UFC Live Jones vs. Matyushenko will go off on Sunday, August 1st, from the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California. For a non pay per view event, predictions will be in tall order as the fights in this one are nothing to scoff at. Beyond Jon Jones taking on Vladimir Matyushenko in the main event, fans will also be treated to bouts between Mark Munoz and Yushin Okami and Tyson Griffin and Takanori Gomi. Wondering who is going to win these battles?
Then keep reading to find out.
Jon Jones (10-1) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (24-4)
Jon Jones is an amazingly athletic fighter. He possesses excellent wrestling skills, including some very explosive takedowns. He is also an outstanding striker that is quite unorthodox and exciting in his approach. On the flip side, Vladimir Matyushenko is a veteran of the game whose wrestling skills are also top notch. He is only a solid striker, however, and his fighting style is nowhere near as exciting as his opponents'.
In the end, as good and wily as Matyushenko is, he is nowhere near as athletic as his adversary in this one. Guess is that Matyushenko will have a lot of trouble taking Jones down due to this and will therefore be forced to trade with an opponent that brings the hurt fast. Welcome to the big time, Jon Jones.
Jon Jones defeats Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO in round one.
Mark Munoz (8-1) vs. Yushin Okami (25-5)
Munoz is a great wrestler with tons of cardio and toughness. He also possesses highly underrated striking skills, as he has improved tremendously in this regard. Okami, on the other hand, is an amazingly strong fighter with above average wrestling and stand up skills. What's more, he's very difficult to stop and is a smart fighter, even if this doesn't always translate to exciting matches (similar to Matyushenko, actually).
This one could be the fight of the night and is a toss-up in my book. I think that Munoz's push-the-pace style and wrestling skills will force Okami to fight more recklessly than he likes to. And that aggressiveness may land him a decision victory in a mild upset.
Mark Munoz defeats Yushin Okami by decision.
Tyson Griffin (14-3) vs. Takanori Gomi (31-6)
Takanori Gomi still has very fast hands and hits like a truck. But his wrestling skills are no longer top notch, and his submissions and submission defense leave something to be desired. Tyson Griffin possesses excellent wrestling, stand up skills, and cardio. Though he isn't a submission machine either, he does have excellent submission defense.
In the end, Gomi can win this fight by KO. Griffin would seem to have more ways to win, so you have to go with him.
Tyson Griffin defeats Takanori Gomi via decision (Griffin rarely stops upper level fighters).
The Rest of UFC Live Jones vs. Matyushenko Predictions
John Howard (14-4) vs. Jake Ellenberger (22-5): Ellenberger is an athletic wrestler with excellent striking skills and power in his hands. Howard is a good submission fighter with more than solid hands and power as well. But I just like Ellenberger on his feet here.
Jake Ellenberger defeats John Howard by TKO in round two.
Paul Kelly (11-2) vs. Jacob Volkmann (10-2): Volkmann brings excellent wrestling, toughness, and size to this lightweight encounter, having formerly fought at welterweight. Kelly is also a big lightweight with a lot of toughness, but I think he will be outwrestled here.
Jacob Volkmann defeats Paul Kelly by decision.
DaMarques Johnson (16-7) vs. Matthew Riddle (4-1): This will be a great fight between former TUF contestants. Will Riddle's upside show?
I think Riddle wins via his wrestling skills and athleticism in an upset.
Matt Riddle defeats DaMarques Johnson by decision.
James Irvin (14-6) vs. Igor Pokrajac (21-7): Two fighters that are not on good streaks here. Expect Irvin to right the wrongs.
James Irvin defeats Igor Pokrajac by KO in round one.
Brian Stann (8-3): vs. Mike Massenzio (11-3): This is a good fight that will probably go Massenzio's way if the fight goes to the ground, and Stann's way if it stays standing. Expect a stand up affair, as this will be Stann's middleweight debut, which should give him the added strength needed to keep things upright.
Brian Stann defeats Mike Massenzio by TKO in round two.
Thiago Tavares (18-3-1) vs. Willamy Freire (17-3): Two excellent submission fighters with well-rounded skills. But this will serve as Freire's UFC debut (he's a former Shooto champion). Nerves usually play into such debuts.
Thiago Tavares defeats Willamy Freire by decision.
Darren Elkins (12-1) vs. Charles Oliveira (12-0): Oliveira has some excellent wrestling and submission skills. Elkins is a very well-rounded fighter as well. I just have a feeling about Oliveira, though.
Charles Oliveira defeats Darren Elkins by first round submission.
Rob Kimmons (22-5) vs. Steve Steinbess (4-3): I like Kimmons in this one.
Rob Kimmons defeats Steve Steinbeiss by first round submission.
