UFC on FOX 3 Results: Alan Belcher Knocks Out Rousimar Palhares

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Alan Belcher walked into the cage saying he wasn't afraid of Rousimar Palhares' submission game, and he proved he was up to the task of shutting it down.

Despite finding himself in some precarious positions, Belcher worked free time and time again, and after weathering the storm, he found himself on top. From there, he used good old-fashioned ground and pound to finish the Brazilian in the first round of their UFC on FOX 3 fight.

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Things didn't look great for Belcher early. Palhares easily took him down in the opening minute, and after a scramble, Belcher tried a twister, but soon found Palhares attacking with a leglock.

Palhares stayed on the limb for a while, but Belcher had no problem escaping. From the top, he smashed Palhares with a series of punches and elbows until ref Dan Miragliotta stepped in for the stoppage.

The time was 4:18.

"Why don't you guys ask Toquihno who the baddest man in MMA on the ground is?" Belcher said afterward.

It was clearly the biggest win in the career of Belcher, who at one point missed over one year in the octagon due to an injury that threatened to force him out of the fight game.

Belcher improved to 18-6 with his fourth straight win.

"I was so ready," he said. "I wasn't scared. I just wanted to prove I could beat the most dangerous guy on the ground. And baby that belt is mine, I'm going for it."

Palhares fell to 14-4.