Baran's Breakdown - UFC on VERSUS 2 Preview

August will be a very busy month for MMA.  Three big UFC events will take place, including UFC 117, which features Anderson Silva defending his middleweight championship against Chael Sonnen.  Later this month we will see UFC 118, which will feature the heavily anticipated rematch between B.J. Penn and Frankie Edgar for the lightweight title.

First things first though.  We will kick things off on Sunday, August 1^st with "UFC on Versus 2".  This one comes to us live from San Diego and will be headlined by Jon Jones squaring off against Vladimir Matyushenko.  We also get to welcome legendary MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy back to the UFC Octagon for the first time in years!  This card will be an exciting one to watch for many reasons.   Let’s break down the main card, shall we?

Jon “Bones” Jones (10-1) is the phenom of the UFC.  He is also trying to climb to the top of the light-heavyweight mountain.  His explosive skill set and aggressive ring presence have helped him to captivate the MMA fan community.  Some say he is ready for a title shot.  Others, including UFC President Dana White, feel he is not quite “there” yet.  White did say that if Jones wins this fight he will move up to face the top tier of the division.  Standing in the way of Jones’ rise to glory is “The Janitor”, Vladimir Matyushenko (24-4).  Vladimir has been in the game for a long time and knows his way around the Octagon.  “The Janitor” brings a lot to the table with some very good striking and dominant wrestling complete with great takedowns.

Matyushenko’s strength and style could end up posing a big problem for Jones.  However, it is MMA and anything can happen in there.  If Matyushenko can keep Jones on his heels and get the takedowns, he has a chance to defeat him.  With that being said, I feel like Jones’ skills may just be a little too much for Matyushenko to overcome.  Jones’ speed and skill should help him come away victorious and continue on in his quest for the title.

The co-main event on this show could also end up being your “Fight of the Night”.  Yushin “Thunder” Okami (25-5) steps back into the Octagon to face off against “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Mark Munoz (8-1).  Okami brings the skills and experience in the cage that have helped him to defeat many top fighters in his division.  That list includes Alan Belcher, Mike Swick, and the late Evan Tanner.  Okami is a very strong fighter with some brutal ground and pound and very good wrestling.  Okami is a complete fighter and would be a handful for any middleweight out there.   In fact, in the last four years, Okami has only lost twice.

Munoz, on the other hand, has been on a hot streak since coming into the UFC.  Mark has pulled off some big victories in some exciting fights; most recently his come-from-behind win over Kendall Grove.  Munoz’s wrestling is top notch and his strength can be more than a handful for any competitor that he is up against.  Munoz also has incredible heart and that, as we all know, cannot be taught.  He can outwrestle just about any middleweight and his ground and pound is just plain vicious.   On paper, the edge would have to go to Okami.  However, these guys aren’t fighting on paper.  I will pick the upset in this one and say Munoz will overcome Okami’s experience with some old fashioned ground and pound and will take the “W” in what should be a very competitive fight.

Next up we will see a battle in the welterweight class.  John “Doomsday” Howard (14-4) will face a big challenge in Jake Ellenberger (22-5).  Howard has gone 4-0 in his last four fights and would like to keep the streak going.  Two of Howard’s biggest strengths are his boxing and his heart.  “Doomsday” has lived up to this nickname by finishing his last two opponents by knock out and I’m sure he’ll be looking for a highlight reel KO against Ellenberger on Sunday.  Howard definitely has to tools to get the job done.  “Doomsday” will look to keep this fight standing as long as possible and work his hands to his advantage.

Ellenberger is a very well rounded fighter with extremely heavy hands and a granite chin, and has the potential to finish the fight wherever it takes place.  Of Ellenberger’s 22 wins, 19 of them have come by way of KO or submission.   Jake will look to use his experience to help him dictate this fight and I think it will be enough to get him the win over Howard.

Opening the show Sunday night will be a heavy handed lightweight contest between “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (31-6) and Tyson Griffin (14-3).  Both of these fighters would love to get back into the win column after tough losses in their last fights.  Gomi, the Pride veteran, was welcomed to the UFC back in March by Kenny Florian with a rear naked choke.  Griffin, on the other hand, lost a tough split decision to Evan Dunham.

Gomi has been around a while and brings a wealth of experience against the tenacious Griffin.  Gomi would love to keep this fight standing as his striking may be a bit more precise than Griffin, who likes to swing for the fences.  Griffin is more of a ground and pounder and will try to take this fight to the ground where he can try to grind out a decision or a TKO from the top.   The winner of this one could get  the “KO of the Night" bonus.  I’m going to go with Gomi in this contest.  I think Gomi’s striking and experience will lead him to a much needed victory.

You San Diego residents out there may still be able to get tickets for this event so head over to the San Diego Sports Arena and do just that!  For the rest of you, make sure you tune in on Sunday night at 9pm ET on the Versus network.  This is a pay per view quality card that you will get to witness for free.  It is August and summer is winding down, but the nonstop action of MMA is not.  In fact, it’s just heating up!

…”Stay classy San Diego!”