UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort
The UFC presents their February 2011 card live from Las Vegas Nevada. The main event for UFC 126 features Anderson Silva (27-4) vs Vitor Belfort (19-8). Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…
Event: UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort
Date/Time: February 5, 2011, 10PM ET/7PM PT
Location: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Betting: Bet on UFC 126 at Sportsbook.com
Main bouts:
Anderson Silva (27-4): -240
Vitor Belfort (19-8): +190
A fight that has been over a years in the making headlines UFC 126. Anderson Silva takes a 13 fight win streak into the bout against Vitor Belfort who has reeled off five straight victories. Belfort is a pure striker that has some skills on the ground. Silva has dominated everyone but Chael Sonnen in recent memory.
The combination of Ring Rust (Belfort hasn’t fought in a year and a half) and Silva’s need for an impressive victory should propel him to a win. Many want to see Silva lose, myself included, but I just don’t see it happening on Saturday night. Pick: Anderson Silva -240
Forrest Griffin (17-6): +140
Rich Franklin (28-5): -170
Two of the most popular fighters in the UFC battle to get back on the Championship radar in the UFC. Both Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin have held belts before but have been underwhelming of last – Griffin has lost two of his last three fights and Franklin is just 4-3 in his last seven.
Griffin has a lot of heart and that is what will keep him in this fight. However, it will be the well rounded nature of Franklin and his overall experience that will prevail in this fight. Griffin is simply a poor man’s Franklin. Pick: Rich Franklin -170
Jake Ellenberger (22-5): -350
Carlos Eduardo Rocha (9-0): +250
Highly touted Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, Carlos Rocha will attempt to make a name for himself when he takes on a very underrated Jake Ellenberger. Rocha has only been out of the first round one time in his career – stopping all of his combatants. Ellenberger however is a very experienced fighter who is very well rounded.
Look for Ellenberger’s experience to allow him to stay away from the dangerous ground practitioner Rocha and for this fight to be a stand up war that ends in a decision win for the veteran. Pick: Jake Ellenberger -350
Jon Jones (11-1): -350
Ryan Bader (12-0): +250
In what promises to be potentially the Fight of the Night, two of the most hyped Light Heavyweight prospects do battle to determine who the real contender is. Jon Jones is a threat anywhere this fight goes and holds a slight edge in the standup and jiu-jitsu game. However, stud wrestler Ryan Bader takes a Division I All American wrestling pedigree into the Octagon. Bader has relatively good stand up as well.
People love Jon Jones right now and Ryan Bader isn’t getting all that much respect. I like the upset in this fight – Bader’s endurance and his ability to take this fight to the mat at should be the difference. Bader will frustrate Jones on the way to a decision victory. Pick: Ryan Bader +250
Miguel Torres (38-3): -400
Antonio Banuelos (18-6): +300
Two WEC veterans meet in Bantamweight action on the Main Card of UFC 126. Former Champion Miguel Torres takes on Antonio Banuelos with the winner lining themselves up for a possible title shot down the line. Torres was once considered one of the pound for pound best fighters in the world before losing two of his last three fights. He should have his way with Banuelos who is just 3-3 in his last six fights.
Torres is the more experienced, more well rounded fighter who is motivated to get back to the top of the Bantamweight division. Consider Banuelos a stepping stone for Torres in this fight! Pick: Miguel Torres -400
Preliminary bouts:
Donald Cerrone (13-3, 1 NC): -300
Paul Kelly (11-3): +220
Former WEC Lightweight contender Donald Cerrone makes his UFC debut this weekend against exciting English striker Paul Kelly. Cerrone has all the tools to succeed in this bout against a very game Paul Kelly. Look for the all around game of Cerrone to prevail in this one – he holds a slight striking advantage and a wide grappling advantage. Pick: Donald Cerrone -300
Chad Mendes (9-0): -350
Michihiro Omigawa (12-8-1): +250
Former college wrestling standout Chad Mendez takes on a hot Michihiro Omigawa in Featherweight action on Saturday night. Omigawa has won eight of his last nine fights and is currently riding a five fight win streak into Saturday’s tilt against undefeated prospect Mendez. Word is that a victory on Saturday will line Mendez up with a possible title shot in his next fight – he won’t be denied! Pick: Chad Mendez -350
Paul Taylor (10-6-1): -210
Gabe Ruediger (17-6): +165
Paul Taylor will try to get his first win at Lightweight after a less than scintillating stay at Welterweight. In his way is Gabe Reudiger, a former WEC champion, TUF alum and Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt. Both fighters need the win to stay relevant in the organization and both have had troubles getting into the win column recently. Look for Paul Taylor to come out and induce one of his patented brawls and for him to keep his UFC dream alive (assuming that Reudiger can make weight!!). Pick: Paul Taylor -210
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-3): -140
Demetrious Johnson (7-1): +110
Highly touted Japanese fighter Norifumi Yamamoto makes his UFC debut against former WEC standout Demetrious Johnson. Yamamoto has yet to live up to the enormous hype that surrounds him and although he once enjoyed a 14 fight win streak, he has lost two of his last three bouts. Johnson is currently on a two fight win streak and should be able to overwhelm the underwhelming Yamamoto. Pick: Demetrious Johnson +110
Mike Pierce (11-3): -300
Kenny Robertson (10-0): +220
In a Welterweight Strikers battle, Mike Pierce will look to build on a two fight win streak against undefeated UFC virgin Kenny Robertson. Pierce has fought some tough opponents and has fared well in all while Robertson’s success has come in lesser organizations. Mike Pierce will be a less than welcoming opponent on Saturday! Pick: Mike Pierce -300
Kyle Kingsbury (9-2): -140
Ricardo Romero (11-1): +110
Light Heavyweights Kyle Kingsbury and Ricardo Romero will be looking to make a name for themselves in Light Heavyweight action at UFC 126. Kingsbury, a TUF 8 alum has won two straight fights in impressive fashion while Romero is coming off a submission win in his UFC debut. Look for Romero, a former King of Combat Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight champion to come out on top by submission early in this one. Pick: Ricardo Romero +110
