· UFC 126: Round-By-Round & Post Fight Coverage

Tonight's "UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort" event will be broadcast on pay-per-view from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  The event features a  middleweight  title main event matchup between champion Anderson Silva and knockout artist Vitor Belfort. Also featured will be two division-shaping light heavyweights bouts with Forrest Griffin taking on Rich Franklin and Jones Jones meeting up with Ryan Bader. Catch all the live blow-by-blow action as we bring you live coverage of the main broadcast card round-by-round.

The prelims are over and the main card is coming up. If the Main Event card is anything like the fights earlier this evening, we will be in for a treat.

 

* Because the UFC will occassionally broadcast undercard bouts during the pay-per-view, the prelims will not be updated until the event has completed.

Mike Pierce vs. Kenny Robertson  (Unaired Prelim)

Official Decision - Mike Pierce wins by TKO (punches) at 0:29 of Round 2

 

Ricardo Romero vs. Kyle Kingsbury  (Unaired Prelim)

Round 1 -

Round 2 - 

Round 3 - 

Official Decision - Kyle Kingsbury wins by TKO (punches) at 0:21 of Round 1

Gabe Ruediger vs. Paul Taylor  (Unaired Prelim)

Round 1 - Ruediger comes out aggressive. Taylor answers with a good combination. The two tie up along the cage. Taylor again with a sharp combination. Ruediger forces the tie up. Against the cage Ruediger works for a guillotine, but Taylor avoids. The two continue to clinch and tie up against the fence. Ruediger looks to take it down, but Taylor defends and controls the scramble. The pace slows as Taylor keeps Ruediger trapped along the fence. The referee separates the two. Ruediger with a leg kick. Taylor tags Ruediger with a right as he steps in for a jab. Under ten seconds and Taylor lands a few good punches, hurting Ruediger. 10-9 round to Taylor.

Round 2 - Right of the bell Taylor lands a good right, and another, snapping Ruediger's head back. Taylor again with a great combination. Tied up along the cage, Ruediger tries to box the ears of Taylor, but gets the spin and presses Taylor into the cage. Taylor separates and lands about a 6-punch combination, finished off with a  headkick that puts Ruediger out.

Official Decision - Paul Taylor wins by KO (kick) at 1:42 of Round 2

Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Demetrious Johnson  (Facebook Broadcast)

Round 1 - For most of the round, the fighters trade shots.  Johnson finally gets a takedown, but Kid is able to quickly get back up.  Yamamoto tries for a throw, but Johnson ducks it and gets a takedown of his own.  Johnson is able to control Kid on the ground, but he is eventually able to get back up.  They stand for a second, and Johnson takes advantage of a trade to land a third takedown.  They finish the round with Johnson on top, likely 10-9 Johnson.

Round 2 - Round 2 begins with the fighters trading shots, neither landing anything significant.  Johnson lands some kicks at a distance.  Both fighters seem to be gauging the distance between them.  Yamamoto goes for a takedown but Johnson quickly stuffs it, landing some knees in the exchange.  Johnson lands a low kick that hits Kid in the genitals, and the referee calls time to allow the fighter to recover.  Time is resumed, and Johnson lands a takedown but is quickly rolled and thrown off by Yamamoto.  Johnson tries for a takedown again and misses but quickly gets back up, and quickly engages and lands on Yamamoto.  Yamamoto seems unable to land anything significant.  Johnson goes for another takedown and grabs a single-leg, and though Yamamoto fights it Johnson gets him down.  Kid is able to get out of it shortly, and they stand in front of each other again.  Kid tries to land a big right hook and misses, and Johnson takes him down again, landing in half guard.  Kid gets up again, continuing the trend going for the whole fight.  Johnson take shim down again, landing in North South position, then trying to transition to the back, then almost getting reversed, and in the exchange Yamamoto almost lands an illegal knee, but both fighters continue.  The round ends with both fighters standing, clearly a 10-9 round for Johnson.

Round 3 - Johnson lands a body kick early in round 3 and tries for a takedown but is shrugged off.  Once again, Johnson gets a takedown, lands in half guard, but doesn't seem to be able to do anything with it.  Again Kid is able to escape and get back to his feet; this is the story of this fight.  Johnson gets a clinch and tries to land some knees.  Kid tries for a throw but it is unsuccessful.  They are standing for what seems like the longest time in the fight with neither fighter landing anything significant.  Johnson gets another takedown and tries for a guillotine, which fails and Kid gets back up.  Johnson hits Kid with a big left hook, and then gets Kid down against the cage.  Kid has a half-buterfly guard and uses it to stand up and a knee in the process.  With under a minute left, Kid reverses a takedown but lands in half guard after a roll.  Johnson looks content to hold Kid down for the last 30 seconds of this fight.  Kid is trying to escape but Johnson is holding him down, and the fight ends with likely another 10-9 round for Johnson.

Official Decision - Demetrious Johnson def. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto via Unanimous Decision

 

Michihiro Omigawa vs. Chad Mendes (Spike TV Broadcast)

Round 1 - The fight begins with each fighter finding their distance, with each jumping in for shots and retreating.  Mendes tries to grab Omigawa, but misses.  Omigawa has the center of the cage, but Mendes dives in for the takedown and is thrown off after a struggle.  Mendes lands some big shots on Omigawa.  The announcers are suggesting that Mendes may have hurt his right hand, but it is unclear.  Mendes lands a great inside kick, then lands a huge combo to Omigawa's head which the fighter is shaking off.  Mendes is able to take Omigawa to the ground and lands in full guard.  Omigawa moves for a guillotine, but Mendes shakes it off, which Omigawa responds to by positioning for an armbar.  Omigawa appears to have Mendes' arm locked, but the fighter regurns to full guard.  Mendes stands up as Omigawa tries for a leg trip to bring the fighter back down.  Omigawa gets back up, and the fighters look to trade again.  Mendes lands another inside leg kick.  The round ends with Mendes trying for some big punches, likely 10-9 Mendes.

Round 2 - Omigawa is coming forward much more aggresssively to start round 2, but leaves and opening where Mendes lands a big shot, takes him down, and rains down big punches.  Mendes is in guard, with Omigawa holding him close to neutralize any striking.  Mendes stands up over him and lands some downward strikes.  Omigawa tries to grab a leg but scrambles to stand up.  Mendes lands more leg kicks, and Omigawa is still holding the center of the cage despite Mendes getting the better of the striking.  Mendes comes in and lands a low body shot, followed by an overhand right.  They each trade some punches, and Mendes fights for a takedown but Omigawa is able to hold him up.  THey end up with Omigawa pressed against the cage, both fighters trading short blows.  Mendes lands a big elbow and Omigawa begins looking for a throw.  Omigawa separates and they return to the center of the cage.  Mendes lands more big punches, and follows with multiple inside leg kicks.  Omigawa lands with a few shots, but Mendes grabs a single leg takedown, but ends up in north/south position while holding onto the leg.  Mendes separates and gets back up, quickly trying to land a flying knee unsuccessfully.  Omigawa is becoming more aggressive with his striking, but Mendes gets him to the ground.  Mendes finishes the round throwing elbows from full guard, and likely wins the round 10-9.

Round 3 - Between the rounds, Omigawa is shown to have a huge gash over his left eyelid.  The round begins and Omigawa has a huge glob of vaseline over his eye, which Mendes attacks.  Omigawa is being quite agressive with his striking, but Mendes appears to be landing more.  Throughout the fight, Omigawa has controlled the cage position but Mendes is landing more strikes.  Mendes gets a single leg but can't complete it, as they get stuck in North/Sounth position.  Omigawa tries to grab a guillotine, but Mendes scrambles and gets to half guard.  Omigawa gets Mendes to full guard, and Mendes stands up but falls back into half guard.  At the halfway point of the round, Mendes is lsnding shots from the top while Omigawa tries to grab an arm.  Omigawa is trying to kick Mendes off to gcreate distance and gets to his feet.  Mendes appears to be slowing down, but is still landing big power punches while Imigawa is still throwing more often.  Mendes gets another takedown, landing in full guard.  WIth under aminute left, Mendes is holding Omigawa down.  Omigawa tries to throw shots from the bottom, but they are not doing any damage.  With 20 seconds left, Omigawa attempts an omoplatta but Mendes shrugs it off.  The fight ends with Mendes landing a few final blows, likely 10-9 Mendes.

Official Decision - Chad Mendes def. Michihiro Omigawa via. Unanimous Decision

 

Paul Kelly vs. Donald Cerrone  (Spike TV Broadcast)

Round 1 - As Cerrone tries to touch gloves, Kelly swings at him, which Cerrone turns into a takedown and Kelly tries to grab a guillotine.  The guilotine is stopped, but Cerrone is able to get to mount, and they get back to their feet.  Cerrone tries for a takedown again, and Kelly tries for a knee.  Kelly lands big shots and tries for some knees in the clinch.  Kelly comes in with a punch but Cerrone counters with a knee to the body.  Cerrone lands some big kicks, and they continue to trade.  Kelly lands a big punch at the end of an exchange, but Cerrone is unfased.  Cerrone is mixing kicks and punches, while Kelly is just landing power punches.  Cerrone lands a big kick to Kelly's abdomen.  Kelly lands some big shots, and Cerone is beginning to show signs of damage.  Cerrone throws some strange strikes, mizing a headkick with a standing elbow.  Cerrone gets a takedown and lands in half guard, raining some shots.  Kelly appears to be trying to hold him close, but Cerrone lands knees from the top.  Kelly is doing a good job of neutralizing Cerrone's offense.  Cerrone gets out of Kelly's hold and lands a big elbow which cuts Kelly, and he's bleeding badly over his right eye.  Close round, likely 10-9 Cerrone.

Round 2 - They trade quickly at the start of round 2, with Kelly throwing wildly.  Cerrone appears to be ducking inward when he trades, and Kelly is beginning to take advantage of it.  Cerrone lands more kicks to the body.  Kelly lands a leg kick of his own, but doesn't put much behind it.  Kelly transitions from a punch to a guillotine as Cerrone lands a takedown, ending up with Cerrone on top in half guard.  Kelly's cut is bleeding again.  Kelly tries to throw Cerrone off but ends up mounted, and Cerrone transitions to the back with a figure-4 body lock on with 2 minutes to go in the round.  Cerrone is clearly working for a rear naked choke, peppering Kelly's cut eye in the meantime.  Cerrone rolls him over and finishes the rear naked choke, winning by submission at 3:47 in the second round.

Official Decision - Donald Cerrone def. Paul Kelly by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:47 of Round 2

 

Miguel Torres vs. Antonio Banuelos

Round 1 - Torres, with arm forward, waving it in front of Banuelos lands the first jab. Banuelos counters a leg kick with a straight right. Torres keeping good distance, far away from Banuelos' strikes. Torres snaps a good jab. Banuelos again counters the leg kick. Torres sticking the jab with accuracy. Banuelos catches a kick and takes Torres down, choosing not to stay on the mat. Torres with another series of jabs. Torres with a good right. Banuelos corner advising him to push the pace and attack first. Banuelos misses a high kick and attempts a combination. He attempts a spinning back kick, but nothing lands as the bell sounds. Torres takes the round 10-9.

Round 2 - Torres opens up with a right, then a jab. Banuelos counters the jab with a heavy right. Torres with a good combination, and may have landed a kick to the cup. Torres still controlling with the jab. The crowd moved to booing as the pace sows. Both fighters unleash a combination with Torres taking the exchange with a sharp uppercut. Each fighter seems to have one strike at a time on their minds. Banuelos is working hard of get inside of Torres, but each time he steps inside Torres backs him out with a combination. Torres doubling up the jab now. Banuelos lands a big hook in an echange, but the bell sounds before he can take any advantage or follow up. Torres takes another round, 10-9.

Round 3 - Torres comes back ou sticking the jab. Banuelos though looking to get inside even more now, still missing wildly. Torres happy to stay outside of Banuelos' range and pepper away with the long range punches. Torres with a high kick. Banuelos, head down, eyes closed, continues to swing wildly, hitting nothing but air. Torres really snapping the jab now. Torres lands nearly a dozen unanswered punches with under two minutes to go.  Under thirty secods, Banuelos lands a hook and a spinning kick, then a knee, but too late as the bell sounds. Torres taking the final round and the fight, 10-9.

Official Decision - Miguel Torres wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

 

Carlos Eduardo Rocha vs. Jake Ellenberger

Round 1 - Ellenberger quickly takes the center of the cage. Ellenberger get s an early takedown. In side control, Rocha scramble to his feet as Ellenberger tries to advance. Rocha gets the fight down and quickly looks for a dominant position. In side control, Rocha slowly advancing, briefly in a north-south position. Rocha sneekly attempts a triagle, but Ellenberger scrambles, but Rocha rides to his back and then quickly back to north-south. Rocha reaches forward for a potential leg lock. In a scramble, Ellenberger grabs a front face lock and gets to his feet. Ellenberger blocks a takedown attempt and lands a big knee on the break. Rocha looks for a spinning back fist, but misses. Then after stuffing another takedown attempt Rocha rolls through with an arm lock. The round closes with Ellenberger defending a submission. The round is close, but likely for Rocha, 10-9.

Round 2 - Ellenberger rushes in and catches Rocha with a series of knees. Rocha gets stuffed again and turtles as he takes several punches off the hands. Back to the feet, Ellenberger looks to land to the body. Rocha swings and misses, Ellenberger grazes him with the counter. Rocha lands a couple soft kicks. Ellenberger lands a good right, Rocha beginning to slow. Ellenberger lands a stiff left, but doesn't follow up on it. Ellenberger's corner calling for him to press, throw some combinations. Ellenberger lands a good body kick, answered by Rocha. Ellenberger gets a takedown with under 20 seconds. The bell sounds and Ellenberger seals the round with that late takedown, 10-9.

Round 3 - Ellenberger looking more tentative this round. Rocha not engaging either. The two trade leg kicks. Rocha moves backwards flat-footed, and Ellenberger ties him up. Rocha drops to his back, but Ellenberger refues to follow him down there. Rocha misses with another high kick. Rocha with an inside leg kick. Ellenberger lands a snapping right hand. Rocha missing with his punches, Ellenberger missing with a takedown. Ellenberger clinches, both exchange knees. Both corners call for action as they're under a minute. Rocha lands a head kick, but is thrown to the ground. Ellenberger gets another takedown with under 40 seconds. Ellenberger breaking fre to land a few punches. The round ends without much action. Ellenberger easily takes the final round, 10-9.

Official Decision - Jake Ellenberger wins by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)

 

Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader

Round 1 - Bader engages first, Jones defends. Jones already backing up. Jones goes for a takedown.  Jones has his head trapped, but has side control. Jones frees and moves to a north-south position. Jones is cranking hard, but Bader is surviving. Jones loses the choke, but stays in side control. Bader rolls and gets to his feet. Jones lands a jab. Bader now backing up as the crowd calls his name. Bader looks for the takedown. Jones swims around, setting up a possible arm-in guillotine. Bader stands, Jones takes his back standing. Jones lands an elbow.  Jones looking to set up the next position, elbows the back of Bader. The bell sounds and Jon Jones takes thew round 10-9 or 10-8.

Round 2 - Bader with a soft inside leg kick. Jones with a snapping left, and another. Jones with a leaping high kick is blocked. Jones has a leaping elbow countered by Bader. Bader with a leg kick. Jones answers with one. Bader moves forward landing a jab. Both men miss on big swings. Jones closes a combination with a leg kick. Jones cutting off the ring. Jones with a strong leg kick, bader answers with a right. Again with the leg kick. Jones grazes him with a right. Jones lands a striaght kick, Bader drops to his back, but cannot control Jones. Jones setting up a choke. Ryan Bader taps out. Jon Jones with the submission victory.

Official Decision - Jon Jones wins via submission (guillotine) at 4:20 of Round 2

Rich Franklin vs. Forrest Griffin

Round 1 - Franklin opens with a lieg kick. Griffin takes Franklin offnhis feet with a kick. Griffin pressing from Franklin's guard, moves to half-guard. Griffin working in short strikes as Franklin defends. Franklin doing a good job of defending, but cannot get out from underneath. Griffin postures up and lands several punches to the head and body. Griffin with a good elbow, still working hard from Franklin's guard. Again Griffin postures up and lands a couple decent punches. Griffin still pressing, relentlessly pressuring from Franklin's guard. Griffin finishes the round with a series of elbows. Griffin easily takes the round, 10-9.

Round 2 - Griffin lands a good body kick. Griffin lands a good inside leg kick. Franklin answer with a good right hand. Both men step in and connect on combinations. Franklin lands a sharp kick, answered by Griffin to the leg. Griffin steps through a leg kick and takes Franklin's back, riding him to the ground. Griffin gets one hook in, but Franklin stands. It's temporary as Griffin takes him back to the ground. But Franklin stands again and this time separates. Franklin lands a good left. Griffin landing the inside leg kick and Franklin starts to lighten up on the lead leg. Griffin stumbles Franklin with a left, but doesn't capitalize. Griffin with a body kick and right. Franklin steps in with the right, but is omediately answered by Griffin. FFranklin with a body kick. Griffin with another head kick blocked as time expires. Griffin takes round 2 10-9.

Round 3 - Both kick at the same time, nullifying each other. Franklin with a good body kick. Griffin with a knee. Franklin starts with a right, Griffin answers with a left right leg kick. Franklin looks for a takedown, but cannot finish it. Griffin slipping every Franklin jab and coming over the top with a right. Griffin inside leg kick. Again with the kick and the overhand right. Franklin has a head kicked blocked. Franklin grazes a right hook counter. Griffin misses with a head kick. Griffin gets the takedown, but Franklin scrambles quickly and ends up on top. Griffin rises with an underhook, and takes Franklin down. But Franklin gets to his feet quickly. The two tie up briefly along the cage. Griffin lands a straight kick as the bell sounds and likely takes the final round as well.

Official Decision - Forrest Griffin wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Main Event:  Vitor Belfort vs. Anderson Silva
UFC Middleweight Championship

Round 1 - Both men come out to lots of distance. One minute in and not a single punch thrown. First strike at 90 seconds in, Belfor with a leg kick. Silva faints  at Belfort, backing him up. Silva still has not thrown a punch. Belfort lands a left. Silva misses a head kick and Belfort takes him down. Silva right back to his feet and lands a good punch. Anderson lands a huge front kick to the face of Belfort, dropping him. He lands another punch or two before the referee steps in and waves off the fight. Anderson Silva wins by another highlight reel KO.

Official Decision - Anderson Silva wins via KO (kick) at 3:25 of Round 1

 

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