UFC light heavyweight Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko (25-5) is busy preparing himself for his upcoming fight with Jason Brilz at the end of this month, when both men will meet in Toronto for UFC 129.
In a recent interview with Tatame.com Matyushenko talked about his excitement about getting a chance to fight in front of 55,000 fans at the Rogers Centre, noting that the only thing more exciting would be a rematch with Antonio Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueira at UFC Rio.
Both Matyushenko and Nogueira have fought twice in the past with each man walking away a victor. Their first meeting was back in Japan in 2002 at a UFO – Legend event, where “The Janitor” earned a unanimous decision. They would meet again in January of 2009 in California at the Affliction: Day of Reckoning show, but this time Nogueira would walk away the winner earning a second round KO.
“The Janitor” wants to put on a good show for the fans when he meets Brilz, who coincidentally lost to “Lil’Nog” in his last fight, and may earn that third fight with the Brazilian should he win in Toronto.
You had a striking win over the Brazilian Alexandre Cacareco and will now face Jason Brilz, who’s coming from a defeat to Rogério Nogueira, who you confronted twice. Brilz stated to an American website that he wants to make things clear and finish the fight on the first round. How are you preparing and what are the expectations for this bout?
Before I say anything, you must “do your homework”, like I did when i fought Cacareco. I’ve watched Jason versus Rogério Nogueira and I guess he’s a good fighter. Despite Nogueira won on the decision of the judges, it was tight. Anyway, this is a pretty import fight for the both of us. On MMA you can’t never know what will happen, but I’m prepared and I believe I’ll win, whether it takes me two minutes of three rounds.You’ll fight in UFC 129, the greatest UFC event ever, having the biggest number of fans watching it from the spot. Does that motivate you?
I’m extra excited with this bout because it’ll be the greatest event UFC has ever produced. There were 55 thousand tickets sold four months before the event. I’ll be great to feel the energy of 55 thousand MMA fans. I’m happy to see the sport growing so much! As you know, I’m an old man on MMA and the recognition of the fans makes me want to work more and put on great shows for them. It would only be better if UFC match me up with Nogueira in Brazil in August, when UFC Rio happens.