More than any other event in recent memory, UFC 149 has been ravaged by injuries. Every scheduled matchup on the original lineup has either been scrapped or altered, and the organization has scrambled to hold the ship together as July 21st approaches.
Amidst all the chaos, opportunity came knocking for Shawn Jordan, and it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to answering.
The former LSU fullback turned UFC heavyweight faces the biggest test of his young career when he steps into action against veteran Cheick Kongo this Saturday night.
The French powerhouse was originally slated to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. After “Big Nog’s” physicians deemed that the injury he suffered at UFC 140 was not fully healed, the former Pride champion was forced to withdraw, and the UFC tapped Jordan to take his place.
Jordan is coming off a successful debut, in which he earned a stoppage victory over Oli Thompson at UFC on FX 2 in Sydney, Australia. In the bout he was able to use pressure and his heavy hands to put his opponent away in a second-round stoppage.
Rather than take measured steps up the divisional ladder, Jordan is eager to test his skills against a fighter with the experience Kongo brings into the cage.
“My manager called me about the fight at one o’clock in the morning, and I was half asleep,” Jordan told Bleacher Report. “I didn’t hesitate for a second to take this fight. How could you say no? It’s a huge opportunity. It’s a jump up in competition, and Cheick is well known. He’s been around for a long time, and he’s a great fighter. I used to watch him back before I ever started fighting.
“It’s exciting, and that’s why I’m in the sport. I want to compete against the best guys I could possibly fight. I’m really looking forward to it because this is a fight that could move me up, and that is where I want to keep going.”
In addition to being the more experienced fighter, Kongo’s striking skills will also be an advantage in the bout. Throughout his career the Frenchman’s length and range have been two of his biggest assets.
It is when his opposition works its way inside that Kongo has been known to struggle.
“This is one of those matchups where you have two big heavyweights who both have knockout power,” Jordan said. “Stylistically, I think it is going to come down to who can adapt the quickest to the other guy’s style. Kongo is taller and has more reach on me, but I think it’s a great matchup.
“It could very well come down to who gets their punches off first and imposes their game plan. I have no problem going to the ground if that’s where we are going to go, but it’s exciting to get in there and bang with a guy who’s been fighting in this sport forever.
“I’m coming out to fight, and it’s going to be exciting. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to compete against a great athlete. I want to show that I belong in the UFC, and this is going to be fun.”
As Jordan enters the third year of his professional fighting career, he is still making adjustments to fighting on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts. As a former standout at a perennial powerhouse college football program, though, Jordan has plenty of experience with passionate fanbases.
He understands that the fans make the MMA world go round, and it is something he appreciates.
“There are pretty big differences as far as the fanbases are concerned,” Jordan said. “At LSU the fans are great. They know everything about you and they are extremely supportive. They want you to do well, look out for you, and they still keep up with me now in my fighting career. There is a huge market of fans in this sport, whereas in football the fans are particular to one university or city.
“In football it’s not as intimate because you are one person on a team of 40-70 guys who are all contributing to one game. The fans have more people to spread things over. When it comes to fighting, it’s just you and your opponent. That creates a more personal situation. You are either praised or criticized for your individual performance, rather than how it would be in a team competition.”
While the bout with Kongo will be only Jordan’s second showing inside the Octagon, he sees a bright future in the UFC heavyweight division.
Over the past year, the competition level has grown considerably. With the influx of fighters coming over from Strikeforce and a handful of prospects battling their way up the ladder, Jordan believes the division is going to experience some changes in the near future.
“The heavyweight division is stacked right now, and it’s only going to improve,” Jordan said. “There are so many great fighters right now, but I think we are going to see a difference the more transition athletes come into the sport. It will change the fighting style in the future.
“We already have some guys like myself and Lavar Johnson who came from a football background. Travis [Browne] came from a basketball background, and they are big, athletic guys with power. They have more to offer than just being tough, and it’s changing things.
“A bunch of talented fighters and great competitors came over from Strikeforce. It’s getting tougher and tougher to win, and it’s only going to get harder as the division grows.
“It’s great to be a part of this division and it’s only going to get more exciting as it develops.”
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