Starting off the evening at UFC 126 from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, proven UFC veteran Mike Pierce met newcomer Kenny Robertson in what many fans had deemed a showcase fight for Pierce. Pierce has been on a roll as of late following a loss to Jon Fitch via decision at UFC 107 in December of 2009. Pierce rebounded with victories over Julio Paulino and Amilcar Alves, lending some credence to the idea that he should be given the opportunity to progress to the top of the division.

Pierce didn't disappoint fans who have been calling for his rise in the ranks. After an opening first round that saw Pierce press Robertson to the cage and work for takedowns while unleashing knees and punches, Pierce sizzled a left hook to the chin of Robertson to start the second round. Robertson buckled, hit the canvas, and Pierce pursued with strikes from the top.

The victory stretches Pierce's winning streak to three and should put him into consideration for a prominent bout in the middle to upper-echelon of the division.