UFC on Versus Predictions: UFC on Versus Picks, Predictions & Fight Previews

Pro Fighting Fans is the home of UFC fans across the world and we now bring you the best place to find the latest UFC preview & predictions. UFC 116 has come and gone and we take a look at the UFC 116 results & recap.

The next event for the UFC will be their 2nd event televised on Versus and will take place on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Here at Pro Fighting Fans we feature the best UFC fight predictions, including UFC 117, UFC 118 & more available in the coming days and weeks and buy UFC tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans!

For more UFC events to be held in 2010 and lists of which Mixed Martial Artists are schedule to fight, be sure to check out the future UFC event fight cards.

UFC on Versus 2 Predictions: Preliminary Card

Rob Kimmons vs. Steve Steinbeiss

Hard-hitting Steve Steinbeiss (4-3) will try and keep his UFC roster spot as he takes on submission specialist Rob Kimmons (22-5) in a middleweight bout on the preliminary portion of the UFC on Versus 2 card.

Kimmons, 29, is a Kansas City, MO-native who trains nearby at the Team Grindhouse. He began his career in 2003 with a successful run in promotions like Shooto, WEC, and IFO. After losing only three times through his first five years as a professional, “The Rosedale Reaper” signed with the UFC and made his promotional debut on the June 2008 TUF 7 Finale against Rob Yundt. He submitted Yundt, and then alternated between a loss to Dan Miller, a win against Joe Vedepo, and in his most recent fight at UFC 104 last October, a TKO loss to Jorge Rivera. Fourteen of his twenty-two career victories have come by way of submission.

Steinbeiss, 29, is an Arizona Combat Sports-trained fighter who began his career with a December 2006 bout in the Bodog Fight organization. He won that bout and four of his first five before joining the WEC middleweight ranks. He had only one opportunity to fight in the WEC, losing to Carmelo Marrero at the November 2008 WEC 36. His contract was transferred into the UFC soon after his debut, in time to make his octagon debut against Ryan Jensen at UFC Fight Night “Diaz vs. Guillard” in September of last year. He was defeated, albeit in controversial fashion, via technical submission in his only UFC bout to date. Injuries have helped keep him out of the octagon for almost a full year, however now healthy, “The Hooligan” is back and ready to rumble.

Prediction – Kimmons submission

Darren Elkins vs. Charles Oliveira

Indiana-based Darren Elkins (12-1) will be in search for his first octagon victory when he welcomes Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Charles Oliveira (12-0) in a preliminary broadcast lightweight bout.

Elkins fights and trains out of Duneland Vale Tudo in the “Hoosier state”. He began his MMA journey in January 2007 by winning his first nine bouts in impressive fashion. After losing a September 2009 bout against Ted Worthington, he rebounded with two more victories helping spawn his UFC career. In fact, after winning 11 of 12, it was time to move onto a bigger challenge in the UFC. He signed with the organization earlier this year, and successfully made his debut in March at UFC on VS 1. His victory came after his opponent, Duane Ludwig, severely injured his ankle only 44-seconds into their bout. Elkins is a well-rounded mixed martial artist; he has recorded five victories via KO, five via submission, and two by decision.

Oliveira is a Brazilian-born mixed martial artist who trains at Bronx’s Gold Team USA near Houston, Texas. He made his professional debut in March 2008 in Brazil where he went on to win eleven of his twelve bouts for promotions such as Predator FC, Jungle Fight, and Warriors Challenge. His only other victory came in April 2009 while fighting for Ring of Combat in New Jersey defeating Dom Stanco. His most recent action, this February, he won two fights in a one night Warriors Challenge 5 event finishing both of his opponents in the 1 st round. Oliveira has six KO’s, five submissions, and a decision to his credit.

Prediction – Oliveira decision

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Thiago Tavares vs. William Freire

Eight-fight UFC veteran Thiago Tavares (14-3-1) will try and make fellow Brazilian William Freire’s (17-3) octagon debut an unsuccessful one. The two will meet on the unaired preliminary fight card in the lightweight division.

Tavares, 25, is a six-year MMA veteran who has spent the last three-plus years fighting in the UFC’s octagon. Prior to the UFC, he won all ten of his bouts while fighting in several international organizations. He made his initial octagon appearance at the April 2007 UFC Fight Night 9 event where he was victorious over Japanese brawler Naoyuki Kotani. He won his second UFC fight at UFC Fight Night 10 submitting Jason Black before losing to Tyson Griffin at UFC 76. He continued his up and down career inside the octagon before having to take a year off to heal some injuries. He returned this past January at UFC Fight Night 20 with a majority draw against Nik Lentz. Tavares hasn’t loss since a September 2008 UFC 88 bout against Kurt Pellegrino.

Freire, 22, is a well-rounded fighter who trains at the world renowned Nova Uniao. He made his pro debut in 2005 and began a solid career with six wins in nine tries. Half of his twenty career bouts have come in the Shooto organization where he has reigned victorious eight times. Included in his eight Shooto victories; a welterweight title which he has defended once. He is currently on an eleven-fight winning streak including his most recent fight in late-May; a split decision victory over Yusuke Endo.

Prediction – Tavares decision

Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio

Former WEC light-heavyweight champion and US Marine Brian “All-American” Stann (8-3) will be trying to get back in the win column at UFC on Versus 2 against New Jersey-based Mike Massenzio (11-3). This preliminary card bout will mark the first time that Stann ventures into the middleweight division after competing four times as a light-heavyweight.

Stann, 29, is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he played on the football team. He was assigned to the US Marines after graduation until 2008. While still on active duty, Stann began his professional MMA career taking a fight in Oregon with the Sportfight organization. He won his debut, and soon after, joined the WEC light-heavyweight division. It was in the WEC where he won his first six bouts including the promotion’s LHW title in March 2008 at WEC 33 against Doug Marshall. However, after losing in his first defense at August 2008 WEC 35 against Steve Cantwell, his contract was transferred into the UFC. He lost his UFC 97 debut against Krzysztof Soszynski, but won back-to-back fights including his rematch with Cantwell and Rodney Wallace. He dropped his most recent fight this past February at UFC 109 against Rodney Wallace, igniting his decision to drop into the middleweight division.

Massenzio, 27, is a five-year MMA veteran who trains in his home state with the Ironhouse MMA Fight Team. After his pro debut in 2005, he went on to win ten of his first twelve bouts while fighting for Reality Fighting, IFL, and Ring of Combat organizations. He signed with the UFC in 2008 and has since split his two octagon bouts. He won his debut at a September UFC Fight Night event when he submitted Drew McFedries, but was TKO’ed by CB Dollaway at UFC 92 in December 2008. He was also slated to fight Gerald Harris at UFC Fight Night 20 this January; however injuries kept him from participating. This will be his first action in over a year and a half.

Prediction – Stann TKO

James Irvin vs. Igor Pokrajac

Scuffling light-heavies, James Irvin (14-6, 1 NC) and Igor Pokrajac (21-7), will likely be fighting for their UFC lives when the two meet on the UFC on Versus 2 preliminary fight card in August.

Irvin, 31, is a California-born fighter who debuted in June 2003 by winning his first five Gladiator Challenge bouts and his first two WEC fights including a heavyweight title bout and title defense. He lost his UFC 51 debut via 1 st round KO against Mike Kyle, forcing him back into the WEC. He was up and down over the next couple of years, however after winning in a couple smaller organizations as well as Strikeforce, he rejoined the UFC in late-2006 for good. Since his UFC 65 return, he has won three and lost three, including his two most recent fights. His most recent bout was his middleweight debut, but after looking fatigued at the weigh-ins and in the fight, he returned to the 205-pound division for his fight with Pokrajac.

Pokrajac, 31, is a Croatian-born fighter who trains at the Cro Cop Squad Gym in his native country. He debuted in 2003 and won twenty-one of twenty-six including eight in a row, helping him to earn a UFC contract. He signed with the organization in 2009 and was highly-regarded as a striker. It hasn’t played out that way just yet; Pokrajac has dropped both of his octagon bouts. His first at UFC 103 last September, was a slow-paced technical battle with Vladimir Matyushenko. He dropped that bout via unanimous decision, and then returned five months later at UFC 110 in Australia. He fell victim to James Te-Huna’s strikes and dropped that bout via TKO. He is one of the few that will get a third chance to earn his first UFC victory. Pokrajac has finished his opponents in eighteen of his twenty-one victories.

Prediction – Irvin TKO

DeMarques Johnson vs. Matt Riddle

A pair of TUF veterans will go at it, as TUF 7’s Matt Riddle (4-1) takes on TUF 9 runner-up DeMarques Johnson (14-7) on the UFC on Versus 2 preliminary card in the welterweight division. Both of these 170-pounders will be trying to secure a significant victory and gain a little ground towards contention.

Johnson, 28, is a Utah-born fighter who trains in his home state at Elite Performance. Making his pro debut in 2005, Johnson bounced around the local circuit for three plus years gaining valuable experience and winning 12 of his first 18 bouts. He earned his way to a UFC contract through the TUF 9 house, making it all the way to the finale before losing via submission against James Wilks. He impressed enough and has shown improvement ever since, winning back-to-back fights. He earned “Submission of Night” honors at UFC 107 against Edgar Garcia, and then “KO of Night” honors at UFC 112 against Brad Blackburn.

Riddle, 24, is a Pennsylvania-native where he was active in wrestling at East Stroudsburg University. He had no official bouts when appearing on The Ultimate Fighter 7 in 2008. His won his first three bouts defeating Dante Rivera, Steve Bruno, and Dan Cramer before dropping his first bout at UFC 105 in November 2009 via TKO against Nick Osipczak. Impressively, he bounced back at UFC 111 this March with a DQ victory after his opponent, Greg Soto, hit him with an illegal up-kick. Riddle has not finished any of his five opponents, winning three by decision and one by disqualification.

Prediction – Johnson decision

Paul Kelly vs. Jacob Volkmann

British slugger, Paul “Tellys” Kelly (10-2), will go for two in a row as a lightweight, when he takes on Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann (10-2) in a UFC on Versus 2 preliminary card bout.

Kelly, 25, is a Liverpool, England-born fighter who began his training with the popular Wolfslair Academy, however has recently switched over to the growing Team Kaobon. He began his career in 2005 and won six straight while fighting in several small British promotions. He made his UFC 80 debut in January 2008 with a “Fight of the Night” victory over countryman Paul Taylor. He dropped his next bout at UFC 89 against Marcus Davis, causing him to drop in weight. He won his lightweight debut at UFC 99 defeating Rolando Delgado, however dropped his next bout at UFC 105 against Germany’s Dennis Siver. He did rebound with a UFC 112 submission of Matt Veach this April, bringing his octagon record to 4-2.

Volkmann, 29, is a Minnesota Martial Arts trained fighter who debuted in 2007 by winning his first nine bouts. Of those nine victories, he submitted six of his opponents including Kevin Knabjian at Bellator 7 in May 2009. He made his UFC debut in November 2009 at UFC 106 as a replacement against Paulo Thiago. Unfortunately, he was outscored in a unanimous decision loss, and was followed by a UFC 108 submission loss against Martin Kampmann in his second UFC appearance. Usually two losses in the octagon to begin your tenure spells the end of your time with the UFC, however he was given a third fight after dropping to lightweight. He was successful and probably saved his roster spot with a UFC Fight Night 21 split decision victory over Ronnys Torres in March.

Prediction – Kelly decision

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UFC on Versus 2 Predictions: Main Card

John Howard vs. Jake Ellenberger

Six-year professional John Howard (14-4) will go for his fifth consecutive UFC victory against the hard-hitting welterweight prospect Jake Ellenberger (22-5) at UFC on Versus 2’s main fight card.

Howard, 27, is a Boston-born mixed martial artist who trains in his hometown at Wai Kru MMA. He debuted as a professional in 2004 and began his career with a so-so 6-4 mark. In March 2008, he picked up a KO victory over Jake Rodriguez at Ring of Combat 18 sparking his current seven-fight winning streak. He signed with the UFC in late-2008, and made his UFC 94 debut a successful one by winning a tight split decision over Chris Wilson. He followed up his debut win with victories against Tamdan McCrory, Dennis Hallman, and at the UFC on Versus 1 this March, Daniel Roberts.

Ellenberger, 25, is a Nebraska-born mixed marital artist who has participated in many notable promotions throughout his five years as a professional. He won his first twelve fights before dropping a unanimous decision to Jay Hieron at the 2006 IFL Championships. He bounced around fighting for Bodog Fight, Sportfight, M-1 Challenge, and Bellator organizations winning four consecutive to catch the eye of the UFC. He debuted in September 2009 at UFC Fight Night 19 with a split decision loss against Carlos Condit, but turned it around and earned his first UFC victory four months later at UFC 108 with a TKO victory over Mike Pyle.

Prediction – Ellenberger submission

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Yushin Okami vs. Mark Munoz

Two middleweight contenders are trying to take the next step toward earning a shot at the middleweight title when Japan’s Yushin Okami (24-5) meets former collegiate wrestler and budding MMA star Mark Munoz (8-1) at UFC on Versus 2 in the co-main event slot.

Okami, 28, is an eight-year professional from Japan where he trains at the Wajyutsu Keisyukai fight team. To begin his career, he won sixteen of his first nineteen bouts over his first four years while fighting in three different countries. He competed for GCM, PRIDE, and K-1 while in Japan, for M-1 in Russia, and for Superbrawl and Rumble on the Rock in the United States. In 2006 he made the move to the UFC and has been one of the few Japanese fighters to find more than moderate success. He won his first four octagon fights before losing to Rich Franklin at UFC 72 for the #1 contender slot. He rebounded by winning four of his next five bouts including his most recent fight at UFC Fight Night 21 in March against Lucio Linhares.

Munoz, 32, is a former NCAA Division I wrestler at Oklahoma State. He made the transition into MMA in 2007, and was successful through his first five bouts while fighting for Palace FC, Gladiators Challenge, and the WEC. However, when he made the move to the UFC in March 2009, he was knocked out in devastating fashion by Matt Hamill. He immediately dropped to middleweight and won his first three bouts by defeating Nick Catone, Ryan Jensen, and at the UFC on Versus 1 in March, Kendall Grove.

Prediction – Munoz decision

Tyson Griffin vs. Takanori Gomi

Both Tyson Griffin (14-3) and Takanori Gomi (31-6, 1 NC) will be looking for a bounce back victory after both having lost in their most recent bouts. Each needs this victory to stay relevant in the crowded UFC lightweight division. This will be one of the featured bouts on the main fight card at UFC on Versus 2.

Griffin, 26, is a California native who now trains in Las Vegas at the Xtreme Couture gym. He made his debut in 2004 and won his first seven fights including a June 2006 Strikeforce TKO over current UFC lightweight Duane “Bang” Ludwig. He debuted in September 2006 at UFC 63 and has seen a great deal of success since. He has won seven of his ten octagon bouts including collecting five “Fight of Night” and one “Submission of Night” bonuses. He did, however, lose his most recent bout in June at UFC 115 via split decision against Evan Dunham. He owns UFC victories against Clay Guida, Thiago Tavares, and Hermes Franca, among others.

Gomi, 31, is a popular Japanese mixed martial artist who has recently brought his tough-as-nails style to the UFC. Training out of Kugayama Rascal in Japan, Gomi debuted back in 1998 and won his first fourteen bouts which included the Shooto Welterweight Title. After back-to-back losses against Joachim Hansen and BJ Penn, he went on a tear winning his first ten PRIDE FC bouts. He finished with an impressive 13-1, 1 NC record with PRIDE, and when they sold their assets to Zuffa, he signed with another Japanese promotion. He went on to be featured as one of World Victory Road’s Sengoku leading fighters, however only won twice in four bouts. After leaving Sengoku, he won back-to-back bouts in Shooto, before signing with the UFC in 2010. He made his debut as a headliner at the UFC Fight Night 21 event this March, but fatigued in the 3 rd round and fell victim to a submission from Kenny Florian.

Prediction – Griffin TKO

UFC on Versus Main Event: Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Jonny “Bones” Jones (10-1) will try and jump into serious light-heavyweight contention when he takes on Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko (24-4) at the UFC on Versus 2 in the main event slot.

Jones, 22, is a New York-born fighter who began his MMA career after a successful turn as a Jr. College Champion wrestler. He made his pro debut in April 2008 and churned out six finishes in a matter of four months while taking the fast track into the UFC. In August 2008 at UFC 87, he made a successful debut defeating Andre Gusmao by decision, and then followed that up with victories over Stephan Bonnar and Jake O’Brien. He suffered his first loss at the TUF 10 finale when he was disqualified because of illegal elbows, despite dominating the match. He came back with an impressive 1st round TKO over Brandon Vera at UFC on Versus 1 this March.

Matyushenko, 39, is a Belarus-born mixed martial artist who is in his second stint with the UFC. He won nine of his first ten before appearing in the octagon his first time around. In his first UFC turn, he recorded three wins in five tries, however dropped his only title shot in 2001. He cut ties with the UFC and went on to win eight consecutive including the light-heavyweight title for the International Fight League. His only loss in the last five years was a January 2009 KO by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. He is perfect so far after two bouts in his latest stint with the UFC. He defeated Igor Pokrajac at UFC 103 in September 2009, and then followed that up with a March victory over Eliot Marshall.

Prediction – Jones decision

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

UFC logo & fighter pictures used with permission from the Ultimate Fighting Championship

Past UFC on Versus Previews, Predictions & Projections:

• UFC Live on Versus 1 preview: Jones vs Vera