautious at the beginning of a fight? Would you call yourself a “slow starter”?

Jared Hamman: I definitely would not say I’m a slow starter. You only get 15 minutes to fight and I want to be fighting all 15 of them. For me, it’s kind of like when I played football in college, you start off full speed, but it takes a few series and a couple good hits to really be comfortable in your pads. Same with fighting, you get some good hits and a little sweat and your good to go.

Fighters.com: I can’t imagine you have a lot of video on Gustaffson. When you’re feeling out an opponent at the beginning of a fight, what are you looking for?

Jared Hamman: To be honest, from the bell I’m trying to break the guy down, mentally and physically. I never want a fight to go to a decision, it’s a pickin fight. As with any fighter, I’m looking for openings and ways to end the fight right from the get-go.

“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).

“Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (14-7), who should’ve amounted to busy work for the Brazilian, upset Leites in a three-round split decision, rendering him with consecutive disappointing losses.

Leites paired with UFC middleweight champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4) at UFC 97 in Montréal 18 April to engage in the most disappointing Octagon main event of the year. Leites refused to engage MMA’s most feared striker and several times fell to his back inviting the champion into his guard, which Silva refused.

Leites is 5-3 in the Octagon, a notch better than Sakara’s 5-4, and that must sting.

“Doomsday” John Howard (12-3) won a three-round split decision over McCrory. McCrory is 3-3 in the Octagon, but has never lost consecutively. McCrory also hadn’t progressed since choking out “Secret Weapon” Pete Spratt (18-15) in his UFC debut at Fight Night 10 in Miami in June 2007.

Both fighters can look forward to returning to MMA’s greatest show with a few wins on the regional circuit.

Wednesday the UFC re-signed American Top Team lightweight “Maximus” Marcus Aurélio (18-7), who was cut after losing a unanimous decision to Hermes Franca (19-7) at UFC 90 in Chicago last October. Aurélio picked up two Ws during his hiatus, neither to noteworthy competition.

Also Wednesday, the UFC announced welterweight “Superman” Dennis Hallman (41-12-1) would return to the Octagon four years after losing a UD to “El Conquistador” Jorge Rivera (16-7) at UFC 55 in Uncasville and light heavyweight “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (22-4) will again fight for the UFC six years after Fighters.com’s tenth-ranked heavyweight “Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-7) knocked him out at UFC 44 in Las Vegas.

“Babalu” Renato Sobral (29-8) will fight “The Law” Matt Lindland (21-5).

“Minotoro” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (14-3) will fight “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3).

“Headhunter” Paul Buentello (26-9) will face “Baby Fedor” Kiril Sidelnikov (3-1).

“Machine” Mark Hominick (14-7) will face LC Davis (9-1).

“Thorobred” Jay Hieron (13-4) will fight Jason High (6-0).

Albert Rios (6-2) will face “Tigre” Antonio Duarte (7-1).

Brett Cooper will also fight, although no opponent was named.

The event is headlined by Fighters.com’s Heavyweight Champion “Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (28-1) versus third-ranked “Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-5).

A lightweight match between Chris Horodecki (12-1) and “The Upgrade” Dan Lauzon (10-2) was previously reported.

No opponents have yet been determined for seventh-ranked heavyweight “Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett (19-5) and “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (16-8).

Sobral is fighting Bobby Southworth (9-4) Friday for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title.  He won a unanimous decision over “Iron” Mike Whitehead (22-6) at Affliction in July.

Lindland last fought in July, winning a unanimous decision over “Negao” Fabio Nascimento (16-8).

Nogueira and Matyushenko were originally scheduled to face off in October before Day of Reckoning was postponed.

Nogueira won his last match 1 November at Sengoku 6, defeating Moise Rimbon (12-8-2) in a unanimous decision.

Matyushenko will try to extend his win streak to nine.  His last victory came in April in the IFL when he TKO’d Jamal Patterson (4-2) in the second round.

Buentello defeated “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge (23-19-1) via unanimous decision last week at Glory 10.

Sidelnikov, from Russia’s Red Devil Sports Club, TKO’d James Jack (3-2-1) in round one at the M-1 Challenge in September.

Hominick submitted Savant Young (1-2) with a second-round armbar at Affliction in July.

Davis KO’d Rafael Dias (12-5) in round three at the IFL’s April event.

Hieron won a unanimous decision over Chris Kennedy (6-6) in October.

High submitted Markhaile Wederbrun (4-3) in 45 seconds with a guillotine choke in June.

Rios last fought in November 2007.  He TKO’d Rafael Salomao (6-1) in round one.

Duarte submitted Gerardo Morales (0-2) with a third-round guillotine choke in May.

Cooper KO’d Dusty Arden (11-6-1) in round two in June.

Emelianenko versus Arlovski had been reported previously, as well as the date of the event, but Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio last week would confirm neither the main event, the date, nor the venue for their second show.

Other fighters on the card are sixth-ranked heavyweight “Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett (23-5), “Minotoro” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (14-3), “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3), “Babalu” Renato Sobral (30-7), “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (17-8), “The Law” Matt Lindland (21-5), and the IFL’s Jay Hieron (16-4) and Chris Horodecki (12-1).

The match-ups have not yet been announced.

IFL champion Matyushenko met Nogueira in the ring before, earning a unanimous decision win over “Minotoro” in August 2002 and handing him his first professional loss.

Matyushenko is coming off eight consecutive wins; he has not lost since Fighters.com’s fourth-ranked heavyweight “Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (13-5) knocked him out in September 2003.

Nogueira previously confirmed his participation at Day of Reckoning.

That’s the query I’d pose to Fighters.com’s Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (22-4) if I was UFC Matchmaker Joe Silva after the former Silva put “Sandman” James Irvin (14-5) to sleep in a minute in Las Vegas 19 July.  “Are you serious about being the UFC champion at both 185- and 205-pounds?”

If “Spider” only wants to bulk-up to obliterate un-ranked light heavies for kitsch, fine.

But, if Silva wants to match “Hollywood” Dan Henderson‘s (22-7) feat of holding major titles at 185- and 205-pounds simultaneously – if he’s serious – he deserves a serious challenge in his next 205-pound showing.

He could do it.  Not with the Vaseline ease with which he ascended to the 185-pound crown, but it’s not an X-Files storyline either.

The determinant will be how Silva scales the mountain range at the top of the division.

UFC Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin (22-4), “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-5), “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-7), these beasts are all heavyweights with the work ethic to cut 40, 50 pounds or more and fight at 205 pounds.

Enter IFL Light Heavyweight Champion “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3)…maybe.

Fighters.com reported 21 July that former IFL fighters have confirmed to Fighters.com that they’ve been notified that their contract was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the UFC and WEC.

In Anaheim, east of Los Angeles, 19 July, Vladdy confirmed to Sherdog that he had been told not to take any fights because the IFL was awaiting a buyout, but didn’t confirm that his contract had already been purchased.

It’s likely, in fact, that Zuffa, LLC doesn’t want all of the IFL’s fighters.

It’s possible the UFC doesn’t see a place for Matyushenko in it’s stacked 205-pound division; and, UFC President Dana White has previously indicated that the WEC will eliminate it’s light heavyweight division.

However, for the purposes of this analysis, Fighters.com assumes Matyushenko’s contract was included in the basket of assets Zuffa, LLC acquired from the IFL.

Matyushenko is an over-sized light heavyweight grappler, having formerly competed in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

He’s no lay’n'pray wrestler, nor is he the Delacroix of attack that Silva is.  He consistently takes large fighters to the mat and pounds them out.

That alone makes him potentially dangerous to Silva.  Not that it hasn’t been tried on “Spider” before, but not by so large of a man.

If Silva can weather the larger, stronger Matyushenko’s G’n'P and pick-up a win, then he’s ready for the better skilled big men at the top of 205.

And, what better way to promote Silva as the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist than if he picks up the IFL Light Heavyweight Championship?

If Matyushenko can survive Silva’s attack and pound out a “W”, the same for him – he’s ready for a top ten challenge in the UFC, perhaps even a title unification fight.

“The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3), Wagnney Fabiano (10-1), and Jay Hieron (15-4) all defended their respective titles with knockouts.

Lightweight standout Chris Horodecki (12-1) picked up a unanimous decision, while one-time top 155-pounder “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (28-11) continued his slide with a loss by unanimous decision.

Featherweight Fabiano set-up a right slobber-knocker to Shad Lierley (2-2) with just his reputation as a submission specialist.

“People think I’m just a jiu-jitsu fighter,” Fabiano explained after the fight.  “Today I knew he would expect me shooting, so I changed my game plan.”

The KO came after just 37 seconds.

Hieron, an Xtreme Couture 170-pounder, dispatched Mark Miller (8-3) in just 2:10.

“It went quicker than I thought, but man it was not easy,” said Hieron after his right hook set-up a single-leg takedown leading to a G’n'P finish.

“The Janitor” had the toughest time of the IFL’s three defending champions.

Hometown Jamal Patterson (4-2), who’s won exclusively by submission, cranked up striking flurries in the first round causing Matyushenko to duck-and-cover.

But, Matyushenko handed Patterson his ass in the second with a ground’n'pound barrage the required the ref to wave the fight finished at 3:35.

IFL newcomer Jim Miller (11-1) ran “Bartimus” ragged for three rounds, dumping the winless-in-three lightweight at will and filing through submission attempts like he had an extra limb.  Palaszewski fought back valiantly with several crafty escapes, but Miller took all of the cards in his IFL debut.

Horodecki had a handfull named Nate Lamotte (6-3) to contend with in Horodecki’s return from his first loss to “The Lion” Ryan Schultz (19-9-1) in IFL’s Lightweight Grand Prix final.

Lamotte delivered some vicious G’n'P when he was able to catch Horodecki, but the IFL vet kept Lamotte at bay with a snapping jab and pin-pointed punches to take a UD by 29-28 times three.

And the rest of the story saw light heavyweight “Shark” Emyr Bussade (11-5) win his IFL debut with a kneebar of Jesse Lennox (6-1) at 1:25 of round two.

“Bad” Brad Blackburn (12-9-1) TKO’d “Pe de Chumbo” Delson Heleno (13-5) at 1:50 of the third round of a welterweight matchup.

Featherweight LC Davis (10-1) kicked Rafael Dias (10-4-1) in the head for the KO “W” at 3:56 of round three.

Xtreme Couture middleweight Alex Schoenauer (13-9) eeked out a split decision over Brendan Barrett (3-3).

Finally, heavyweight Miletich fighter Mike Ciesnolevicz (13-3) cut Kongo-conqueror “The Fury” Carmelo Marrero (7-2) with an unintentional headbutt in a fight declared a No Contest after 1:37.

The IFL returns 16 May in at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville.

Tickets went on sale on Monday, Feb. 25, and are available at the IZOD Center Box Office (located at the Meadowlands), www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (201) 507-8900.

Of particular interest is the addition of Florida-based American Top Team, which is “outside” of the core IFL camps to compete under the new IFL format which encourages challenges from the top MMA camps across the world.

Matyushenko, who defected to the U.S. while a member of the Belarus national wrestling team in the early 1990’s, was the IFL’s first individual champion, capping an unbeaten 2007 by winning the light heavyweight title by defeating Alex Schoenauer last November in Chicago.  On April 4, Matyushenko will battle “The Suit” Jamal Patterson, a Colgate University graduate who now serves as regional sales manager for an orthodontics company in addition to his MMA career.

Hieron, a Long Island native who will be fighting in front of a decidedly hometown crowd, knocked out “Pe de Chumbo” Delson Heleno in Connecticut in December to claim the welterweight crown.  His opponent in New Jersey will be Mark Miller, a former machine gunner in the U.S. Marines who was one of the big surprises at 170-lbs. last year in the IFL.

Fabiano is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert who used that skill to record five submissions, four of them in the first round, in a perfect 2007, culminating in a win over LC Davis in the featherweight championship in December.  He takes on Shad Lierley, a former collegiate conference wrestling champion at New York University who moves to 145-lbs. after impressing with two victories and a well-documented thrilling battle with “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki last year.

“I like the local feel of this card,” said Bas Rutten, IFL Vice President, Fighter Operations.  “In addition to three outstanding championship matchups, featuring fighters from New York and New Jersey, you have Renzo Gracie’s camp, which was the champion last year, Midwest Combat, which features our top fighters from the Chicago area, and great battles with the Miletich camp and American Top Team, which we are very excited to have on board.” 

Among the intriguing matchups in the Miletich-ATT pairing are those between welterweights Rory Markham and Emyr Bussade and light heavyweights Mike Ciesnolevicz and Lew Polley.  LC Davis will also compete against a yet-to-be-determined featherweight opponent.

The Gracie-Midwest bouts include a rematch of last year’s exciting Deividas Taurosevicius vs. “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski matchup.  Delson Heleno will also fight at 170 lbs; his opponent is TBD. 

Outside of the camp matchups, Chris Horodecki will battle a yet unnamed lightweight for a planned minimum nine-bout card.

IFL East Rutherford, N.J.
Friday, April 4, 2008
(order TBD)

Additional Bouts
155 lbs.: Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) (7-1 IFL, 11-1 overall MMA) vs. TBD

American Top Team vs. Miletich Fighting Systems
145 lbs.: TBD vs. LC Davis (Kansas City, Mo.) (2-0, 9-1)
170 lbs.: Emyr Bussade (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (0-0, 10-5) vs. Rory Markham (Chicago) (6-2, 12-3)
205 lbs.: Lew Polley (Coconut Creek, Fla.) (0-0, 6-0) vs. Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown, Pa.) (5-3, 13-3)

Midwest Combat vs. Renzo Gracie Academy
155 lbs.: Bart Palaszewski (Wonderlake, Ill.) (8-3, 29-10) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) (3-0, 9-2)
170 lbs.: TBD vs. Delson Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (6-3, 13-4)
*205 lbs.: **Vladimir Matyushenko (Belarus) (5-0, 20-3) vs. Jamal Patterson (Jersey City, N.J.) (4-1, 4-1)

Additional Championship Bouts
*170 lbs.: **Jay Hieron (Freeport, N.Y.) (6-2, 14-4) vs. Mark Miller (Chicago) (2-1, 8-2)
*145 lbs.: **Wagnney Fabiano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (5-0, 9-1) vs. Shad Lierley (Seattle) (2-1, 2-1)

*Championship Bout
**Current Titleholder