Date: Nov 10, 2012
Location: Macau
Venue: CotaiArena, Venetian Macau Resort Hotel
Broadcast: FUEL TV and Facebook
MAIN CARD (FUEL TV, 9 a.m. ET)
Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le-
Originally I thought Cung was a good play as an underdog here because it is a fight that would normally be tailored to Cung's skill set. But after hearing the interview with Ariel Helwani it appears that Cung is not coming into this fight 100%. A foot injury like the one Cung has takes away some of the dynamic striking that is the norm for him. This leave the door open for Franklin to take control and finish Cung in round 2.
Franklin TKO round 2
Stanislav Nedkov vs. Thiago Silva-
This should be a good fight in which Silva will likely try to get this fight to the ground where he holds the biggest advantage. Nedkov will try to turn this fight into a brawl. Silva should be technical enough to avoid Nedkov's big looping haymakers and exploit Nedkov's weaknesses in route to a TKO finish.
Silva via TKO round 2
Dong Hyum Kim vs. Paulo Thiago-
Kim should be able to take the upper hand in the ground game and do enough in the stand up to edge out a decision victory in the contest.
Kim via UD
Mac Danzig vs. Takanori Gomi-
Gomi will likely be looking to try to land a big bomb from the opening bell. Danzig will most likely clinch up and force Gomi to use his minimal cardio to muscle around grappling. After a round of doing so Gomi will start to wear out and Danzig will lock in a submission early in round 2
Danzig via sub round 2
Jon Tuck vs. Tiequan Zhang-
Most casual fans have not heard of Jon Tuck but after Saturday he will be on a lot of people's radar. The crowd should be going crazy for Zhang since he is the only homeland fighter but Tuck holds an advantage everywhere in this fight I can see Zhang holding on enough to have this fight go the distance but I think Tuck winning via KO is more likely, either way Tuck wins.
Tuck via KO round 1
Jeff Hougland vs. Takeya Mizugaki-
As long as Mizugaki can stay out of trouble on the ground he should have no problem earning a decision victory here.
Mizugaki via Dec
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook, 7:15 a.m. ET)
Alex Caceres vs. Motonobu Tezuka-
This is a fight that I'm not confident on partly because there are so many question marks surrounding each fighters recently faced competition. I personally am going to side with Tezuka based off the fact that I am not convinced Caceres is a good fight.
Tezuka via Dec
John Lineker vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani-
Lineker is by far the heavier puncher so he will be looking to land the big blow from the opening bell while Urushitani will be using a more technical approach. Lineker should eventually catch him and put Urushitani away late in round 2 or early round 3
Lineker via KO early round 3
Tom DeBlass vs. Riki Fukuda-
DeBlass is a pretty good grappler but he lacks the cardio to deal with the likes of Fukuda. Fukuda should push the pace and wear out DeBlass en route to a decision victory.
Fukada via Dec
David Mitchell vs. Hyun Gyu Lim-
Lim is the far superior striker and should be able to put this fight away early. I look for Lim to earn the KO victory within the first few minutes.
Lim via KO round 1
