Each fighter on the UFC on Versus 1 event on March in Denver, Colorado, understands the importance of such a major event.  The first-ever live UFC event on Versus will air live on March 21.

The added pressure of fighting in front of a home town crowd can make some fighters cracked due to the higher scrutiny, but Denver local Eliot Marshall doesn’t expect to  have any problems.

“I love fighting here in Denver.  We are lucky enough to have big promotions like Ring Of Fire here and they can draw 5-6 thousand people sometimes,” Marshall told MMA HQ during an interview.  “I would say a lot of my family and friends won’t get the chance to come to the event because of the ticket demand.  In the end it is just another fight, I have a tough opponent that deserves my respect and attention and I have been training like that is the case.”

Marshall, The Ultimate Fighter 8 participant, understands  his upcoming fight with Vladimir Matyushenko will be an extremely tough matchup.

“I know he has a good grappling base and is very durable.  I am looking to make a statement with this fight and show the UFC and the fans that I am worthy of their support.  (Matyushenko) likely sees this as a huge opportunity for him to leap into the lime light of the UFC, but I have my own plans.”

The Colorado native has gone 3 – 0 since TUF 8, picking up decision victories against Jason Brilz and Vinny Magalhaes along with a submission victory over Jules Bruchez.  Prior to TUF 8 – where he won one fight and lost two – he also lost to Rob MacDonald via  TKO at Rumble on the Rock in 2007.

Marshall looks forward to the Matyushenko fight – and what a win could do for his budding career.  His weight cut has been easy so far, and doesn’t expect to have any trouble making the 205-lb. limit in a couple of weeks.

“The fans and the UFC want exciting fights and in the division with a lot of talent (like the light heavyweight div.) you really have to be a stand out or win the reality show.  I want to be that fighter that everyone wants to see fight.  I have dedicated my life to this sport and I still have a long ways to go to get to the top.”

Matyushenko will look to rely on his in-cage experience to help avoid Marshall’s game plan, though Marshall believes working out with very experienced partners will greatly help.

“I’m in the cage with veterans every day, and I really cannot see him ‘overwhelming me’ with experience.  I am comfortable wherever the fight goes and I will be ready for this fight.”

To help improve his wrestling and grappling, Marshall has continued “training at UNC with Leister Bowling (coach) and guys like Shane Carwin, Nate Marquardt, Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, and many other great wrestlers.  He has wrestling and I have my BJJ — at Grudge we train all aspects of MMA.”

Marshall wanted to thank the fans and his coaches/teammates: Amal Easton, Trevor Wittman, Leister Bowling and my teammates.  Without the coaches and my team absolutely none of this would be possible.  he’d also like to thank the following sponsors:  Performancemma.com,  Blowoutcards.com, Adaptx Labs, TCB Fightwear, and MTX Audio.