UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort | 2011.02.05 | Las Vegas, Nevada Discussion
Co-Main Event | Light Heavyweight · 205 lbs | MMA
Forrest Griffin defeats Rich Franklin via 3 Round Decision
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Griffin
Decision
Round 3
"Ace"
17-6-0 | Pro Record At Fight | 28-5-0 | ||
Climbed to 18-6 | Record After Fight | Fell to 28-6 | ||
+115 (Near Even) | Betting Odds | -135 (Slight Favorite) | ||
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Nationality |
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Las Vegas, Nevada | Fighting out of | Cincinnati, Ohio | ||
31 years, 7 months, 4 days | Age at Fight | 36 years, 4 months | ||
205.0 lbs (93.0 kgs) | Weigh-In Result | 203.0 lbs (92.1 kgs) | ||
6'3" (191cm) | Height | 6'1" (186cm) | ||
77.0" (196cm) | Reach | 76.0" (193cm) | ||
Xtreme Couture | Gym | Team Extreme |

- Bout Information
- Event: UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort
- Date: Saturday 02.05.2011 at 10:00 PM ET
- Referee: Steve Mazzagatti
- Venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center
- Enclosure: Octagon
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
- Bout Billing: Co-Main Event (fight 10 of 11)
- Pro/Am: Professional
- Weight: 205 lbs (93.0 kg)
- TV Commentary: Mike Goldberg, Joe Rogan
- Broadcast: Aired Live on Main Card
- Post-Fight Interviewer: Joe Rogan
- Franklin Total Disclosed Pay: $75,000
- Griffin Total Disclosed Pay: $275,000
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Event Links:
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Bout Links:
Franklin vs. Griffin Wiki Update Wiki
Size and strength won out over speed and athleticism in UFC 126's Co-Main Event, as Forrest Griffin controlled three rounds of action en route to a Unanimous Decision victory over fellow cage veteran Rich Franklin. Oddsmaker lines and Tapology member predictions were among the closest for any bout on the 126 card, as the two men brought similar well-rounded arsenals, led by strong kicking games, to the cage.
The first round proved pivotal to Griffin's victory, not only in his ability to control almost the entire round on the ground and tire his smaller adversary, but also in granting him the psychological edge of an early lead. After securing the takedown early in the round Griffin made only token efforts to pass while raining down peppering leather at a high pace on the defensive Franklin. Franklin, for his part, proved unable to stand for the entirety of the round, and Referee Steve Mazzagatti elected not to intervene through the first five minute stanza, despite little change in the action once Griffin secured the takedown.
The remaining two rounds were more closely contested, and largely standup affairs, with both men mixing leg kicks with punching combinations. The difference proved Griffin's size, strength and slight reach advantage, which kept Franklin barely outside of his effective distance to land power strikes. Franklin's corner, oddly enough, told him between rounds that he was winning the fight, an instruction harshly criticized by UFC President Dana White following the event. Franklin was clearly surprised by the result as the Unanimous Decision scorecards were read in favor of Griffin, but there was little dissent among fans and observers afterwards over Griffin's victory.
Griffin was jubilant and plainly relieved in talking with reporters after the show. It was his first win in the Octagon in roughly a year, and quickly made him relevant again in the Light Heavyweight division. For Franklin, the loss once again raised questions about what the best weight was for the talented but slowly waning fighter to ride out the remainder of his career.
Franklin vs. Griffin Fight Predictions
Videos & Highlights
Interview | Karyn Bryant Interviews Forrest Griffin report dead link
In this video shot following the UFC 126 pre-fight press conference, Karyn Bryant of MMA Heat interviews Forrest Griffin about his weekend fight with Rich Franklin.
Video Blog | Rich Franklin UFC 126 Video Blog Part 1 report dead link
Part 1 of a UFC 126 video blog following Rich Franklin as he prepares for his bout against Forrest Griffin. This episode shows Franklin waking up and getting to the gym, what his training diet consists of, and how he tries to relax and keep in tune with his body in the final week before the fight.
Interview | Forrest Griffin Pre-Fight Interview from UFC report dead link
Forrest Griffin discusses his upcoming bout with Rich Franklin at UFC 126.
Interview | Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin Discuss "Tattoo" Fight Bet report dead link
Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin discuss some unusual possibilities for the loser of their UFC 126 bout in this fight video from the UFC.
Interview | Forrest Griffin Talks With MMA Diehards report dead link
In this video interview a couple weeks before UFC 126, Forrest Griffin talks about the injuries that have kept him out of action, but how he's ready to fight Rich Franklin and his preparation.
Interview | Forrest Griffin Video Interview Ahead of UFC 126 report dead link
Forrest Griffin discusses how he and Rich Franklin match up in this video ahead of their fight at UFC 126.
Promo Video | Rich Franklin Promo Video Ahead of UFC 126 report dead link
Rich Franklin talks about his preparation and what he expects to see against Forrest Griffin in this video.
Franklin vs. Griffin Fighter Tweets
If fighters from this bout were talking on Twitter before or after the fight, this is where you can find it. Below are all the Tweets we've recorded near the date of the bout.
- Thought I would tweet a pic of my face so everybody could see the damage...no black eye???? http://yfrog.com/h4dg4ghj
- 2 days, 18 hours, and 47 minutes
- after
- Thanks to all my fans tweeting me & supporting me leading up to my fight
- 2 days, 14 hours, and 32 minutes
- after
- I man humped rich so much I have carpet burns on my knees. Now I know why tito tripods.... Haha
- 21 hours and 38 minutes
- after
- Big thank you to my sponsors @BSNFinishFirst @SLiMEnews @mmaelitebrand @SPRAWLshorts Support these guys!
- 4 hours and 21 minutes
- after
- My business partner jeff adler is at orchard lounge in mandalay now. First one to ask for a shirt gets it!
- 7 hours and 47 minutes
- before
- Backstage at weigh ins, setting up for the show tomorow. http://yfrog.com/h7ziqrsj
- 1 day, 4 hours, and 14 minutes
- before
- Want to thank my fans for their support. Watch the fight & pay special attention 2 my shirt. Have a surprise for you guys. @BSNFinishFirst
- 1 day, 6 hours, and 46 minutes
- before
- Viva elvis was an awesome show. So much going on you cant take it all in!
- 1 day, 21 hours, and 3 minutes
- before
- Join me for my Official After Fight Party at LAVO following @ufc 126 @lavolasvegas http://plixi.com/p/74601952
- 2 days, 1 hour, and 30 minutes
- before
- it's still pretty cool to see your poster hanging in the casino! http://yfrog.com/h210llgj
- 3 days, 8 hours, and 1 minute
- before
- Also want to thank @BSNFinishFirst @SLiMEnews @SPRAWLshorts HAYABUSA & Cagefighter for their support! Show them your support
- 4 days, 1 hour, and 27 minutes
- before
- Please follow my longtime sponsor @SPRAWLshorts and visit their website www.sprawl.tv
- 4 days, 1 hour, and 40 minutes
- before
- Congrats brad on winning a tee shirt. http://yfrog.com/h3jwshj
- 4 days, 9 hours, and 16 minutes
- before
- If your in vegas this week stop by LVFight Shop to pick up my walkout tee. They have some cool things going on. follow them at lvfightshop
- 4 days, 9 hours, and 22 minutes
- before
- Congrats to biggmaco for winning a t shirt http://yfrog.com/gzmujcaj
- 5 days, 9 hours, and 1 minute
- before
- Our first juanitas foods contest winner http://yfrog.com/h3yjavaj thankx christy
- 6 days, 5 hours, and 34 minutes
- before
- To clarify on the Juanitas foods contest, the picture needs to be YOU w/ a Junaitas prdouct.
- 6 days, 6 hours, and 55 minutes
- before
- First 3 to send pic w/ a juanitas product gets a free tee shirt. tweet or email pic to americanfighter@fuse.net
- 6 days, 7 hours, and 29 minutes
- before
- want to thank Juanitas Foods for their contribution to keep it in the ring foundation.
- 6 days, 7 hours, and 31 minutes
- before
- in vegas all week so follow americanfighter on twitter as well to get updates on the week and contests we are running on both.
- 6 days, 7 hours, and 35 minutes
- before
- So it's not really beef at tacobell guess know we know what happened to that little yappy dog
- 1 week, 23 hours, and 7 minutes
- before