UFC Fuel TV 1 Predictions

By Dan Sofia

Diego Sanchez vs Jake Ellenberger

This is a very intriguing match-up with a red hot Jake Ellenberger going against a 10 month inactive Sanchez. 


Ellenberger has won 5 in a row and 9 of his last 10 while Sanchez last fought at UFC live on March 3rd 2011. 


Since that fight Sanchez has been out of action do to a hand injury.  Sanchez feels it was a blessing to have the injury as he has had time to work on his striking primarily his kicks, knees and left hand. 


Interestingly enough Sanchez is +250 in this fight,  a very live dog with a lot to prove and a fighting pace that few can match.  Undoubtedly Sanchez has fought the more notable fighters and the time off could have really helped him get focused for this match.  Sanchez could pull off the upset in this one.

Stefan Struve vs David Herman

Another good match put together by Joe Silva, Herman has had a lot of buzz surrounding him with a 21-2 record (15-0 at one point). 


Of his 23 professional fights Herman has only been to decision once in his career.  Struve on the other hand has an equally impressive record 22-5 with only 2 fights going the distance.  The difference in this fight could be the level of competition which is clearly in favor of Struve who has fought Pat Barry, Roy Nelson and current UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos. 


Although Struve is just 1-2 vs those three opponents (his victory being over Barry) he has been in there with the best literally. 


Added to the level of competition is the significant height and reach advantage that Struve always enjoys against his opponents standing at 6’11 the skyscraper has a very good ground game. 


Herman has fought lesser opponents, a seven inch reach disadvantage and in my opinion has a weaker ground game making Struve at +105 a good pick.