TUF Nations Finale: Preliminary-Card Predictions

The UFC is hitting a good, meaty part of its schedule now, as it hosts two events this week alone. The first is The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia finale, which features a main event between middleweight nemeses Michael Bisping and Tim Kennedy.

This event will also crown two new TUF winners, both of which will be represented by Canada. These fighters were coached by Patrick Cote, who will also square off in the co-main event of the night against Australia coach Kyle Noke.

Before all that, we explore the preliminary card. We had a nice bounceback courtesy of Abu Dhabi, but my record is still too close to .500 for comfort.

With that, let's explore the preliminary card and make some predictions on the fights.

Riley's 2014 Record: 36-28

Last Event: UFC Fight Night 39 (3-0) (1 NC)

Mitch Gagnon vs. Tim Gorman

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Kicking off the prelims will be a pair of exciting bantamweights, as Canadian prospect Mitch Gagnon takes on TUF 18 veteran Tim Gorman.

Gagnon is a submission specialist who has looked incredibly impressive since since entering the UFC. After dropping a barnburner to Bryan Caraway in his debut, the Canadian choked out Walel Watson and Dustin Kimura in the first round of both of those fights.

He is very dangerous on the ground, as most of his 10 wins have come by way of tapout. He is aggressive on his feet as well, which allows him to hurt and pounce on his opponents quickly.

Gorman is best known for making the TUF 18 cast, but leaving due to injury after fighting to get into the house. The wrestler dominated Lee Sandmeier to get into the house, destroying his opponent despite a severely injured hamstring.

Gorman is a tough customer and needs to secure the takedown early. That will stifle Gagnon's offense. However, Gagnon is tough all around and will outhustle a game Gorman to an impressive submission win.

Prediction: Gagnon defeats Gorman via submission.

Richard Walsh vs. Chris Indich

A pair of Australians who had nice showings in the welterweight tournament are set to meet, as semifinalist Richard Walsh takes on Chris Indich, a man who left it all in the cage in his only bout on the show.

Walsh is a grinder who showed solid striking and good ground control during the show. He defeated Matthew Desroches in relatively easy fashion in the quarterfinals, but subsequently was choked out by finalist Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the semifinals.

Indich is a banger as well, though the show highlighted that he is a jiu-jitsu fighter with good ground skills. We were unable to see that in action, as he was sprawled-and-brawled by finalist Chad Laprise in the quarterfinals, despite showing a great chin and toughness.

Indich will need to strike at a distance and stay away from the clinch and fencework of Walsh. However, Walsh is great at imposing his will. He will push Indich around with his physical strength and grind him out like he normally does.

Prediction: Walsh defeats Indich via decision.

Nordine Taleb vs. Vik Grujic

Two middleweights who competed on the season are set to get a second chance at a UFC contract, as Team Canada's Nordine Taleb takes on Team Australia's Vik Grujic, who was a semifinalist on the show.

Taleb is a Tristar Gym representative who was considered a favorite at the beginning of the season. However, after a three-round barnburner, Taleb was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Tyler Manawaroa. The striker will look to bang on the feet, as he is technical with his kicks and punches.

Grujic looked to be a solid ground fighter in his time on the show, as showcased in his slam and brutal knockout of Luke Harris in the quarterfinals. However, he was miraculously choked out by Sheldon Westcott while searching for a guillotine choke via modified Von Flue choke.

On the feet, Taleb definitely has the advantage. He will need to stay out of the shooting distance of Grujic, who will likely be looking for a way to get this to the mat. Grujic is tough, but Taleb has been around the block and faced some tougher guys.

Prediction: Taleb defeats Grujic via decision.

Mark Bocek vs. Mike De La Torre

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Up next are the lightweights, as Canadian Mark Bocek makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon against newcomer Mike de la Torre. Bocek's original opponent was Evan Dunham; however a late injury forced him out of the bout and up stepped de la Torre, normally a featherweight.

Bocek hasn't been seen since November 2012, when he was outgunned by Rafael dos Anjos. Injuries have slowed him down recently, but Bocek comes back well rested and hopefully without ring rust. He is a ground fighter with great positional skills and a solid submission base.

As for de la Torre, he gets this assignment on roughly a week's notice at a weight class above his normal division. Half of his wins come via submission, but he would be wise to keep this fight standing against Bocek, as that may be his only option.

If de la Torre wishes to continue his winning streak, he must look for the knockout on the feet. However, Bocek is very good at closing distance and putting opponents on their back. That's why Bocek will snag the win against a valiant opponent who stepped up at close to zero hour.

Prediction: Bocek defeats de la Torre via submission.

George Roop vs. Dustin Kimura

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We move on to the bantamweight division, as the tall and lanky George Roop battles Hawaiian Dustin Kimura. 

Roop is a scarecrow at 135 pounds, as the 6'1" striker usually uses his range and reach effectively. He has underrated power in his hands, as showcased in drubbings of Josh Grispi and Brian Bowles. He is also solid on the ground, though a battle on the feet would be preferable against Kimura.

Kimura is a jiu-jitsu fighter through and through, though he showed against Jon Delos Reyes that he can strike a bit. Both UFC wins have come via impressive grappling, choking out Chico Camus and taking home Delos Reyes' arm in his 2-1 run.

Roop has been around the block and fought some tough fighters. He is also a physical challenge to any man at 135. That being said, I like Kimura's potential and I think he can break out in this fight with a nice flow of grappling and position.

Prediction: Kimura defeats Roop via decision.

Ryan Jimmo vs. Sean O'Connell

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The light heavyweights are next to the forefront, as newcomer Sean O'Connell steps up on short notice to battle Canadian grinder Ryan Jimmo. O'Connell got the call for Steve Bosse, who pulled out of the fight and subsequently retired due to mounting injuries from his hockey and fighting careers.

Jimmo is a karate-based fighter who is considered to be a grinder. Though he has power and technique on the feet, he enjoys pushing guys against the cage and securing top position. He made a great impact in his debut when he knocked out Anthony Perosh in seven seconds, but has gone just 1-2 since.

O'Connell was gearing up for a fight with Maximum Fighting Championship, but instead gets the call late for this bout. He is a powerful striker, though in this bout he would like to achieve top position with his solid wrestling ability. Most of his stoppages come via strikes, but he does have good control with submissions on the ground.

O'Connell is a formidable opponent, but he hasn't had the most time to prepare for a guy like Jimmo. Jimmo will impose his will and win in convincing fashion to get back into the win column.

Prediction: Jimmo defeats O'Connell via decision.

Sarah Kaufman vs. Leslie Smith

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A rematch of epic proportions is afoot in the women's bantamweight division, as former Strikeforce title challenger Sarah Kaufman meets Leslie Smith on about a week's notice. Smith steps in for Amanda Nunes, who previously stepped in for Shayna Baszler.

Kaufman is a boxer with good athleticism and footwork on the feet. She has solid power as well, as 10 of her finishes have come via strikes. Her only fight in the UFC saw her drop a fun decision to Jessica Eye, though that decision was overturned due to Eye's faulty drug test.

Smith is a striker as well and known for her aggressive, fun style. She is a disciple of Cesar Gracie who has a solid ground game as well. She is coming back up from the flyweight division, where she took two fights in Invicta that included a title bout against Barb Honchak.

The first bout was a firefight that had fans on their feet. Kaufman took the decision, but it was met with mixed reactions as many thought Smith won. For some reason I have a hunch here that, despite the extremely short notice, Smith has Kaufman's number.

Prediction: Smith defeats Kaufman via decision.

Sam Stout vs. KJ Noons

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In the main attraction of the undercard, Canadian striker Sam Stout takes on Strikeforce vet and fellow banger KJ Noons in a lightweight scrap.

Stout is a kickboxer with an iron chin and excellent technique on the feet. That being said, Hands of Stone hasn't put together two wins in a row since he violently put Yves Edwards to sleep with a huge one-punch knockout.

Noons is also a kickboxer, though he will need to be wary of Stout's developing wrestling game. Despite beating George Sotiropoulos in his last outing, he has gone just 2-5 in his last seven.

If these guys show up with their traditional game plans, this bout will be an absolute dogfight. In terms of technique and other tools, I think Stout with his newfound wrestling ability will be able to catch Noons off balance at times to earn a decision.

Prediction: Stout defeats Noons via decision.