UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar

Background

Erik Koch was expected to face UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo in a title fight at this event, but on August 31, 2012, Koch was forced to pull out due to injury. Former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar had agreed to step in for Koch and fight Aldo for the Featherweight title. However, on September 11, Aldo was also forced to pull out of the event with a foot injury.On September 12, 2012, UFC officials announced that UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and former The Ultimate Fighter star Stephan Bonnar will fight at the main event. Silva is a massive favorite going into the bout, which will be a three-round fight. Although all main event fights have been five-round affairs since UFC 138, UFC 153 will be the exception. Vitor Belfort was expected to face Alan Belcher at the event. However, Belfort was pulled from the bout to face Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152. Belcher also was forced to drop out of the card due to a spinal fracture.After having their first fight end in a no contest due to an eye poke in the first round, a rematch between Phil Davis and Wagner Prado was briefly linked to UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot and then scheduled for this event.Quinton Jackson was scheduled to face Glover Teixeira at the event. However, Jackson pulled out of the bout citing an injury, and was replaced by Fabio Maldonado in the co-featured bout.

Aftermath

UFC 153 was another great event by Zuffa. Sold out arena with a total gate of $2.5 - $2.6 million  broke the record of highest attendance of UFC event in Brazil. A night full of great fights sure didn't  disappointed 16,844 fans in Rio de Janeiro.

In the main event as expected Anderson Silva defeated Stephan Bonnar via KO in the first round. The middleweight champion had another impressive performance ( more details). This is Bonnar's first loss by KO or submission.

Co-main event Nogueira defeated Dave Herman. After talking a lot trash about BJJ, Herman was defeated via armbar in the second round(more details). Nogueira's victory let his teammates ( Team Nogueira) and his fans to tears. Minotauro was awarded with Submission of the night.

Fight of the Night : Fitch vs Silva. Couldn't get any better. After 15 minutes of war, Jon Fitch had the victory (30-27, 29-28, 29-28, more details). Erick Silva had a great performance but wasn't enough to defeat former #1 welterweight contender.

Knockout of the Night : TUF Brazil winner Rony Jason broke Sam Sicilia winning streak after a TKO in the second round (more details).

All the fighters were awarded had a bonus of $70,000