In San Diego on August 1, 2010 is the second free show on Versus. It has four of our top ten fighters on the official UnassistedSports.com UFC Power Rankings.
Main Card Fight 1: Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi (31-6) vs. #8 Tyson Griffin (14-3)
Takanori Gomi – Age: 31 Height: 5’8″ (173 cm) Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg)
Tyson Griffin – Age: 26 Height: 5’6″ (168 cm) Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg)
Takanori Gomi is the former Pride lightweight champion and the record holder for the fastest KO in Pride Fighting Championships. Gomi has six submission and eleven knockout victories. He has won over 80% of his career fights and has never been knocked out.
Takanori Gomi has notable wins against Ralph Gracie, Jens Pulver, and Duane Ludwig, but with him losing three of his last five (most recently to Kenny Florian), Gomi needs this big win to get back into contender status. Tyson Griffin is a well-known top ten lightweight on our board. He is a 5-time Fight of the Night award winner and also holds a Submission of the Night award as well. Griffin has lost two of his last four, so he cannot afford another loss or it will knock him out of contention. Tyson Griffin has never been finished and has finished over 60% of his own wins before the final bell. Griffin is a well-rounded wrestler and he trains with the legendary Randy Couture and his team, Xtreme Couture. Although these guys are very evenly matched, I think Griffin will take the decision victory over Gomi and wear him down with his fast pace style.
Prediction: Griffin by Decision
Main Card Fight 2: Jake Ellenberger (22-5) vs. John Howard (14-4)
Jake Ellenberger – Age: 25 Height: 6’0″ (183 cm) Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
John Howard – Age: 27 Height: 5’7″ (170 cm) Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
Although Jake Ellenberger has never won an important fight, he does have fourteen knockouts and has only been finished once in his 27 fight career. Ellenberger is a polished wrestler with striking and submission skills to match. He has gone 5-1 for his last five fights with the one loss coming against Carlos Condit. Despite the lack of competition, Ellenberger has won over 80% of his fights and will be looking for that number to rise. John Howard trains in Muay Thai and BJJ. Howard has finished ten of his fourteen wins early and has won his last seven fights. Like Ellenberger, Howard is on a hot streak right now. However, Howard has not faced much, if any, high quality opponents. He still has been impressive though. I think Ellenberger is the superior striker and can handle himself with Howard on the ground and Ellenberger should be able to come out of this fight with the win.
Prediction: Ellenberger by KO
Co-Main Event: #10 Mark “The Pilipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz (8-1) vs. #7 Yushin “Thunder” Okami (25-5)
Mark Muñoz – Age: 32 Height: 6’0″ (183 cm) Weight: 185 lbs. (84 kg)
Yushin Okami – Age: 28 Height: 6’2″ (188 cm) Weight: 185 lbs. (84 kg)
Mark Muñoz has won his last three fights. He is a excellent wrestler with big knockout power. He likes to take his opponents down and drop bombs on them until they are unable to continue. Muñoz’s comeback in his last fight against Kendall Grove was nothing less than miraculous. He showed his heart and determination while landing a spot on our top ten board. However, a loss to Okami may slow his momentum or even knock him out of contention. Muñoz has only one career loss and has accumulated four knockouts in his short MMA career. Muñoz trains with the world famous Black House and a huge win here could elevate him to top five status. Okami is also in the top ten, making this a very important fight. Okami also has good wrestling, tough striking, and some superb Judo. Whoever wins this fight may be one more fight away from a shot at the middleweight championship. Okami has been in a lot of hard fights and has a lot more big fight experience. These guys are both ground fighters with good striking skills. This usually makes for an exciting match.
Prediction: Okami by Decision
Main Event: #8 Jon “Bones” Jones (10-1) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (24-4)
Jon Jones – Age: 22 Height: 6’4″ (193 cm) Weight: 205 lbs. (93 kg)
Vladimir Matyushenko – Age: 39 Height: 6’0″ (183 cm) Weight: 205 lbs. (93 kg)
Jon Jones has never “officially” lost in his super short but blazing career. The one loss was a disqualification, so he has never been even close to being finished. Jones is a gifted athlete with amazing wrestling skills. He has finished eight of the ten opponents he has faced and 60% of his wins have come by knockouts. Just to give you an idea of his ground-and-pound abilities, he finished Brandon Vera with some ridiculous elbows that broke Vera’s face. Jon Jones is only 22 years old and has already made a name for himself as one of the top light heavyweights in the world. I don’t think it will be too long before we are calling this guy the champ. 
With that being said, please don’t think Matyushenko is a pushover. Matyushenko has only lost one fight since 2003 and he has fought plenty of tough competition while doing so. He only has lost to MMA legends and former champions. Matyushenko is a well-rounded fighter who can win from his feet or on the ground. He is also a good wrestler and has a lot more experience than Jones, but I don’t think it is enough to stop the rise of Jon “Bones” Jones. He is too old and Jones will smother him until he drains the energy out of Matyushenko. Jones will finally get the knockout but not until he wears the veteran down later in the fight.
Prediction: Jones by KO
