Matyushenko: ‘I have to keep him backing up’
Sunday, Aug. 1, Vladimir Matyushenko will step in the Octagon to face a man 16 years his junior, but with…
Sunday, Aug. 1, Vladimir Matyushenko will step in the Octagon to face a man 16 years his junior, but with the agility of youth comes the naivety of inexperience. With a career that spans 13 years, Matyushenko started fighting when Jon Jones (10-1) was only 10 years old.
The style of the new generation, I train young guys too, it’s what I have to look out for, explains Matyushenko. You know, these young, talented, quick, tall guys… the old timers have to keep up with it.
I’ve watched his fights and tried to find holes in his game. But it’s very hard, because he’s very unpredictable. He doesn’t have a particular style where he is consistently doing certain things. There are a few things he does, but he changes from left-hand stance to right-hand stance and just does some crazy stuff. But I think in order to win, I have to keep him backing up, keep the pressure on.
It can go both ways. He can say he hasn’t lost a fight. He’s all hyped up right now. He’s a favorite; I’m the underdog, but I like to be the underdog. It puts a lot of pressure on me as far as public opinion and stuff. I don’t think he’s fought against top guys yet. It puts a lot of pressure going against top guys when you haven’t lost yet. I think it’s going to be the downfall for him.
I feel more comfortable. It’s close to home. I can drive there and don’t have to fly. I was thinking of bringing all my partners, or some of the guys to Utah a few weeks before, but now I don’t have to do that.
If I start to think too much (about being the main event) it can affect the performance itself. I don’t think you can think that, but at the same time, I want to keep the fight exciting and the fans happy. It’s pretty hard. If you talk to any fighter they will say the mental preparation is the hardest. You can train in the gym, but not everyone goes and performs in front of thousands of people.