UFC on Fuel TV 2 Predictions

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Alexander Gustafsson v. Thiago Silva

Doctor Law: Thiago Silva is back! After spending the last year suspended for submitting “non-human” urine for a post fight drug test, Silva makes his return to the UFC in the main event of their second offering on Fuel TV. Silva takes the place of Lil Nog, who bowed out due to injury. Welcoming him back the octagon will be Alexander Gustafsson, the perceived future of the 205 lb division. Gustafsson has been since losing to Phil Davis two years ago. If I was picking with my head, I would certainly pick Gustafsson. He’s smashing guys and Silva’s layoff could be a huge factor. However, Silva is one of my favorite fighters and I really want to see him do well here. I hope he wrecks this kid. Silva by 2nd round TKO.

Kid Presentable: I have been back and forth in my head all week with this fight. Thiago while active was one of my favorite fighters in the division. He has exciting fight style and he just outright looks mean and scary, but 15 months is a long time to be out. He was popped more for painkillers than steroids, so I don't scrutinize his positive drug test in the past as much as I might with others. Gus however, has been on a bit of a roll lately and is looking to be one of the most promising prospects in the division. No doubt that Silva was a top 10 lhw, but can he jump back into it after such a long layoff? I have wanted to pick him all along, but my head kept telling me no. Go with the kid on fire in his home country. Mauler by mauling. Gustafsson by TKO 3rd round.

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DJ Mark with a “K”: Sometimes when fights get changed the replacement fight isn’t as appealing as the original, this isn’t the case here. While a Gustafsson v Lil Nog is nice and good on paper, I’m much more excited that Gustafsson is now facing Thiago Silva. While Silva has been on the side lines after getting caught with his hand in the dopping cookie jar (there’s a lot of hands in there now a days) Gustafsson has been busy making a decent name for himself with some solid wins. I got Gustafsson in this one. I think the layoff is going to hurt Silva and the momentum Gustafsson has been gaining will carry him though this fight as well. Gustafsson by decision.

Lavender Gooms: Alexander Gustafsson. The chosen one (sort of). The 205 super-prospect that is supposed to challenge Jon Jones in a couple fights (….and lose). This is going to be a cake walk for Gustafsson. In Silva he’ll be fighting a guy who’s talented, but not setting the world on fire and who has endured a long layoff as a result of suspensions and a back injury. The Swede will wait and pick apart Silva with his clinch game and striking. After he win s(and Evans loses) we can start the talk about how he’s the next best shot to beating Jones. Gustafsson by Decision.

Picking Gustafsson: Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Silva: Dr. Law

Brian Stann v. Alessio Sakara

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Doctor Law: I think we all got a little too excited about Brian Stann. He knocked a questionably chinned Jorge Santiago and a candy overdosed Chris Leben so everybody started talking title shot. Uncle Chael took care of that one. After that loss, this Marine needs to come back with a vengeance. A stand up fight with Sakara should give him the opportunity to do so. This should be a fun battle, but Stann should be able to finish off Sakara standing. Stann by 2nd round TKO.

Kid Presentable: Stann is a tough warrior who you would normally never think to quit, but Chael straight Shang Tsung'd him and took his soul. I think this fight represents a clear bounce back show case kind of fight for Stann. Sakara is a bit of back end journeyman type who is a striker, but no so otherworldly at it that Stann should have any great trouble. This should be a nice way to get the soldier back on track. Stann by TKO round 2.

DJ Mark with a “K”: This should be a fun match. Their styles match up perfectly to create an exciting match up, on paper at least. I think Stann is the stronger puncher but Sakara has the better technical stand up. However, I’ve never been too high on Sakara and I have a hard time picking him here as well. Stann by TKO 2nd Round.

Lavender Gooms: Stann has had a rough camp dealing with family issues and training with Greg Jackson via video. Even with the difficulties, Stann’ s power should be enough to give Sakara fits. If he presses forward aggressively but not stupidly he’ll finish Sakara by the third round. Stann by TKO in the 3rd.

Picking Stann: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Sakara:



Paulo Thiago v. Siyar Bahadurzada

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Doctor Law: The Afghan Killer finally makes his UFC debut. Fun fact: Siyar lives with Mayhem Miller. *crickets*…I really have no transitional material to pivot from that statement. Anyways, Siyar trains out of Golden Glory and is all around a bad motherf*cker. They UFC didn’t exactly give him a gimme fight here. Paulo Thiago is the rightly favorite in this fight. He has a slick BJJ game that could cause Bahadurzada some serious problems. However, I think Siyar can keep this fight standing and use his superior striking. Either that or I’m just distracted by how excited I am to see him debut. Siyar by decision.

Kid Presentable: Siyar is a guy I have been looking forward to seeing fight for a while now. The Golden Glory product will almost certainly bring in some high level striking to this affair. Paulo Thiago is no slouch though as he was a Fitch win away from being the AKA killer. I think this fight is going to come down to Thiago's ability to take this fight to the mat. Siyar is not a slouch on the ground, but the Brazilian does hold the clear advantage there. You always have to worry about octagon jitters in a fighter's debut, but as they are fighting in Sweden, Siyar is much closer to his home camp that Paulo. I very easily could see Thiago taking this fight by submission, but I am going to go ahead and go against what my head tells me this time and take the Afghan Killer. Siyar by decision.

DJ Mark with a “K”: Whenever someone is making their debut in the UFC you have to raise an eyebrow, even more so when their first fight is on the main card. Bahadurzada has been in some big organizations before and has fought some top guys. However, Paulo is a really tough opponent and even more so when it’s your first UFC fight. While I do think that Bahadurzada has the ability to win this fight, I’m not willing to bet on him. Paulo by submission in the 1st round.

Lavender Gooms: I don’t know much about Siyar. He’s riding a six fight win streak coming into his UFC debut, but I have no idea who any of these guys who he beat are. So I’m just going to assume they’re scrubs. Thiago looked good in his last fight against David Mitchell last summer. Thiago gets this fight to the ground and shows the newbie what a submission specialist can do. Thiago by submission in the 1st.

Picking Thiago: DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Bahadurzada: Dr. Law, Kid P

Dennis Siver v. Diego Nunes

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Doctor Law: Dennis Siver finally figured out that being a 5’6” lightweight doesn’t work unless your name is Frankie Edgar. It’s unfortunate that it took Donald Cerrone kicking him in the head and choking him to figure that out. Also unfortunate for him, he’s taking on a legitimate title contender in his featherweight debut. Diego Nunes is a very tough first opponent for Siver. “The Gun” is 5-2 in his Zuffa career and gave perennial title contender Kenny Florian fits when they fought last June. I think Siver’s going to have a lot of trouble with Nunes and as the fight wears on, the weight cut may be factor. As a matter of fact, Siver just missed weight about two hours ago. Nunes by decision.

Kid Presentable: He's like 5'6" man, what the hell? Oh Nate Diaz you were a bit fortuitous in your statement as Siver is now dropping to a more fitting featherweight division for someone of his stature. Nunes has long been toward the top end of the division and this fight should make for an exciting kickboxing match. I do not have an idea how the cut will go for him, but if Siver can hit 145 with minimal trouble (dude is thick like a tree stump), then I think he should take this. Siver has shown legitimate finishing power in a heavier division, so you have to think that can only carry over better at a lower class. I like Siver to land a couple of his patented spinning back kicks to drop Nunes. Siver by decision.

DJ Mark with a “K”: Siver is making his debut at 145 and it’s probably a smart move for him and the UFC. However, Nunes isn’t the easiest fight to test the waters at this new weight. I was tempted to pick Siver as the upset here but I just don’t see it happening. Nunes by decision.

Lavender Gooms: I couldn’t decide who I thought would win so I flipped a coin as to who would win this fight. What I am certain of is this fight will be fast and entertaining. Siver by TKO in 3rd.

Picking Siver: Kid P, Gooms
Picking Nunes: Dr. Law, DJ Mark

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DaMarques Johnson v. John Maguire

Doctor Law: How is this fight on the main card? Seriously, I must be missing something here. DaMarques is a good fighter and all, but he’s very much a journeyman. Also, why is he an underdog to Maguire? What I’m really asking, I guess, is did I miss the memo on who John Maguire is? Maybe it's the Ultimo Dragon-like number of belts he has in this picture on the right. Anyways, DaMarques tends not to have boring fights, so this should at least be a decent fight. I’m going with him. DaMarques by decision.

Kid Presentable: Johnson was a participant on a TUF season I did not watch. Maguire is an English fighter who has no notable wins to this date. I really have no idea why this is a main card fight. That's probably why this fight could just end up being a great boxing match cause I have no expectations for either of these guys. Johnson by KO in the first. When you don't care, may as well hope for something spectacular right?

DJ Mark with a “K”: Well this is the easiest fight to pick for me. I got Johnson here; Maguire seems to be one of those regional fighters that the UFC signs up to fight when they have cards in Europe. Johnson by some type of choke 2nd round

Lavender Gooms: Neither of these fighters is very well rounded and each of their weaknesses. I think Maguire has the better ability to dictate where the fight takes place. These guys don’t set my world on fire, and neither will the decision I bet Maguire will win. Maguire by decision.

Picking Johnson: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark
Picking Maguire: Gooms

Brad Pickett v. Damacio Page

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Doctor Law: Brad Pickett made me a fan for life when he came out dress like Brad Pitt’s character from Snatch in his last fight. He’s also a very good fighter and probably has bantamweight title shot in his future. Damacio Page is a good test for him, but ultimately Pickett should be able to put him away. I’m thinking submission. Pickett by submission in the 3rd round.

Kid Presentable: One punch Pickett for the win. Sure he got styled on by Barao in his last fight, but that dude is aiming for the top anyways. Any guy who comes out with the newsy cap, wife beater, and suspenders, all while reading a newspaper is A-Ok in my books. Page always has power in his hands, but Pickett should be technically better enough to take this. Pickett by 2nd round TKO.

DJ Mark with a “K”: I’ve never been a huge believer in Damacio Page, it’s not that he’s a bad fighter or that he doesn’t belong in the UFC ranks, he just never seemed like more than a mid tier fighter to me. Pickett, on the other hand, is a top contender and he should win this fight. Pickett by Decision.

Lavender Gooms: Damacio Page has lost his last two fights by guillotine. Page has suspect submission defense. Picket is pretty good on the ground. Page might have a problem. Pickett by submission in 2nd round.

Picking Pickett: Dr. Law, Kid P, DJ Mark, Gooms
Picking Page: