UFC Live Jones Vs. Matyushenko: Reaction and Matchmaking

Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Result: Jones def. Matyushenko by TKO in the first round.

Reaction: Since the day this match-up was made, the UFC tried to sell Matyushenko as a legitimate test for the rising star Jon Jones. After completely dominating his much more experienced opponent, it has become apparent that Jones doesn’t need any more tests.

Jones should no longer be considered a prospect. He is a legitimate threat to the light heavyweight’s elite, and for that matter the heavyweight’s elite might want to start preparing for Jones’ arrival as well. It appears that Dana White, who proclaimed Jones as a top eight light heavyweight, has finally adopted this school of thought as well.

As for Matyushenko, any hopes of a late-career run at a UFC title went down the drain with this loss. Still, Matyushenko will remain a tough gatekeeper for normal prospects. That is what made Jon Jones’ performance so impressive.

Next for Jon Jones: White has said Jones will receive a fight against one of the division’s elite when they complete their scheduled fights. Since Jones would not accept a fight against his teammate Rashad Evans, the statement implied Jones would eventually receive a match-up against Lyoto Machida, Quinton Jackson, or Mauricio Rua.

  Given that Jones, who was hardly touched in the Matyushenko fight, would have to wait quite awhile for a fight against any of those opponents, Rich Franklin or Forrest Griffin could also serve as worthy adversaries if they can heal quickly from their injuries.

Next for Vladimir Matyushenko: Despite an unimpressive performance, Matyushenko received a lot of exposure from his fight against Jones. For that reason, a B-list fight against Stephan Bonnar or Jason Brilz, who also gained popularity recently from his fight against Nogueira, would be an easy sell for the UFC.  

Yushin Okami vs. Mark Munoz

Result: Okami def. Munoz by split decision.

Reaction: Prior to this fight, Munoz was on a tear. There were moments in this fight that it looked as if that streak would continue. However, Munoz was unable to put Yushin Okami away. Okami’s takedown defense was the difference in this fight. It was clear in the third round that Munoz had worn himself out with his multiple failed attempts to ground Okami.

Munoz’s fatigue allowed Okami to claim the third round and a split decision victory in a very close fight. In contrast to some other decisions over the past year, the judges did get this one right. Well, at least two of them did.

Okami is now back in the mix to contend for the middleweight title, and he has one advantage over some others striving for a championship fight. In 2006, before joining the UFC, Okami notched a DQ win over current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. After the fight, Silva called Okami a coward for accepting the win when he could have continued. This would add intrigue to a potential rematch between the two fighters for the UFC middleweight belt.

Next for Yushin Okami: Okami is a serious contender once again, and his next opponent should reflect that. The winner of Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares or Chris Leben seems like a viable option.

Next for Mark Munoz: Despite the loss, Munoz showed he can compete with top ten fighters in the division. A win in a fight against the winner of Gerald Harris vs. Alessio Sakara could give Munoz another crack at breaking through.

John Howard vs. Jake Ellenberger

Result: Ellenberger def. Howard by TKO in the third round.

Reaction: Jake Ellenberger used very effective ground and pound on his way to a victory over John Howard. The fight was stopped after a ringside doctor determined that Howard would be unable to see though his left eye, which was swelling to near the size of a baseball.

Howard showed a lot of heart in this fight, and even had Ellenberger dazed on a few occasions. Although, every time it seemed Howard had Ellenberger on the ropes, Ellenberger quickly and easily took Howard to the canvas.

The 25-year-old Ellenberger showed his potential to become a rising star in the welterweight division.

Next for Jake Ellenberger: There was talk about a rematch with Howard after the stoppage. However, Ellenberger was clearly the better fighter in that match-up, so a rematch would be highly trivial. Ellenberger welcoming Anthony Johnson back to the octagon would be much more significant. If not, the loser of Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida could be a possible opponent.

Next for John Howard: Despite the loss, John Howard still poses a threat to anyone he fights because of his raw power. Howard deserves another fight against a relevant opponent. A match against the loser of Rick Story vs. Dustin Hazelett seems like a possible option.

Tyson Griffin vs. Takanori Gomi

Result: Gomi def. Griffin by KO in the first round.

Reaction: This was a jaw dropper for many who believed that Gomi was a shadow of his former self. It was easily visible how much this win meant to the 31-year-old “Fireball Kid” as he ran around the octagon after he was pulled off of Griffin.

Griffin disputed the stoppage, but it was obvious that the correct decision was made after he face planted into the mat and stumbled as he got to his feet. Griffin only has himself to blame. He has good technique in his stand-up game, but he abandoned his exceptional wrestling that got him to where he his today. Any time you get into an exchange with Gomi you risk being knocked out; that was the fate suffered by Griffin in this fight.

While Gomi showed the world he is still a force to be reckoned with, Griffin lost his second consecutive fight and has a lot of work to do in order to return to the top ten in the division.

Next for Takanori Gomi: By proving he still has something left in the tank; Gomi can now serve out his stay with the UFC as a test for up and coming lightweights to determine if they are ready to contend for the belt. For that reason, George Sotiropoulos seems like an ideal match-up for Gomi’s next fight.

Next for Tyson Griffin: After two disappointing losses, Griffin should take some time to refocus and get back to working ground and pound in his fights. A fight against Kurt Pellegrino in December could give Griffin the time he needs.

Paul Kelly vs. Jacob Volkmann

Result: Volkmann def. Kelly by unanimous decision.

Reaction: Volkmann was very impressive in his lightweight debut. Taking on a smaller opponent seemed to take his grappling to a whole other level. Volkmann’s inability to finish a noticeably inferior opponent became somewhat of a concern when a flying knee attempt by Kelly nearly landed.

Kelly seems incapable of putting a string of wins together when he is given a step up in competition. If he stays with the UFC long term, it looks like he will continue to serve his primary role as a trial opponent for UFC prospects.

Next for Jacob Volkmann: Volkmann took very little punishment in this fight. Thus, a bout against Thiago Tavares could be a possibility. Tavares was forced off the UFC Live card when his opponent, Willamy Freire, withdrew because of an injury.

Next for Paul Kelly: Kelly now runs the risk of being a rebound opponent for a lightweight fighter in need of a win. Since there isn’t a surplus of fighters in that situation right now, a fight against a UFC newcomer seems more likely.

DaMarques Johnson vs. Matt Riddle

Result: Riddle def. Johnson by TKO in the second round.

Reaction: Matt Riddle rebounded well from his loss to Nick Osipczak with a dominating performance against DaMarques Johnson. Riddle took Johnson down and continually pounded his opponent’s head into the canvas until Johnson curled up and ceased to defend himself.

The UFC cannot be pleased with DaMarques Johnson after the fighter failed to make weight before his uninspiring performance. Despite winning his two previous bouts, Johnson has to be a little worried that the UFC could cut him.

Next for Matt Riddle: Riddle was impressive in this performance. The 24-year-old may have earned himself a step up in competition against John Howard. If not, Riddle could face the winner of Johny Hendricks vs. Charlie Brenneman to determine who should get a chance to advance up the welterweight ladder.

Next for DaMarques Johnson: If the UFC decides to keep Johnson around, they certainly aren’t going to make it easy on him. There is really no excuse for failing to make weight at this level. Johnson could be fed to Amir Sadollah as a rebound fight.

James Irvin vs. Igor Pokrajac

Result: Pokrajac def. Irvin by submission in the first round.

Reaction: The same aggressive striking style that allowed Irvin to make a name for himself in the UFC appears to have become the flaw that will lead to his exit from the promotion. Irvin’s fights have always been exciting, but the excitement has come at his expense as of late.

Igor Pokrajac took advantage of that aggressiveness in this fight by knocking Irvin down and quickly locking in a rear naked choke. Pokrajac may have been in danger of receiving his walking papers if he lost this fight. Instead, it will likely be Irvin that will be looking for work.

Next for Igor Pokrajac: Pokrajac is not nearly as easy to promote as Irvin was. Quietly, the UFC was probably upset with the outcome of this fight. Pokrajac could now serve as a stepping stone for the up and coming Ricardo Romero.

Next for James Irvin: Irvin has said he still wants to fight. If he does, it probably won’t be with the UFC.

Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio

Result: Stann def Massenzio by submission in the third round.

Reaction: Stann utilized powerful ground and pound along with surprising jiu-jitsu to secure victory in his middleweight debut. Now that he will be facing fighters much more comparable in size, it will be interesting to see how far Stann can go in his new weight division.

Mike Massenzio split the Fight of the Night purse with Stann for his efforts in defeat. Though, with back to back losses, Massenzio would likely trade that prize for a win any day.

Next for Brian Stann: Stann’s first order of business was to prove that he could manage the cut to middleweight and still perform to the best of ability. With that mission accomplished, he can now look forward to working his way up the division’s rankings. Dave Branch could be next for the former WEC champ.

Next for Mike Massenzio: With two consecutive losses by stoppage, Massenzio future with the UFC is beginning to become cloudy. A fight against Brad Tavares or Kyle Noke, TUF 11 participants, could determine if Massenzio still belongs in the promotion.

Darren Elkins vs. Charles Oliveira

Result: Oliveira def. Elkins by submission in the first round.

Reaction: Charles Oliveira has a sick ground game. That was all anyone was saying about this kid coming into his UFC debut. Yet, Darren Elkins decided to ignore that talk and take Oliveira to the ground.

Before Elkins knew it, Oliveira had slapped on a textbook triangle. Oliveira obviously is a threat to any fighter on the ground, but will anyone chance taking him there after seeing what he did to Elkins. If Oliveira works on his striking and take-downs, he could become a legitimate threat in the improving lightweight division.

Next for Charles Oliveira: Now, the UFC will have to decide if they want to spoon feed this young talent or put him on a fast track. The former seems more likely, meaning another fight that will allow Oliveira to showcase his jiu-jitsu once again without much threat of being knocked out. A match-up with a mediocre UFC newcomer seems possible. 

Next for Darren Elkins: After winning his UFC debut because his opponent, Duane Ludwig, suffered an injury, Elkins is in need of a legitimate win. Fellow UFC Live loser Paul Kelly could provide that.

Rob Kimmons vs. Steve Steinbeiss

Result: Kimmons def. Steinbeiss by unanimous decision.

Reaction: With three consecutive losses, Steinbeiss is in danger of being released from the UFC. Because the fight with Kimmons was closely contested, he may receive one more shot with the promotion.

  With the win, Kimmons rebounded from his loss to Jorge Rivera. He had to shake off some ring rust from a fairly long absence because of injury, but “The Rosedale Reaper” came out victorious in the end.

Next for Rob Kimmons: Every time Kimmons steps up in competition he falls short. He should get another opportunity following this win. Nate Quarry is a potential opponent for Kimmons.

Next for Steve Steinbeiss: Steinbeiss, like Massenzio, could be nearing a release from the UFC. For that reason, a win or go home fight between the two is a possibility. If not, Brad Tavares and Kyle Noke could also be an option in his case.