UFC 126

UFC 126 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 5, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Background

Former Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor Belfort was scheduled to fight Yushin Okami at UFC 122. However, UFC President Dana White said that Belfort would instead challenge Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva for the belt.Belfort was originally scheduled to compete against Silva on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108, but due to an injury sustained by Silva, the fight had to be postponed until February 6, 2010 at UFC 109 and April 10, 2010 at UFC 112, respectively. However, both fights were cancelled.

A bout between Kenny Florian and Evan Dunham was expected for this event. The fight was moved to UFC: Fight For The Troops 2.However, Florian pulled out due to injury on December 6, and Dunham instead fought and lost to Melvin Guillard.

A bout between Jon Fitch and Jake Ellenberger was expected for this event. However Fitch was pulled from the bout and will now fight B.J. Penn at UFC 127.Jake Ellenberger remained on the card and fought Carlos Eduardo Rocha.

UFC 126 featured two preliminary fights live on Spike TV,and one preliminary fight on their Facebook stream.

  1. Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort
    Anderson Silva
    27-4-0 Record 19-8-0
    6' 2" Height 6' 0"
    185lbs (84kg) Weight 185lbs (84kg)
    Reach 74
    Vitor Belfort
    Middleweight Championship bout: Silva defeated Belfort via KO (front kick and punches) at 4:25 of round 1 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship.
  2. Forrest Griffin vs Rich Franklin
    Forrest Griffin
    17-6-0 Record 28-5-0, 1NC
    6' 3" Height 6' 1"
    205lbs (93kg) Weight 205lbs (93kg)
    Reach 76
    Rich Franklin
    Light Heavyweight bout: Griffin defeated Franklin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
  3. Jake Ellenberger vs Carlos Eduardo Rocha
    Jake Ellenberger
    23-5-0 Record 9-0-0
    6' 0" Height 5' 10"
    170lbs (77kg) Weight 170lbs (77kg)
    73 Reach
    Carlos Eduardo Rocha
    Welterweight bout: Ellenberger defeated Rocha via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28).
  4. Jon Jones vs Ryan Bader
    Jon Jones
    11-1-0 Record 13-0-0
    6' 4" Height 6' 2"
    205lbs (93kg) Weight 205lbs (93kg)
    Reach 74
    Ryan Bader

    Light Heavyweight bout: Jones defeated Bader via submission (Guillotine choke) at 4:20 of round 2.

  5. Miguel Angel Torres vs Antonio Banuelos
    Miguel Angel Torres
    37-3-0 Record 19-6-0
    5' 9" Height 5' 3"
    135lbs (61kg) Weight 135lbs (61kg)
    Reach
    Antonio Banuelos
    Bantamweight bout: Torres defeated Banuelos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
  6. Donald Cerrone vs Paul Kelly
    Donald Cerrone
    13-3-0, 1NC Record 12-3-0
    6' 0" Height 5' 9"
    155lbs (70kg) Weight 155lbs (70kg)
    Reach
    Paul Kelly
    Lightweight bout: Cerrone defeated Kelly via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:48 of round 2. This bout aired on the PPV broadcast following the Taylor vs. Ruediger fight.
  7. Chad Mendes vs Michihiro Omigawa
    Chad Mendes
    9-0-0 Record 12-8-1
    5' 6" Height 5' 6"
    145lbs (65kg) Weight 145lbs (65kg)
    Reach
    Michihiro Omigawa
    Featherweight bout: Mendes defeated Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
  8. Paul Taylor vs Gabe Ruediger
    Paul Taylor
    10-6-1, 1NC Record 17-6-0
    6' 0" Height 5' 10"
    155lbs (70kg) Weight 155lbs (70kg)
    Reach
    Gabe Ruediger
    Lightweight bout: Taylor defeated Ruediger via KO (strikes) at 1:42 of round 2. This bout aired on the PPV broadcast following the Silva vs. Belfort fight.
  9. Norifumi Yamamoto vs Demetrious Johnson
    Norifumi Yamamoto
    18-3-0, 1NC Record 12-1-0
    5' 4" Height 5' 3"
    135lbs (61kg) Weight 135lbs (61kg)
    Reach
    Demetrious Johnson
    Bantamweight bout: Johnson defeated Yamamoto via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).

    (Facebook Stream)

  10. Kyle Kingsbury vs Ricardo Romero
    Kyle Kingsbury
    9-2-0, 1NC Record 11-1-0
    6' 4" Height 6' 0"
    205lbs (93kg) Weight 205lbs (93kg)
    76 Reach
    Ricardo Romero
    Light Heavyweight bout: Kingsbury defeated Romero via TKO (strikes) at 0:21 of round 1. This bout aired on Spike TV following the Mendes vs. Omigawa fight.
  11. Mike Pierce vs Kenny Robertson
    Mike Pierce
    11-3-0 Record 10-0-0
    5' 8" Height 5' 10"
    170lbs (77kg) Weight 170lbs (77kg)
    Reach
    Kenny Robertson
    Welterweight bout: Pierce defeated Robertson via TKO (punches) at 0:29 of round 2.

Fight of the Night:
Knockout of the Night: Anderson Silva

Submission of the Night: Jon Jones

EVENTS