UFC on Fuel 2: Full Card Analysis and Predictions

This weekend, the UFC comes live from Sweden on Fuel TV. Headlined by Swedish star Alexander Gustafsson and savage Brazilian Thiago Silva, it is sure to be a historic night for Swedish fans.

In the co-main event, Brian Stann and Alessio Sakara square off in what is sure to be an exciting striking affair. Stann is an American hero for his work with the United States Marines, which has earned him a wide fan base. Sakara is an Italian striker, who has run into a string of injuries coming into this fight.

Let's take a closer look at this card, which will take place Saturday during the late morning and early afternoon. 

Jason Young vs. Eric Wisely

The first fight of the night takes place in the featherweight division, as Eric Wisely takes on Jason Young.

Hailing from the UK, Jason Young finds himself with his back against the wall. The 8-5 striker has been unsuccessful thus far in his UFC career, dropping his first two fights in the promotion by decision to Dustin Poirier and Michihiro Omigawa. He has shown some promise though, which may have prompted his third chance for victory.

A veteran of Strikeforce, Eric Wisely finds himself in a similar position. In his first UFC appearance, Wisely stepped up on late notice to fight Charles Oliveira. He found himself tapping out to a calf slicer, a submission hold rarely seen in mixed martial arts. Wisely has fought very good competition, which could give him an advantage.

Prediction: My heart says Young; my head says Wisely. I will say Young wins by decision.

Simeon Thoresen vs. Besam Yousef

Next up, local fighters make their respective UFC debuts, as Norway's Simeon Thoresen battles Sweden's own Besam Yousef.

Simeon Thoresen is a very promising prospect, holding a 16-2-1 record. He trains under Joachim Hansen, a respected veteran of the sport. Thoresen is a beast on the ground, winning 14 times by submission. He even holds a win over UFC veteran John Maguire.

Besam Yousef is 6-0, but if you look closer at his record, it is not nearly as impressive. He has yet to win over a competitor with over a .500 win percentage. Yousef will find himself with his hands full, as Thoresen is much better competition than he has ever seen.

Prediction: Thoresen def. Yousef via submission.

Reza Madadi vs. Yoislandy Izquierdo

The next bout is in the lightweight division, as local favorite Reza Madadi takes on Yoislandy Izquierdo.

Reza Madadi was set to make his debut earlier this year but pulled out due to injury. The 11-2 Swede has not lost since 2008. Since that time, Madadi has beat UFC veterans Junie Browning, Carlo Prater and Rich Clementi. He is a solid all-around competitor, possessing strong submission and striking abilities.

Yoislandy Izquierdo was also set to make his debut earlier this year, but contractual problems held him from fighting. Izquierdo is undefeated at 6-0, finishing four of his opponents. Izquierdo has solid hands and a developing submission game, which could surprise many fans.

Prediction: Madadi def. Izquierdo via submission.

Francis Carmont vs. Magnus Cedenblad

The next bout takes place in the middleweight division, as France's Francis Carmont takes on debuting Swede Magnus Cedenblad.

Francis Carmont made his UFC debut in his latest bout, dominating Chris Camozzi en route to a decision. The 17-7 Frenchman has improved since moving to Tristar Gym in Montreal, training among the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald. He has shown great striking and a solid takedown game.

Magnus Cedenblad will be making his debut, but holds a 10-3 record. He has not lost since 2009, and since then has finished all but one of his opponents. He has a dangerous all-around game, as his submission game has developed vastly since his debut.

Prediction: Carmont def. Cedenblad via knockout.

Cyrille Diabate vs. Tom DeBlass

In a light heavyweight bout, French striker Cyrille Diabate takes on late replacement Tom DeBlass.

Cyrille Diabate has traded wins and losses thus far in his UFC career, gaining victories over Luiz Cane and Steve Cantwell but falling to Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony Perosh. The 17-8-1 Muay Thai machine may be fighting for his job here, as the light heavyweight division is a dog-eat-dog world. 

Tom DeBlass makes his debut on very short notice, stepping in for Swedish striker Jorgen Kruth. DeBlass was actually a fighter I called for the UFC to sign during my "Prospects" series last week. 

DeBlass is a big, strong light heavyweight who is under the tutelage of Ricardo Almeida. He has a strong ground game, which could play into the weakness of Diabate.

Prediction: DeBlass def. Diabate via submission or ground-and-pound stoppage. 

Papy Abedi vs. James Head

The final undercard bout of the night sees Papy Abedi and James Head square off in a welterweight confrontation.

Papy Abedi was unsuccessful in his UFC debut, falling to Thiago Alves by submission. Before that, Abedi had won all eight of his fights. Abedi has heavy hands and a grappling background to round out his game. He will be the local favorite, which could help as well.

James Head will be making his welterweight debut, after dropping his UFC debut in the middleweight division. A primary grappler, Head holds a notable victory over UFC veteran Gerald Harris. Head's best chance to win is on the ground, as he has a solid top game.

Prediction: Abedi def. Head via knockout.

Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page

In the first main card bout of the night, bantamweights Brad Pickett and Damacio Page will meet to see who the better man is.

Englishman Brad Pickett enjoyed a 3-1 stint in the WEC but was unsuccessful in his UFC debut against Renan Barao. Looking to get back on track, the 20-6 Pickett has submitted nine foes and knocked out six. This fight is crucial if he wishes to stay in the upper echelon of the bantamweight division.

Damacio Page's back is against the wall here, as he has lost his previous two fights. In his UFC debut, he was choked out by Brian Bowles. He has a 2-2 run in the WEC, winning against Marcos Galvao and Will Campuzano. His biggest weakness is submission defense, so this may be his fight to lose.

Prediction: Pickett def. Page via submission.

DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire

The next bout is in the welterweight division; DaMarques Johnson meets John Maguire in an interesting affair.

DaMarques Johnson has shuffled wins and losses in his last five fights. In that time, Johnson has beat Clay Harvison, Mike Guymon and Brad Blackburn but has been finished by Amir Sadollah and Matt Riddle. Johnson is a finisher, using an aggressive style that has only seen the judge's scorecards three times in 25 fights.

John Maguire made his UFC debut in his last fight, using a dominant ground game to decision Justin Edwards. The 17-3 Englishman is extremely underrated, making this bout an interesting matchup. 

Prediction: Maguire def. Johnson via submission.

Dennis Siver vs. Diego Nunes

The next bout is one of the most intriguing of the night, as Brazilian Diego Nunes meets German Dennis Siver.

Dennis Siver is making his debut at featherweight, following 13 fights in the UFC as a lightweight. Siver was on a four-fight win streak before falling to Donald Cerrone in his last fight. Siver is a dangerous kickboxer with underrated submission ability. He will obviously be the bigger of the two fighters.

Diego Nunes may be one of the most underrated featherweights in the UFC today. In three fights with the UFC, Nunes has beat Mike Brown and Manny Gamburyan, while falling to eventual title contender Kenny Florian. Nunes will be smaller than Siver but is probably more well-rounded.

Prediction: Nunes def. Siver via decision.

Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada

Next up is a welterweight confrontation that sees Paulo Thiago take on newcomer Siyar Bahadurzada.

Paulo Thiago is criminally underrated, going 4-3 in his UFC tenure. His only losses are to Jon Fitch, Martin Kampmann and Diego Sanchez. In his latest outing, Thiago beat David Mitchell by unanimous decision in Brazil. Thiago is a wizard on the ground, holding phenomenal submission skills.

Siyar Bahadurzada is set to finally make his awaited debut, as he was supposed to debut in January. Bahadurzada is very well-rounded, but his striking is the thing to look for. He is currently on a six fight surge, beating the likes of John Alessio and Derrick Noble.

Prediction: Thiago def. Bahadurzada via decision.

Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara

In the co-main event of the afternoon, Brian Stann will meet Alessio Sakara in a heavily-anticipated middleweight slugfest.

Brian Stann was the hottest thing in the middleweight division going into his last fight against Chael Sonnen, which saw him fall via submission. The 11-4 Marine has lethal hands, as showcased in recent outings against Jorge Santiago and Chris Leben. He will have a challenge ahead with Alessio Sakara.

Alessio Sakara is a former professional boxer with an MMA record of 15-9 (1 NC). He has not fought in over a year, which saw him lose to Chris Weidman. He should get a striking battle here, so it will be a matter of who lands the big shot first.

Prediction: Stann def. Sakara via knockout.

Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva

In the main event of the afternoon, Sweden's own Alexander Gustafsson takes on Thiago Silva, who is coming back from suspension.

Gustafsson has quickly become the hottest light heavyweight prospect in the UFC, winning his last four fights by knockout or submission. In that time, he submitted James Te Huna and Cyrille Diabate, while knocking out Matt Hamill and Vladimir Matyushenko. He is very well-rounded but will face a man who is hungry to get back in the cage.

Thiago Silva has not fought since January of last year, where he fought a no-contest due to a drug test failure. Now back on track, Silva looks to make up for lost time. He is 1-2 (1 NC) in his last four fights, as he has taken a step up in competition. He has lost to Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans but has knocked out Keith Jardine in that time.

Prediction: Silva def. Gustafsson via late knockout or decision.