Johnson vs Dodson: Preview, Odds and Predictions for UFC on Fox 6

Demetrious Johnson defends the UFC Flyweight Championship in the main event of UFC on FOX against John Dodson. The two quick 125-pounders will try and showcase all the talents of the division in an exciting fight.

The co-main event of the evening features Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in his final UFC fight. He will battle with the dangerous Glover Teixeira.

Nine other fights will come to you from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This is a card that will get you off your feet.

This is your preview for the sixth installment of UFC on FOX.

Simeon Thoresen vs. David Mitchell

Simeon Thoresen (17-3-1) tries to get over .500 in his UFC career as he takes on David Mitchell (11-2).

Mitchell has dropped both of his UFC fights by decision and will have his back against the wall. One more loss, and he could very well get the pink slip and be sent back to the regional ranks.

The lone Facebook preliminary fight will be an interesting fight, but will probably lack in the excitement department.

Thoresen is probably just a bit better than Mitchell.

Betting Odds: None available.

Prediction: Thoresen defeats Mitchell by unanimous decision.

Rafael Natal vs. Sean Spencer

Rafael Natal (14-4-1) returns to the Octagon for the sixth time and will welcome UFC newcomer Sean Spencer (9-1) to the bright lights of the show.

Natal was winning his last outing until Andrew Craig came on late and knocked him out with a head kick. He will try not to repeat the experience this time.

Spencer takes a big step up in competition. His performance will have to answer a lot of questions, as the talent pool in the UFC continues to grow.

It is a tall task to enter the UFC against anyone, but to debut against Natal may prove to be too much for Spencer.

Betting Odds: None available.

Prediction: Natal defeats Spencer by unanimous decision.

Mike Stumpf vs. Pascal Krauss

Mike Stumpf (11-3) gets a second crack inside the Octagon as he gets set to take on Pascal Krauss (10-1).

Stumpf tapped out to a triangle choke from TJ Waldburger in his last outing, and Krauss dropped a decision to welterweight prospect John Hathaway.

On paper, this fight looks like a prime opportunity for Krauss to return with a win. Stumpf will have an uphill battle in this fight, and I don't think he can make the climb.

Betting Odds: None available.

Prediction: Krauss defeats Stumpf by TKO in the second round.

Mike Russow vs. Shawn Jordan

Heavyweight action will be seen on the UFC on FOX card as Mike Russow (15-2, 1 NC) tries to get back on the winning track against Shawn Jordan (13-4).

Russow was on an 11-fight win streak before running in to Fabricio Werdum in Brazil. The deep end of the heavyweight talent pool was no place for Russow, and he was finished in the first round.

Jordan was tasked with Cheick Kongo in his second UFC fight. A fight without much excitement saw him level his UFC record at 1-1.

This fight could go either way. Russow, in his hometown, is more likely to submit Jordan, but the former LSU Tiger has big power. I feel Jordan will be able to use his heavy hands to finish off Russow in front of his friends and family.

Betting Odds: None available.

Prediction: Jordan defeats Russow by TKO in the first round.

Ryan Bader vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Ryan Bader (14-3) and Vladimir Matyushenko (26-6) are both coming off losses in their previous outings, and will square off on the FX preliminary card.

Matyushenko was no match for Alexander Gustafsson, and Bader was unable to muster anything against Lyoto Machida. Both men had awful performances the last time we saw them.

This is a fight tailor-made to put Bader back on the right track. He will be in no danger of being taken down by Matyushenko and will have the striking advantage as well. He should be a heavy favorite, and an easy pick to walk away with a win.

Betting Odds: None available.

Prediction: Bader defeats Matyushenko by TKO in the first round.

Clay Guida vs. Hatsu Hioki

Clay Guida (29-13) drops to featherweight division after losing his previous two bouts at 155 pounds. Awaiting him on the other side of the Octagon will be Hatsu Hioki (26-5-2).

The biggest question mark of the fight is what Guida will we see. A relentless, fearless Guida who will throw down or the Guida we saw against Gray Maynard, with constant movement but no offense.

We also don't know what Hioki we will see.

This could be a great debut for Guida in the featherweight division, but it is hard to say how he will look in his first weight cut against one of the top fighters in the division. Hioki's ground game will also make it difficult for the American.

Betting Odds: None available.

Prediction: Hioki defeats Guida via submission (rear-naked choke) in the third round.

TJ Grant vs. Matt Wiman

T.J. Grant (19-5) will try to extend his lightweight winning streak against the tough Matt Wiman (15-6) in the FX preliminary main event.

Grant is 3-0 since dropping to 155 pounds and took a decision against former top prospect Evan Dunham in his last outing inside the cage.

Wiman has won five of his last six inside the Octagon. He shocked many with a submission victory over Paul Sass .

This is a significant fight in the lightweight division, and the winner should earn a bigger fight later in 2013. Wiman is not an easy out and could topple Grant on his feet or on the mat. However, Grant has simply looked too good to pick against in this match.

Betting Odds: Grant (-115) against Wiman (-105) at www.bovada.lv.

Prediction: Grant defeats Wiman by unanimous decision.

Erik Koch vs. Ricardo Lamas

The featherweight clash between Erik Koch (13-1) and Ricardo Lamas (12-2) will likely determine the No. 1 contender.

Koch is on a four-fight win streak, but has been away from the Octagon since September of 2011. Returning in such a high-profile bout is a big test for the young 145-pounder.

Lamas has put together three straight wins and continues to look better and better as he flies under the radar of most. His recent opponents that he has defeated, such as Hatsu Hioki and Cub Swanson, get more press than he does. That will change with a win on Saturday.

Koch is likely the more talented fighter, but I have a hard time picking him coming off injuries against a grinder like Lamas. Koch's best bet is to hurt Lamas early and finish the fight. I just don't think he will be able to do that.

Betting Odds: Koch (-155) against Lamas (+135) at www.bovada.lv.

Prediction: Lamas defeats Koch by unanimous decision.

Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone

Anthony Pettis (15-2) and Donald Cerrone (19-4, 1 NC) meet in one of the most anticipated bouts of 2013 live and free on FOX.

Pettis has put together back-to-back wins since dropping his UFC debut against Clay Guida. He put on an emphatic performance against Joe Lauzon last February, but has not been back in action since.

Cerrone fought twice in 2012 and came away with two victories.

Now the two WEC veterans find themselves in what could be a title eliminator.

This will be a barn-burner and likely the fight of the night. Cerrone will likely enter with a game plan where he uses his length to avoid Pettis' creative strikes. That will be the determining factor in this fight. If Cerrone can keep his distance, he will win. I think that happens.

Betting Odds: Pettis (-115) against Cerrone (-105) at www.bovada.lv.

Prediction: Cerrone defeats Pettis by unanimous decision.

Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (32-10) makes his final trip to the Octagon against one of the most feared light heavyweights in the game today, Glover Teixeira (19-2).

The frustrated Rampage has dropped his last two fights in the UFC. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones choked out Rampage, and Ryan Bader bested him on the judges' scorecards.

Teixeira has been ruthless in his two trips inside the Octagon. Kyle Kingsbury and Fabio Maldonado had nothing to offer him. Rampage is a big step up from those two.

If the fight remains on the feet, Rampage has ample opportunity to put Teixeira to sleep. No one should look past Rampage. However, Teixeira has heavy hands of his own, but will likely look to put Rampage down.

If Teixeira puts the fight on the mat, this fight is over. He will pummel Rampage, or soften him up for the submission. Rampage must keep this fight standing. He will not be able to.

Betting Odds: Teixeira (-315) against Jackson (+265) at www.bovada.lv.

Prediction: Teixeira defeats Jackson by TKO in the second round.

UFC Flyweight Championship: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson

UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson (16-2-1) defends his title for the first time against heavy-handed John Dodson (14-5).

Johnson took care of business in the flyweight tournament, and looked fantastic against Joseph Benavidez in the finals to earn the title. Dodson offers a different kind of challenge for Johnson.

Dodson won The Ultimate Fighter and then dropped to flyweight, where he has gone 2-0 to earn his title shot.

This will be an interesting fight from a tactical perspective. What will each of their game plans be as they enter the title fight? That will decide who comes out on top, as the two are evenly matched.

Johnson will need to mix up his striking and wrestling, and he is one of the very best at doing so. If he gets caught up in a striking exchange with Dodson he could be staring at the lights. Dodson needs to find a way to get Johnson on his back.

Both fighters are quick, but in a different way. I believe that makes the difference in this fight. Dodson is more explosive, and over the long haul that will wear on him. He will slow down first. Johnson takes advantage in the championship rounds.

Betting Odds: Johnson (-220) against Dodson (+190) at www.bovada.lv.

Prediction: Johnson defeats Dodson via submission (rear-naked choke) in the fourth round.