UFC on FUEL: Full Card Predictions

For the first time in UFC history, FUEL TV will host a fight night main card. Headlining are dangerous welterweights Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger, who look to take one step closer to a title shot.

Though a lack of "star power" on the entire card, there are many intriguing bouts on the card, including a heavyweight tilt in the co-main event, a TUF winner on the undercard and numerous prospects making their debuts.

Let's take a closer look at the fights we will see live, this Wednesday, on Facebook and FUEL TV.

Bernardo Magalhaes vs. Tim Means

We kick off the card in the lightweight division, when newcomers Bernardo Magalhaes and Tim Means square off.

Means is a late replacement, as Magalhaes's original opponent, Yoislandy Izquierdo, dropped off the card due to contractual issues.

Means is a long time veteran of the King of the Cage promotion, where he was the lightweight champion. Means holds a record of 16-3, with most of his victories coming by way of knockout.

Magalhaes, on the other hand, is 11-1. A talented grappler, most of his wins are by decision. Expect for him to get Means to the ground and attempt a submission victory.

Prediction: Magalhaes def. Means via unanimous decision

Anton Kuivanen vs. Justin Salas

Another pair of lightweights make their debuts in the next bout of the night, as Finland's Anton Kuivanen takes on Justin Salas.

Salas is a late replacement, taking the bout on short notice for CJ Keith, who dropped out due to his father's house burning down.

Salas is 9-3, with an equal amount of victories coming by submission, knockout, and decision. Salas is well rounded, training out of Grudge Training Center in Colorado. He holds a notable victory over Joe Ellenberger, Jake Ellenberger's brother.

Kuivanen is another well-rounded fighter, holding a record of 16-4. Although just a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Kuivanen holds eight victories by way of submission.

Prediction: Kuivanen def. Salas via submission (rear-naked choke)

Buddy Roberts vs. Sean Loeffler

A pair of newcomers in the middleweight division square off next as Jackson MMA product Buddy Roberts takes on Bellator veteran Sean Loeffler.

Roberts holds an 11-2 record, with his latest victory over respected veteran Tony Lopez. Roberts has a solid ground game to go with decent striking.

Loeffler, on the other hand, is 25-5 in his career, boasting lethal striking and a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Loeffler is comfortable fighting anywhere, which could be a big advantage in this fight.

Prediction: Roberts def. Loeffler via unanimous decision, sticking to Greg Jackson's gameplan in a somewhat boring fight.

Jonathan Brookins vs. Vagner Rocha

In the only featherweight bout of the night, Vagner Rocha steps in on replacement duty to fight The Ultimate Fighter champion Jonathan Brooks.

Rocha drops to the featherweight division, after 1-1 run as a lightweight. In his latest fight, Rocha choked out fan favorite Cody McKenzie via rear-naked choke. Rocha has limited stand up skills, using his outstanding grappling skills to control fights.

Brookins has a good deal of experience, holding a 12-4 record. He has fought the likes of Erik Koch, Michael Johnson and Jose Aldo. Brookins, himself, is a submission artist, having eight wins by submission. He will probably opt to standing with Rocha, should he want a better chance to win.

Prediction: Brookins def. Rocha via unanimous decision

Ivan Menjivar vs. John Albert

We then head to the bantamweight division where longtime veteran Ivan Menjivar takes on Ultimate Fighter veteran John Albert.

Albert trains with Dennis Hallman, so it is obvious Albert has tremendous grappling ability. He also possesses lots of power in his hands, so it goes to show Albert is well rounded.

Menjivar is a true veteran of the sport, having a 23-8 record and fighting since 2001. Menjivar has fought top level opponents, including Georges St. Pierre, Matt Serra and Urijah Faber. He has won both of his UFC fights since coming over from the WEC.

Prediction: Menjivar def. Albert via unanimous decision

TJ Dillashaw vs. Walel Watson

We kick off the main card in the bantamweight division, pairing Walel Watson against Ultimate Fighter runner up TJ Dillashaw.

Watson is a very tall and lengthy bantamweight, standing at 5'11". He has split his UFC fights so far, knocking out Joseph Sandoval and dropping a close decision to Yves Jabouin. Watson has good striking to compliment his solid submission skills.

Dillashaw is a great wrestler with improved striking. Dillashaw is 4-1, with his only loss coming to John Dodson in The Ultimate Fighter Finale in December. He trains with Team Alpha Male among the likes of Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez, so you know he is training with the best.

Prediction: Dillashaw def. Watson via TKO, after a rough first round trying to find his range.

Stipe Miocic vs. Phil De Fries

A pair of heavyweight prospects collide, when the UK's Phil De Fries takes on Stipe Miocic.

De Fries has shown a good ground game in his UFC debut victory over Rob Broughton. De Fries is undefeated in his career, holding eight victories (seven by submission). He will need to bring his "A" game if he wished to defeat the talented Stipe Miocic.

Miocic is well versed in all aspects of the sport, having great striking skills, a good wrestling background and solid takedown defense. He battered Joey Beltran in his UFC debut, taking a unanimous decision victory.

Prediction: Miocic def. De Fries via knockout

Aaron Simpson vs. Ronny Markes

Aaron Simpson and Ronny Markes square off in an intriguing middleweight bout between two solid fighters.

Simpson is 11-2 in his career and is currently on a three fight win streak, following his only two losses in his career. Simpson has shown his impressive wrestling skills and developing striking in all of his fights. In his latest fight, he destroyed Eric Schaefer with heavy punches.

Markes makes his middleweight debut after taking a victory in the light heavyweight division over Karlos Vemola in his promotional debut. Markes beat Vemola at his own game, using superior wrestling to control the fight. Markes has a great ground game, using good submissions in combination with heavy ground-and-pound.

Prediction: Markes def. Simpson via unanimous decision

Stefan Struve vs. Dave Herman

We head to the co-main event of the evening, putting heavyweights Dave Herman and Stefan Struve up against one another.

Stefan Struve recovered from a devastating knockout loss to Travis Browne in his last bout by defeating Pat Barry by submission. At 23 years of age, Struve already has a record of 22-5. He has great submissions to go along with his massive 6'11" frame.

Herman is a very underrated heavyweight, holding a 21-2 record (one of the losses is by disqualification). Herman has effective stand up skills with a solid wrestling background. In his last bout, he put on a "Fight of the Night" performance in his victory over John-Olav Einemo.

Prediction: Herman def. Struve via TKO

Jake Ellenberger vs. Diego Sanchez

This brings us to the main event of the evening. A welterweight bout with possible title implications, Jake Ellenberger takes a five-fight winning streak against longtime UFC veteran Diego Sanchez.

Sanchez has found some resurgence since returning to the welterweight division, winning his last two fights against Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann. Diego is aggressive and hard to put away, a hard combination for any fighter to deal with.

Ellenberger comes into this fight with a great deal of hype behind him, following a devastating knockout victory over Jake Shields. He has solid wrestling to go along with dynamite in his hands. Ellenberger has 17 victories by knockout, providing evidence of his power.

Prediction: Ellenberger def. Sanchez via unanimous decision

Fight Night Bonuses

Fight of the Night: Jake Ellenberger vs. Diego Sanchez

Submission of the Night: Anton Kuivanen

Knockout of the Night: Dave Herman