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NGANNOU VS FERREIRA

UFC 129 Preview: The Main Card

Jason ProbstApr 27, 2011
Vladimir Matyushenko (right) has been in the game for 15 years. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com


Light Heavyweights
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

The Matchup: Two wrestling-based battlers square off, with Matyushenko representing the last of the old guard in MMA. Brilz is younger, probably has better striking and is coming off a split decision loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 114 in a bout many thought he had won.

Brilz has less mileage on his 35-year-old body. Matyushenko’s blowout loss to Jon Jones at UFC Live 2 was little more than a showcase bout for “Bones,” but the Belarusian rebounded nicely in his first-round technical knockout against Alexandre Ferreira three months later. Three of Matyushenko’s last four defeats have come to former or current UFC champions, but, at 40, one has to wonder how much he has left in the tank.

The Pick: Brilz by one-sided decision.

Continue Reading » Next Fight: Rory MacDonald vs. Nate Diaz