The night is headlined with a light heavyweight clash between raising star Jon Jones (10-1) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko(24-4). A middleweight fight between Mark Munoz (9-1) and Yushin Okami (24-5) will co-main event the night. Plus after three years away from the UFC popular referee “Big” John McCarthy will return to duty inside the octagon.

For complete coverage of the UFC on Versus 2 click here. Make sure to also join us during the fights in our chatroom for some fight talk, breakdown and lots of fun. As always please feel free to leave your pick in the comments section, Now for the predictions: 

205 lbs.: Jon Jones over Vladimir Matyushenko 

185 lbs.: Mark Munoz over Yushin Okami

170 lbs.: John Howard over Jake Ellenberger

155 lbs.: Tyson Griffin over Takanori Gomi

170 lbs.: Paul Kelly over Jacob Volkmann

205 lbs.: James Irvin over Igor Pokrajac

185 lbs.: Brian Stann over Mike Massenzio

170 lbs.: DaMarques Johnson over Matthew Riddle

155 lbs.: Charles Oliveira over Darren Elkins

185 lbs.: Rob Kimmons over Steve Steinbeiss

Jon Jones is coming off an impressive TKO victory over Brandon Vera where his Ground and Pound elbows fractured Brandon’s face causing the fight to be ended early in the first round. Jon is a Greco roman wrestler with obscure Muay Thai paired with an incredible reach which allows him the ability to hit his opponent from many different angles. He also holds impressive wins over Bonnar and O’brian in his first two UFC fights and to this date has not had any troubles in the octagon.

Vladimir is a serious veteran of the fight game with fights in the UFC, IFL, and Affliction plus wins over little Nogueria, Pedro Rizzo, and most recently a top prospect in Elliot Marshall. He is a wrestling thoroughbred and has relentless takedowns that may start from the bell to give Jones his first “put on your back” UFC experience. He is at an almost 10 inch reach disadvantage when he faces Bones so look forward to wrestling and ground work being the deciding factor of this fight.

The Main card has a wonderful set of fights as well. Mark Munoz (8-1 MMA) is fighting a tough opponent in Yushin Okami (24-5 MMA) as they will be fighting for the upper ranks of the 185 division, seeing that they are both coming off great fights against well known opponents.

Jon Howard faces Jake Ellenberger and this fight between two very powerful guys screams Knock Out of the Night. Also Tyson Griffin faces Takanori Gomi as they battle for a top 5 spot in the UFC lightweight division.

The Prelims also have some well known scrappers ready to impress the fans of San Diego. Brian Stann looks to get back in the win column and drop down to middleweight vs. Mike Massenzio.

Damarquez Johnson faces a tough wrestler and fellow Ultimate Fighter alum in Matthew riddle. Fans might also be graced with seeing another James Irvin Knock out or a great scrap between Paul Kelly and Jacob Volkman.

This is a great event that seems to set many members higher in their prospective weight classes and on track for a title shot. There are a lot of promising fights that will bring everything from submissions to knockouts to the table so be sure to tune in live this weekend on the Versus Network.

Click here for more UFC on Versus coverage.

Matyushenko began his MMA career in the IFC. After having much success there and in other small promotions, “The Janitor” made his UFC debut at UFC 32. After defeating Yuki Kondo, Matyushenko was awarded a title shot against the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion at the time, Tito Ortiz. After a lackluster five rounds, Ortiz was given the unanimous decision.

Following his first title run in the UFC, Matyushenko took on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in Japan and won by unanimous decision. With the win, he gained momentum and returned to the UFC with wins over Travis Wiuff and Pedro Rizzo. Unfortunately, the end of his first stint in the UFC came at the hands of Andre Arlovski, who knocked out Matyushenko in the first round.

Now with plenty of experience and some quality wins under his belt, Matyushenko tried his luck in the newly formed promotion, the IFL. During his time with the promotion, Matyushenko went 6-0, including capturing the light heavyweight title in a bout against TUF alum Alex Shoenauer and defending it once before the promotion closed in 2008.

After the fallout of the IFL, Matyushenko was brought in by the now defunct Affliction promotion for a rematch with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Nogueira defeated Matyushenko by TKO in the second round. Although, Matyushenko wasn’t successful that night, it didn’t take long for the UFC to give him a second chance. Following a win over Jason Lambert at Call to Arms I, “The Janitor” earned another run in the UFC.

Matyushenko, now 24-4 looks to make it three wins in a row since returning to The Octagon last September. Being as experienced as he is, Matyushenko understands he may not be in the sport for much longer. With Jon Jones being the up and comer that he is, it won’t be an easy fight. But Matyushenko hasn’t given up before and doesn’t ever plan on it now. A win over Jones will prove to everyone that age doesn’t matter.

Proving the doubters wrong is what Matyushenko is all about, just as the 47-year-old Randy Couture does time and time again.

Click for more UFC on Versus coverage

So close to fight time, Al-Hassan was nice enough to spend a few minutes with us for a little Question and Answer session.

MMA Valor: Most casual fight fans remember seeing you at UFC: Fight for the Troops in December of 2008 when you refused to tap out against Steve Cantwell and suffered a bad injury due to an armbar. Although it was a year and a half ago, how is the arm?

Al-Hassan: My arm is 100% now. After the injury I went to physical therapy for a couple of months to get my range of motion back.  Even after my therapy was complete, I still had some residual pain in my elbow for several months. I wasn’t sure if I was going to have chronic pain but I’m happy to report that everything is fully functional and I am now pain free.

MMA Valor: You were undefeated before your time in the UFC and are 2-0 since your release. What was the conversation like upon your release and did they give you any indication that they would be willing to sign you again in the future?

Al-Hassan: The UFC didn’t talk to me personally, they spoke to my management and then my management informed me of my release. I wasn’t surprised about getting cut.  Going 0-2 normally means pink slip time in the UFC but from what I was told, they thought I had potential but needed to go back to the smaller circuit and work my way back up again. There are a lot of guys in the UFC who are in their second, even third run with the promotion so I was confident that if I put together a strong win streak I could get myself back on their radar again.

MMA Valor: Tell us about your upcoming fight with Demetrius Richards in Iowa on July 30^th for Victory Fighting Championships.

Al-Hassan: I’m fighting for the first time in VFC against hometown guy Demetrius Richards. Demetrius has a pretty decent record. I don’t know him personally. He is just an obstacle in the way of where I want to go. I’m improving as a mixed martial artist with every bout, even my losses, and I don’t know if he can make the same claim. So I’m looking to go out doing what I need to do to get closer to my goal of getting back into the promise land [the UFC] again.

MMA Valor: What is the biggest difference, for you, between fighting in the UFC versus fighting for various other promotions throughout the country?

Al-Hassan: The UFC is the crème de la crème of mma promotions. No organization, no matter how well they are run, can compare to that. The UFC really took care of me when I was with them so I miss that feeling of belonging and having a firm home. Right now I’m sort of vagabond, roaming from promotion to promotion without really calling one my home.

MMA Valor: Last question, what do you love most about being a professional MMA fighter? What do you hate the most?

Al-Hassan: I love the feeling of being a professional athlete for a living. The freedom it affords you and the opportunity it gives you to be a positive influence and role model to others. Some of the drawbacks are the lack of financial security and the wear and tear on your body from rigorous training. If you do something like this, that you love, for a living, you’ll never work another day in your life. That’s how I feel about my job.

We at MMa Valor wish al-Hassan good luck in his bout this Saturday for Victory Fighting Championship and look forward to big things. Check back here after Saturday for an update on how Al-Hassan did against Demetrius Richards

That it is good news for fighters like Vitor Belfort and Nate Marquardt who have indicated that they want to fight Silva, but is that bad news for Silva and the MMA world?  If Silva decides that he does not want to move up to the light heavyweight or heavyweight division to showcase his skills what will that do to his legacy?

Right now Silva is regarded by many as the pound for pound greatest fighter in the world.  This has been largely based on the fact that he has never lost in the UFC, he has set the record for most title defenses with six and he is 2-0 as a light heavyweight with highlight reel knockout victories over James Irvin and former light heavyweight champion Forest Griffin.  If Silva decides that he is going to stay in the middleweight division and continues dominate will he still be considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world?

The likely answer is no. Designations like “best pound for pound fighter” are earned (which Silva has up to this point), and are maintained by stretching one’s skills, by reaching for a greater challenge and by actively seeking out the toughest opponents out there, not by staying status quo. In addition to hurting his legacy, Silva is hurting the MMA world by not attempting to dominate two weight divisions.

In the history of the UFC, no fighter has ever held a championship in two different weight classes at the same time and truly, other than possibly Randy Couture or BJ Penn, there has not been a fighter that has had the ability to do so.  Silva is in the prime of his fighting career and assuming he is victorious over Chael Sonnen at UFC 117, there are only two legitimate fights left for him in the middleweight division and that is the long awaited fight with Belfort and a rematch with Marquardt.

If Silva wins those three fights, the only reason for him to stay in that weight division is if Georges St. Pierre moves up in weight class for a super fight.  If that does not happen then Silva needs to move up in weight class to get the competition he needs to showcase his skills. 

There are many great fighters in the middleweight division but they are not yet at the elite level of Silva.  Silva would be able to compete with fighters in the light heavyweight division that would not be afraid to engage with him and it would allow him to display the skills that made many fight fans love him in the first place.  If Silva does not want to do this, it is possible that he will fade out of the pound for pound best discussion and possibly lose his value as one of the UFC’s top draws. 

For the MMA fan community, MMA world and Silva himself, it would be best for him to show the world he can dominate both the light heavy weight and middle weight divisions.

Brown (11-1) comes into the UFC on a five-fight win streak. Brown has fought in many different promotions around the country, but hopes to make a statement on the stage in MMA.

The bout will remain on the undercard, with Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen headlining the event for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

Press Release

The Maximum Fighting Championship will remain a frontrunner in showcasing live mixed martial arts to a massive international audience with a new six-event contract teamed with broadcast partner HDNet.

Since partnering with HDNet in 2008, nine MFC events have been featured live on HDNet Fights, beginning with MFC 15: Rags to Riches and through to the most recent MFC 25: Vindication. During the partnership, viewers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico have tuned in live on HDNet to see the Maximum Fighting Championship and its power-packed lineup of talented fighters.

The newly signed deal, which runs through the end of 2011, includes the fast-approaching MFC 26: Retribution to be held in Westman Place at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, on Friday, Sept. 10.

“I am even more excited about this new agreement between the Maximum Fighting Championship and HDNet than when we signed our initial partnership,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich, who personally welcomed HDNet Owner and renowned entrepreneur Mark Cuban to the Maximum Fighting Championship at MFC 17.

“We have learned so much since then thanks to our business relationship. We have gone very far in improving our product and we are ready to take things to the next level to become real players on the worldwide stage.”

Viewers of the MFC on HDNet Fights have seen spectacular fights over the past two years. In that span, champions have been crowned – Antonio McKee, Emanuel Newton, Trevor Prangley, and Pat Healy – and numerous fighters have become hot international commodities. Amongst the biggest names that have stepped into the MFC ring are fighters such as Ryan Jimmo, Ryan Ford, Thales Leites, Paul Daley, Benson Henderson, Pete Spratt, Bryan Baker, and John Alessio.

MMA fans across North America have been fortunate enough to see many heart-pounding fights during the MFC-HDNet partnership including the MFC’s 2009 Fight of the Year between Mike Nickels and David Heath, and highlight-reel finishes dished out by the likes of Dwayne Lewis, Bobby Lashley, and Aron Lofton.

“This new long-term deal keeps Canada’s No. 1 MMA promotion on ‘Your Home of MMA’ – HDNet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights.

“The MFC is a rarity in this business – exciting fights, big-name stars, local legends, and sellout crowds. This year, the MFC plans to grow to new heights and HDNet will be there to capture their great events live.”

The Maximum Fighting Championship is the only Canadian-based mixed martial arts organization airing on live television, and has drawn praise for its impressive climb.

“I’m really impressed with how the MFC has gone from being a really solid regional show to today where it is a real international player in the fight business,” said Kenny Rice, host of “Inside MMA” and HDNet Fights commentator, this past December.

“The thing I’ve noticed and what has made the MFC stand out to me is the real growth which we at HDNet Fights have not seen with a lot of other shows. The MFC has become a very versatile organization. You see the fighters who are from the home region and they are very good but you’re also seeing guys from Europe, guys from Brazil, from all over Canada and the United States. And for that, the organization deserves a lot of credit. Things are constantly improving.”

For more information, please contact:

Scott Zerr, Director of Media and Fighter Relations

Maximum Fighting Championship

scott@maximumfighting.com

(780) 914-5813

www.maximumfighting.com

Fans are getting their wish and then some as The Voice takes on Jason “Mayhem” Miller. The highly entertaining Miller is best known for his gig on MTV as host of bully beatdown and for entering the ring which incited the in ring riot at Strikeforce: Houston. 

The special premieres on HDNET this coming Friday, July 30 at 10pm ET, 9:30pm PT. MMA Valor was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of the episode to watch and review for our readers.

The Mayhem in Jason “Mayhem” Miller is not just a nickname but a personality trait. Put Mayhem in a room alone with Schiavello and you get some of the wildest Q & A’s, Stories and visual recreations ever.

Right off the bat the two get into Mayhems past, how he got into MMA and his dad, prompting a classic outburst of “is this like Oprah, you going to make me cry” by Mayhem. You’ll have to wait and see if Mayhem does cry but watch out as you might find yourself laughing to the point of crying as the two discuss Mayhem’s prom night, spending time in jail, himself being bullied and of course the infamous in ring brawl.

Though the two do talk about the brawl and Mayhem’s feelings of Nick Diaz the show thankfully doesn’t revolve around it. In fact the two get very deep and philosophical during the show as you’ll discover what a Ken doll, Mr. Potato head, gorilla glue, two bongs and a monkey have in common. Plus how Scobby-doo, the ninja turtle, the A-team and Mayhem all share something in common? Mayhem’s Thoughts on UFC fighters including Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen and teen pop start Justin Bieber.

Yes I said Justin Bieber, that wasn’t a typo!

The show starts out funny, grabs your attention and keeps going strong through to the end.  Positively and absolutely a piece of entertainment that doesn’t disappoint and you will not want to miss!

Make sure to tune into HDNET this coming Friday, July 30 at 10pm ET, 9:30pm PT

Even though McCray did not win the Ultimate Fighter Finale, his display of heart and determination won over UFC fans everywhere. McCray recently sat down and discussed the Ultimate Fighter show as well as his future in MMA.

What made you want to be an MMA fighter?

McCray: I used to watch Conan and Van Damme movies when I was younger and I knew I wanted to be a fighter. I used to fight my brother all the time. I would lose but I would never stop come coming. My brother would have to lock himself in the bathroom until our parents came home, so I knew right then and there that I wanted to be a fighter.

When you were on season 11 of the Ultimate Fighter how did you feel after you lost to Josh Bryant?

McCray: I felt like I had to start over. I felt like I needed to recompose myself. I knew that I could get a second chance and I felt I showed a lot of heart in my fight. I kept telling myself to use this as a learning tool and get back in there; it is not over yet so do not give up.

How did you feel after you were selected for the Wildcard position?

McCray: I felt good. I knew that I had to take advantage of this. I wanted to come back and make an impact and I wanted to get to the finale.

Would you do the Ultimate Fighter again?

McCray: Yeah, I would do the show again. I know a lot of people don’t like it because they are away from their families and everything but for me, I had a lot of support and it made it so I could go out and perform. I like to fight and I met a lot of cool people and I had a good time.

Would You Recommend The Ultimate Fighter?

McCray: Definitely. I definitely think that it is worth a shot. I tried three times before

I finally got on and it was worth it. In life you can’t get a hit unless you swing the bat you know, so you have to take chances.

On the Ultimate Fighter you fought every week, now you might only fight three or four times a year how do you feel about that?

McCray: I am a fighter and I want to fight but I also want my breaks in between. I would like to as often as I can, every two to three months would be perfect for me. I’d like to fight five times a year.

If you could fight any fighter in any weight class who would it be and why?

McCray: GSP or Anderson Silva because they are the best right now. I want to be in with best fighters, I want to test my skills against the best fighters out there.

Who do you want your next fight to be?

McCray: I don’t know man; I don’t know who I want it to be. There are so many names of fighters but Chris Leben is turning out to be one of my favorite fighters. You can tell that he is a fighter, he fought on my card and then he fought on the main card of UFC 116. I would like to fight a real tough guy like that so eventually I grow in to a guy like that. I definitely want to be one of those guys where other fighters are like “oh man I have to fight this dude. This dude is nuts right here.” So I want to definitely fight a guy like that and become a guy like that.

What do you like to do when you are not training?

McCray: Watch TV, play video games, hangout with the family, rough house and barbeque. Hanging out with the family though mostly.

When your career is over, how would you like to be remembered?

McCray: As a fighter I want to be one the best. A fighter that not only fought well in the cage but a fighter that also helped grow and expand the sport outside of the cage. I think we still have a long way to go as far as getting other countries and even here in the United States trying to even out the work that MMA fighters put in. Boxing gets paid more and I’d like to see MMA fighters get paid more and get more respect for the sport. I’d like to be a journeyman for the sport.

What is on the horizon for Kris McCray?

McCray: I’m definitely going to keep training hard and hopefully I get on a card soon. I want to go in there and do my thing non-stop; I want to go in there and get my feet wet, I want to get my first win in the UFC. I want to continue living my dream. I look forward to some exciting fights coming up and me just growing every fight as a complete fighter.

Through the Ultimate Fighter Season 11, McCray was able to showcase his fighting style, his heart, determination, and work ethic to MMA fans everywhere. If he continues to work as hard as he did on the show he will be one of the elite fighters in the middleweight division.

Make sure to check out Kris’s website http://www.krismccray.com/ and follow him on twitter http://twitter.com/KrisMccray