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

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.

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.

Grid View

• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz drills Jim Miller in the face during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz walks to the Octagon during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Jim Miller gets ready for his main event fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz punches Jim Miller during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Jim Miller and Nate Diaz battle along the cage during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz hits Jim Miller with a left hand during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Jim Miller gets instructions between rounds during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Jim Miller hits Nate Diaz with his left hand during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz taunts Jim Miller during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz gets ready to submit Jim Miller during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz is congratulated by his coach during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz celebrates after submitting Jim Miller during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz and Jim Miller hug it out after the fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz celebrates his win over Jim Miller during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz talks to Joe Rogan after his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Nate Diaz, center, poses with his team after his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck makes his way to the Octagon during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Johny Hendricks gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Johny Hendricks kicks Josh Koscheck during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck punches Johny Hendricks during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck exchange punches during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck gets ready for the final round during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck punches Johny Hendricks during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck battles Johny Hendricks during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Josh Koscheck leaves the Octagon after a split-decision loss during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Rousimar Palhares gets checked before his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher battles Rousimar Palhares on the ground during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher battles Rousimar Palhares on the ground during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher battles Rousimar Palhares on the ground during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher knocks Rousimar Palhares out during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Alan Belcher celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Rousimar Palhares walks back to the locker room after his loss during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson makes his way into the Octagon during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Pat Barry gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Pat Barry catches Lavar Johnson with an elbow during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Pat Barry battles Lavar Johnson on the ground during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Pat Barry battles Lavar Johnson on the ground during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson looks to finish Pat Barry during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson tries to finish Pat Barry during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson looks to finish Pat Barry during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson earns a knockout win over Pat Barry during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Lavar Johnson celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos A fan holds up a "Cinco de K.O." sign during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Michael Johnson gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Michael Johnson punches Tony Ferguson during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Michael Johnson drills Tony Ferguson during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Michael Johnson drills Tony Ferguson in the head during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Tony Ferguson and Michael Johnson battle during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Michael Johnson celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Tim Elliott gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Dodson jumps up during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Tim Elliott drills John Dodson during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Dodson and Tim Elliott battle on the ground during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Tim Elliott tries to kick John Dodson in the face during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Dodson punches Tim Elliott during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Tim Elliott hits John Dodson during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Dodson celebrates after his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Dodson celebrates his unanimous decision win over Tim Elliott during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Dodson poses with his team after his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Hathaway knees Pascal Krauss in the face during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Hathaway punches Pascal Krauss during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Hathaway and Pascal Krauss exchange shots during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Pascal Krauss hits John Hathaway during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Hathaway celebrates his unanimous decision win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Lineker gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot hits John Lineker with a spinning backfist during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot strikes John Lineker during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Lineker punches Louis Gaudinot during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Lineker punches Louis Gaudinot during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot drills John Lineker during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot gets John Lineker in a guillotine during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot celebrates his submission win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Louis Gaudinot celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Danny Castillo gets ready for his fight during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos John Cholish and Danny Castillo exchange punches during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Danny Castillo tries to finish John Cholish during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Danny Castillo celebrates his unanimous decision win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Dennis Bermudez slams Pablo Garza during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Dennis Bermudez punches Pablo Garza during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Dennis Bermudez tries to submit Pablo Garza during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Dennis Bermudez celebrates after the final bell during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Dennis Bermudez celebrates his unanimous decision win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Roland Delorme gets ready to get into the Octagon during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Roland Delorme and Nick Denis battle during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Roland Delorme and Nick Denis battle during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Roland Delorme catches Nick Denis in a rear-naked choke during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Roland Delorme celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Roland Delorme celebrates his win during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Mike Massenzio and Karlos Vemola collide heads during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.
• UFC on FOX 3 Photos Karlos Vermola defeated Mike Massenzio with a second-round TKO during UFC on FOX 3 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday, May 5, 2012.