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Ultimate Fighter 13 Trailer

The Ultimate Fighter 13 is a little over a month away, and a new trailer highlights the showdown former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and top contender Junior dos Santos.

TUF 13 - Coming March 30th
Tags: ">Watch The Ultimate Fighter

Dustin Poirier vs. Rani Yahya in the Works for UFC 131

A featherweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Rani Yahya is in the works for UFC 131 on June 11 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Poirier (9-1, 1-0 UFC) recently played spoiler in his UFC debut, defeating former number-one contender Josh Grispi by unanimous decision at UFC 125. The fight also marked Poirier's debut at featherweight, after spending the first nine fights of his career at lightweight.

Yahya (16-6, 1-0 UFC) also made a successful UFC debut in his last bout, defeating former featherweight champion Mike Brown by unanimous decision at UFC: Fight for the Troops 2. The win snapped a two-fight skid for Yahya, who came to the UFC with a 4-4 mark in the WEC as a bantamweight.

Poirier last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Josh Grispi - UFC 125: Resolution (01/01/2011)
Win (TKO - Punches) Zach Micklewright - WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki (11/11/2010)
Loss (Unanimous Decision) Danny Castillo - WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez (08/18/2010)

Yahya last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Mike Brown - UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 (01/22/2011)
Loss (Unanimous Decision) Takeya Mizugaki - WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber (04/24/2010)
Loss (TKO - Punches) Joseph Benavidez - WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff (12/19/2009)

Props: Heavy.com

Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes in the Works for UFC 131

Former lightweight contender Kenny Florian revealed that he will make his featherweight debut against Diego Nunes at UFC 131.

Florian (14-5, 11-4 UFC) recently came up short in his third bid for a lightweight title shot, dropping a unanimous decision to Gray Maynard at UFC 118. The Ultimate Fighter 1 finalist had expressed a desire to immediately face the best that the featherweight division has to offer.

Nunes (16-1, 1-0 UFC) certainly fits that bill. After a 4-1 mark in the WEC, Nunes made a successful UFC debut at UFC 125, defeating former featherweight champion Mike Brown by split decision.

Florian last three fights:
Loss (Unanimous Decision) Gray Maynard - UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 (08/28/2010)
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Takanori Gomi - UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi (03/31/2010)
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Clay Guida - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez (12/12/2009)

Nunes last three fights:
Win (Split Decision) Mike Brown - UFC 125: Resolution (01/01/2011)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Tyler Toner - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan (09/30/2010)
Win (Split Decision) Raphael Assuncao - WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus (06/20/2010)

Props: MMA Live

Nik Lentz vs. Waylon Lowe in the Works for UFC Fight Night 24

A lightweight bout between Nik Lentz and Waylon Lowe is in the works for UFC Fight Night 24 on March 26 in Seattle, WA.

Lentz (20-3-2, 4-0-1 UFC) is undefeated inside the Octagon, and is riding a three-fight win streak. All five of his UFC fights have gone to decision.

Lowe (10-3, 2-1 UFC) rebounded from a loss in his UFC debut to Melvin Guillard with two straight wins, both decision victories.

Lentz last three fights:
Win (Split Decision) Tyson Griffin - UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida (11/20/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Andre Winner - UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 (08/28/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Rob Emerson - UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi (03/31/2010)

Lowe last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Willamy Freire - UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 (01/22/2011)
Win (Split Decision) Steve Lopez - UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop (09/25/2010)
Loss (KO - Knee to the Body) Melvin Guillard - UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans (05/29/2010)

Props: MMADiehards.com

Rob Broughton vs. Dave "Pee Wee" Herman in the Works for UFC 131

A heavyweight bout between Rob Broughton and UFC newcomer Dave "Pee-Wee" Herman is in the works for UFC 131, which is expected to take place on June 11 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Broughton (15-5-1, 1-0 UFC) made his successful debut last October at UFC 120, submitting Vinicius Queiroz by rear-naked choke in the third round. The win brought Broughton's current winning streak to five.

Herman (20-2, 0-0 UFC) has only been to decision once in his 22 career fights, and began his career 15-0. "Pee-Wee" has competed in many of the top MMA promotions around the road, including Sengoku, Bellator, and the now-defunct EliteXC.

Broughton last three fights:
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Vinicius Queiroz - UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama (10/16/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Oli Thompson - ZT Fight Night: Heavyweights Collide (01/30/2010)
Win (KO - Punch) James Thompson - ZT Fight Night - Heavyweights Collide (01/30/2010)

Herman last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Yoshihiro Nakao - World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight (12/30/2010)
Win (Submission - Omoplata) Michal Kita - Bellator 31 (09/30/2010)
Loss (DQ - Illegal Knees) Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - ADFC: Round 1 (05/14/2010)

Props: MMAJunkie.com

Phil Davis vs. Jason Brilz in the Works for UFC 129

A light heavyweight match up between Phil Davis and Jason Brilz is in the works for UFC 129 on April 30 in Toronto, Canada.

Davis (8-0, 4-0 UFC) had originally been scheduled to face Matt Hamill on the same card, but Hamill replaced Thiago Silva in a bout against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Undefeated in his MMA career, Davis most recently submitted Tim Boetsch with a modified kimura dubbed, "The Mr. Wonderful."

Brilz (18-3-1, 3-2 UFC) will return to the cage after an injury rendered him inactive for almost a year. When he last fought, Brilz lost a close and controversial split decision to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira last May.

Davis last three fights:
Win (Submission - Modified Kimura) Tim Boetsch - UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida (11/20/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Rodney Wallace - UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen (08/07/2010)
Win (Submission - Anaconda Choke) Alexander Gustafsson - UFC 112: Invincible (04/10/2010)

Brilz last three fights:
Loss (Split Decision) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans (05/29/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Eric Schafer - UFC Live on Versus: Vera vs. Jones (03/21/2010)
Loss (Split Decision) Eliot Marshall - UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort (09/19/2009)

Props: MMAJunkie.com

Chris Weidman Replaces Rafael Natal, Faces Alessio Sakara at UFC on Versus 3

Undefeated middleweight prospect Chris Weidman will replace an injured Rafael and face Alessio Sakara at UFC on Versus 3 on March 3 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Weidman (4-0, 0-0 UFC) trains out of New York as part of the Serra-Longo Fight Team. The former two time NCAA All-American wrestler holds notable collegiate victories over UFC fighters Ryan Bader and Phil Davis.

Sakara (15-7 (1 NC), 6-4 (1 NC) UFC) was scheduled to face Jorge Rivera at UFC 122 last November, but was struck ill backstage and was unable to compete. Since losing his middleweight debut to Chris Leben in 2008, Sakara has won three straight at that weight class.

Weidman last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Valdir Araugo - Ring of Combat 33 (12/03/2010)
Win (TKO - Punches) Uriah Hall - Ring of Combat 31 (09/24/2010)
Win (TKO - Punches) Mike Stewart - Ring of Combat 24 (04/17/2009)

Sakara last three fights:
Win (TKO - Broken Orbital) James Irvin - UFC Live on Versus: Vera vs. Jones (03/21/2010)
Win (Split Decision) Thales Leites - UFC 101: Declaration (08/08/2009)
Win (KO - Head Kick) Joe Vedepo - UFC Fight Night 15 (09/17/2008)

Props: Heavy.com

Jonathan Brookins vs. Jeremy Stephens in the works for TUF 13 Finale

A lightweight bout between Jeremy Stephens and Ultimate Fighter 12 winner Jonathan Brookins is in the works for The Ultiamte Fighter 13 on June 4 in Las Vegas.

Stephens (19-6, 6-5 UFC) recently earned Fight of the Night honors for his third-round KO of Marcus Davis at UFC 125. "Lil' Heathen" is currently on a 3-1 run in the UFC.

Brookins (12-3, 1-0 UFC) is coming off of a unanimous decision over Michael Johnson to become the newest Ultimate Fighter winner. The former featherweight has not lost since 2008, when he was knocked out by current UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

Stephens last three fights:
Win (KO - Punch) Marcus Davis - UFC 125: Resolution (01/01/2011)
Loss (Split Decision) Melvin Guillard - UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop (09/25/2010)
Win (Split Decision) Sam Stout - UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun 2 (05/08/2010)


Brookins last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Michael Johnson - Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale (12/04/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Yosdenis Cedeno - G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 3 (02/04/2010)
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Luis Palomino - G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 2 (09/26/2009)

Props: MMAJunkie.com

Josh Grispi vs. George Roop in the Works for Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale

A featherweight bout between Josh Grispi and George Roop is in the works for The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale on June 4 in Las Vegas.

Grispi (14-2, 0-1 UFC) originally earned a title shot against UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo after a 4-0 run in the WEC. Aldo was forced to withdraw from the bout with an injury, though, and Grispi then lost to Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision at UFC 125.

Roop (11-7-1, 1-3 UFC) originally moved up to lightweight from featherweight to compete as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter 8. After a 1-2 stint in the UFC, Roop was released and dropped back to featherweight, where he competed three times for the WEC. Roop returned to the UFC at "UFC: Fight for the Troops 2," but was knocked out by Mark Hominick in the first round.

Grispi last three fights:
Loss (Unanimous Decision) Dustin Poirier - UFC 125: Resolution (01/01/2011)
Win (Technical Submission - Guillotine Choke) LC Davis - WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus (06/20/2010)
Win (Submission - Guillotine Choke) Jens Pulver - WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber 2 (06/07/2009)

Roop last three fights:
Loss (TKO - Punches) Mark Hominick - UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 (01/22/2011)
Win (KO - Head Kick) Chan Sung Jung - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan (09/30/2010)
Draw (Split Draw) Leonard Garcio - WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz (03/06/2010)

Props: MMAJunkie.com

Miguel Torres vs. Brad Pickett in the Works for UFC 130

A bantamweight match between former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres and Brad Pickett is in the works for UFC 130 on May 28 in Las Vegas.

Torres (39-3, 1-0 UFC) is coming off of a unanimous-decision victory over Antonio Banuelos at UFC 126 where he primarily used a crisp jab to keep his smaller opponent at bay.

Pickett (20-5, 0-0 UFC) will make his UFC debut after a 3-1 run in the WEC. After losing a decision to Scotty Jorgensen in Fight-of-the-Night fashion, Pickett rebounded to earn a unanimous decision over Ivan Menjivar at WEC 53 last December.

Torres last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Antonio Banuelos - UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort (02/05/2011)
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Charlie Valencia - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan (09/30/2010)
Loss (Submission - Guillotine Choke) Joseph Benavidez - WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz (03/06/2010)

Pickett last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Ivan Menjivar - WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (12/16/2010)
Loss (Unanimous Decision) Scotty Jorgensen - WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez 2 (08/18/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Demetrious Johnson - WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber (04/24/2010)

Props: Heavy.com

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Post-Fight Thoughts and Analysis

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Saturday night kicked of Strikeforce's much-anticipated World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament, and it did so with fireworks. Only one main-card fight made it out of the first round, and we witnessed what could be the end of one of the most impressive careers in MMA history.

The End of an Era?

- Of course, the biggest story of the night was +350 underdog Antonio Silva's destruction of former pound-for-pound king Fedor Emelianenko. If Fabricio Werdum put a crack in the dam of Fedor's invincibility, Silva blew the entire thing to smithereens. After a second round spent mostly in survival mode, Fedor's eye was mangled to the point that he could no longer continue. Would I have liked to see a third round? Sure, if for no other reason than to selfishly see if Fedor could play comeback kid once again. But you cannot argue with the stoppage when the fighter clearly cannot see out of one eye. After the fight, Fedor speculated that it might be God's will to stop fighting. There has been no official word on his retirement yet, but it feels like the right time.

- For the first time in Fedor's career, size was the deciding factor in a fight. Silva did a fantastic job getting Fedor to the ground quickly in the second round, and was able to maintain and transition in top position while threatening with both submissions and ground and pound. If you have never grappled before, it is hard to explain just how suffocating it is to escape from the bottom against an opponent with 30-plus pounds on you. It is grueling, especially when the person on top of you is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt like Silva.

- If this is the end of road, let's momentarily put aside the critiques on Fedor's opponents or M-1 Global's negotiating strategies. Instead, we should reflect on and appreciate a fighter that has given us some of the most memorable moments in the sport. For me, those moments are when Fedor snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The Cro Cop head kick, the Randleman suplex, blasting Arlovski out of midair. What made Fedor special is that no matter how bad things got, he found a way to win.

- Silva advances to the second round of the tournament, where he awaits the winner of the Werdum/ Alistair Overeem fight in April. It certainly isn't the matchup that Strikeforce preferred, but Silva's combination of size, skill and childlike personality makes him an interesting figure to root for going forward.

Introducing Sergei Kharitonov

- The most obscure name in this heavyweight tournament is easily Sergei Kharitonov, a Russian product who has spent most of his career fighting in Japan. Kharitonov introduced himself to American audiences in a big way Saturday, knocking Andrei Arlovski stiff in the first round. With wins over tournament participants Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum already under his belt, Kharitonov has the knockout power to be a serious sleeper in the Grand Prix.

- The biggest question surrounding Kharitonov coming into Saturday was how he would look after dedicating the better part of the last two years to kickboxing. In short, he looked good, using angles to stalk down and corner Arlovski against the cage, and capitalizing when Arlovski tried to circle away with his hands low.

- Speaking of Arlovski, this is his fourth consecutive loss, three of which have come in vicious fashion. Much like Chuck Liddell before him, what's concerning to me is not THAT Arlovski is getting knocked out, but HOW Arlovski is getting knocked out. Each KO has left him stiff on the mat, his consciousness eerily and completely detached from his body. At just 32 years old, Arlovski should still physically be able to compete, but it has become painfully clear that the former UFC champ can no longer take a punch.

- Kharitonov will now face the winner of the Brett Rogers/ Josh Barnett matchup in April. With a suspect ground game, you can be sure that Kharitonov will be rooting for the standup-focused Rogers, rather than the submission specialist Barnett.

Odds and Ends

- Shane del Rosario continues to be the most intriguing heavyweight prospect on the Strikeforce roster and after pulling off a slick armbar finish against a game Lavar Johnson. I was especially impressed with how quickly del Rosario was able to reestablish guard before working back to the feet after giving up an early takedown, and how quickly he mounted after securing a takedown of his own. With all 11 of his wins ending by stoppage -- including 10 in the first round -- del Rosario's most recent performance should be enough for him to carve out a spot in Strikeforce's future marquee shows.

- In an all-offense, no-defense slugfest, Chad Griggs scored the TKO victory over Gianpiero Villante. Griggs had the tools to put Villante away without receiving so much damage, but the fans will always appreciate a fighter that goes for broke with reckless abandonment.

- Valentijn Overeem looked outmatched early on the feet against kickboxing veteran Ray Sefo, and wisely took the fight to the ground. From there, Sefo's glaring ground deficiencies were evident, and Overeem quickly secured a choke from side mount. The official ruling on the submission was a neck crank, but my personal experience the choke is that it attacks the windpipe. If you're caught by surprise, it can be a startlingly painful position, but most midlevel grapplers would have been able to properly defend it.

Cameron Gidari is the official writer for TapouTVTC.com. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/GidariTapouTVTC

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Results

Main Card:
Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva def. Fedor Emelianenko by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round 2
Sergei Kharitonov def. Andrei Arlovski by KO (punches) at 2:49 of round 1
Shane Del Rosario def. Lavar Johnson by submission (armbar) at 4:31 of round 1
Chad Griggs def. Gianpiero Villante by TKO (punches) at 2:49 of round 1
Valentijn Overeem def. Ray Sefo by submission (neck crank) at 1:37 of round 1

Preliminary Card:
John Cholish def. Marc Stevens by submission (kneebar) at 3:57 of round 2
Igor Gracie def. John Salgado by technical submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:04 of round 2
Sam Oropeza def. Don Carlo-Clauss by verbal submission (strikes) at 4:10 of round 1
Josh LaBerge def. Anthony Leone by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round 1
Jason McLean def. Kevin Roddy by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Weigh-In Results

Main Card (On Showtime)
Fedor Emelianenko (230) vs. Antonio Silva (264)
Andrei Arlovski (242) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (250)
Shane del Rosario (248) vs. Lavar Johnson (243)
Valentijn Overeem (239) vs. Ray Sefo (249)

Preliminary Card (On HDNet)
Josh Cholish (155.75) vs. Marc Stevens (156.5)**
Igor Gracie (170.75) vs. John Salgado (170)
Don Carlo-Clauss (170.4) vs. Sam Oropeza (169.75)
Josh LaBerge (145.75) vs. Anthony Leone (146.2)*
Jason McLean (145.5) vs. Kevin Roddy (145.75)

* Leone has one hour to lose the weight
** Cholish has accepted the fight/ weight difference

Thiago Silva Out, Matt Hamill In vs. "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 130

Matt Hamill will replace Thiago Silva and face Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 130 in Las Vegas.

Silva is awaiting the results of an investigation from the Nevada State Athletic Commission surrounding one of his UFC 125 drug tests. While no formal complaint has been filed, the UFC looks to be airing on the side of caution.

Hamill (10-2, 9-2 UFC) is riding a five-fight win streak, although one of those wins was due to a Jon Jones disqualification. Most recently, Hamill defeated Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision at UFC 121 last October.

Jackson (31-8, 6-2 UFC) is coming off of a close split-decision victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 123 last November. It was revealed that Jackson was offered a championship bout against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128, but he did not feel that he would have adequate time to prepare.

Hamill last three fights:

Win (Unanimous Decision) Tito Ortiz - UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez (10/23/2010)

Win (Majority Decision) Keith Jardine - Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale (06/19/2010)

Win (DQ - Illegal Elbows) Jon Jones - Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale (12/05/2009)

Jackson last three fights:

Win (Split Decision) Lyoto Machida - UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida (11/20/2010)

Loss (Unanimous Decision) Rashad Evans - UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans (05/29/2010)

Win (Unanimous Decision) Keith Jardine - UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine (03/07/2009)

Props: MMAJunkie.com

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva Preview - Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva

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Fedor Emelianenko (32-2 (1 NC)) vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (15-2)

How We Got Here:

What a difference a year can make.

Flash back to February 2009, and Fedor Emelianenko sat on top of the world. "The Last Emperor" had just knocked out former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski in highlight-reel fashion, his seventh consecutive finish dating all the way back to 2005. Emelianenko graced the top spot of most pound-for-pound lists, and fans wondered who, if anyone, could knock the seemingly invincible Fedor off his throne.

Fast forward to 2010, and we had our answer. Fabricio Werdum, an extremely talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a limited standup game, was chosen for Emelianenko's second Strikeforce fight. On paper, it looked like a squash match, with most believing that Werdum would be knocked out before he ever got the chance to take the fight to the ground. Emelianenko walked into the cage that night as an astronomical -575 favorite.

The fight started exactly as expected. Emelianenko clipped Werdum, sending him rolling to the ground. But then, Emelianenko made the costly decision of chasing Werdum to the mat. It didn't take long for the Brazilian to lock in a triangle choke, forcing Emelianenko to administer a single tap. It took just 1:09, but the landscape of MMA's heavyweight division was changed forever.

It was one of the most shocking upsets in the history of MMA. Emelianenko admitted later that it left him contemplating retirement. Now, Emelianenko will try to do something he has never had to do in his career -- bounce back from legitimate defeat.

Standing in his way is Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. A towering 6'4 Brazilian, "Bigfoot" is ranked the #10 heavyweight in the world, and with good reason. Silva has been defeated just once since 2006, with that loss coming to Werdum in 2009.

Since that loss, Silva has won two straight, with a unanimous decision over Arlovski and a come-from-behind win over Mike Kyle last December. Silva will enter Saturday night as a +350 underdog to Emelianenko. Can he do what Werdum did last year and send the former pound-for-pound great to his second straight defeat?

 What Emelianenko Needs to Do to Win:

Emelianenko has built his stellar career on his superhuman ability to come back from the brink of disaster and win. This man has braved the spider web of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's guard, has been kicked in the head by Mirko 'Cro Cop,' been suplexed onto his head by Kevin Randleman, and has won each time.

No matter how good you are, though, if you play with fire, you will eventually get burned. Emelianenko learned this the hard way when he actively chose to go to the ground with Werdum -- one of the best heavyweight grapplers in MMA -- rather than keeping things on the feet, where he had a significant advantage.

We could talk about Emelianenko's size disadvantage, but at just 6'0 and 230 lbs, the Russian is used to being the smaller fighter. Emelianenko's power and strength more than make up for his size shortcomings.

Where Emelianenko will win this fight is in the close quarter combat. Few fighters are as dangerous in the clinch as Emelianenko, and he will need to close the distance to avoid getting outpointed by the lankier Silva. From there, Emelianenko can look to do damage, or take the fight the fight to the ground to deliver his brutal ground and pound.

Taking a Judo black belt like Silva down might not be easy, but Mike Kyle -- a blown up light heavyweight who weighed in at just 219 lbs against Silva -- was able to bring Silva down and punish him in the first round of their fight. If Emelianenko does not like how things are going on the feet, look for him to body lock Silva and force the fight to the mat, where he is more than capable of staving off Silva's submission attempts before pounding out a victory.

What Silva Needs to Do to Win:

With black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo and Karate, Silva has tools at his disposal no matter where the fight goes. However, Silva's biggest asset will be his size, and specifically his 82 in. reach.

Silva's game plan should mirror that of Arlovski's in 2009. In that fight, Arlovski was winning the standup game and looked to have Emelianenko hurt, but left his guard down on an ill-advised flying knee. Emelianenko capitalized, like he has done so many times in his career. Had Arlovski been more patient, the fight might have gone a different route.

Patience will be key for Silva. Emelianenko is always dangerous, most so when he is hurt. Silva needs to sit behind his long arms, doing damage from distance while not exposing himself to Emelianenko's dangerous clinch game.

If he does hurt Emelianenko, Silva must avoid the urge to rush in and look for a quick finish. With one-punch knockout power in both hands, Emelianenko can end a fight no matter the circumstances. Rather, Silva should remain on the outside and continue to inflict punishment. With that plan, Silva has the power to send Emelianenko to his second straight defeat.


Cameron Gidari is the official writer for TapouTVTC.com. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/GidariTapouTVTC

Brian Ebersole vs. Chris Lytle on Tap for UFC 127

Veteran welterweight Brian Ebersole will step in for an injured Carlos Condit and face Chris Lytle at UFC 127 in Sydney, Australia.

An American fighter based out of Australia, Ebersole (0-0 UFC, 44-15 (1 NC) overall) is riding a six-fight win streak, with his last loss coming in 2008 to current Belator middleweight champion Hector Lombard. Overall, Ebersole has won 12 of his last 13 bouts dating back to 2006.

Lytle (9-9 UFC, 30-17-9 overall) has been on a recent tear in the UFC. The Ultimate Fighter 4 finalist has won four fights in a row and five of his last six bouts overall, racking up three Fight of the Night bonuses and one Submission of Night bonus in the process.

Ebersole last three fights:
Win (TKO - Punches) Hamish Robertson - LGIOP: Van Diemen's Caged Mayhem (1/29/11)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Carlos Newton - Impact FC 1: The Uprising (7/10/10)
Win (Submission - Inverted Triangle Choke) Martin van Staden - Fight Force 5: Invasion (4/15/10)

Lytle last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Matt Serra - UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop (9/25/10)
Win (Submission - Armbar) Matt Brown - UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin (7/3/10)
Win (Submission - Kneebar) Brian Foster - UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez (2/21/10)

Props: Fight News Australia

UFC 126 Post-Fight Thoughts and Analysis

The Kick Heard Round the World

- What can I say about Anderson Silva that hasn't already been said a dozen times? Any time he steps into the ring, there is a chance that you are going to see something spectacular. Of course, the fact that he is capable of such otherworldly performances makes it all the more frustrating and disappointing when he doesn't deliver. I think it's clear that Silva needs to be motivated with a credible challenger in order to really shine. When that happens, he is more than capable of leaving you standing with your hands over your mouth in awe.

- Like so many challengers before him, Vitor Belfort looked hesitant and tentative against the champ. While it's hard to blame him -- he is fighting the best in the world -- Chael Sonnen showed that in order to beat Silva, you have to put pressure on him. If you give Silva time to sit back and analyze, he will find an opening and exploit it.

- The front kick is typically thrown to the body, and is used as a defensive kick when your opponent closes the distance. The fact that Silva was able to knock Belfort out cold with one speaks to both his power and accuracy. I've yet to hear anyone that has seen another fight end with a front kick, which speaks to just how special this knockout was.

- Who is next for the champion? Yushin Okami has been promised a title shot, but UFC president Dana White also promised fans the superfight they have been clamoring for against UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre -- provided St-Pierre beats Jake Shields at UFC 129. Here is another intriguing possibility. Should Jon Jones win the light-heavyweight title at UFC 128 (more on that below), Rashad Evans has said that he will drop weight classes. Given the success that a wrestler like Sonnen was able to have against Silva, it would be very intriguing to see what the bigger, more explosive Evans could do.

A Twist No One Saw Coming

- The real shocker Saturday night was Joe Rogan's announcement that Jon Jones, fresh off of manhandling Ryan Bader, would replace injured teammate Rashad Evans in a title fight against light-heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128. At just 23 years old, Jones has become a bona fide superstar -- Bruce Buffer went so far as to proclaim that Jones would become the Muhammad Ali of the sport. Rua is several steps up in competition, though, with excellent jiu-jitsu and a dangerous and powerful striking game. Is Jones ready for such a difficulty spike, especially with just six weeks to train?

- If Jones' performance Saturday night was any indication, the answer to that question is a resounding, 'Yes.' Jones sent a message early, shooting in and taking down the All-American wrestler Bader with a classic double leg. Once it was established that Jones held the edge in the wrestling department, winning became a matter of when, not if. Bader had no answer for Jones' freakish reach on the feet and resorted to taking diving shots from the outside. On the ground, Jones' top control was very impressive, and his long arms enabled him to snake in a guillotine choke that most other fighters would not have been able to secure.

Odds and Ends

- In our fight preview for Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin, we highlighted that Griffin's size advantage would be his biggest key to victory. That was the case, as Griffin was able to suck Franklin to the ground and keep him at bay on the feet. Franklin was able to turn it on late, but the former middleweight is going to have a hard time swimming in the deep end of the light heavyweight division, where so many of the fish are bigger than him.

- Former WEC champion Miguel Torres sat behind his jab and kept Antonio Banuelos at bay for much of their 15 minute contest. His performance didn't exactly set the world on fire, but Torres fans would do well to remember that this is just his second fight under the tutelage of Firas Zahabi.  Chalk this one up to a learning experience, and look for Torres to build off that jab in the future.

UFC 126 Results

Main Card:
Anderson Silva def. Vitor Belfort by KO (front kick) at 4:25 of round 1 to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship
Forrest Griffin def. Rich Franklin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jon Jones def. Ryan Bader by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:20 of round 2
Jake Ellenberger def. Carlos Eduardo Rocha by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Miguel Torres def. Antonio Banuelos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Card:
Donald Cerrone def. Paul Kelly by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:48 of round 2
Chad Mendes def. Michihiro Omigawa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Facebook.com Stream:
Demetrious Johnson def. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Card:
Paul Taylor def. Gabe Ruediger by KO (strikes) at 1:42 of round 2
Kyle Kingsbury def. Ricardo Romero by TKO (strikes) at 0:21 of round 1
Mike Pierce def. Kenny Robertson by TKO (punches) at 0:29 of round 2

UFC 126 Preview - Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort

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Anderson Silva (27-4, 12-0 UFC) vs. Vitor Belfort (19-8, 8-4 UFC)

How We Got Here:

UFC 126's main event pits the UFC's most dominant champion against a former champion who was once anointed the future of the sport.

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is one of the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and the UFC's most dominant champion. Silva has defended his middleweight strap a record-setting seven times, and has never been defeated in 12 trips inside the octagon.

Lately, though, Silva's title defenses have been highlighted less by his awesome skill set, and more by bizarre in-ring actions. After sleepwalking through a unanimous-decision win over Thales Leites, Silva moved up to light heavyweight and decimated former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. That performance gave fans hope that the 'old' Silva was back. Those sentiments did not last long, and Silva's next fight against Demian Maia was filled with showboating and a general disinterest in engaging his opponent.

Enter Chael Sonnen, a trash-talking Oregonian who put Silva on blast leading up to their UFC 117 match. Shockingly, Sonnen almost delivered on his pre-fight promises, dominating Silva for four and a half rounds before a hail-Mary triangle gave Silva the win. It marked the first time we had seen the champion vulnerable, and it raised questions as to whether Silva -- at 35 years old -- might be in a decline.

A one-time training partner of Silva, Belfort burst into the UFC as a teenager in 1997, and looked unstoppable. Blessed with blistering hand speed, Belfort easily won his first three UFC matches, but was defeated by Randy Couture in a number-one contender match for the then-UFC heavyweight championship.

Belfort would rise again, even briefly capturing the light-heavyweight title from Couture with a TKO cut victory. It would be short lived, as Couture would take back the belt in a rematch. A subsequent loss to Tito Ortiz sent Belfort outside of the UFC.

Fast forward to 2006. Belfort had just lost a unanimous decision to Dan Henderson at PRIDE 32 and had tested positive for a banned substance after the fight. He was 2-5 in his last seven bouts. It looked like the sun was setting on "The Phenom" without him ever fully living up to his potential.

Belfort would rebound. He entered the Cage Rage promotion and won his next two fights, then dropped to middleweight and delivered two brutal knockouts in the forms of Terry Martin and Matt Lindland under the Affliction banner. The UFC offered Belfort a catchweight bout with former middleweight champion Rich Franklin, and Belfort responded by knocking Franklin out in the first round.

The win earned Belfort a shot at Silva and the middleweight belt. A shoulder injury would force him to miss that bout, but Belfort now has another chance to capture UFC gold while proving that he can perform on the biggest stage in the world.

What Silva Needs to Do to Win:

UFC president Dana White is not shy about proclaiming Anderson Silva the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. And while Georges St. Pierre fans might argue that assertion, there is no arguing that Silva possesses almost unworldly talent, at least when he chooses to use it.

That last point is what makes Silva such a frustrating and intriguing fighter to watch. When he wants to be special, he can do so with the flip of a switch. Prior to his 2008 match against Patrick Cote, there were no questions about Silva's heart, or his desire to finish fights. The champ had finished all seven of his UFC fights, with only two even making it out of the first round. But then a funny thing happened after Silva bumped up to light heavyweight and knocked out James Irvin in the first minute of the first round; the middleweight division ran out of credible challengers.

Cote, Thales Leites and Demian Maia were decent fighters, but no one could argue that they were on par with Silva. Rather than quickly dispatching of his lesser foes, Silva seemed almost incensed that they were even in the same fight as him. If the champ wasn't motivated, he was content to outpoint his opponents and minimize risk as much as possible.

Chael Sonnen provided the perfect foil for Silva, punching the bully in the mouth in the first round and continuing to do so for the next 23 minutes. One mental lapse is all it took for Silva to capitalize and win the fight, but the performance painted Silva in a light of vulnerability that UFC fans were unfamiliar with.

Is Silva past his prime? It is hard to say. Reports came out that Silva fought Sonnen with significantly injured ribs, which would explain his poor performance. Despite his age and 31 career fights, Silva has not sustained much damage throughout his career. Reaction time is the first thing to leave a fighter, though, and Belfort's quick hands will be a good barometer as to whether Silva has reached that point.

If Silva is at the top of his game, he figures to have an advantage on the feet and on the ground. While he might not possess the same hand speed as Belfort, his power, accuracy and movement will prove to be an equalizer. When Belfort gets in close to avoid Silva's reach, Silva can use the same Muay Thai clinch that he used to remove Rich Franklin's nose from his face.

Silva is a gifted grappler as well, and Belfort will not have the same sort of top control that Sonnen used with such effectiveness. If or when the fight hits the mat, Silva has the ability to finish there.

There is a reason that Silva has stood at the top of the mountain for so long. It can only take one moment of his wizardry to make fans wonder why they doubted him in the first place. Belfort is a game challenger, and Silva will need to bring his A game to leave with the belt, but when that A game is on, Silva is almost impossible to beat.

What Belfort Needs to Do to Win:

The talents of Vitor Belfort have never been in question. His biggest obstacle to success has been in his head.

When things are going well for Belfort, he looks unstoppable. As soon as things start to go south, however, Belfort seems to shrink rather than dig deep. The physical tools are there, but Belfort's mental game has held him back from greatness. When you look back six years, though, it is easy to understand why.

Three weeks before Belfort was scheduled to face Randy Couture in 2004 for the second time, his sister was kidnapped in Brazil. The horrors surrounding that event -- her body was never found, although a woman confessed to her killing -- haunted Belfort for years, and he was never able to truly focus on his MMA career. While fans and pundits were questioning Belfort's heart, his head was swimming with demons.

Now, with his head in a better place and a rebirth in a new weight class, Belfort could be poised to shock the world and unseat Silva as the best at 185 lbs. Make no mistake, though, this is not the first time that 'Belfort is back' has been written, and many are skeptical that Belfort will finally be able to rise to the challenge when the bright lights hit.

With that in mind, it is important that Belfort starts fast and succeeds early against Silva. If the third round starts with Belfort down 2-0, it could prove mentally devastating. Sonnen proved that Silva can be tagged, and Belfort's speed and boxing prowess should prove more dangerous that Sonnen's lesser striking abilities.

If Belfort wins this fight, he will do so on the feet. Despite being a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and Abu Dhabi bronze medalist, Belfort figures to be at a disadvantage on the ground against the longer, lankier Silva. Rather, Belfort needs to use his speed to move in and out of Silva's range, blitzing the champion with quick combinations and angling out before Silva can grab his patented Muay Thai clinch.

Is this the fight that Belfort finally puts it all together? If Silva smells weakness at any point, he will eat Belfort alive. But if Belfort comes out strong and focused, he has one of the best chances of dethroning the pound-for-pound champ  in years.

UFC 126 Preview - Rich Franklin vs. Forrest Griffin

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Rich Franklin (28-5 (1 NC), 13-4 UFC) vs. Forrest Griffin (17-6, 8-4 UFC)

How We Got Here:

UFC 126's co-main event features two former champions and Ultimate Fighter  coaches, as former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin squares off against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

Franklin returns to the cage after a broken forearm forced him out of action for seven and a half months. The consummate company man, Franklin entered 2009 with the intent of competing for the light-heavyweight title. Two catchweight bouts later, though, and Franklin looked to be spinning his wheels rather than screeching towards the finish line.

An injury to Tito Ortiz opened the door for Franklin to step in opposite Chuck Liddell and coach in the final episode of The Ultimate Fighter 11, with their customary coach's match taking place at UFC 115. Franklin capitalized on the opportunity, knocking out Liddell late in the first round and sending "The Iceman" to retirement despite breaking his forearm earlier in the fight. Now, Franklin has the opportunity to defeat his second former light-heavyweight champion in as many fights.

Griffin is that former champion and like Franklin, he is returning to action after a lengthy injury layoff. Griffin was at the top of the division in mid 2008, defeating Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to claim the UFC light heavyweight championship. His title reign would be short, however, as Griffin was knocked out by Rashad Evans in his first title defense.

A broken hand sidelined Griffin for the next eight months, and when he did return, he suffered a humiliating KO defeat to middleweight champion Anderson Silva. The former champion would bounce back three months later, avenging an earlier loss to Tito Ortiz in split decision fashion.

That victory came over a year ago. An injured shoulder forced Griffin off of a scheduled bout at UFC 114. When he steps into the octagon against Franklin, Griffin will have been out of action for a staggering 15 months.

What Franklin Must Do to Win:

The UFC did Franklin no favors in 2009, asking him to compete in back-to-back catchweight bouts after he had spent the prior year working towards and fighting at light heavyweight. This might have been fine for a younger fighter, but Franklin --now 36 and with 34 professional fights -- is running out of time and mileage to make another serious run at a title.

Fortunately for Franklin, his broken left forearm did not require surgery, which allowed him to avoid a lengthier layoff. He can now look to build on his first-round win over Liddell and position himself for a run in the shark tank that is the UFC' light-heavyweight division.

Franklin possesses knockout power in both hands, and comes equipped with some excellent technical striking. Against a big, lanky opponent like Griffin, Franklin needs to close the gap, inflict damage, then move out before Griffin can clinch and grind him down. Griffin possesses excellent leg kicks, and Franklin would do well to avoid them entirely, or use them as an opening to close quickly.

Both fighters are tough as nails, but a brawl favors Griffin. Franklin needs to keep things technical, and let his powerful hands go to work.

What Griffin Must Do to Win:

Griffin is a very large light heavyweight, and that size will be a big asset in this fight. He holds advantages over Franklin in height (6'3 to 6'1) and reach (77'' to 76''), and he also figures to be the heavier fighter come fight day. While the height and reach advantages don't look significant, Griffin's length -- especially in his legs -- means that Franklin will need to do his damage on the inside in the clinch. Carrying Griffin's weight in the clinch for three rounds could prove a daunting task for the smaller Franklin.

Most importantly, Griffin will need to show that he can come back from a shoulder injury that has plagued him for years. 15 months is a long time to be out of action, and while the word out of Xtreme Couture is that Griffin was able to fall back into his usual training routine after surgery, it remains to be seen how that will translate into the octagon.

The worst-case scenarios involve words like 'ring rust' and 'fighting with one arm.' The best-case scenario, however, is much more intriguing; Griffin fighting with full strength in his shoulder for the first time in years.  

UFC 126 Preview - Rich Franklin vs. Forrest Griffin

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Rich Franklin (28-5 (1 NC), 13-4 UFC) vs. Forrest Griffin (17-6, 8-4 UFC)

How We Got Here:

UFC 126's co-main event features two former champions and Ultimate Fighter  coaches, as former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin squares off against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

Franklin returns to the cage after a broken forearm forced him out of action for seven and a half months. The consummate company man, Franklin entered 2009 with the intent of competing for the light-heavyweight title. Two catchweight bouts later, though, and Franklin looked to be spinning his wheels rather than screeching towards the finish line.

An injury to Tito Ortiz opened the door for Franklin to step in opposite Chuck Liddell and coach in the final episode of The Ultimate Fighter 11, with their customary coach's match taking place at UFC 115. Franklin capitalized on the opportunity, knocking out Liddell late in the first round and sending "The Iceman" to retirement despite breaking his forearm earlier in the fight. Now, Franklin has the opportunity to defeat his second former light-heavyweight champion in as many fights.

Griffin is that former champion and like Franklin, he is returning to action after a lengthy injury layoff. Griffin was at the top of the division in mid 2008, defeating Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to claim the UFC light heavyweight championship. His title reign would be short, however, as Griffin was knocked out by Rashad Evans in his first title defense.

A broken hand sidelined Griffin for the next eight months, and when he did return, he suffered a humiliating KO defeat to middleweight champion Anderson Silva. The former champion would bounce back three months later, avenging an earlier loss to Tito Ortiz in split decision fashion.

That victory came over a year ago. An injured shoulder forced Griffin off of a scheduled bout at UFC 114. When he steps into the octagon against Franklin, Griffin will have been out of action for a staggering 15 months.

What Franklin Must Do to Win:

The UFC did Franklin no favors in 2009, asking him to compete in back-to-back catchweight bouts after he had spent the prior year working towards and fighting at light heavyweight. This might have been fine for a younger fighter, but Franklin --now 36 and with 34 professional fights -- is running out of time and mileage to make another serious run at a title.

Fortunately for Franklin, his broken left forearm did not require surgery, which allowed him to avoid a lengthier layoff. He can now look to build on his first-round win over Liddell and position himself for a run in the shark tank that is the UFC' light-heavyweight division.

Franklin possesses knockout power in both hands, and comes equipped with some excellent technical striking. Against a big, lanky opponent like Griffin, Franklin needs to close the gap, inflict damage, then move out before Griffin can clinch and grind him down. Griffin possesses excellent leg kicks, and Franklin would do well to avoid them entirely, or use them as an opening to close quickly.

Both fighters are tough as nails, but a brawl favors Griffin. Franklin needs to keep things technical, and let his powerful hands go to work.

What Griffin Must Do to Win:

Griffin is a very large light heavyweight, and that size will be a big asset in this fight. He holds advantages over Franklin in height (6'3 to 6'1) and reach (77'' to 76''), and he also figures to be the heavier fighter come fight day. While the height and reach advantages don't look significant, Griffin's length -- especially in his legs -- means that Franklin will need to do his damage on the inside in the clinch. Carrying Griffin's weight in the clinch for three rounds could prove a daunting task for the smaller Franklin.

Most importantly, Griffin will need to show that he can come back from a shoulder injury that has plagued him for years. 15 months is a long time to be out of action, and while the word out of Xtreme Couture is that Griffin was able to fall back into his usual training routine after surgery, it remains to be seen how that will translate into the octagon.

The worst-case scenarios involve words like 'ring rust' and 'fighting with one arm.' The best-case scenario, however, is much more intriguing; Griffin fighting with full strength in his shoulder for the first time in years.  

Dana White UFC 126 Video Blog Episode 2

UFC president Dana White takes us behind the scenes at the UFC 126 press conference, which includes a very intense stare down between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort.

Dana White UFC 126 Video Blog Episode 1

UFC president Dana White takes us court side for the Lakers/ Celtics game, where he chats with Celtics players Nate Robinson and Glen "Big Baby" Davis.

After that, White meets some kids at a local MMA gym, then stops by the Ultimate Fighter set and gets some UFC 126 fight predictions from Brock Lesnar Junior dos Santos.

Fresh Faces: UFC 126 Edition part II

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Yesterday, we previewed the four bantamweights making their UFC debuts at UFC 126 this Saturday. Now, we look at the final three fighters stepping into the UFC octagon for the first time, including a three-time title contender and two undefeated prospects. Also, make sure to check out part I if you missed it!

Name: Donald Cerrone

Weight class: Lightweight

Fighting: Paul Kelly

Record: 13-3 (1NC) (11 submissions) mainly for the WEC

Recent body of work: Submitted Chris Horodecki by triangle choke at WEC 53 in December

Who he is: Cerrone emerged as one of the most popular lightweights in the WEC roster. His feud with perpetual heel Jamie Varner led to some of the most vicious trash talking in recent memory, and their two fights both earned Fight of the Night honors. In all, Cerrone has five Fight of the Night awards to his credit, and his WEC 43 fight against Ben Henderson was awarded Fight of the Year from Sherdog.com. Despite becoming a number-one contender three times, Cerrone was never able to capture WEC gold, losing championship bouts once to Varner and twice to Henderson.

Name: Chad Mendes

Weight class: Featherweight

Fighting: Michihiro Omigawa

Record: 9-0 (2 (T)KOs, 2 submissions) mainly for the WEC

Recent body of work: Defeated Javier Vazquez by unanimous decision at WEC 52 in November

Who he is: Mendes comes out of Team Alpha Male where he trains with the likes of Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez. A two-time All-American wrestler out of Cal Poly, Mendes relies heavily on his strong wrestling base and cardio to wear down his opponents and grind out victories. With an undefeated record -- including a 4-0 mark in the WEC -- Mendes looks primed for a title run in 2011.

Name: Kenny Robertson

Weight class: Welterweight

Fighting: Mike Pierce

Record: 10-0 (2 (T)KOs, 7 submissions) for Bellator and various regional promotions

Recent body of work: Submitted John Kolosci by keylock at Bellator 25

Who he is: Undefeated at 10-0, Robertson was originally supposed to make his UFC debut at UFC 122 against Pascal Krauss, but was forced to withdraw from the bout with a broken toe. Robertson wrestled collegiately at Eastern Illinois University and recently defeated UFC veteran John Kolosci at Bellator 25.

(Pictures courtesy of MMAfrenzy.com, CombatLifestyle.com and Fightinginsider.com)