UFC 126 Results: Dominant Anderson Silva, Jon Jones Among Card’s Big Winners
UFC 126 had more lows than highs, but the highs meant more -- especially for MMA fans. Who were the winners and losers?
With UFC 126 in the books, let's run down those who came out ahead and those who took a step back, starting with the winners:
Jon Jones - what more can be said? Not only did he look physically much larger than Ryan Bader, but it was as if he could do to the former All-American from Arizona State University whatever he wished. His long arms give him chokes at easy angles, he's flexible body give him whip on his strikes and his fight IQ allow him to problem solve for opposition very nimbly. With Rashad Evans out, Jones will take on UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua at UFC 128.
Anderson Silva - he'll never earn fans with his words or personality, but no one on the planet will ever be able to deny him his accolades and accomplishments. Stopping a top contender with a front kick in the first round is the stuff of movies, which makes sense given that Silva credited Steven Seagal with teaching him that kick. Up next? The biggest fight in UFC history unless Jake Shields gets in the way.
Fans of Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva - all UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre needs to do is defeat challenger Jake Shields (a task he is more than capable of accomplishing) and the UFC will stage what is arguably the biggest fight in MMA history.
Forrest Griffin - despite looking just a bit off pace, the UFC light heavyweight star nevertheless was able to get the job done with improved body lock takedowns, leg ride transitions and use of his physical size. What's next? Potentially a fight with Rashad Evans or even Rampage Jackson, although the latter appears unlikely if Jackson gets passed Thiago Silva.
Carlos Eduardo Rocha - he may have lost his fight with Jake Ellenberger, but he opened a lot of eyes with his incredibly fluid and dangerous ground attack.
And now, the losers:
Japanese MMA - two of Japan's finest, Norifumi Yamamoto and Michihiro Omigawa, looked flat and got worked over by their American opposition. Japanese megastar Yamamoto had no answer for the speed and wrestling of Johnson and Omigawa, while possessive of strong defensive wrestling, could not ultimately stop the takedown or the strikes of the superior Chad Mendes.
The "lighter" weight fighters - much more has been expected of the bantamweight and featherweights. While their weightclass appears to be as much hit or miss as others, Miguel Torres and Antonio Banuelos did little to add much luster to the WEC's reputation for frenetic action.
Paul Kelly - a loss to Donald Cerrone probably spells the end of the Brit's career in UFC...for now.
Who do you think were the night’s winners and losers?
