UFC Live: Jones vs Matyushenko Post-Fight Observations & Repercussions

The curtain has officially closed on the UFC’s return trip to the Versus channel for the UFC Live: ‘Jones vs. Matyushenko’ event.

Many storylines have now been produced after an exciting night of action from the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California.

In retrospect, here are a few noteworthy items (in no particular order):

1) You Stay Classy Jon Jones.

“Bones” Jones is who everyone thought he was – a very young, top flight light heavyweight talent who happened to have a veteran stepping stone in front of him.

It was quick and easy. Too easy, in fact.

After an early first round takedown by Jones, he immediately passed guard into side control. From there, he progressed into a mounted crucifix position that rendered Matyushenko virtually helpless. A flurry of clean strikes to the head forced referee Herb Dean to call it off.

“It’s time to take it to the next level,” opined UFC analyst Joe Rogan after the stoppage.

I am in concert with his sentiment. It is time for him to graduate from prospect boarding school.

Jones has been brought along slowly and handled properly by the UFC management up to this point. They have handpicked his opponents wisely. They have allowed him to grow as a fighter and round out his skill set over an appropriate amount of time.

Despite him being just 23 years old, he is wise beyond his years in more ways than one.

My money is on one of the following light heavyweights as his next opponent: Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin, or Quinton Jackson.

Johnny B. Goode is officially in the upper echelon. Cue the Chuck Berry.

2) Okami Goes Splitsville.

Yushin Okami picked up a big win over Mark Munoz as he continues to march his way towards a potential rematch with Anderson Silva in a title bout.

He remains another quality win or two away from that opportunity after recording a razor thin split decision victory over a very game Munoz.

The pair went back and forth for fifteen minutes with Okami establishing himself as the superior technical striker.

He landed solid combinations throughout despite being stunned early. Munoz was consistently punishing him as he retreated from exchanges and kept his hands down and his head up.

Okami also proved to be the more accurate striker, but never could really get into a comfortable rhythm as he had to be leery of getting taken down.

It was previously his downfall against Chael Sonnen at UFC 104. It would not be this evening.

Okami was able to fend off the vast majority of the takedown attempts from the former Oklahoma State All-American wrestler. When he did find himself down it was only briefly as Munoz was not able to hold or control him with any success.

Chris Leben would be a logical next opponent for Okami.

3) The “Fireball” Still Has Some Heat.

Takanori Gomi came out and reminded everyone why he is considered one of the best lightweights in the history of MMA.

After dropping a disappointing UFC debut against Kenny Florian in which he appeared a shell of his former self, he was in desperate need of a victory to remain relevant.

Mission accomplished.

In an early exchange, a blonde-haired Gomi used a power right hook to send Griffin tumbling face first into the canvas. He followed up with a few ground strikes before the referee Jason Herzog stepped in and ended the fight.

It was a very good referee stoppage as Griffin was not intelligently defending himself by any stretch of the imagination.

For Griffin, who was a late replacement for an injured Joe Stevenson, it was his second loss in a row after dropping a split decision to teammate Evan Dunham at UFC 115.

It was also the first time in Griffin’s career he has lost via knockout. It took a mere one minute and four seconds to come to fruition.

For those who have said the sport has passed Gomi by, they are still correct to a certain degree. However, he showed he still has the wherewithal to make adjustments to his game. Most notably, his boxing appeared crisper and more technical.

What we did not get to gauge was his current fitness level, which has floundered somewhere between poor and terrible in recent memory.

Nevertheless, a heavy-handed Gomi is going to be a stiff test for the better part of the 155-pound divisional inhabitants.

4) Big John Belongs Inside a UFC Octagon More Frequently.

Frankly, it was great to see the California State Athletic Commission select John McCarthy as one of the referees for tonight’s event.

The most famous (and arguably the best) referee in mixed martial arts made his first trip back inside a UFC cage since The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 finale in 2007.

McCarthy oversaw a total of three fights including Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio and Paul Kelly vs. Jacob Volkmann on the undercard, along with Yushin Okami vs. Mark Munoz on the main card.

When quality, experienced referees are few and far between nowadays, it is comforting as a viewer seeing him as the third man in the cage.

We can only hope his presence becomes habitual. 

5) That Pink Slip in Your Locker is NOT a Gift Certificate.

Cuts, cuts, and more cuts are likely coming for many of tonight’s combatants.

Those almost certain to be sent packing and relegated to regional MMA shows include James Irvin (three losses in a row) and Steve Steinbeiss (winless in three UFC fights).

That could just be the start.

Depending on how much roster space the UFC desires (or needs) to free up others such as Mike Massenzio, Darren Elkins, and former Ultimate Fighter finalist DaMarques Johnson could also be on the chopping block. They are all sitting on the proverbial bubble for now.

It is no secret that the UFC roster is a revolving door as they have talented veterans and prospects on speed dial waiting for their opportunity in the big show.  

It is simply the cutthroat nature of the sport.

Derek Bolender is a lead staff writer for BleacherReport.com. Follow both him (@DerekBolender) and B/R MMA (@BR_MMA) on Twitter.