Krzysztof Soszynski just wanted to fight. Facing an opponent he just found about at the start of the week, Soszynski adjusted his style, showed good takedown defense and used his size to overwhelm Mike Massenzio in unanimous decision victory, 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 at UFC 131 in Vancouver.
"Cardio was the key for me. I fought a wrestler for the first time in three years. Training with guys like Mark Munoz and the boys at Reign (gym) paid off. I hadn't planned on fighting a wrestler, but the improvements I've made in my sprawl and getting back to my feet really paid off. I appreciate him stepping up and taking this fight," said Soszynski.
Soszynski, a UFC veteran of seven fights, found out on Monday that Igor Pokrajac, a striker had to bail from the fight. Massenzio, a former college wrestler, would present an entirely different challenge. Massenzio is also a true middleweight so when he did some takedowns in the first round, Soszynski was able to get to his feet quickly. Massenzio constant work for takedown tired him out by the middle of the second round.
Soszynski (26-11-1, 6-2 UFC) landed some big shots on the feet at the end of the round and set the tone for the final stanza. "The Polish Experiment" thwarted a takedown in the third and used what was probably a 20-pound weight advantage to sit down on Massenzio, who was on his knees. Soszynski was incredibly active while working for a kimura. He landed 20-25 brutal knees to the side, shoulder and leg of Massenzio. The smaller fighter grimaced in pain and couldn't get back to his feet until there was 1:02 left in the fight.
"I took that fight on two days notice. I'm a middleweight and have never fought at 205, but this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," Massenzio said. "I tried to strike with him and keep him off balance. He's a world-class fighter. I just came up a little short tonight."
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