MMASucka staff predictions: UFC on Fuel TV 6

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has flirted with the idea of marching into China for quite some time now, as a growing fight market without a proven track record of mixed martial arts promotions being able to draw large houses in Macao they have started out small with an interesting card.

Joe Silva got on the phone and called everyone who was sort-of Chinese but not really and booked their first event in China.

If you’re a North American fan, well, that means you are either going to have to act like an Australian  fight geek and get up in the early hours of the morning for some Facebook prelims or catch it on the replay, depending on your level of sanity.

As I usually do, I banged on the doors of our hypothetical MMASucka office’s and nagged for some fight predictions and the Sucka’s responded in kind, so read along as we battle for bragging rights and donuts.

Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le

JP Lasaleta: Cung Le will look amazing the first round, peppering Rich with his usual plethora of fancy feigns and strikes, and as usual, the Bronze Lion will tire.  Rich will be able to capitalize on his better conditioning and bigger size from round 2 and on.
Rich Franklin by third round TKO

Jeremy Brand: I am pretty excited for this fight. I see Franklin having enough to edge out Le.
Rich Franklin by Unanimous Decision

Carlin Bardsley: Franklin is better at everything than Cung other than throwing flashy kicks. He can also block said kicks and KO an opponent despite having a broken arm. I understand putting Cung in the main event for UFC’s first foray to China, but this will not end well for Mr. Le.
Rich Franklin by third round TKO

Henry Lai: Franklin doesn’t get enough credit for his standup and he definitely has the advantage on the ground in this fight. I’m also not convinced Le’s foot is fully healed.
Rich Franklin by third round TKO

Mike Bohn: Rich Franklin is going to win in typical Rich Franklin fashion. He’ll come into the fight in outstanding condition, use a mix of striking and grappling and simply outwork Cung Le.
Rich Franklin by third round TKO

Justin Faux: I’ll give you the same prediction that I give everytime Chun-Li is fighting. The former Strikeforce champ will start strong throwing spinning whatever-the-hells and probably snatch the first round or two but once he gasses Franklin should be able to take over and dominate this fight.

Even if he does land some hard shots early on Franklin can weather the storm, especially after the beating he took from Wanderlei Silva last time out and probably get a stoppage in the championship (but not really) rounds.
Rich Franklin by fourth round TKO

Sucka’s taking Franklin: 6
Sucka’s taking Le: 0

Thiago Silva vs. Stanislav Nedkov

JP Lasaleta: It’s a battle of two SCARY dudes who can end the fight with a furry.  I’ll take Thiago Silva for this one as he will be coming in motivated after a tough loss in his last outing against Alexander Gustafsson. Pair that with his new Blackzilian teammates that really complement his style he should be tough to beat.
Thiago Silva by first round TKO

Jeremy Brand: Silva has not won a fight in almost three years and this one is going to be a tough one. Nedkov will not shy away from trading with Silva. The thing that I’m interested to see is if The Blackzilian camp has changed the style of Silva?
Thiago Silva by Unanimous Decision

Carlin Bardsley: Silva comes into this with something to prove. He not only lost his last fight to Alexander Gustafsson, but had his previous win (where he slapped around Brandon Vera) overturned. I expect Silva to come out focused, aggressive and take the fight to the fast-rising Nedkov.
Thiago Silva by second round TKO

Henry Lai: Silva is a higher caliber fighter. I would say he has the bigger skill set or “tool box”. I think Silva should be able to grind out a victory.
Thiago Silva by Unanimous Decision 

Mike Bohn: Both of these guys are pretty overrated in my opinion. Silva hasn’t had a good performance in years and Nedkov was getting smashed by Luiz Cane before he came from behind to win. Silva is the rightful favorite because of his experience fighting top-level opposition, but I’m going with the Bulgarian.
Stanislav Nedkov by Unanimous Decision

Justin Faux: Provided that he pisses some human urine Thiago Silva should get the job done here. Although he is hittable and with Nedkov’s power that does concern me, he is a well-travelled fighter with a pretty well-versed tool set, I don’t expect it to be easy but I think the Brazilian will walk away with a razor-thin decision.
Thiago Silva by Split Decision

Sucka’s taking Silva: 5
Sucka’s taking Nedkov: 1

Paulo Thiago vs. Dong Hyun Kim

JP Lasaleta: Both guys are coming to fight with something to prove after both dropped their last bouts in uncharacteristic fashion.  I’ll take the stun gun for the win.  So long as he has the rib issue in check, he should be able to overpower Thiago, and dictate where the fight takes place.
Dong Hyun Kim by Decision

Jeremy Brand: There could definitely be a fighter waking up after being KO’d in this one. I tossed the coin and have Kim taking it.
Dong Hyun Kim by second round TKO

Carlin Bardsley: This should be a really fun grappling exhibition. Thiago, after showing intital promise, has lost 3 of his last 4. Kim is coming off a loss due to fluke injury. I’m expecting Kim’s judo and Thiago’s jet lag to be the prime factors.
Dong Hyun Kim by Unanimous Decision

Henry Lai: I don’t think Thiago’s standup is as good as some think. Kim definitely wins in the grappling department with his judo. I also think his ground game is good enough to avoid Thiago’s submissions.
Dong Hyun Kim by Unanimous Decision

Mike Bohn: Paulo Thiago has had his moments in the UFC, but there’s just something about him that doesn’t quite do it for me. Dong Hyun Kim, on the other hand, is a consistent performer and despite the unfortunate loss to Demian Maia in his last fight, the Korean should be able to get back on track.
Dong Hyun Kim by Unanimous Decision

Justin Faux: While I think this is a fun and relevant match-up, I see this being one-way traffic for the most part. Paulo Thiago has a punchers chance but Kim will be able to force takedowns and go to work on the mat to collect the win on points.
Dong Hyun Kim by Unanimous Decision

Sucka’s taking Kim: 6
Sucka’s taking Thiago: 0

Takanori Gomi vs. Mac Danzig

JP Lasaleta: As a Pride FC jock rider, I really hope Danzig keeps this fight standing because it’s the only way I see Gomi winning.  Danzig is a smart cookie though, so it will probably end up on the ground with Danzig trying to show off his submission skills.  With that said… I’m going to pick Gomi.
Takanori Gomi by second round TKO

Jeremy Brand: Who doesn’t want to see Gomi come back and be the Fireball Kid of old. If he could throw a KO punch he for sure has the chance, but I believe Danzig has the edge in every facet of the fight.
Mac Danzig by Unanimous Decision

Carlin Bardsley: “The Fireball Kid” just isn’t what he used to be. After a dominant run in Pride, he’s had less than stellar results in UFC. Gomi’s UFC losses have all come via submission, while Danzig has ten submission victories to his credit. Advantage: Danzig.
Mac Danzig by second round submission

Henry Lai: For this fight, I’m going with my heart and not my head. Gomi has dynamite in his hands so I think he’ll swing for the fences and connect.
Takanori Gomi by first round TKO

Mike Bohn: Takanori Gomi is going to bring the thunder to Mac Danzig’s skull.
Takanori Gomi by first round TKO

Justin Faux: Rumors of Takanori Gomi’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Now I know, on paper this seems like a gimme fight for the former TUF winner. He is able to land shots at range, go to work in the clinch, score takedowns on the game-planless Japanese fighter and maybe even submit him.

Call it a gut feeling, call it picking with your heart over your head or call it whatever you want but I think Gomi is getting the win here, Danzig is hittable and when he gets cracked it’s like he’s on rollerblades and isn’t quick to recover.
Takanori Gomi by third round TKO

Sucka’s taking Gomi: 4
Sucka’s taking Danzig: 2

Jon Tuck vs. Teiquan Zhang

JP Lasaleta: How do you get on a main card fight in China?  Fight one of their most popular stars.  Jon Tuck has been given a second chance at a UFC career after showing how tough he is at the TUF: Live prelims after fighting Al Iaquinta to a decision with a broken toe.  He also has a huge KO W over One FC poster boy, Eduard Folayang. Although Quan has home court advantage, Ill take the Super Saiyan for the win.
Jon Tuck by first round TKO 

Jeremy Brand: Unfortunately the lone Chinese fighter on the card is up for a tough test. Tuck is undefeated and coming off some very tough fights.
Jon Tuck by first round TKO

Carlin Bardsley: Another interesting grappling match-up between two jiu-jitsu brown belts. Zhang’s UFC career has not been kind to him and this should be no exception, with Tuck continuing his undefeated ways and Zhang staring at three straight losses and a possible pink slip.
Jon Tuck by Unanimous Decision

Henry Lai: I know it’s Zhang’s home country but Tuck is the better prospect.
Jon Tuck by Unanimous Decision

Mike Bohn: Tiequan Zhang is probably the worst fighter currently signed to the UFC roster. Unless Jon Tuck is a complete dud, he should be able to win.
Jon Tuck by second round TKO

Justin Faux: Teiquan Zhang wasn’t a great prospect when he entered the UFC and not much has changed since then, since his only role was to serve as their Trojan Horse into China if he can’t get past Jon Tuck, a fine prospect, he will probably be on the unemployment line.
Jon Tuck by Unanimous Decision

Sucka’s taking Tuck: 6
Sucka’s taking Zhang: 0

Takeya Mizugaki vs. Jeff Hougland

JP Lasaleta: Mizugaki has the edge in all aspects of this fight, but I believe that Hougland will be able to keep from getting finished.
Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision

Jeremy Brand: One word… Mizugaki
Takeya Mizugaki by second round submission

Carlin Bardsley: Despite Mizugaki’s middling record in North America, including an absolute robbery loss against Chris Cariaso, I like his big fight experience and I expect him to be able to land early and often against Hougland.
Takeya Mizugaki by second round TKO

Henry Lai: Mizugaki has the better ground and grappling game. I think he’ll control the pace of fight and grind out a victory.
Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision

Mike Bohn: I expect these two little men to bang it out from beginning to end.
Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision

Justin Faux: I think this is a fight that Mizugaki should win, and win dominantly. The Japanese bantamweight is a better wrestler and better striker, only way he loses is if he enters a grappling match.
Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision

Sucka’s taking Mizugaki: 6
Sucka’s taking Hougland: 0

That wraps us up here, be sure to follow along for results tomorrow bright and early here at MMASucka.com and tell us how wrong we are in the comments section below.