By Russell Cejas
UFC 126 appears to be on paper, a great card. Ranging from former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres and Antonio Banuelos to pound for pound greats Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort to Rich Franklin and Forrest Griffin. Jon Jones and Ryan Bader will do battle as well with the winner potentially receiving a light-heavyweight title shot, while Carlos Eduardo Rocha looks to defend his perfect record against a heavy handed Jake Ellenberger. Every fight should be a non-stop show of skill.
Here are my breakdowns:
Miguel Angel Torres (36-3) vs. Antonio Banuelos (18-6)
With Miguel Angel Torres having double the fights and half the losses as Banuelos, I expect that Torres’
experience with boxing accompanied by his reach will be too much for Banuelos. Although Banuelos is
always active and an entertaining fighter with a decent skill set, I do not see him ever being more
than a gate keeper for the bantamweight division.
Prediction: Torres via TKO
Jon Jones (11-1) vs. Ryan Bader (13-0)
In my opinion this will be the fight of the night! Both men have walked away from their fights
without a blemish as both fighters seem at the top of their game. Jones and Bader are both physically tremendous and skilled and they know that up is the only way to go. No elbow will be left un-thrown and in my opinion Bader will try to out muscle a very strong Jon Jones and may find himself out worked by a very active six foot four unorthodox style fighter.
Prediction: Jones via unanimous decision
Jake Ellenberger (23-5) vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha
This should be a classic clash of the fighting styles with Ellenberger having such powerful hands and Rocha winning eight of his last nine fights via submission. The two different styles should make for a long feeling out period but should be entertaining when the two exchange.
Prediction: Rocha via submission
Forrest Griffin (17-6) vs. Rich Franklin (28-5)
This fight will be the most cautious fight of the night. I expect an extremely long feeling out period with
minimal exchanging in the center of the octagon. The two fighters are similar in stature with comparable styles and I expect that Forrest Griffin will be stronger but the better hands will be on Franklin as he has five times the knockouts than his younger opponent.
Prediction: Franklin via TKO
Anderson Silva (27-4) vs. Vitor Belfort (19-8)
As I have watched Anderson Silva over the years, it seems he actually fights better when his opponent is similar in style. He almost seems to embarrass other Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners with the way he exposes their weakness’ in the style he has come to perfect. I like Vitor Belforts chances/abilities more so than some other fighters that have gone against Silva. If Belfort can expose the fact that Silva has more wins by decision than submission and in fact take the Jiu Jitsu game to him than he may
have something going.
Prediction: Silva via unanimous decision
