UFC 126 Preview

MAIN EVENT: (UFC Middleweight Title)

Anderson Silva (27-4-0) (C) vs. Vitor Belfort (19-8-0)

This fight has been about a year in the making. Belfort was originally tabbed to take on Silva in January 2010, but had to pull out of the match due to injury. This fight should be super entertaining.

Silva is coming off a last-second submission win over Chael Sonnen in which "The Spider" looked beatable for the first time in his UFC career. Belfort's convincing knockout victory over Rich Franklin in his last fight has fans excited for his showdown with Silva.

The two styles in this fight should compliment each other very nicely. Belfort likes to look for the knockout and really push the pace, while Silva is methodical and waits for his opponent to make a mistake before unleashing the fury, either with his standup or Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

PREDICTION

I think this fight is going to go at least two rounds. Both fighters should land some shots, but I don't see Silva losing. He has proven in the past that he can handle big power punchers, and Belfort doesn't really have the takedown prowess of Sonnen. Expect Silva to either put Belfort away via knockout or referee stoppage on Saturday night.

Silva by knockout

CO-MAIN EVENT

Rich Franklin (28-5-0, 1 NC) vs. Forrest Griffin (17-6-0)

This bout pits two popular UFC fighters against each other in what boils down to a must-win for both guys. Franklin is coming off an electrifying knockout of UFC legend Chuck Liddell. The stunning loss forced Liddell to retire and Franklin is looking to make Griffin his next victim.

It has been over a year since Griffin has been in the octagon and the former Ultimate Fighter season one winner is in desperate need of a convincing win. Two fights ago, Griffin was embarrassed by Anderson Silva, whose knockout of Griffin instantly went into the vault of all-time best knockouts.

PREDICTION

Franklin's standup is too good for Forrest and I think that will show when they meet on Saturday night. Griffin lacks knockout power and Franklin has an iron chin.

I expect Franklin to knock Griffin out in the first round and make him seriously question if he should still be fighting.

Franklin by knockout

CO-MAIN EVENT

Jon Jones (11-1) vs. Ryan Bader (12-0)

In what has been deemed the first true test for Jones, Bader brings some serious knockout power to the table and should test the chin of the young phenom – Jones – in an early fight-of-the-night candidate.

Jones has taken the UFC by storm and has destroyed everyone put in his path. The one loss came via disqualification when he was about to TKO Matt Hamill. The referee stopped the fight because Jones was said to be using pointed elbows. So far, nobody has come close to Jones and if he wins this fight he will certainly get another jump in competition for his next fight.

Bader holds an impressive knockout of Keith Jardine and is coming off a tough fight against Antônio Rogério Nogueira in which Bader won. His stand up game is getting better with each fight and his ground-and-pound is some of the best in the Light-Heavyweight division.

PREDICTION

I think there could be some back-and-forth on the feet to start the match, but Jones is too versatile and athletic for Bader.

Expect to see a good amount of the ground game in this fight with Jones pulling out a late TKO victory.

Jones by TKO

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