LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 126 live blog for Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin, a light heavyweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view card from the Mandalay Bay Events Center.Former UFC light heavyweight champion Griffin (17-6) meets former middleweight titleholder Rich Franklin (28-5) in a battle between two UFC fan favorites.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Griffin caught Franklin's first kick and took him down. This is just what he said he'd hoped for. Griffin smothered him, using his size well from the top as Franklin stayed busy trying to escape. Griffin landed big elbows from the top. Franklin looked unbothered but could do nothing to change position. Griffin continued with unending activity from the top, and Franklin couldn't work free. The short punches and elbows easily gave Griffin round one, 10-9.
Round 2: I bet Franklin won't throw that kick again. Franklin having a bit of a problem with the distance, but he gets in enough to land a left hook. Lots of activity for both early in the round, but neither landing too much. Well, I was wrong, Franklin tried another kick, Forrest caught it, took his back and dragged him down. Griffin landed some strikes from the back. Franklin worked back to his feet, and broke free midway through the round. Griffin buckled Franklin with a right but Franklin fired back quickly. MMA Fighting scores it for Griffin 10-9.
Round 3: Franklin comes out head-hunting. A few bombs skip past Griffin's head and he thinks better of it and goes for a takedown. Franklin defends. It looks like both fighters are tiring, with Griffin taking gulps of air from time to time. Griffin scores with a left hook, then a body kick. Franklin fires off a right that lands. Most of this round has been in the center of the cage but neither able to find their target with any regularity. Griffin takes Franklin down with 1:20 left. Franklin reverses with 50 seconds left. Then Griffin gets up and takes Franklin down before Franklin gets to his feet. Very close round, but MMA Fighting scores it for Griffin 10-9. It will go to the judges.
Winner: Forrest Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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