UFC 126 Results

Pretty good event. Some interesting fights and quality finishes.

Ok, how'd I do?

Anderson Silva def. Vitor Belfort (KO 1)
Wow. Highlight reel finish for sure. Straight kick to the face? Nice. It's a move that is rarely used, and then normally for defensive purposes. I like it, because guys often expect the side kicks but leave themselves open to this kind of attack. Worked beautifully for Silva. Everyone expected fireworks, but not like this. Too bad Belfort didn't get to show more. He had Silva on his heels when he did attack - he just took too long to do it. Should have gone berserker on Silva sooner. (1-0)

Forrest Griffin def. Rich Franklin (unanimous)
I saw it 29-28 for Forrest as well. He used his size to bully Franklin around a little, got him down and pounded out a decision. Not exciting, but effective, and smart. Really, it's what he should have done against Silva. Franklin didn't do much except get some counter jabs in - that's not gonna win you too many MMA fights. Does this do much for Forrest? We'll see. Something tells me his loss to Silva is going to haunt him and keep him out of the title mix for a long time. (2-0)

Jon Jones def. Ryan Bader (sub 2)
This fight was all Jones. Once Bader was on his back, it was over. Typical werstler's weakness. Aftre the fight, it was announced that Jones would replace the injured Rashad Evans against champion Shogun Rua next month. Great PR move, but not sure it's deserved. There are only so many guys who can take a fight on short notice, but Jones has beaten no one of significance (Bader included). Bader had actually faced tougher guys and this fight was supposed to determine who was "for real" not who was going to get the next shot. I may be biased, but it seems to me that Forrest would have been the more deserving choice, if he could step up. Forrest has beaten Rua before and lost his title to Evans. Like I said, it appears the Silva fight will haunt Griffin. (3-0)

Jake Ellenberger def. Carlos Eduardo Rocha (split)
Not even sure I remember this one. I think Rocha was doing well at first, but didn't fight smart. he let Ellenberger dictate and he took the fight. (4-0)

Miguel Angel Torres def. Antonio Banuelos (unanimous)
Pretty boring fight, but what do you want when one guys has such a ridiculous reach advantage? Of course he's going to keep his distance and jab his way to victory. Banuelos just couldn't seem to let go and risk going inside, despite his corner's encouragement. Some guys just don't seem to be willing to take a punch and risk the KO. (5-0)

Donald Cerrone def. Paul Kelly (sub 2)
Not a bad fight, but once it went to the ground, it was over. Kelly is a stand-up brawler and so he stood little chance against Cerrone's BJJ. Once again, Cerrone stood for longer than he should have. (6-0)

Chad Mendes def. Michihiro Omigawa (unanimous)
Mendes dictated the fight, Mendes won. Omigawa stuck in there and had a shot, but just did not fight smart. (7-0)

Demetrious Johnson def. Norifumi Yamamoto (unanimous)
Had to lose one sometime. Don't remember much... Underdog didn't pay. (7-1)

Paul Taylor def. Gabe Ruediger (TKO 2)
Can we PLEASE send Ruediger home now? Please? He clearly does not belong in the UFC. (8-1)

Kyle Kingsbury def. Ricardo Romero (KO 1)
Wow. This was a quick, brutal fight. Kingsbury looked possessed, swarming the dangerous Romero and knocking him out before he could really get a shot off (stats say he landed one punch in those 21 seconds). Should garner Kingsbury some more attention. (8-2)

Mike Pierce def. Kenny Robertson (KO 2)
Once again, the dog didn't pay. Picked the new kid against the boring wrestling vet and of course the boring wrestler won. At least he did it by TKO. (8-3)

Well, well: 8-3. Not bad at all.