UFC Live 2

It's been a fairly long layoff between UFC events, but that is going to change with the month of August. Kicking off the first of three fight cards that month is the UFC's second foray onto VS., and the fights are a nice mix of old guard and fresh faces. After a month with no UFC, this will be a great event to kick off a packed month of fights, so here we go!

Tyson Griffin vs. Takanori "The Fireball Kid" Gomi
lightweight (155)

Griffin is a late replacement for Joe Stevenson, who was scratched from the fight because of a knee injury. Both Gomi and Griffin are coming off losses, and are looking to rebound. Gomi has a solid wrestling base, and a nasty overhand right that he likes to put opponents to sleep with. Griffin is a tenacious wrestler, with nasty leg kicks, and a vastly improved striking game. With the only losses on his record at the hands of up and comer Evan Dunham, former champ Sean Sherk, and current lightweight title holder Frankie Edgar, Griffin will look to get back on track with a win, and possibly send Gomi packing.

After a long and succesful run in PRIDE losing only once in three years, Gomi has had a much harder go of things lately. After a loss to Nick Diaz was overturned to a no contest, he's managed a record of 4-3, most recently being caught in a rear naked choke by erstwhile lightweight contender, Kenny Florian. To avoid consecutive losses, Gomi is going to need to stuff the takedowns he's sure to run into against Griffin, and utilize his footwork and head movement to force Griffin into making a mistake. Unfortunately, that is much easier than it sounds.

Coming off a ver close split decision loss to former training partner Evan Dunham in June, Griffin jumped at the opportunity to get back into the Octagon, and back to his winning ways. Holding notable victories over Clay Guida, Marcus Aurelio, and the first person to stop former lightweight title contender Hermes Franca, Griffin poses a lot of problems for Gomi. While perhaps not as dynamic a striker as the former Pride champion, Griffin has a solid fundamental striking base, and one thing that Gomi has shown to be lacking in recent years, a big gas tank. In his fight against Florian, Gomi seemed tired early in the second round, and tired is something you're going to get against Griffin, who seems to thrive on fights that get dragged into the deep waters of the third round. For Gomi to have a chance, he needs to have improved his cardio.

The bottom line is this, despite being a great champion in his prime, Gomi no longer seems motivated to bring his A game. Griffin is bigger, younger, and much hungrier. Gomi will try for the highlight reel knockout in the first round, but if he doesn't get it, Griffin will simply grind out the Japanese fighter, and either catch him in a submission late, or earn the lopsided decision. I'm guessing the latter happens, and Griffin gets back to the right side of the win-loss column.

Griffin via Unanimous Decision

John "Doomsday" Howard vs Jake Ellenberger
welterweight (170)

Howard puts his undefeated UFC record on the line against the very tough and hard hitting wrestler Ellenberger, but with dynamic striking, and enough power to pull a Mongo, and KO a horse, Howard is going to look to win his third straight fight by knock out, and garner another KO of the Night award.

Ellenberger has only two fights in the UFC, but has done quite well. In both his split decision loss to Carlos Condit, and his dominating TKO win over Mike Pyle, Ellenberger has shown a gritty toughness and determination that make him an opponent nobody should take lightly. With a smothering top control, and very heavy hands, Howard is going to have his hands full.

"Doomsday" likes to keep his fights standing, so he can bring his lightning hand speed to full force. With slick footwork, and solid takedown defense, he usually can dictate the fight tempo, and location, which he will really need to do against Ellenberger. Howard is going to need to stop the multitude of takedown attempts, if he doesn't want his face turned into hamburger meat. More importantly, he's going to need to be able to keep a fairly frenetic pace, as the hyper aggressive cardio machine that is Ellenberger, will give no quarter to Howard.

Though neither one of these fighters is a household name, expect that to change soon. Howard is not only extremely talented in the Octagon, but a charismatic, and engaging individual on the microphone. Expect a furious opening to the fight, as both combatants look to force the other to make a mistake. Howard will be able to keep his distance long enough to find a hole in Ellenberger's striking defense, and late in the first round, "Doomsday" will put a punctuation on the fight, and carry his second straight KO of the Night award out of the arena.

Howard, via KO. Rd. 1

Mark "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" vs. Yushin "Thunder" Okami
middleweight (185)

After long being considered the next to challenge for the middleweight title, that train was derailed by current challenger, Chael Sonnen, Okami has started to climb the ladder back to title contention, and standing in his way is converted light heavyweight ground and pound machine, Mark Munoz.

Munoz dropped down to 185 after his debut at 205 was less than successful. Since the move in weight class, Munoz has rattled off three straight wins, including an impressive TKO of Kendall Grove that showed Munoz's resilience, and ability to fight back through adversity when he escaped from multiple submission attempts, and pounded out Grove in the second round. In Okami however, he faces a fighter with much better takedown defense, and that is where Munoz will suffer.

Okami is incredibly strong, and Munoz will have a hard time out muscling the Japanese fighter. There is a chance that Munoz could connect with one of the nuclear haymakers he likes to throw in the form of overhand rights, but Okami is much to seasoned to get into a slugfest. Okami will pick his spots, and run Munoz around the ring until his tank is on empty, and pounce. Munoz will put up a decent fight, and may even steal a round, but when all is said and done, Okami gets the judges nod, and moves that much closer to title contention.

Okami via Unanimous Decision


Jon "Bones" Jones vs Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko
light heavyweight (205)

Prospects like Jones come along very rarely, in any sport. Perhaps that's why the UFC is taking such care in advancing his career. Despite tearing through his competition in dominating fashion, Dana White is making sure that no unnecessary risks are being taken with Jones, but if he keeps winning the way he has been, "Bones" may find himself fighting for a number one contender spot sooner than later.

Enter Matyushenko. A veteran in the sport, he's fought in numerous organizations, and has been experiencing a career renaissance lately. One can only suspect that he was brought in to face Jones as a sacrificial lamb though, as his best days are behind him. With wins over such names as Pedro Rizzo, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, he has an impressive resume, and is definitely experienced enough to not be intimidated by Jones. Matyushenko is 39, however, and doesn't have the explosive speed, and striking defense to counter the dynamic skill set Jones brings to bear.

Jones has thrilled audiences, and stymied opponents with his unorthodox striking, and video game-esque throws and trips. With a wingspan that would make an albatross envious, Jones poses problems for every fighter he faces. With his lone loss coming via disqualification, and after he shattered Brandon Vera's cheekbone in his last bout, Jone's star has been enjoying a meteoric rise, and he's only 23.

Matyushenko will most likely take the fight right to Jones, and try to keep him off balance with pressure, and try to force the younger fighter to make a mistake. While in theory a sound strategy, it will most likely end the fight sooner than later, with Jones locking up a greco-roman trip early, and forcing the referee to stop the fight after pummeling Matyushenko with elbows. Jones gets the win, and we'll probably see him face a much sterner challenge by the end of the year.

Jones via TKO, RD. 1


One final note. This event will see the return of "Big" John McCarthy as a referee in the Octagon, and I couldn't be happier. It's not certain if this was done to stem the tide of terrible officiating we've seen in the UFC this year, or merely an attempt to boost ratings. Either way, it's a fantastic decision, and it's going to be great to see Big John back in the UFC.

"LET'S GET IT ON!"