UFC on FOX 3 Live Blog: Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- This is the UFC on FOX 3 live blog for Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares, a middleweight bout on Saturday night's UFC event from the IZOD Center.

Belcher, who has won three of his last four fights, will fight Palhares, who has also won three of his past four fights, on the main card.

Check out the live blog below.

Round 1: Dan Miragliotta is the ref for this middleweight fight. Both fighters got a good ovation from the crowd for their introduction. Belcher flicking little jabs and Palhares whiffs on a high kick. Palhares with a takedown, immediately goes after Belcher's legs. Belcher wraps both legs around Belcher's right leg. Palhares goes for a heel hook, has Belcher close to a bad spot. Belcher with a pair of lefts. Palhares doggedly working on Belcher's left leg. Stalemate with about two minutes left. Palhares looks like he won't stop til he leaves here with Belcher's left leg as a trophy, but Belcher does a sweet job defending it. Belcher ends up in top position but is wary of getting caught in an arm bar. Belcher lands several elbows as Palhares covers up. Belcher opens up with his ground and pound. A series of punches land, Palhares not defending, Miraglotti waves the fight off. Impressive win for Belcher, as he warded off one of the most feared submission artists right in his wheelhouse and won the fight on the ground.

Alan Belcher win by TKO (strikes) at 4:18 of round one.