UFC 126 Preview: The Main Card

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When champions step into the cage or ring to defend their belts, fans love an element of danger. That is precisely what Anderson Silva faces in challenger Vitor Belfort. Attempting to make the eighth defense of his UFC middleweight crown at UFC 126 on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, “The Spider” meets a unique kind of threat in Belfort, whose speed and power are unlike anyone else’s in the sport.

This match brings a compelling challenge for the champion, as well as the offer of considerable redemption for Belfort, who, along with flashes of unabated brilliance, has suffered from setbacks and letdown performances as often as he has thrilled fans. Whether the “new” Belfort is the “old” Belfort is a subject much-discussed; Silva is the ultimate proving ground for it.

With that in mind, let us get to the main card, previews and picks.

UFC Middleweight Championship
Anderson Silva (No. 1 MW, No. 2 PFP) vs. Vitor Belfort (No. 6 MW)

The Matchup: On paper, the only way you could design a better fighter than Belfort to win this would be by giving him a high-level wrestling pedigree. That is because Belfort has legendary hands, explosive power and great submission awareness and jiu-jitsu, a skill largely overshadowed by his highlight-reel knockouts. Silva, coming off a miracle comeback win over Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 in August, sits on the longest unbeaten streak in the history of the UFC -- 12 bouts and 12 victories -- and a record seven defenses. Long wanted by fans, this matchup finally comes to fruition. Do not go to the fridge.

Belfort, forever hot and cold in his performances, returned to the UFC with a one-round blitz of ex-champion Rich Franklin, showing the Mike Tysonesque form that made him a star at 19 years old. With Silva’s modest-at-best wrestling being the only chink in his armor, the champion possesses the ability to stay cool under fire and absorb big shots at will. One might think Belfort’s best chance is to stand here, but he might have a better chance using his hands to close the gap and take Silva to the ground, where he can grind him down.

Standing, Belfort’s hands are amazingly potent, but over the long haul, Silva has too many weapons and makes too many clever adjustments. He uses range perfectly, delivering numbing counter shots opponents do not see. Plus, he switches from southpaw to orthodox as it suits him, with little drop-off in his effectiveness. Belfort’s chances to win this one fade considerably as the fight progresses, and Silva will plant doubt in his head in an extended stand-up fight.

The Pick: If Belfort goes for takedowns, he could wear out Silva, as Sonnen did, and then look for a stoppage later in the fight. However, “The Phenom” just is not wired that way. Silva will have some tough moments and then explode, delivering a barrage in the third round to retain his title.

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