Womens MMA and More

The UFC makes it's return to Versus with a main card that features one bout in each of the weight classes with the exception of heavyweight.  This show has the potential to provide title contenders in each of the divisions that are represented.  This card was originally scheduled to be held in Salt Lake Citybut apparently less than sluggish ticket sales forced the card west to San Diego.
Let's take a look at the combatants, dissect what each brings to the table and predict some winners.

The main event represents a potential changing of the guard in the light heavyweight division.  Vladimir Matyushenko (24-4) is 39 years young and has been fighting professionally since 1997 and has been a top contender in several organizations including the UFC and IFL. Jon "Bones" Jones (10-1) on the other hand has just turned 23,has less than half the professional fights of his veteran opponent and was just 10 years old when Matyushenkomade his MMA debut. Yet most in the MMA world think Jones will have little trouble defeating "The Janitor" on Sunday night.  Jones is coming off a devastating destruction of contender Brandon Vera at the first UFC card on Versus back in March.  Jones has also been training of late at Greg Jackson's camp in Albuquerque to fine tune his vast array of skills.  Matyushenko has been on a tear of his own, winning 11 of his12 fights, his only loss since 2001 coming to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at Affliction in January 2009. Since the loss to Lil Nog, Matyushenko has reeled off three consecutive wins including a split decision win over Eliot Marshall at the UFC on Versus card in March.

Youth versus experience seems to be the theme for this one, but to me it's the speed and explosiveness of Jones that will be the difference.  Matyushenko is a crafty veteran and will be able to use some of that guile to keep Jones from finishing the fight very early but this will be a time where the age and inevitable slowing of the reflexes will be costly to The Janitor.  Jones is just too quick and too explosive for Matyushenko, who's only perceived advantage other than experience may be his wrestling but the thought here is that Jones has enough wrestling to nullify that possible edge and make it into his kind of fight.  It's simply a very bad match-up for Matyushenko as Jones will unleash his arsenal of kicks, punches and throws to drive Matyushenko to the mat where Jones will finish The Janitor late in round one with ground and pound that does not include illegal elbow strikes this time.

Good news! The Weekly Wrap-Up is back! Read on for information on Kaufman's victory, the July IWMMAR women's MMA rankings, the Toronto Women's Grappling Camp and tournament this August, plus fight results and upcoming bouts.

Kaufman's Slam KO

The big news of the week was Sarah Kaufman's stunning slam KO victory verses Roxanne Modafferi (15-6) at 4:45 of the 3rd round of Strikeforce Challengers 9. Roxy looked great and stole the 1st and 3rd round (until she got dropped on her head), but Kaufman's quick thinking and crisp striking allowed her to capitalize on Roxy's submission attempt. She keeps her belt and moves up to 12-0. She's been asking to move up to the main Strikeforce card. Whether or not the PTB will listen remains to be seen. Kaufman did end up on ESPN Sport Center's top plays of the week.