Hamill Replaces Matyushenko, Kongo vs. Mitrione Signed

The UFC revealed Thursday that Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko (26-5-0) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout at UFC 133 due to an injury suffered while training.  Stepping in on short notice will be TUF alumnus, Matt "The Hammer" Hamill (10-3-0).

Hamill last competed at UFC 130, dropping a unanimous decision to former 205lbs champion Quinton Jackson in a lackluster performance; prior to that, "The Hammer" had strung together five consecutive wins (asteriks Jon Jones bout).  Hamill will square off with once-beaten Swede, Alexander Gustafsson (11-1-0).

Gustafsson has posted consecutive submission victories after suffering the first loss of his career to top light heavyweight Phil Davis at UFC 112 in April of 2010.  The 24-year old Stockholm native has been to decision only once in twelve professional fights.

UFC 137 has been added to, as heavyweights Matt Mitrione (5-0-0) and Cheick Kongo collide at the event October 29, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kongo recently fought fellow kickboxer, Pat Barry, at UFC Live 4, June 26, where the French striker shocked the MMA world with perhaps the greatest come-from-behind win in the history of the heavyweight division.

Mitrione meanwhile, easily dispatched of Christian Morecraft at the same event, June 26.  The performance marked Mitrione's fourth (T)KO win in five professional bouts, all coming inside the octagon.  The Duke Roufus trained fighter will face his toughest test to date, October 29, in seasoned veteran Kongo.




Follow us on twitter @mmacombatDOTcom
facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/update_secur...63733427002469
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mmacomba...m?feature=mhum
Blogger: http://mmacombatdotcom.blogspot.com/
And on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mmacombatdotcom

MMA Combat - Filipovic vs. Nelson at UFC 137

MMA Combat - Filipovic vs. Nelson at UFC 137

PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix champion, Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic (27-9-2) will grace the UFC's octagon at least once more as the fighter revealed Wednesday a scheduled fight with TUF season 10 winner Roy "Big Country" Nelson (15-6-0) in what is surely to be an exit stage for one of the two this coming October, at UFC 137 - St. Pierre vs. Diaz, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Filipovic last fought at UFC 128 - Shogun vs. Jones where the former K-1 kickboxer was knocked out by TUF season 10 runner-up, Brendan Schaub. It was CroCop's second-straight KO loss, a burgeoning trend of late for the Croatian born fighter that once struck fear into the hearts of his opposition with a potent stand-up attack and trade-mark left high-kick. UFC president, Dana White, indicated the bout at UFC 128 would be his last, but it seems the promotion will grant him one last shot to right the ship.

Talented as he may be, Roy Nelson has never found himself in White's favor. The Vegas-based fighter has lost consecutive fights to #1 contender Junior dos Santos, and former heavyweight champion Frank Mir after starting 2-0 with the promotion. Nelson, who has been defeated in four of his last six contests has been criticized by some for a perceived lack of fitness as "Big Country" boasts perhaps the 'best' beer-belly in the game. Like it or not, both of these athletes have got to realize their UFC future depends on a win. Neither man can afford to slip.


Follow us on twitter @mmacombatDOTcom
facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/update_secur...63733427002469
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mmacomba...m?feature=mhum
Blogger: http://mmacombatdotcom.blogspot.com/
And on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mmacombatdotcom