UFC on FUEL TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman Staff Predictions

Wednesday, July 11th at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FUEL TV
HP Pavilion in San Jose, California

Main Card (FUEL TV)

Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman (Middleweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: Two of the top middleweight in the UFC meet in the main event with title implications on the line. Chris Weidman is a seriously talented fighter and is improving in every area with each passing fight. Munoz is extremely talented in his own right, but the fact he weighed upwards of 240-pounds prior to this fight, even if he was sidelined with an injury, is a huge red flag. In my opinion, even though Weidman didn’t look great in his last fight, he is the better athlete and MMA wrestling of the two while Munoz has the advantage in power. In a 5-round fight, I like Weidman to edge three of the five rounds for a close decision victory. Chris Weidman via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: I would pick Chris Weidman to win if he had had a few more fights before stepping into the cage with Mark Munoz. Although, Weidman is undefeated and has shown a very a strong skill set, I believe the experience and wrestling background of Munoz will lead him to victory. I don’t expect either to finish this fight. Mark Munoz via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson: The clash of two wrestlers here will cause this fight to stay standing for the majority of the contest. In my mind, Mark Munoz is very underrated and should be able to come out on top here by mixing up his striking. Mark Munoz via Split Decision

Patrick Weafer: While Weidman has been impressive during his short UFC career, and has shown an ability to drastically improve between fights, I think Munoz is on a roll and moving towards contender status. Look for him to use his power advantage to keep Weidman at bay. Mark Munoz via Unanimous Decision

Doug Ancey: This is a pick ‘em fight for me. Both these guys are so good. I’m going to take Chris Weidman though. While both men out-grappled Damian Maia, Weidman did it on 11 days notice. I think he is far more versatile, especially with submission and chokes. Munoz is super strong, but I don’t think he’ll be able to out muscle Weidman. Chris Weidman via Submission – R2

James Te Huna vs. Joey Beltran (Light Heavyweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: This is a mismatch, in my opinion. Joey Beltran looks physically spectacular at light heavyweight, but unfortunately James Te Huna is a monster and should blast “The Mexicutioner” on the feet. James Te Huna TKO – R2

Jon Gerow: Even with the drop in weight class I still don’t see Beltran coming out with his hand raised. James Te Huna has been on a roll since his loss to rising star Alexander Gustafsson. Look for Joey to take a lot of punishment until his chin can’t take it anymore. James Te Huna via TKO – R2

Erik Jackson: I’m very glad to see Beltran get another shot in the UFC, however I don’t see this being a very good welcome back fight for him. Te Huna should be able to handily beat Beltran everywhere this fight goes, and eventually submit him late in the second. James Te Huna via Submission – R2

Patrick Weafer: Body-wise, Beltran looks much better suited to the 205lb division. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for his skillset as he has traditionally been a slugger who survives on heart alone. Look for Te Huna to blast him early and often. James Te Huna via TKO – R1

Doug Ancey: I don’t see this going out of the first round and I see Te Huna getting his hand raised. Te Huna has won eight of his last nine, with the only loss coming to Swedish superstar Alexander Gustafsson. Seven of his wins are via KO or TKO. I see him overpowering and nullifying Beltran’s brawling style. Beltran was a small heavyweight, but I don’t really see him as a big light heavyweight either. I don’t see him faring well in this one. James Te Huna via KO – R1

Aaron Simpson vs. Kenny Robertson (Welterweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: Kenny Robertson was already cut from the UFC roster after losing to a talented wrestler in Mike Pierce. He draws another tough wrestler in his return to the organization as he faces Aaron Simpson. There is no reason why Simpson should lose this fight unless his first cut to welterweight goes terribly wrong. Aaron Simpson via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: Aaron Simpson has a tough time beating his opponents when he can’t outwork or take them down. With the drop to welterweight I’m sure he’ll have no problem doing both to Kenny Robertson. Aaron Simpson via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson: Aaron Simpson wins because I don’t know who Kenny Robertson is, and the Wikipedia folks took away the event page again. Aaron Simpson via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer: I’ve never been particularly impressed with Aaron Simpson and doubt a cut to welterweight will change that. Kenny Robertson via Unanimous Decision

Doug Ancey: I’m taking “A-Train”. I think he’ll be two big a powerful for Robertson to handle. Plus, I honestly do not know enough about Robertson to intelligently talk about him. Aaron Simpson has faced the bigger names, and better talent, with more UFC experience in a heavier weight class. Aaron Simpson via Unanimous Decision

Karlos Vemola vs. Francis Carmont (Middleweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: Karlos Vemola looked like a very dangerous man in his middleweight debut earlier this year. But on the other hand, Francis Carmont was also very impressive in his first two UFC fights against Mike Massenzio and Magnus Cedenblad. It’s a very even fight, but Carmont seems to be getting better with every fight under the tutelage of Firas Zahabi at Tri-Star in Montreal. Francis Carmont via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: I always enjoy fights where I have troubles predicting the victor. Karlos Vemola is an animal, and since he dropped to middleweight he’s become even more vicious. However, he’s fighting a man who trains alongside UFC welterweight champion George St-Pierre. For that reason, I am swayed to picking the Frenchmen. Francis Carmont via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson: Francis Carmont via Split Decision

Patrick Weafer: I think the Tri-Star product should be able to deal with the bull-rush tactics of the massive Karlos Vemola. Francis Carmont via Unanimous Decision

Doug Ancey: Interesting match-up that I think will be entertaining. I don’t think many people know about these two guys. I’m taking Carmont. He has more experience than Vemola, is on a 7-fight win streak and has better training partners coming out of Tri-Star Gym. Francis Carmont via Submission – R3

T.J. Dillashaw vs. Vaughan Lee (Bantamweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: The superior wrestling ability of T.J. Dillashaw will win him this fight. It’s always difficult to pick a British fighter against an American wrestler, that’s why Dillashaw is going to come out victorious. T.J. Dillashaw via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: T.J. Dillashaw has great wrestling credentials, but I don’t see this one going to a decision. Look for T.J. to use the team Alpha Male signature submission to win the fight in the first round. T.J. Dillashaw via Submission (Guillotine Choke) – R1

Erik Jackson: T.J Dillashaw via TKO – R2

Patrick Weafer: People may not like Team Alpha Male but they’re good at what they do. T.J. Dillishaw via Unanimous Decision

Doug Ancey: I have Dillashaw all the way. Vaughan is inconsistent at best, and while he has tightened up his game in his recent fights, I don’t think he’ll be able to keep up with the pace that T.J. sets. Dillashaw is coming out of a killer camp at Team Alpha Male, and he is uber-talented, with a lot of weapons at his disposal. T.J. Dillashaw via Unanimous Decision

Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Anthony Njokuani (Lightweight Bout)
Mike Bohn: Anthony Njokuani has struggled against strong submission fighters throughout his career and Rafael Dos Anjos is the very definition of a strong grappler. The Brazilian is good enough on his feet to avoid getting knocked out by the more talented striker and unless Njokuani has dramatically improved his defensive grappling, he is in for a tough fight. Rafael Dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow: I’ve always been a fan of Anthony Njokuani’s striking and I believe that’s how he’ll finish Rafael Dos Anjos. Anthony Njokuani via TKO – R1

Erik Jackson: This is a very exciting fight to kick this card off. Dos Anjos either looks very impressive or underwhelms. Njokuani’s dynamic striking will turn this into an interesting style matchup and is he can avoid the takedowns he should be able to secure the victory. Anthony Njokuani via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer: This will be a good test for Njokuani to see if he has built up his grappling game since his split decision loss to Castillo. Unfortunately I think RDA has the grappling chops to take this fight decisively. Rafael Dos Anjos via Submission – R3

Doug Ancey: This is another really intriguing matchup. Both men could use a convincing win, and both will try to implement their skill set. While Njokuani is good at controlling the distance and sticking to his technical striking game, he has had submissions in the past. Dos Anjos has definitely be fine-tuning his striking skills, which he showed by knocking out George Sotiropoulos. I see Dos Anjos controlling the fight with his grappling and stifling Njokuani’s striking attack. Rafael Dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision