UFC on Fuel 8: Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

The UFC is back in Japan this weekend, with UFC on Fuel coming to the Saitama Super Arena. This arena is home to many Pride events, which many hardcore fans should hold close to their hearts.

Headlining will be Wanderlei Silva and Brian Stann, both of whom step up to light heavyweight to take this fight. Both are regulars at middleweight, which makes this sort of a "superfight" per se. 

Here are some predictions you can take to the bank on the main card.

Dong Hyun Kim Smothers Siyar Bahadurzada in "Boring" Fight

Dong Hyun Kim is a judo ace and great top-game grappler. That is usually the key to victory when the South Korean fights.

At UFC on Fuel 8, Kim will take on a vicious striker by the name of Siyar Bahadurzada. He has had just one fight in the UFC, but it was a quick knockout over respected veteran Paulo Thiago that left MMA fans cringing from the pain dished out. 

Kim is not going to want to play the striking game with Bahadurzada, so expect him to go for the takedown early and often. This will lead to an uneventful grappling affair in which Kim earns a unanimous nod.

Hirota Outpoints Yahya in an Interesting Affair

There are few submission artists in the UFC's featherweight division that are as dangerous as Rani Yahya. The BJJ black belt has 15 wins by submission in his career, which is a testament to his high-level grappling abilities.

However, Mizuto Hirota is a seasoned veteran who has fought his fair share of ground fighters. His latest outing saw him lose a questionable decision against Pat Healy, who is known for his grinding styles and takedowns.

I don't know if Yahya will be able to get Hirota down in this one. Hirota will sprawl and brawl en route to a decision victory on home soil. 

Lombard Blasts Okami, Re-Enters Title Contention

Yushin Okami is one of the best Japanese fighters of all time, but his striking defense has been exploited in the past.

Enter Hector Lombard.

Lombard has Olympic judo credentials that allow him to shake off takedowns. This allows him to utilize his jaw-rattling power on the feet which has seen him finish many an opponent.

Expect Lombard to shake off Okami's takedowns throughout the fight and eventually knock the Japanese star's head off. It will move him one step closer to a title shot. 

Gomi and Sanchez Put on a Fight of the Night Performance

Bravo Joe Silva. Bravo. You have put together a fight of the night, in theory.

Diego Sanchez is always entertaining, with his aggressive, throw-caution-to-the-wind style. He is a great top-game grappler, but he is always willing to slug it out on the feet no matter who he faces.

Takanori Gomi is a power puncher who can end the fight with just one strike. 

If and when these two engage on the feet, it will be a wildly exciting throwdown. 

Hunt Halts Struve Winning Streak with Haymaker

Mark Hunt looks like a TV repairman but hits like a freight train. The amount of power he can generate is almost sickening when he strikes.

The short, stout heavyweight meets 6'11" Dutchman Stefan Struve, who happens to be on a tear as of late. His height can be easily exposed to one of Hunt's massive overhands.

Hunt will touch Struve's chin at some point and have him dreaming of better times. When he wakes up, Hunt will have been declared the victor. 

Stann Retires Silva with a Bomb to the Chin

All it takes is one huge punch to end someone's night. Unfortunately for Wanderlei Silva, that has been the case too much this late in his career.

Silva happens to be taking on a knockout artist in Brian Stann. There isn't much fancy about his striking, but if he touches your beard, it is likely you will be taking a nap.

That is what I think will happen. Silva's aggressive style will come back to haunt him, as Stann blasts his noggin and ends "The Axe Murderer."

That may be all she wrote for ole Wandy.