Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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UFC 126 is in the books. I think I need to stop hyping up these cards. Going into the event I thought it could easily be one the best cards we would see in 2011. It had all the potential in the world. Once the fights started, all that went out the window. I was let down as I’m sure a lot of other fight fans were also. The card was boring, there was no true “fight of the night”, and it was just flat out a bad night of mixed martial arts action. Actually a lack of action.

The main event ended with a highlight reel knockout that was much needed. Anderson Silva retained his middleweight title with a beautiful kick to Vitor Belfort’s chin that saved the night. A straight kick right on the button was one of the most amazing knockouts you will ever see. Before that, neither guy did a thing for the first three minutes of the first round. Then in an instance, it was all over.

 

Anderson Silva has defeated everyone at 185 pounds. The rumor is that if 170 pound title holder and superstar Georges St. Pierre defends his title against Jake Shields in a few months, the two will meet in a megafight. GSP and Silva are clearly the two best fighters in the world. Let’s hope this fight happens and show the sport of boxing that making great fights truly does exist.

 

Subtract the main event KO and the card was terrible. There were some very strange happenings and fighters that look unprepared.

The co-feature was a scrap between Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin. Both of these fighters are known for their all out pace and willingness to stand up and trade, and putting on shows for the crowd. Not this time. The first and second rounds were mainly on the ground with little action. The third and final round the pace got better but it was too late. Griffin secured a unanimous decision in a snoozefest.

The hype machine that is Jon “Bones” Jones rolled. He defeated another so called up and coming superstar, Ryan Bader. Talk about a mismatch. Jones appeared to have 25 pounds on Bader. Jones dominated from start to finish with solid striking and excellent work on the ground. Jones won via choke in the 2^nd round.

Ryan Bader looked lost in the octagon. Maybe the bright lights got to him. He wasn’t aggressive and didn’t look to be in the same class as Jones. Still very young, Bader should learn from his first loss and continue to get better.

With the win added in with a Rashad Evans injury, Jon Jones will now fight Shogun Rua for the light heavyweight title next month. That was announced as soon as Jones’ hand was raised.

Full results:

• Champ Anderson Silva def. Vitor Belfort via KO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:25 (retains middleweight title)
• Forrest Griffin def. Rich Franklin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jon Jones def. Ryan Bader via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 2, 4:20
• Jake Ellenberger def. Carlos Eduardo Rocha via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
• Miguel Torres def. Antonio Banuelos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Donald Cerrone def. Paul Kelly via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 3:48
• Chad Mendes def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Demetrious Johnson def. Norifumi Yamamoto via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Paul Taylor def. Gabe Ruediger via knockout (strikes) - Round 2, 1:42
• Kyle Kingsbury def. Ricardo Romero via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 0:21
• Mike Pierce def. Kenny Robertson via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 0:29

UFC 126 was a horrible letdown and 127 doesn’t have the makings of a great card. 2011 was supposed to be the year MMA took a huge leap while boxing is in a horrible funk. It’s early in the year, but we aren’t off to a very good start here. At least it can only get better.