UFC 126 is the first card in the new generation of UFC cards. With the infusion of WEC stars and some of Japan’s top talent coming oversees, this card is stacked from top to bottom. For more UFC information and updates
follow @MikeyJ_MMA on Twitter. Here is a complete breakdown of UFC 126 including a fan poll of who Canadians think will win...
- Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort (for the UFC middleweight title)
Brazilians are calling this fight the biggest in MMA history and many are calling it the biggest middleweight bout of all time. There is bad blood and loads of talent between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort. Many fans and pundits have been highly critical of Silva since he fought Canadian Patrick Cote at UFC 90. In fact, Silva was booed at the weigh-ins and the crowd began chanting “Vitor, Vitor.” Regardless of what the fans think, Silva is still the most dangerous fighter weighing 185lbs and Belfort has his hands full. Chael Sonnen managed to rock Silva in the first round of their UFC 117 classic and Belfort has the unmitigated ability to do the same thing with the exact same punch, a straight left hand. Based on the fact that Belfort has been out of action for nearly a year-and-a-half, hasn’t fought at middleweight in two years, and he cut a lot of weight, he will need to end the fight quickly or run the risk of gassing out. Silva can win this fight by decision, knockout or submission, where as Belfort’s chances are limited to catching Silva and putting him to sleep within the first few rounds.
Silva.Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones is being touted as the next great fighter in the sport and is nearly a 3-1 favourite over Ryan Bader at UFC 126. However, that hype train might come to a halt courtesy of the
TUF 8 winner; Bader is not getting nearly enough credit heading into this bout. Neither man has been knocked out, submitted or lost a decision in their MMA careers and the winner of this bout is likely one fight away from a title shot. Where Jones is flashy and innovative, Bader is more technical and powerful. Both men have tremendous wrestling but it’s hard to say whose style will be more effective in this bout. The biggest obstacle Bader will have to overcome is the reach advantage of Jones (the longest reach in the UFC). Bader had some trouble finding his distance against Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 119 and that doesn’t bode well here. Jones hasn’t taken much punishment in his career, so it will be interesting to see how much he can take. If Jones throws many kicks it could lead to Bader earning top position, something he undoubtedly wants. I have a feeling in my gut that Bader can catch Jones with a right hand as Jones is going for a spinning back fist or elbow. But, if I listen to my brain…
Jones.
- Rich Franklin vs. Forrest Griffin
Two former champions and fan favourites meet at light heavyweight with the winner remaining in the top tier of the division. Expect Griffin to throw a lot of kicks with his right leg as Franklin had some trouble with the right kicks of Chuck Liddell at UFC 115 in Vancouver. However, Griffin won’t have any success with his patented inside leg kick since Franklin is a southpaw. And Franklin being a lefty could be the key in the standup exchanges. Griffin’s best chance is to use his size, push Franklin against the cage, get on top and control him with ground-and-pound; easier said than done. Both men are very scrappy, technically sound and welcome a brawl. The main factor in this fight will be how Griffin rebounds from a 14-month layoff and how much energy he will have compared to the former middleweight champ. Like in the main event, history has dictated that the more active fighter is usually successful.
Franklin.
- Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduaro Rocha
Rocha has tons of potential, and is no joke on the ground, but a fight against Ellenberger in just his second UFC outing is a tough task. Ellenberger is a huge step up in competition from Kris McCray. Standing, Ellenberger has the advantage in technique and power. Couple that with his wrestling and tenacity and it will be difficult for Rocha to get this fight where he feels most comfortable. That being said, Rocha is more than capable of submitting his foe.
Ellenberger.
- Antonio Banuelos vs. Miguel Torres
The former bantamweight kingpin, Torres, is looking to get his belt back and has changed his style to a more methodical, intelligent one. Banuelos has the power to disrupt Torres and we’ve seen in Torres’ recent bouts that his chin and defenses are penetrable. That being said, Torres is the more evolved fighter and as long as he doesn’t get into wild exchanges, he should be able to impose his will. When the fight goes to the ground, Torres has some of the best submissions and transitions in the division. Although Torres is a -500 favourite, the fight shouldn’t be
that lopsided. Still, by training in Montreal with Firas Zahabi, it’s his fight to lose.
Torres.
PRELIMS LIVE ON ROGERS SPORTSNET- Chad Mendes vs. Michihiro Omigawa
Two top-ten featherweights look to get one step closer to a title shot, and if Mendes can win, he is all but guaranteed the winner of Mark Hominick vs. Jose Aldo. Michihiro Omigawa returns to the UFC after three years fighting in his home country of Japan. Since his last UFC appearance Omigawa has dropped to featherweight and amassed an 8-2-1 record including wins over Hatsu Hioki, Maron Sandro, LC Davis and Nam Phan. Mendes is undefeated (9-0) and uses his dominant wrestling and overpowering strength to bully his opponents. On the ground, Omigawa has some slick skill, but Mendes should be able to power out of any submissions and gain top control. On the feet, Omigawa can hold his own, but leaves his hands low. This is simply a bad matchup for Omigawa. Look for Mendes to earn a title shot with an impressive win, either by TKO or dominant decision.
Mendes.
- Donald Cerrone vs. Paul Kelly
One of the most popular fighters in WEC history, Donald Cerrone, makes his UFC debut against the tough, determined Paul Kelly. Cerrone is the heavy favourite and one of the more well-rounded fighters at lightweight. But, don’t be surprised if Kelly is a handful for Cerrone; it is after all Cerrone’s octagon debut and nerves may play a small factor. Kelly has sufficient power and aggression to make this an exciting way to start the prelims broadcast. If the fight goes to the ground, Cerrone has a significant advantage with submissions.
Cerrone.
PRELIM LIVE STREAM ON FACEBOOK- Norifumi ’Kid’ Yamamoto vs. Demetrious Johnson
Don’t blink while watching this one as these two bantamweights fight at a frenetic pace. Johnson might be the quickest fighter on the UFC roster and Yamamoto is as explosive as they come. Look for Johnson to be relentless with combinations and takedowns. Johnson’s footwork will be his key to the fight. Yamamoto does not have the experience fighting in a cage and that could be a disadvantage. What Yamamoto does have on his side is size, experience and knockout power. Yamamoto’s led right hook is deadly and he has a killer instinct. Johnson recently defeated a similar fighter when he submitted Damacio Page at WEC 52. If Johnson can avoid that right hand of ‘Kid’ then his pace and wrestling should be the difference. The winner of this bout launches themselves into title contention at 135lbs. The crazy thing for Johnson is that he would be better suited to fight at 125lbs.
Johnson.
PRELIMINARY CARD- Kyle Kingsbury vs. Ricardo Romero
Romero is coming off a plethora of injuries following his win at UFC 116 in his promotional debut. Romero (11-1 with his only loss being a DQ) was getting battered by Seth Petruzelli until reversing his fortunes in the second round and getting a submission. That fight proved that he can take a lot of punishment and has a dangerous top game. Kingsbury is coming off a “Fight of the Night” win over Jared Hamman at
UFC Fight Night 22. Kingsbury, who trains at AKA, is a physical specimen that puts a lot of energy into all of his strikes and takedowns. On the feet he should fare well, but when the fight goes to the ground he needs to keep his arms protected. A tough fight to call, but Kingsbury’s decent wrestling could be enough to stave off Romero’s grappling advantage. If he can keep it standing, his reach will come in handy.
Kingsbury.
- Gabe Ruediger vs. Paul Taylor
In his lightweight debut, Paul Taylor looked fantastic in a split decision loss to Ontario’s Sam Stout at UFC 121. He has precise kickboxing, a granite chin, and an underrated ground game. Ruediger, meanwhile, has a ground game. Ruediger has done well in smaller shows, but at the UFC level hasn’t shown the ability to hang with legit lightweights. Taylor is a legit lightweight that belongs fighting UFC-level competition. Look for this to be Taylor’s reintroduction to fans that have forgotten about him.
Taylor.
- Mike Pierce vs. Kenny Robertson
Pierce is a welterweight that has flown under the radar for a long time, mostly due to his lack of flash. Still, he is a strong wrestler with decent power that has an uncanny ability to frustrate opponents. Pierce’s only loss in his last nine bouts was a decision to Jon Fitch, in which he had Fitch rocked and nearly finished late in the third round. Robertson is 10-0 with seven wins by submission; he is aggressive yet unpolished on the feet and possesses a decent submission arsenal. Still, he has yet to fight anyone on the level of Pierce. Eventually, Pierce should take control of the fight and simply bully Robertson.
Pierce.
I’m not calling for any upsets on the card and this worries me since what should happen in MMA rarely does. If you are a betting aficionado your locks for the evening are Paul Taylor and Chad Mendes; don’t even be nervous parlaying those two.
Here is what Canadian fans have to say about UFC 126…
Who Canadian fans think will win:
**A group of random Canadian MMA fans were polled on Facebook and Twitter to see who they believe will win the five main card bouts. Although the majority are picking Silva to retain his title, the vast majority said they want to see Belfort knock out the champ. Here are the results…
Silva 65% – Belfort 35%
Griffin 42% – Franklin 58%
Ellenberger 66% – Rocha 34%
Jones 72% – Bader 28%
Torres 96% – Banuelos 4%
Cerrone 90% – Kelly 10%
Mendes 84% – Omigawa 16%
Yamamoto 50% – Johnson 50%
Kingsbury 25% – Romero 75%
Taylor 76% – Ruediger24%
Pierce 78% – Robertson 22%
By Mike Johnston
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