The TUF China Finale (AKA UFC Fight Night: Macau) takes place early tomorrow morning and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights below.
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Main Card:
John Hathaway vs. Dong Hyun Kim
These two welterweights have a knack for racking up victories, but not always in the most impressive of fashion, with solid, but usually unspectacular decisions (with a couple of notable exceptions) being their stock in trade.
Kim is one of the toughest fighters Hathaway has had to go up against so far and I think he might come undone here, with the South Korean being able to match him on the feet and, more importantly on this occasion, get the better of him on the mat as he grinds his way to a win on the scorecards.
Dong Hyun Kim to win by decision.
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Zhang Lipeng vs. Wang Sai
The fact that these two TUF China finalists have a combined record of 12-11-2 gives a good indication that we’re not looking at world class talent here that’s going to put the welterweight division on notice.
Sai looks like the safer bet here with his more aggressive approach and superior stand-up leading him to a TKO victory mid-way through the fight.
Wang Sai to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Shawn Jordan vs. Matt Mitrione
We’ve got two heavy-handed sluggers locking horns in this heavyweight match-up. It’s an important fight for both men as they are coming off losses, particularly Mitrione who’s tasted defeat in three of his last four fights.
It’s likely these two will be happy to keep this one on the feet, and while a finish could come from either man I suspect it’ll be Mitrione who’s more likely to come out on top thanks to his reach advantage and relatively good footwork for his size.
Matt Mitrione to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Hatsu Hioki vs. Ivan Menjivar
Hioki’s better than his record three-fight winning streak would suggest, but he badly needs a win against another veteran campaigner in Menjivar if he’s to stay in the UFC.
This should be closely contested, but I think if Hioki raises his game his crafty skills on the ground will help him claim the most meaningful moments in the fight, but ultimately he won’t be able to finish a man of Menjivar’s experience and will have to settle for a decision win.
Hatsu Hioki to win by decision.
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Prelims: (Predicted winners in bold)
Yui Chul Nam vs. Kazuki Tokudome
Vaughan Lee vs. Nam Phan
Albert Cheng vs. Anying Wang
Mark Eddiva vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun
