Ross Pearson celebrates making weight. Photo by Josh Hedges/courtesy of Zuffa LCC via Getty Images.
This Friday, the octagon touches down in the Gold Coast Convention Center in Queensland, Austrialia, where UFC on FX 6 will unfold. GRACIEMAG.com put together a list of the five fights you won’t want to miss on the card, if you’re a Jiu-Jitsu fan.
1. Norman Parker vs. Colin Fletcher
This fight marks the final chapter of the lightweight division from the TUF Smashes reality show. US national Norman “Stormin” Parker (16w, 2l) has MMA experience and knew how to use it to his advantage in the house. Norman trains at Roberto Drysdale’s Jiu-Jitsu team, so he’s plenty well versed with takedowns and submissions. Now, his countryman Colin “Freak Show” Fletcher (8w, 1l) has greater reach, good takedown defense and should look to keep the fight standing.
Prediction: Norman Parker
2. Hector Lombard vs. Rousimar Palhares
Hector “Lightning” Lombard was highly touted when he first joined the UFC fray, but ended up disappointing on his promotional debut against Tim Boetsch at UFC 149. Now the Cuban judoka has another chance to show his potential. Now, Brazil’s Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares needs to rediscover his winning ways to remain relevant in the division. Might Toquinho manage to take Hector’s foot home with him?
Prediction: Rousimar Toquinho
3. Chad Mendes vs. Yaotzin Meza
Still craving José Aldo’s belt, Chad Mendes is coming off a win over Cody McKenzie at UFC 148 last June and was set to face up-and-coming Nova União star Hacran Dias, who had to pull out due to injury. Could Dias’s replacement, Yaotzin Meza, be easy prey, or will he give Chad more than he can chew?
Prediction: Chad Mendes
4. George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson
Things haven’t been going too well for submission whiz Sotiropoulos, who now has to contend with the strike-savvy Ross Pearson in trying to right his ship. Could his Jiu-Jitsu serve him well at home?
Prediction: George Sotiropoulos
5. Robert Whittaker vs. Brad Scott
At just 21 years of age, Robert Whitaker (9w, 2l) is heading into the middleweight final of the TUF Smashes reality show. With solid Thai boxing, he will be looking for the knockdown on Australia’s Brad Scott (8w, 1l), who is riding six back-to-back wins and ran roughshod through all his opponents on the show in making it to the final. Scott, the masterful wrestler, should be looking for the takedown and ground and pound.
Prediction: Brad Scott
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuE2XZxjhEY
UFC on FX 6
Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Australia
December 14, 2012
George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson
Brad Scott vs. Robert Whitaker
Norman Parker vs. Colin Fletcher
Rousimar Toquinho vs. Hector Lombard
Yaotzin Meza vs. Chad Mendes
Igor Pokrajac vs. Joey Beltran
Mike Pierce vs. Seth Baczynski
Ben Alloway vs. Manny Rodriguez
Brendan Loughnane vs. Mike Wilkinson
Nick Penner vs. Eddie Mendez