UFC on Fuel 6: Franklin vs. Le Main Card Recap

The knockout blow from Cung Le.

The UFC’s sixth event on Fuel TV and first to China came with mixed results, but was ultimately a success. It had several great fights, breakouts of future stars, and a spectacular knockout and comeback. It also showed us several fighters who don’t have what it takes to be in the UFC. Let’s see what these fights were and give them some matchups. 

Takeya Mizugaki vs. Jeff Hougland: Takeya Mizugaki unsurprisingly ran through the submission wrestler in Jeff Hougland. For the full 15 minutes Takeya Mizugaki out grappled and out struck Hougland en route to a dominant unanimous decision win. Hougland is a one dimensional grappler and he was out grappled by a striker, leading me to believe that he isn’t UFC quality. With this being his second brutal unanimous decision loss, I would suspect that he would be released.

Tieqhan Zhang vs. Jon Tuck: I have got to say, I am very surprised as to how great this fight was. From the opening bell these two slugged it out and had some crazy scrambles on the ground. Zhang’s standup certainly looked improved, though it was still very sloppy, but his ground looked to still be on the same level as before, though he never even attempted a single guillotine. Tuck was on another level as Zhang had to constantly defend armbars and triangle attempts from the Guam native. Tuck also showed much more technical striking with punches down the middle as Zhang was throwing wild haymakers. Ultimately, Tuck would win a unanimous decision and spoil the Chinese native’s homecoming. With this loss making Zhang 1-4 in his last five fights, he will inevitably be released from the UFC.

Possible matchups for Tuck: This guy looks like a stud. He has a great all around MMA game and I can’t wait to see where he takes his UFC career. I want him to fight a bigger name (that's actually UFC quality) and I believe I have found just that man. Mac Danzig lost a close split decision to MMA legend Takanori Gomi which makes him 3-6 in his last nine, which is less than impressive. If Danzig wants to stay in the UFC, he should fight the up and coming Jon Tuck.

Takanori Gomi vs. Mac Danzig: This fight was awesome for more than just the fact that it was a great fight, but it looked like the return of vintage Gomi. No, not the one that would knockout people like it was nothing, but the Gomi who actually took his time and planned out combinations rather than the Gomi that joined the UFC and was trying to knock everyone’s head off. He would pick shots and stuff good takedown attempts from Danzig. Eventually, Gomi would squeak by Danzig but not without looking very impressive.

Possible matchups for Gomi: I thought heading into this fight that Danzig would easily win this and most likely retire Gomi, but that was not the case. I want Gomi to continue fighting good fighters. Melvin Guillard and Jamie Varner are fighting at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale in what will definitely be a Fight of the Year contender. I want Gomi to fight the winner of that lightweight showdown for what should be another Fight of the Year contender.

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Paulo Thiago: I have to say, I am extremely impressed with Kim’s performance. I really felt as though Thiago was going to win this fight, but Kim dominated this fight from beginning to end everywhere that the fight went. Whether it was standing, on the ground, or in the clinch, Kim controlled this fight. He was clearly on a mission to win this fight and bring himself back into title contention. I have to say though; I am really disappointed in how Thiago’s career has played out. I really felt as though he was going to become a title contender, or at least one of the top welterweights in the world. But now, he will most likely be released from the promotion. He needs to either make MMA a full-time job, or give it up completely.

Possible matchups for Kim: Following this very impressive win, Kim started asking for a rematch with Demian Maia. Honestly, now that they are both coming off of extremely impressive performances, I would like to see this. His loss to Maia was a crazy accident where he had some bizarre muscle spasm in his torso where it ended the fight before anything good could even happen.

Thiago Silva vs. Stanislav Nedkov: This fight was pretty awesome and I was pretty darn impressed with Nedkov through the first two rounds. He nearly finished Silva on multiple occasions and came especially close to winning in the second round. If Nedkov could work on his all-around technique, he could certainly turn into a title contender. He also desperately needs to work on his cardio, which was quite evident in the third round. After two strong rounds in his favor, he was visibly fatigued and Silva took advantage. Thiago took him down early and eventually secured an extremely tight arm-triangle choke for the great comeback finish.

Possible matchups for Silva: Thiago Silva is still a contender in 205 pound division, despite not looking all that stellar as of late. Because he nearly lost this fight on a few occasions, I want to see him fight against one more up and comer. That person would be Ryan Jimmo, who is coming off of a 7 second knockout of Anthony Perosh. This could be a fight to launch Silva back up the rankings or it could be a fight to truly show the skills that Jimmo possesses.

Possible matchups for Nedkov: Despite the loss, Nedkov certainly impressed many with his dominant first two rounds over Thiago Silva. If he can work on his overall technique and cardio, he will become a force at light heavyweight. Another fighter who is climbing his way up the ranks is James Te Huna. These guys could put on one of the best fights of the year with a crazy slugfest.

Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le: This fight was shocking. It actually made me gasp out loud when the finish happened. Not much was really happening for the first few minutes but Rich kept on throwing leg kicks while leaving his hands down. There were blatant counters open for Le to capitalize on. He inevitably did and it put Franklin as unconscious as unconscious gets. It was an extremely impressive finish from Le. I would like to have both these guys retire, but that’s wishful thinking.

Possible matchups for Le: With this devastating knockout, Le has become a legitimate contender in the UFC. Even though most of us probably want him to retire on such a high note, for a guy like Le, he will most likely want to keep going. A fighter that is looking to get back into title contention is Mark Munoz. This fight would certainly bring out fireworks.

Possible matchups for Franklin: I really, really wish that Franklin would retire after this fight. I wanted to believe him that he could go for another title run, but it just simply wasn’t the case. If he doesn’t retire, I’m sure he wants to go out with style. The fighter to do that is Chris Leben, who is fighting Karlos Vemola at UFC 155 in December. Win or lose, Leben vs. Franklin would be an awesome fight.

Click here for the prelim recap.

UFC on Fuel 6 Predictions

Sam’s Picks

Main Card

Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le: BARNBURNER ALERT: Man, oh man is this fight going to be awesome. Both these guys always put on fight of the night performances. Cung Le comes with a “Kung Fu” style while Franklin takes a simpler approach with very technical kickboxing. Le has not impressed me in the slightest since coming over to the UFC though. His loss to Wanderlei Silva was brutal and detrimental to his career and standings in the middleweight division rankings and his win over Cote was hardly impressive. It was a really close decision against someone who was making his return into the UFC after previously being released. Franklin, on the other hand, looked great in his last win over Wanderlei, despite nearly being knocked out in the second round. Franklin also has way better cardio, he almost never gasses while Le can gas after the second round. This is a five round fight. Franklin will find an opening and finish him = Franklin via 4th round TKO. My 1st pick for FOTN!

Thiago Silva vs. Stanislav Nedkov: I am very excited to see what Nedkov can do against a former title contender in Thiago Silva. Nedkov has dynamic striking that is very powerful and can be technical, but so is Silva’s. Nedkov also hasn’t fought since August of 2011, which is over a year. Silva fought back in April, which will make him the much fresher fighter. Silva is on another level than Nedkov, it is just too much too soon = Silva via unanimous decision. My 2nd pick for FOTN!

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Paulo Thiago: Both these guys were at one point considered to be title contenders, but now they are both battling to keep their jobs with the UFC, especially Paulo Thiago. He’s 1-3 in his last 4 and he’s coming off of an absolutely brutal knockout from the hands of Siyar Bahadurzada. Kim is coming off of a bizarre and quick TKO loss to Demian Maia that left many scratching their heads, but it turned out to be a body spasm. Thiago has a definite striking advantage while Kim has a slight grappling advantage. I think Thiago will take a close decision win = Thiago via split decision.

Mac Danzig vs. Takanori Gomi: I really like Danzig in this fight. Gomi has looked like absolute garbage since joining the UFC, which I hate to say. Danzig looked great in his last fight with Efrain Escudero, beating him everywhere that their fight went. Gomi’s only chance of winning this fight is with one punch and Danzig has a great chin, which is something that people don’t always talk about. Danzig will take down Gomi and will eventually work for a submission = Danzig via 3rd round submission (arm). My pick for SOTN!

Tiequan Zhang vs. Jon Tuck: Jon Tuck is a promising fighter with a solid all-around game and solid standup. Zhang isn’t good in any part of MMA except his guillotine. Tuck will easily win this as long as he doesn't get caught in a guillotine = Tuck via 3rd round KO. My pick for KOOTN!

Takeya Mizugaki vs. Jeff Hougland: Personally, this fight doesn't make any sense to me. Hougland is a one dimensional submission wrestler with horrible standup while Mizugaki is a really well rounded title contender. Even though they are both coming off of losses, Mizugaki's "loss" was a highly controversial decision to Chris Cariaso. Hougland on the other hand, is coming off of the wrong side of a beatdown from Yves Jabouin. Hougland is a tough guy, but Mizugaki will man handle him = Mizugaki via unanimous decision.

Prelims

Alex Caceres vs. Motonobu Tezuka = Caceres via 1st round submission. (Interview with Caceres here)

John Lineker vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani = Urushitani via 1st round submission. My 3rd pick for FOTN!

Tom DeBlass vs. Riki Fukuda = Fukuda via unanimous decision.

David Mitchell vs. Hyun Gyu Lim = Mitchell via split decision.

Dave’s Picks

Main Card

Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le: This is such a fun fight. This should definitely be a slugfest and I believe Franklin should win this. He is the better overall mixed martial artist. Le has looked old in his two fights in the UFC. I think Franklin’s chin is something to worry about but I see this fight going like Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva 2. Franklin might get rocked but he will keep it together and take the decision. I do believe that Franklin could finish the fight but he has been fighting very safe lately and I believe that will continue here. I got Franklin outpointing Le until the bell rings. = Franklin by unanimous decision.

Thiago Silva vs. Stanislav Nedkov: This fight will be a bloody war. Nedkov literally comes out wind-milling until he finds a chin. Silva is a much more precise and calculated striker, however, Silva can become sloppy when engaged in a crazy war. The way Nedkov wins is by landing a big overhand sloppy punch. Silva has more ways to win and should win the striking as long as he does not get sucked into a sloppy war. I see Silva outpointing Nedkov on the feet and maybe taking it to the ground and finishing him there; Silva’s ground and pound is awesome and BJJ top control is great as well. Nedkov better land that lucky punch early or he is in for a rough night. = Silva by TKO in round 2. My Pick for KO of the Night! My Pick for Fight of the Night!

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Paulo Thiago: Thiago has not had much success lately. He has looked flat and not technical. This fight could be a standup war because both are primarily grapplers or it could be an awesome ground battle. Kim is the stronger, faster and just a much better fighter than Thiago. I think Thiago might receive the pink slip after this one. = Kim by unanimous decision.

Mac Danzig vs. Takanori Gomi: Oh Gomi, I will miss you. Mac is not exactly an elite fighter but he is definitely better than Gomi  at this point. Gomi has become a shell of his former self. He puts his head out there and gets hit way too much and just throws inaccurate bombs. Mac has the better boxing and better ground game. No matter where this fight goes Mac should be winning it. I think Mac will start landing punches, Gomi will go for a takedown and eventually Mac will sub Gomi. = Danzig by submission in round 2.

Tiequan Zhang vs. Jon Tuck: If Tiequan Zhang was not born in China he would not be in the UFC at this moment. To put it plainly Zhang is not a good fighter. He seems like a nice guy but he is not UFC caliber. On the other side, I do not know much about Tuck except that he hasn’t fought in a year and before that, another 2 years. That makes me very nervous. However, Tuck does have an impressive KO win over the hyped Eduard Folayang, but that was back in 2009. This fight should not be on the main card. Lineker vs. Urushitani should be on here instead. But anyway, I can’t tell you much about this fight except as long as Tuck stays out of Zhang’s chokes, he should be fine. = Tuck by unanimous decision.

Jeff Hougland vs. Takeya Mizugaki: Mizugaki is a much better fighter in every area of MMA. I see Hougland trying to take this to the ground ASAP and getting KOd soon after. = Mizugaki by KO in round 2.

Prelims

Alex Caceres vs. Motonobu Tezuka: Caceres by 2^nd round submission. My Pick for Submission of the Night! (Interview with Caceres here)

John Lineker vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani = Lineker by split decision.

Tom DeBlass vs. Riki Fukuda = Fukuda via unanimous decision.

David Mitchell vs. Hyun Gyu Lim = Mitchell via split decision.