Top light heavyweight prospect Jon Jones and longtime veteran Vladimir Matyushenko face off in the main event of this Sunday’s “UFC on Versus 2”, and Heavy.com will be on the scene at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California to bring you live coverage of the main card.
Before Jones and Matyushenko meet in the main event of the evening, three other main card bouts will make up the Versus broadcast. In the opening fight, former top lightweight Takanori Gomi looks to rebound from a devastating loss to Kenny Florian earlier this year, while his opponent Tyson Griffin looks to ignite another winning streak following his UFC 115 loss to Evan Dunham.
Following the lightweight contest, welterweight sluggers John Howard and Jake Ellenberger are set to throw down inside the Octagon, while middleweights Mark Munoz and Yushin Okami will follow up the welterweights with their 185-pound tilt.
In the main event of the evening, Jon “Bones” Jones seeks to continue his rise through the light heavyweight division in another effort to break into the top tier of the division. His opponent, Matyushenko, looks to use his experience to slow the roll of the dominant 205-pounder.
Join Heavy.com this Sunday night for live results and updates from the evening’s main card.
Main Card
Takanori Gomi vs. Tyson Griffin
Gomi opened up the fight with some solid shots to the mid-section of Tyson Griffin, but the Xtreme Couture fighter was not fazed by Gomi’s solid boxing. Unfortunately for the dominant wrestler, Gomi landed a vicious shot that dropped Griffin, and the referee saved Griffin from further damage. Extremely big victory for Gomi, who was once considered a top lightweight in the world. Gomi def. Griffin via technical knockout at 1:04 of Round 1.
Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard
Ellenberger came out in the first round swinging, but a nice counter by Howard slowed his roll. After a minor exchange, Ellenberger clinched and looked for the takedown. Howard managed to keep the fight standing, but took some vicious knees from his opponent. When the two were separated by referee Herb Dean, Ellenberger took the fight to the floor and began working his ground and pound. Herb Dean stood the two fighters back up, but Ellenberger immediately took it back to the floor, taking the opening round.
The second round opened with a bang, as “Doomsday” landed a nice head kick that dazed Ellenberger. Howard attempted to keep the fight standing, but Ellenberger scored the takedown and avoided the submission attempts from his opponent. Back on top, Ellenberger landed some solid ground and pound, but Howard continuously stayed active, looking for submissions. The fight moved back to the feet, and Howard looked for the kill. “Doomsday” landed several big shots on Ellenberger, but ended up on his back once again.
Ellenberger entered the third round after surviving a late round scare in the second, but it was not him who looked damaged. Howard’s left eye was severely swollen from Ellenberger’s ground and pound. To make matters worse, he likely needed a stoppage to win the fight after falling short in the first two rounds. Howard hurt Ellenberger in the opening moments with a big knee, but seemed to be having some big problems due to his swollen left eye. Ellenberger once again scored a takedown and worked his ground and pound, targeting the swollen left eye. However, Ellenberger was not staying busy enough, and Herb Dean stood them up, ushering the doctor into the cage to check on Howard’s eye. The doctor stated that the fight should be stopped because of Howard’s inability to see.
Ellenberger displayed his ability to take a punch, along with his dominant grappling ability en route to the victory. Howard displayed his heart, fighting with a nasty swollen eye, as well as his dangerous striking game. The crowd did not appreciate the stoppage, but the doctor got this one right. That eye was just plain nasty. Ellenberger def. Howard via technical knockout (doctor’s stoppage) at 2:21 of Round 3.
Mark Munoz vs. Yushin Okami
For the first minute of the fight, Okami took the center of the Octagon, while Munoz circled on the outside. Neither fighter was very active at the start, but it was soon apparent that Okami was clearly the superior striker. Unhappy with the striking game, Munoz looked for the takedown and earned it, but Okami quickly moved back to his feet. The two clinched against the cage for a few moments, and Munoz separated with a haymaker that missed. As the seconds ticked away, Munoz looked for another takedown, but Okami stuffed it, probably securing the first round on the judges’ scorecards.
In the second round, Okami once again took control of the striking game, keeping Munoz second guessing himself. Munoz shot for a takedown, but Okami stuffed it nicely once again. Following the failed takedown, Munoz loosened up on the feet, but failed to land anything major, as Okami contuinuted to look confident on the feet. However, moments later, Munoz landed a vicious shot that stunned Okami. Munoz was abruptly taken down, but worked his way back up and continued to throw wildly in search of the stoppage. However, Munoz shot in for a takedown, and Okami stuffed it, allowing him time to recover from the big shots he sustained. Munoz continued to work for the takedown and nearly earned it, but the bell beat him to it.
Okami came out in the third looking to reclaim the dominant role in the striking game, but the wild swinging of Munoz made it tricky. Munoz continued to look for the takedown, but was willing to engage in striking exchanges. However, the more technical striker landed the first big shot of the round, seemingly hurting Munoz. However, he recovered and continued to throw bombs at his opponent before looking for a takedown. Okami stuffed it once again and finished off the fight with dominant control. Okami’s late efforts could have secured him the victory, as he took a close split-decision win over Munoz. Okami def. Munoz via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Matyushenko came into this fight a large underdog, and Jon Jones showed exactly why.
After a short feeling-out process, Jones moved in for a takedown, quickly scored it, and, a few transitions later, “Bones” was in the mounted crucifix position. From there, Jones shot off an incredible amount of elbows to the head of Matyushenko, forcing the stoppage. No complaints from Matyushenko. The official saved him from some serious damage. Jones def. Matyushenko via technical knockout at 1:52 of Round 1.