UFC 142 Results: Post Fight Stock Report

The UFC once again had a successful return to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with UFC 142.

The event was headlined by a featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes.  Additionally, former champion Vitor Belfort took on Anthony Johnson in a middleweight bout.

When everything was said and done, Brazilian fighters went 7-1 against opponents from outside the country, electrifying the packed house at the HSBC Arena.

Let's take a look at how the night's performances affected the stock of some of the combatants.

 

Holding Steady: Michihiro Omigawa

I know what you're thinking, how can a fighter who is just 1-3 in his second stint with the UFC be holding steady?

After watching Yuri Alcantara batter Omigawa for three full rounds with vicious striking and grappling, the fact that Omigawa survived to the judges scorecards is very impressive.

Omigawa was hurt with an elbow early in the fight and ate a number of big shots, but continued fighting.  An armbar attempt, that would have forced most fighters to tap, was brushed aside by the veteran Japanese fighter.

While he's yet to find much success inside the Octagon, Omigawa's resiliency and heart should not be ignored.

Rising: Yuri Alcantara

Thirteen straight wins.

That's what Brazilian featherweight Yuri Alcantara has reeled off in his MMA career.  His latest victim was longtime veteran Michihiro Omigawa.

Alcantara battered Omigawa with strikes from the opening bell, and nearly ended the fight with an armbar and rear-naked choke.

With the win, the well-rounded fighter moved his record to 27-3 and may have established himself as a true contender in the 145-pound division.

Rising: Gabriel Gonzaga

Brazilian heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga triumphantly returned to the Octagon by submitting fellow countryman Ednaldo Oliveira in the first round.

Gonzaga, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, returned to his roots, handing Oliveira his first career loss with a rear-naked choke.

The former title challenger was released from the promotion in late 2010 following losses in three of his previous four bouts.  Now the fighter will look to make another run at the heavyweight strap.

Rising: Edson Barboza

Undefeated lightweight Edson Barboza gave MMA fans a finish for the ages at UFC 142 against Terry Etim.

The flashy Muay Thai practitioner earned "Knockout of the Night" honors for his UFC-first wheel kick finish.

With the win, the Brazilian fighter established himself as a dangerous opponent for anyone in the 155-pound division.

Rising: Erick Silva

Despite the fact the Brazilian welterweight Erick Silva left the HSBC Arena with a loss on his record, it won't stop his ascension up the ranks.

Silva was shockingly disqualified for what referee Mario Yamasaki believed were illegal strikes to the back of opponent Carlo Prater's head.

However, the promotion disagreed with Yamasaki and awarded Silva his win bonus for the 29-second destruction.

Holding Steady: Rousimar Palhares

In less than a minute, Brazilian submission ace Rousimar Palhares secured the seventh heel hook finish of his career against Mike Massenzio.

The problem for Palhares is that everyone expected it.  He entered the fight as a six-to-one favorite at the sportsbook and his performance went exactly as planned.

On the bright side, Palhares avoided one of his signature bizarre moments, but the short fight didn't allow him to showcase that he's ready for title contention.

Falling: Anthony Johnson

Former welterweight Anthony "Rumble" Johnson was supposed to resolve his weight-cutting issues with a move to middleweight at UFC 142.

However, it turned out that his issues were just beginning.  After doctors advised the fighter to stop cutting weight and gave him fluids, Johnson weighed in at 197 pounds, 11 pounds over the middleweight limit.

UFC President Dana White was furious with the fighter and made it known that his job was on the line against Vitor Belfort.

When Belfort finished Johnson with a first-round rear-naked choke, it spelled the end of Johnson's UFC fun, as he was released from the promotion.

Holding Steady: Vitor Belfort

Vitor Belfort made sure he would not disappoint the Brazilian fans in attendance at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro.

The former champion continued his run toward another crack at divisional kingpin Anderson Silva with a first-round submission over an overweight Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.

Belfort benefited from numerous standups from referee Dan Miragliotta, which prevented Johnson from using his wrestling to control the fight.  Using knees and his fast hands, Belfort was able to stun Johnson and eventually take his back to finish the bout.

Next on deck for Belfort will be a second bout with fellow Brazilian Wanderlei Silva, but only after the pair coach opposite one another on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

Falling: Chad Mendes

Vaunted wrestler Chad Mendes entered the cage at UFC 142 sporting an undefeated record and what many felt were the tools to take the featherweight title from Jose Aldo.

It only took one round to find out that it wasn't true.

Mendes traded leg kicks with Aldo early, but got the worst of the exchanges.  When he attempted to bring the fight to the mat, Aldo simply brushed him aside.

As the round neared its end, Mendes again desperately looked for a takedown, but Aldo answered with a knee that send Mendes crashing to the canvas.  Follow-up punches gave Mendes the first loss of his career.

For a fighter that was expected to truly test the dangerous Brazilian, Mendes looked anything but ready for the challenge.

Rising: Jose Aldo

Featherweight champion Jose Aldo made a huge statement against Chad Mendes at UFC 142.

Many felt that Aldo had lost his killer instinct and that Mendes would be able to put the Brazilian on his back at will.

With his vicious first-round finish and exuberant celebration with the Brazilian crowd, Aldo made sure that his reign as the 145-pound king will continue.

Although he is already at the top of his natural weight class, the dominant performance makes talk of a bout between Aldo and lightweight champion Frankie Edgar seem much more realistic.

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, Follow @RobTatumMMA.