UFC 129: Jason Brilz States He Will Face Any Man After Rogerio Nogueira Loss

Jason Brilz does not care who he matches up with. Therefore, having to fight a new man inside of a cage with only two weeks notice did not make a difference.

Originally scheduled to face fast-rising wrestler Phil Davis, Brilz is now set to face off with another wrestler, 14-year veteran Vladimir Matyushenko. The fight will take place at UFC 129 this Saturday night on pay-per-view.

“It didn’t really bother me one-way or the other,” Brilz said when asked about the change in opponents. “For me, it is not necessarily about getting the world title or getting the fame and notoriety.”

Brilz is just happy to get back into the octagon.

“For me, I love fighting,” Brilz said. “I truly enjoy it. I love testing my skills against another person. If I had my way, I’d fight everyone in the division at least once.”

Now, in taking on Matyushenko, he has a new challenge of skills in front of him.

“He’s a great wrestler,” Brilz said about the former IFL and Affliction veteran. “Strong —great top position. I’ve never fought anybody that has been a real good wrestler before.”

Prior to this bout, Brilz went up against one of the most accomplished jiu-jitsu fighters in the history of the sport, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The fight was easily the most high-profile of Brilz’ career.

That fight is also where Brilz suffered his most controversial defeat. In a bout where most observers thought Brilz got the win, the judges thought otherwise. Nogueira got the split decision victory.

“I thought it was real close,” Brilz said about the decision.

He is not going to complain about the verdict.

“I thought it was maybe a draw. It all depends on how you score that first round. I thought the last two rounds were pretty clear cut.”

One person who definitely disagreed with the decision was UFC President Dana White. Publicly, at the post-fight press conference, White claimed that he thought Brilz won the bout.

“For the most part, I don’t talk to Dana White very often, but it was nice to know the boss thought I won the fight,” Brilz said. “That’s just as important.”

In heading to Toronto for UFC 129, Brilz is re-entering the cage for the first time since the loss. He is not traveling alone. His parents and his wife are coming along for the trip.

“It’s a mini-vacation for me,” Brilz said. “All my parental and all my work responsibilities are gone. All I have to do is eat, train, and make weight.”

His wife was not always so supportive of his choice to be a professional fighter.

“When I first started, she was dead-set against it,” Brilz said. “We were just getting married when I began in 2000. My first fight was two days before the bridal shower. I ended up going to the bridal shower with a broken arm.”

At that point, Brilz was only a newlywed, and his wife did not approve of his participation in MMA.

“I sat down and said, ‘either you’re on board or don’t comment about it.’ I’m going to continue to do it,” Brilz said to his wife. “After that, she became all right with it, but she’s very worried that I’ll get hurt.”

Eleven years later, Brilz has continued fighting. He has amassed a record of 18-3-1 (3-2 UFC) while his opponent, Matyushenko, has a record of 25-5.

With the fight only a few days away, Brilz believes his skills should prevail.

“I’m going to catch him in a submission in the second round.” 

Gary Herman is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand from Jason Brilz.