UFC 126! UFC 126 is finally here! The UFC always makes it a point to load the 4th of July, New Year’s and Super Bowl cards. This is your Super Bowl card and it features three fights that are headliner-worthy any other time of the year. I previewed the lesser fights of UFC 126 yesterday. Today, let’s look at the big boys and get excited.
Anderson Silva (27-4, 12-0 UFC) vs. Vitor Belfort (19-8, 8-4 UFC)
These are two of the all-time greats and this is the biggest Brazilian fight of… the century or decade or millennium. Whatever you standard measurement of time, its a big deal. Vitor won the UFC Heavyweight championship at UFC 12. He beat Randy Couture to take the light heavyweight belt at UFC 46. His career loses came against Couture, Liddell, Overeem, Ortiz, Sakuraba and Henderson. In his last fight, he knocked out Rich Franklin in devastating fashion. When he shows up – that is to say – when the old Vitor shows up, he can beat anyone. Unfortunately, the old Vitor doesn’t always show up and this Vitor hasn’t fought since September 2009.
His task is to take on the most dominant fighter in UFC history. Silva hasn’t lost in more than 5 years. The stare down yesterday was epic. I really have no clue if Belfort can do this. Anderson Silva is fuck around and get a triple double good. The only thing is, Chael Sonnen showed that he’s no longer untouchable. Unfortunately, Belfort isn’t going to put him on his back and smash a hole in his face like Sonnen did. And Vitor, if you’re reading, watch those stray limbs, brother.
Forrest Griffin (17-6, 8-4 UFC) vs. Rich Franklin (28-5, 1nc, 13-4 UFC)
The battle of two guys who Anderson Silva life-altered. Where do these guys fall in the light/heavy title picture? Who knows. Rampage gets next. Jones or Bader will state their case earlier in the evening. This screams of a stand up war that goes to a decision that is contested by everyone watching.
Ryan Bader (8-0, 5-0 UFCvs. Jon Jones (11-1, 5-1 UFC)
I think I speak for everyone when I say, ZOMG THIS FIGHT iS Going TO bE AWESOme! You just don’t see match ups like this between up and comers. Bader is good and tough. The question is, can he handle Jones’ dynamic striking? If Jon Jones is the monster we’ve thought he was, he’ll handle Bader and move on. Same for Bader, I guess. I like the winner to go on and knock out Franklin or Forrest depending on who wins. Then, we finally get one of these scary young pups in a title fight.
