UFC 126 betting: A “Phenom”-enal end to Silva?
By Matthew Kaplowitz
It’s hard to believe that Anderson Silva has been UFC middleweight champ since 2006, especially compared to the company’s volatile heavyweight and light-heavyweight divisions.
Somehow, through seven defenses, “The Spider” has come out on top and kept that leather strap around his lanky waist. At UFC 126, Silva may be reminded what it’s like to be missing a few pounds around the mid-section as “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort goes for the UFC gold for the first time since 2004 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Saturday night.
The question with Belfort has always been, which Vitor will show up? When Belfort first hit the scene, he was an explosive striker, but for some fights “The Phenom” was missing and in his place was a fighter with zero drive. These days, there is no longer a question of who will show up, as Vitor has been very consistent in his performance for the past few years thanks to a move to Las Vegas to work with Shawn Tompkins.
Unfortunately, in an interview on The Fight Show with Mauro Ranallo, Tompkins said that Vitor was no longer using Shawn as his striking coach and has reportedly been training his striking with Xtreme Couture coach Gil Martinez. Martinez most recently coached Gray Maynard’s hands and feet for his fight against Frankie Edgar at UFC 125.
Tompkins also refuted the rumor that Vitor was training with Mike Tyson, a move that would shock and stupefy experts if it was actually true. Belfort has always been a ronin, moving from gym to gym to find what he needs, but will he get what he needs from Martinez? Or, is the fact that Belfort has made it public that he is in the market for a new coach mean he has hit another mental hurdle?
While Belfort works on finding a home, Silva has pressure of his own. His last fight was a nearly losing effort to Chael Sonnen, who dominated the champ at UFC 117 for five rounds. Midway through the last round, Silva latched on a hail-mary triangle choke-armbar combination for the win, saving himself from going home without his gold. After the fight, Silva was proven to have a cracked rib, which he allegedly came into the fight already suffering from.
Silva has been out of action since August and his fight against Sonnen (banned substances aside) showed many holes in his game that Belfort could exploit. However, Belfort is not the cerebral fighter that Sonnen is, even now in his mature years.
For Belfort to win this, he needs to cut off Silva from having the chance to land his trademark strikes. He’ll need to smother him when possible in the clinch and on the ground, denying the champ the setup to throw knees and ideally, ground and pound Silva for the win.
However, good luck getting Silva down. Ring rust won’t be much of a factor in this and Silva’s time away should allow him ample time to patch up his holes. It could be a long one if Vitor fights the way he should, but without Tompkins to guide him, strategy will go out the window once Silva pushes his game and defends his belt for the eighth time.
UFC 126 PICKS
Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin
A few years ago, this could have been a main event. Both of these fighters are coming off long injury-laced layaways, but I see Franklin grinding this one out.
Ryan Bader vs. Jon Jones
If Griffin vs. Franklin wasn’t enough of a war, expect these two to go at it and display their skills. Jones breaks the mold of what many typify as a “Greg Jackson fighter”, and “Bones” will prove himself against a very skilled competitor, who will hopefully push Jones beyond the first round for a change.
Demetrius Johnson vs. Norifumi Yamamoto
Despite the odds, I expect an upset from Johnson. This is his biggest fight yet and “Kid” might underestimate Johnson and wind up kissing the canvas.
Antonio Banuelos vs. Miguel Torres
The former WEC Bantamweight champ will continue to get himself back on track and into title contention with this one in a very exciting bantamweight bout.
Carlos Eduardo Rocha vs. Jake Ellenberger
A very good test to see where Rocha stands in the welterweight division, but it’s one I don’t think he can win against the brilliant striking from Ellenberger.