Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski set UFC 110 on Feb. 21
by Jesse Holland on Jan 8, 2010 10:01 AM EST
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Former Ultimate Fighters Stephan Bonnar (11-6) and Krzysztof Soszynski (18-9-1) are officially set for a light heavyweight showdown at UFC 110 from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21.
The UFC recently made the bout official for the event's preliminary card.
Bonnar has dropped two straight inside the Octagon after returning from a catastrophic knee injury he suffered while training for a big fight against Matt Hamill in April 2008.
Because that injury came on the heels of a steroids suspension, "The American Psycho" was out of action for nearly a year and a half. He returned at UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" but the long layoff and a very gifted opponent, Jon Jones, ended any chance of a successful return last January.
He got a second chance to right the ship at UFC 100 this past July, but was once again stymied by the wrestling efforts of MMA elder statesman Mark "The Hammer" Coleman.
While Bonnar's contributions to the sport before, during and after his run on The Ultimate Fighter will probably keep him from being unemployed anytime soon, dropping three straight could be a major blow to his marketability as a fighter.
And Soszynski doesn't want to be the guy who propels him back into the limelight.
"The Polish Experiment" went awry in his 205-pound war with Brandon Vera at UFC 102: "Couture vs. Nogueira," though unlike Bonnar the August defeat was his first since Dec. 2007 and snapped a six-fight winning streak.
Soszynski cut his teeth under Dan Henderson in Temecula, Calif., along with training partner Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. He has a strong wrestling base, powerful strikes and solid submission skills to boot.
Expect a gritty, back-and-forth war between these two light heavyweight talents.
UFC 110 pits Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez in a bout that could determine the next heavyweight number one contender. In the co-main event, Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva will try to put TUF grad Michael Bisping down for "The Count."
For more on the Australian event click here.
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Bonnar
I’ve always liked Bonnar…he comes to fight every chance he gets but he just doesn’t seem to be evolving as a fighter quite like Griffin has. It’s a shame because he has solid boxing and a solid ground game to boot. I think the steroids and injuries have hampered his career a lot. I think with a loss it may be time for him to move onto MFC or something to get his confidence back and some momentum if he were to return.
"I bet a funny thing about driving a car off a cliff is, while you're in midair, you still hit those brakes! Hey, better try the emergency brake!"
by Buster Bluth on Jan 8, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed
I’m with you I’ve always been a fan and he def has potential to be a contender, he’s decent all around but not great in any one area and like you said hasn’t really evolved, maybe not training with a right camp? Either way this is a bad matchup for Stephan and though I’ll be rooting for him I don’t like his chances. Maybe he’ll move over to Strikeforce and they’ll feed him some cans we’ll see.
by Captain Ernesto on Jan 8, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
...
I think he could get cut if he loses this one. I hope he wins as i don’t like Soszynski at all.
WANDY RIP
he wont get cut, trust me.
Dana White loves this guy. If anything, Bonnar will leave on his own.
Maybe he’ll get a job sitting ringside painting the fighters in action.
REALLY?!?!
This guy is still in the UFC. Somebody please set up a retirement match between him and Tito Otriz and call it a day. This guy is garbage and hasn’t beat anyone significant in YEARS!
Dana said in 1 of his blogs that he wouldn’t cut bonnar because of what him and griffin did for the company. It was after he lost to jones I think. easy win for krzysztof IMO
by irishlilpete on Jan 8, 2010 11:22 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I see Bonnar Coming extremely prepared after that last loss
and winning. We;ll see what actually happens though
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