Last night I said that I couldn't find a way for Forrest Griffin to defeat Quinton "Rampage" Jackson for the coveted UFC Light Heavyweight Title (the deepest and best division in the UFC). Well, Griffin did it and did it in the only way he could. Take an ass-kicking for five rounds and wear down Rampage, which he did. It was a tremendous fight, maybe the best of the year. There is some controversy, some felt that it was a draw and Rampage should have retained. I think Forrest did enough to win.
Griffin is an interesting fighter, in that he never dominates. You'll never see Forrest Griffin steamroll over opponents the way Chuck Liddell and Quinton Jackson have in the past. But you will also never see him get steamrolled, either. Forrest is a smart fighter, and perhaps the best in the world when it comes to taking a beating and fighting through it.
There is talk now of Rampage getting a rematch, but I'm not sure about that. Liddell never got one. In September, Liddell is fighting the undefeated Rashad "Sugar" Evans, and the winner of that fight will probably get Griffin's first title defense. Jackson, meanwhile, will have to exercise his past demons and get past Wanderlei Silva (who beat Rampage twice in Pride) to get another shot.
This is a big night for the UFC. Forrest Griffin helped put the sport on the map when he won the first Ultimate Fighter show against Stephan Bonnar in an incredible fight watched by millions. He's UFC-home grown, born and bred. The Ultimate Fighter has become a great farm system for UFC, and Griffin's title victory has helped validate that.
-In other news from UFC 86, if Patrick Cote is now the top middleweight now, Anderson Silva has nothing to worry about.
-Joe "Daddy" Stevenson is back, and perhaps he and Sean Sherk will battle to see who gets another crack at BJ Penn
-Josh Koscheck continues to roll along, bloodying and beating Chris Lytle, but he didn't show a killer instinct. One more tough win and he could get a shot at Georges St. Pierre. Pehaps Matt Hughes?
A boring undercard was overcome by a tremendous title match and I was thrilled to see Griffin win the title. But with the beatings he takes, I'm not sure how long he can hang on with the competition out there like Rampage, Iceman, Wanderlei, Evans, et al.
Forrest was given the belt. HE is a damn paper champ. If you or anyone else thinks he really won that fight yall are some damn fools
Posted by: | July 06, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Can Forrest beat Rashad Evans? The guy is great. I didn't expect him to beat the junkyard dog but Evans is a different animal who is far more disciplined than Rampage.
Posted by: The Oath | July 12, 2008 at 10:16 PM
chuck didnt get a rematch cause he got knocked out rampage and forrest could of gone either way thats why rampage deserves a rematch
Posted by: | July 15, 2008 at 03:04 AM
chuck will knock evans out, i have no doubt about that!
weather that means chuck deserves a title shot i dont know?
i dont think the ufc will rush forrests 1st title defence theres plenty of build up fights and after all it is the most promoted weight division!!
Posted by: neil merrett | August 11, 2008 at 06:47 PM