UFC 126

[HALZION]

Who ya got? Here is my pre-event analysis:

Mike Pierce vs Kenny Robertson:

I really like Pierce- he held his own against Fitch, and I am surprised he didn't get a little bigger push after that win. He has a similar grinding style to Fitch, and his wrestling is good. I expect him to get some bigger fights this year if he gets the win, but I dont know who the fuck Kenny Robertson is-

Pierce via decision

Kyle Kingsbury vs Ricardo Romero:

I thought Kyle Kingsbury and Ryan Bader were the same person, but Bader is fighting on this card too, so hmph. This fight would be better if Ricardo Romero was George Romero.

George Romero via face eating zombie attack


Paul Taylor vs Gabe Reudiger

Paul Taylor is going to throw haymakers for 2 rounds and then get caught in something chokey. (I also thought Paul Kelly and Paul Taylor was the same person. Same card though. MYTHBUSTED.)

Reudiger via RNC 3rd round


Kid Yamamoto vs Demtrious Johnson:

MIDGET FIGHT!!!!!!!! Yamamoto had a lot of trouble dealing with Joe Warren's wrestling, and hasn't had to face a lot of good wrestlers in his career, spending his career in Japan. There is also the issue of inactivity, not being near as active as he used to be. He will have a bit of a size advantage over Johnson though, and I expect this to be a pretty good fight. If he can keep on his feet I expect Kid to light him up and get the knockout.

Kid via TKO rd 2



Chad Mendes vs Michihiro Omigawa:

I like the influx of little Japanese dudes since the UFC brought in the lighter weight classes. Omigawa is a solid addition to the FW division, and this fight is going to be decent. Neither Mendes nor Omigawa are great finishers, but Mendes is coming in undefeated. This could go either way, but I am picking Mendes via decision.

Chad Mendes via Unanimous Decision



Cowboy Cerrone vs Paul Kelly:

Cowboy is a much better fighter than Kelly, but Kelly is tough as shit. I think Cerrone is a clown and like to see him lose, but I dont think it will happen this time. Cerrone will catch a late guillotine on a winging Kelly.

Cerrone via guillotine, 3rd rd



Miguel Torres vs Antonio Banuelos

Torres seems to have lost his rythym somewhat. He was an absolute beast before being ko'ed by then undefeated Brian Bowles. Banuelos is a tank, and this fight has FOTN written all over it. If Torres can put together combos with some consistency he should be able to slow down Banuelos considerably, but Banuelos does have some power. I'm picking Torres, but can see this going either way.

Torres via split decision



Jon Jones vs Ryan Bader

I have been singing the praises of Jones since the first time I saw him fight, and I think he is maturing each time out. Bader surprises me every time I see him, handing the mighty Keith Jardine his first and only loss ever, and taking out Lil Nog as well. How he stands up against Jones is going to really solidify him, but I just don't think he has the tools. Jones is creative, and seems to just make shit up as he goes with great success, and if Bader is able to take him down I see Bones getting a sweep and pounding him out. On the feet it's all Jones as well. While Bader has some power in close, he is going to be kept at range, given the Dhalsim-like reach Jones has.

Jones via TKO 2nd round



Jake Ellenberger vs Carlos Eduardo Rocha

I am really excited for this fight- 2 lesser known guys on the main card is a shrewd move on Zuffas part. Ellenberger falls into the same category as Mike Pierce; he can hold his own with many higher ranked guys, just hasn't had the exposure to shine under the promotion. He beat Condit in my opinion (and many others), and has a good all around skill set. Rocha is undefeated coming into this fight, his first fight in the promotion being a disgusting kneebar on Kris McCray. He has really good jiujitsu, and will give Ellenberger all he can handle on the ground. I fully expect Ellenberger to get takedowns, but his best bet is to use them to score, get a few shots in and get the fuck back up, otherwise he will get twisted up. Im picking Ellenberger via decision, but would not be surprised to see Rocha catch him in something early.

Ellenberger via decision



Forrest Griffin vs Rich Franklin

Good matchup. Griffin has some ring rust, and Franklin is really good at 205. It's interesting to note the last loss on each of these guys records is to one of the two guys in the main event- Franklin lost to Vitor @ 195 lbs, and Griffin's mental stability was ruined by Silva @ 205.


Franklin via decision


Main Event

Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort

I keep reading about Anderson's age has cought up with him and blah blah, but lets be honest- he has stayed active, and he was seemingly bored for a while. Just because Sonnen did well against him people are saying he has lost his touch/edge, but I dont buy into that. He seems fired up for this fight, and has much to prove. He also has a grudge against Vitor, and the difference between disliking someone for running their mouth (Sonnen) and the personal grudge he has toward Belfort is palpable. Outside of that, he is still a wrecking machine, and I expect to see a precision ko.

Anderson Silva via 2nd round TKO

[StupidMonKey]

This event did not go the way I thought it would.