UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort
February 5, 2011Mandalay Bay Event Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Bouts (On PPV):
Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (27-4) vs. Vitor Belfort (19-8) This is more than a title fight for these two men. Both prideful warriors are well known in the homeland of Brasil, but despite his UFC success, the "Spider" is not nearly as popular back home and the American crowd boo'd Silva at the weigh-ins. This is about pride, respect, and legacy. My question is why would you ever back the mental midget that is Vitor Belfort? Save for the hype train of course. Not to mention, anyone else notice they promote Vitor from his Heavyweight days in the UFC when he actually was a "Phenom?" That’s because he hasn’t done shit since 2004. In is last bout he impressively KO’d Rich Franklin (at a 195 lb. catch weight), but then he has not beaten a Top 10 caliber fighter since 2004 when he defeated Randy Couture with an accidental cut to the eye lid. The top talent he has faced has beaten him. Randy Couture (twice), Alistair Overeem (twice), Tito Ortiz (during his 5th comeback), and Chuck Liddell all bested him during his 2nd run with the UFC. Why would his 3rd be any better? We know what the "Spider" brings and I have little doubt he will own the overrated and ridiculously hyped challenger by confusing him on the feet before tapping him on the mat. Listen to Vitor at the press conference. The guy has bought his own hype and it will be his undoing.
WINNER-Anderson "Spider" Silva by Rd.3 Submission
* At the weigh-in face off, Silva wore a white mask for a moment (because Vitor claims Anderson hides behind one) while posing nose to nose with Belfort. Then the mask came off and the two began to exchange very heated words while everyone piled in to keep them apart. Fun stuff.
Forrest Griffin (17-6) vs. Rich Franklin (28-5) This will be, count em, Rich’s 5th former UFC Champion “Ace” has faced in a row! His resume is a “who’s who” of MMA. Everyone is talking about how these 2 are mirror images of each other figuratively and almost literally. What I see is Forrest coming off a 15 month layoff, and a record where he has over achieved and they only 2 good cats on his resume are Quinton Jackson (which the Decision win was debatable) and Mauricio Rua (who was still struggling with injured knees). Griffin is larger and will want this on the floor but "Ace" has never been submitted. Rich has 10 more fights, and 10 submissions to Forrest's 7. On the feet "Gump" is clumsy while the southpaw Rich is very technical. I am failing to see how Forrest, besides his toughness or ability to take a beating, brings much to this fight.
Forrest Griffin (17-6) vs. Rich Franklin (28-5) This will be, count em, Rich’s 5th former UFC Champion “Ace” has faced in a row! His resume is a “who’s who” of MMA. Everyone is talking about how these 2 are mirror images of each other figuratively and almost literally. What I see is Forrest coming off a 15 month layoff, and a record where he has over achieved and they only 2 good cats on his resume are Quinton Jackson (which the Decision win was debatable) and Mauricio Rua (who was still struggling with injured knees). Griffin is larger and will want this on the floor but "Ace" has never been submitted. Rich has 10 more fights, and 10 submissions to Forrest's 7. On the feet "Gump" is clumsy while the southpaw Rich is very technical. I am failing to see how Forrest, besides his toughness or ability to take a beating, brings much to this fight.
WINNER-Rich Franklin by Decision
* It was very funny to hear Jorge Gurgel saying “Strike Forrest” quickly in interviews to sound like Strikeforce, his employer. Also of importance, the only person to possibly have worse looking shorts than Forrest is his opponent Rich with his pink & brown attire.
Ryan Bader (12-0) vs. Jon Jones (11-1) Young super-star potential bad ass Light Heavyweights! Folks, you may not see this again for quite some time. "Bones" has it all. The intelligence, athletic ability, humility, calm under pressure, and charisma to rally people behind him. Bader is a great collegiate wrestler who's MMA wrestling isn't as good as Jon's. "Darth" does have brutal striking power in both hands and can drop anyone. Jones is far more creative on the feet and will out quick the sometimes robotic Bader. Jonny also has a 10 inch reach advantage!! That, is the largest in the UFC today. There will be no lucky strike and the "0" will go.
Ryan Bader (12-0) vs. Jon Jones (11-1) Young super-star potential bad ass Light Heavyweights! Folks, you may not see this again for quite some time. "Bones" has it all. The intelligence, athletic ability, humility, calm under pressure, and charisma to rally people behind him. Bader is a great collegiate wrestler who's MMA wrestling isn't as good as Jon's. "Darth" does have brutal striking power in both hands and can drop anyone. Jones is far more creative on the feet and will out quick the sometimes robotic Bader. Jonny also has a 10 inch reach advantage!! That, is the largest in the UFC today. There will be no lucky strike and the "0" will go.
WINNER-Jon Jones by Decision
* Apparently, Jones questioning Bader’s takedown effectiveness has stuck in his craw a bit as he gets testy at the question these days.
Prelims (On Spike TV):
Paul Kelly (11-3) vs. Donald Cerrone (13-3) The "Cowboy" wants to fight and steps in as a late replacement for Sam Stout. This is a tough swing for Donald against the re-energized Brit. "Tellys" has a definitive power advantage and is tough to grapple on the ground where Cerrone would be looking ply his trade. The "Cowboy" does have a better kickboxing past, but Kelly will not stop coming. This could be "Fight Of The Night" as Don has a ridiculous size and reach advantage over the 4'3" Paul.
Chad Mendes (9-0) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (12-8-1) The undefeated member of Team Alpha Male greets the returning OmyGodwa to the Featherweight division. Mich draws a tough 1st matchup as Mendes dominant wrestling is going to smother him for the standard 15 minutes.
* Apparently, Jones questioning Bader’s takedown effectiveness has stuck in his craw a bit as he gets testy at the question these days.
Carlos Eduardo Rocha (9-0) vs. Jake Ellenberger (22-5) Ellen is a Husker with naughty TKO power while "Ta Danado" will tap you out if you dare hit the mat with him. Who imposes his will? I think Jake tests the jaw of Rocha and the results are....
WINNER-Jake Ellenberger by Rd.3 TKO
Miguel Torres (38-3) vs. Antonio Banuelos (18-6) It's a David & Goliath kind of night as "Angel" brings insane height and reach over the former Champ who is on his way down.
WINNER-Miguel Torres by Rd.2 TKO
Prelims (On Spike TV):
Paul Kelly (11-3) vs. Donald Cerrone (13-3) The "Cowboy" wants to fight and steps in as a late replacement for Sam Stout. This is a tough swing for Donald against the re-energized Brit. "Tellys" has a definitive power advantage and is tough to grapple on the ground where Cerrone would be looking ply his trade. The "Cowboy" does have a better kickboxing past, but Kelly will not stop coming. This could be "Fight Of The Night" as Don has a ridiculous size and reach advantage over the 4'3" Paul.
WINNER-The "Cowboy" by Rd.3 Submission
Chad Mendes (9-0) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (12-8-1) The undefeated member of Team Alpha Male greets the returning OmyGodwa to the Featherweight division. Mich draws a tough 1st matchup as Mendes dominant wrestling is going to smother him for the standard 15 minutes.
WINNER-Chad Mendes by Decision
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Gabe Ruediger (17-6) vs. Paul Taylor (10-6-1) Both men looking to stay employed in a "loser leaves town" match. "Relentless" ran into some stiff competition while "Godzilla" went to the minors and came back still sucking and has still never beaten anyone of note in his career.
Kyle Kingsbury (9-2) vs. Ricardo Romero (11-1) This is a real interesting and close fight. Kyle kinda snuck in the door under the radar while Romero is a touted prospect. If Ricardo can get this to the floor, he wins. On the feet Ricardo is a disaster.
Kenny Robertson (10-0) vs. Mike Pierce (11-3) Man Pierce, can they bury you lower on a card? Take the hint you boring prick. Mike does the wrestling game well and that is it. Terrible stand up and zero Jiu-Jitsu. The problem, is that Pierce's wrestling is so good, he can pretty much handle everyone with that 1 style.
Prelims (On Facebook)
Norifumi Yamamoto (18-3) vs. Demetrious Johnson (7-1) Finally, the man called "Kid" has arrived in the UFC! I have championed and waited for "Kid" to come to America for so many years since I 1st saw him KO Royler Gracie back in 2005. "Mighty Mouse" is no joke and is very fast. I don't like Yamamoto coming in his 1st UFC fight with all the pressure he brings with him from Japan and facing a guy that can stall him out and win on points. Yet, it's far to late for me to stop backing Norifumi now.
WINNER-"Kid" Yamamoto by Decision
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Gabe Ruediger (17-6) vs. Paul Taylor (10-6-1) Both men looking to stay employed in a "loser leaves town" match. "Relentless" ran into some stiff competition while "Godzilla" went to the minors and came back still sucking and has still never beaten anyone of note in his career.
WINNER-Paul Taylor by Decision
Kyle Kingsbury (9-2) vs. Ricardo Romero (11-1) This is a real interesting and close fight. Kyle kinda snuck in the door under the radar while Romero is a touted prospect. If Ricardo can get this to the floor, he wins. On the feet Ricardo is a disaster.
WINNER-Ricardo Romero by Decision
* Kyle showed up to the weigh-ins dressed as a ballerina. Nobody including Kyle knows why.
Kenny Robertson (10-0) vs. Mike Pierce (11-3) Man Pierce, can they bury you lower on a card? Take the hint you boring prick. Mike does the wrestling game well and that is it. Terrible stand up and zero Jiu-Jitsu. The problem, is that Pierce's wrestling is so good, he can pretty much handle everyone with that 1 style.
WINNER-Mike Pierce by Decision
* Anyone else see Sam Kinison in tow with Robertson at the weigh-ins?
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