Let's try this again.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson was originally booked to go down at UFC 133: "Evans vs. Ortiz 2" on Aug. 6 in Philadelphia; however, "Vladdy" suffered an injury and "The Mauler" went on to destroy Matt Hamill.

Now, according to the promotion's website, the two have been re-booked to scuffle at the upcoming UFC 141: "Lesnar vs. Overeem" event on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Matyushenko is still trucking along at the ripe old age of 40 and, outside of a shellacking at the hands of division champion Jon Jones, has been quite the force since his return to the Octagon.

"The Janitor" most recently mopped the Toronto floor with Jason Brilz's lifeless body back on April 30 at UFC 129, winning via knockout in twenty seconds flat.

Not bad for an old man. Now let's see how he does against a young, hungry lion.



Gustafsson, 24, is a hot young prospect out of Alliance and Gladius MMA who's lost just once in his budding professional career. That defeat came at the hands of fellow rising contender Phil Davis back at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, a second round submission.

The good news for fight fans is "The Mauler" earned his nickname the hard way and has only ever gone to the scorecards in one of his fights.

He continued that streak in the previously mentioned match-up with Hamill, one Gustafsson easily emerged victorious from and actually sent "The Hammer" into retirement.

I suppose if he lays it on Matyushenko the same, we could see another veteran call it quits.

UFC 141 will take place on a Friday, this coming Dec. 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be headlined by a mega-fight pitting former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar taking on former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Jon Fitch is also scheduled to return from shoulder surgery against budding welterweight contender Johny Hendricks.

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