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Call it what you will, but Forrest Griffin is the new UFC light heavyweight champion. It might not have had the intensity of Liddell/Silva, but give Griffin credit for exploiting the weaknesses of the always-dangerous Jackson.
So, how did he win? (Yes, he won. He didn't steal the belt. He earned it.)
First thing was to learn from the mistakes of others. Anyone foolish enough to stand and throw hands with Jackson is going to lose (unless your name is Wanderlei, and it probably isn't).
Liddell learned it the hard way and got knocked out, a lot like Forrest did against Keith Jardine. Forrest (or at least his coaches and team) knew it and had to adapt the game plan.
When Dan Henderson fought Jackson for the unification title (Pride versus UFC) he was able to avoid the knockout by not standing and trading shots. He stuck his punches when he could get them, then he moved away.
However, Henderson lost because of takedowns. To beat Jackson, Forrest had to stop him from coming in. Hence, the leg kicks. The leg kicks not only kept the champ from shooting in at first, but after the damage done in the second round, Jackson knew he couldn't risk another clean shot.
To his credit, Jackson did an excellent job of checking Griffin's kicks the rest of the rounds. Too little, too late.
In the second, Forrest was able to exploit Jackson's true weakness: fighting from his back. Jackson is incredibly powerful and a great wrestler, but once he had Griffin in half guard, there were no reversal or sweep attempts.
Unfortunately, Griffin seemed too intent on going for a shoulder lock or Ezekiel choke from mount when an arm bar was available at least a couple of times. Regardless, he won the much needed round.
Then there was avoiding the slam. It would be a strange thing to meet an MMA fan that isn't aware of Jackson's highlight reel footage of slamming opponents while being triangled.
The fact that it happens at all shows that Jackson is open to the submission, but if it isn't tight and perfect right away, it gives him time to end the fight with a slam that has been tested at having an impact around eight times the force of gravity.
In the forth round, Griffin almost had the triangle locked, but he didn't control Jackson's arm. This might be why Jackson didn't attempt the slam right away, but when he was finally in position, Griffin released the choke and escaped with just a little worse position.
As far as the last two rounds? What would you have done? Jackson had already dropped Griffin once with an uppercut when he got too close. Griffin had to have an idea that he was winning the fight.
There would be no point to risk getting knocked out to score a knock out. Just as Chuck Liddell. This fight was for the light heavyweight championship. If Griffin had gone for the KO and got leveled, people would be criticizing his recklessness.
Instead he played a smart game and won. And what does he get from the MMA forums? Criticism.
Griffin did everything right to win the fight. It might not have ended in knockout or submission, but he won. He didn't cheat, fight dirty, or bribe any judges. The scores were deserved, and he fought the fight he had to win.
Randy Couture didn't knock out Tim Sylvia, but he controlled the fight and won the belt. The point of the game is to win. To defeat an opponent doesn't mean destroying them. You exploit their weaknesses and avoid making stupid mistakes.
Besides, ask Jackson today if he thinks he "deserved" to win, then ask to see the belt.
Griffin showed that he has evolved as a fighter and can follow a game plan. This sport is too difficult these days to win just on power or speed alone. And if people are upset at the end of this fight, they aren't going to be happy when they see where the sport is headed in the future.
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4 months ago
I agree, but I also think Jackson just didn't live like a champion. He broke his knuckle on Henderson's head, and then played video games and ate pizza (he said this himself), and let himself get up to 250lbs. That's ridiculous. I'm sure he trained like a champ going into the fight, but keeping a title and building a legacy means living like a champ fulltime. GSP does this; A. Silva does this; BJ Penn is starting to do this. Rampage let himself go and then "crammed" to get ready for this fight. He could have done more than 30 minutes of cardio twice a day on the eliptical when he injured his hand, and done more while coaching on TUF. I'm really disappointed Rampage didn't win, but he didn't deserve to.
You're right too, Forest executed his gameplan, I guess somewhat similar to what Machida does. But I still think in the whole scheme of preparation, Rampage lost his title more than Forest won it from him.
from 4 months ago
Tomato, tomato (sorry, imagine that I am pronouncing them differently, like in the song).
Good point about living like a champ. Rampage came out and looked like he was ready, but got demoralized quickly when Forrest hurt his leg. He stayed in the fight, but he wasn't the same.
from 4 months ago
David, ill go one step further and say that weight hampered Jackson's performance. As a long time boxing fan I can tell you nothing robs a fighter of his speed and reflexes like ballooning up in weight and then trying like hell to cut it all.
I thought Rampage's balance and timing looked horrible in the first round. I also thought he didnt look as in shape as he was against Chuck and Dan. I even went back and watched those fights. In the fights with Chuck and Dan his handspeed was very good, last night it was atrocious.
I think he sat on his ass while he was hurt, did lots of funny youtube videos and interviews, secured lots of sponsors, and did very little training. He sure didnt deserve to win letting himself blow up to 250 pounds like that. He should never get more than 225 or so. Ever. Not while he's fighting.
4 months ago
That triangle and slam attempt was in the 4th round. Not the 5th.
from 4 months ago
Not the 3rd***
4 months ago
O, and other than that, really good article. Well said.
from 4 months ago
Thanks, I just felt like everyone came out against Forrest and someone needed to point out that winning isn't just about making it look flashy. The crowd is really getting out of control booing, like in the Aurelio/Griffin fight and later with Koscheck.
The sport keeps growing, but the fans aren't learning more about it, they are just wanting more and more from the fighters.
from 4 months ago
I'm actually reply to Jon's comment regarding the fans not maturing. I completely agree!!! Why aren't American fans becoming more respectful to the fighters and the sport? MMA has been mainstreamed for quite some time now. You'd think the boo'ing would have a steady decline as more fans learn more about different aspects of the MMA game, but that decline doesn't seem to be happening. American fans want "blood and guts and heads rollin."
4 months ago
probably because of the kimbo slice backlash. youtube made it look like a bunch of violent animals, movies have made it look like the fights should be choreographed. the fans haven't wised up that this is real full contact combat.
4 months ago
I don't mind the booing. The fans are engaged and emotional about the fights. It means they care. It could mean the fans know more than they used to, not less (playing devils advocate here). They obviously know who the fighter is they are booing, they know he's good (or they wouldn't be booing), and they likely know a little bit about how and why he is good.
Booing is kind of like a sign of respect and it means they care. You don't boo rival fighters or teams or drivers that are bad or even mediocre, you boo the great competitors. A Rod gets booed on the road with every at bat. Jeff Gordon gets booed at every race. You won't hear people booing Shelley Duncan and Paul Menard. The booing could just be another sign of MMA progressing as a sport ....
4 months ago
Okay, I'll play.
Fans booing Kalib Starnes mean they know that he should be actively fighting instead of backing up for three rounds. Fans booing Josh Koscheck for not finishing Chris Lytle is ridiculous.
I am far from being a Koscheck fan, but he dominated Lytle the entire fight and cut him open as badly as most will see in fight that wasn't stopped. He owned the fight, but didn't finish. And for it, he got booed. That isn't being a fan, it is being pissed they spent a few hundred dollars for a seat and didn't get to see exactly what they wanted.
Buyer beware.
from 4 months ago
do you know why the fans booed Koscheck so hard?? It seemed personal. I understand that whats happens after a boring fight with little action but that was a blood bath.
4 months ago
Hello, was anyone watching the same fight as me? I have been watching fights for 23 of my 27 years on earth, and I know something that the judges last night didnt. To become the champ you have to win decisively. Forrest did not do that. He did fight smart, but he was not pressing the fight, Rampage did much more damage. So the boos you heard from the fans that were there to wittiness this highway robbery of a UFC 205lb championship belt were not being disrespectful, they were simply expressing there disapproval of the injustice committed against Quinton Jackson.
from 4 months ago
Im sorry dvid but that is the dumbest thing i have ever heard. First off, if you think rampage did more damage than griffin you are mentally challenged, i don't know if you recall griffins leg kick that caused rampage to limp for the rest of the fight but that to me is more damage than a few reopened scar tissue cuts. Secondly, Forrest stalked rampage the whole fight, rampage just sat back and threw bombs just hoping to knock him out. Forrest did the smart thing called hit and run. He connected on most of his leg kicks and picked him apart in the boxing department. All rampage did was connect on one of his haymakers in the 1st round, landed some hard body shots, failed on his body slam attempt, and suffered a bum knee. The highway robbery you speak of sure sounds pretty false to me, Forrest may not be the most talented champ ever but he is the most deserving. And if rampage blames his loss on his knee he is a jackass, the name of the game is to HURT/WEAKEN the opponent and that exactly what Forrest did.
4 months ago
cmon man im so tired of hearing about griffins scar tissue, what ever man, his face got tossed around more than once in that fight , and for that legkick it hurt for one round then he was moving at "normal" speed again,i rather wanted that legkick than rampage fists no doubt tho it was a slow rampage, to loose the fight , to me is a joke, griffin need to take the belt not get it handed to him cause he threw a ok legkick in second round. the times i heard "they have to win in significant fashion to take the belt" ,are more than i can count and that was clearly not the case.
this is a lowblow to the sport
4 months ago
Doesn't anyone want to know why Rampage was fighting with his right ankle wrapped? He did not fight with the speed and ferocity he had in other fights, but we may never be able to guess "why" and he may never tell us. He lost, Forrest won. It is that simple whether it was by an inch or a mile; it's over.
from 4 months ago
DOROTHY. YOU ARE THE SMARTEST PERSON COMMENTING TODAY!!! YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT ABOUT RAMPAGE! HE WASN'T STEPPING IN AND THROWING PUNCHES WITH POWER LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES. IF EVERYONE OUT THERE THAT THINKS FORREST IS A BETTER FIGHTER THAN RAMPAGE WAIT TIL YOU SEE THE STUPID REMATCH (MORE $ FOR DANA AND THE BROS.) FORREST DID DESERVE THE WIN BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN HE'S A BETTER FIGHTER!! (REMEMBER GSP AND SERRA) THE SUN SHINES ON A DOGS BUTT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. FORREST- YOU ARE THE DOG'S BUTT TODAY!
4 months ago
this is amazing. rampage got a few hits in, that's true. but are you really going to argue that rampage won that fight??? are you kidding me???!!!
rampage looked awful, listless, mostly non-aggressive as forrest chased him around the ring. jackson has zero ground game...looked like a baby seal on his back when forrest had him down.
forrest was the more aggressive, the better boxer, the better grappler, hit jackson with many more hits than he received. no wonder mma fans worldwide consider the american fanbase so freakin ignorant! go watch some drunk pissin his pants on tuf (that's more your speed) and leave the commentary to those with a clue. griffin won that fight.
4 months ago
Forrest won the fight bottom line. I dont know how anyone would be able to argue the fact.
Right now Forrest is the LW man in the UFC. But as we all know the LW is packed full of guys that can win the belt at anytime.
Do you guys think Rampage or Forrest at their very best is better than Liddell, Rua, Wanderlei Silva or even Thiago Silva when they are at their very best??
Bottom line is things change very often in MMA. One day you are on top of the world and the next you are at the bottom.
I dont think I would compare Forrest to Serra. Serra over GSP is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, flukes in UFC history. They could fight ten times and GSP would win 9. Forrest on the other hand has beaten Rua and Rampage. And I also think he will beat Machida.
I want to see Griffin-Liddell. Should be one hell of a fist fight. (As long as Liddell comes with his A game. If not then we could see a repeat of Jackson-Liddell. Lets face it, Chuck was not ready for that fight).
Something kinda off the subject, but what happens if Irvin beats Anderson Silva. Does that move the Sandman near a title shot? He has a pretty good record as of late. His ground game isnt anything special but he sure can throw the leather. Irvin vs Liddell. Winner gets Griffin. Two fights that would be awesome to watch, if you like KOs.
from 4 months ago
Forrest doesn't have one punch knockout power. So no. And Irvin won't beat Silva so don't worry about it.
from 4 months ago
first of all chuck liddell is one of the most over rated mma fighters ever! u ask me why i would say that. i'll ask you what does mma stand for. MIXED martial arts. every great fighter knows submissions. does chuck? don't get me wrong. chuck is one of the toughest fighters in the world but he's limited. great take down defense and a looping over hand right is all he can do. yeah he had a ko kick vs sobral (which sobral bent down in to the head kick) chuck has a tendency to eye poke people (not on purpose) tito(first fite) randy couture (2nd fite) and vernon white. chuck doesn't have a jab and all he does is counter punch. BORING!! so your stupid question about rampage or forrest being better than liddell, rua and silva. I GUESS YOU DON'T REMEMBER THE TWO TIMES RAMPAGE KICKED ICEMAN'S ASS!!! BEFORE YOU ASK SUCH A STUPID QUESTION, DO A LITTLE RESEARCH FIRST!!!! ALSO ANYONE WHO THINKS FORREST IS BETTER THAN RAMPAGE, WAIT TIL REMATCH. DANA YOU SUCK FOR MAKING US WAIT 10 MOS TO WATCH ONE OF THE MOST CAPTIVATING FIGHTERS ON THE PLANET. SORRY BUT A BROKEN KNUCKLE HEAL FASTER THAN THAT. NOW IT LOOK LIKE DANA IS A GENIUS. TUF CHAMPION NOW BEST IN THE WORLD. YEAH RITE!!! RAMPAGE I HOPE THAT BRIBE $ IS SPENT WELL. CAN'T SAY I BLAME YOU FOR TAKING IT CONSIDERING YOU (AS THE UFC CHAMP) GOT LESS MONEY THAN FORREST! WTF. GOOD GOIN DANA McMAHON!!!! AND STOP HATING ON OTHER MMA LEAGUES!!! ENOUGH $ TO GO AROUND. I JUST LIKE WATCHIN FITES SO I WILL ACTUALLY BE WATCHIN AFFLICTION NOT THE FREE UFC!! I SUGGEST OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. IF THE AFFLICTION DOESNT DO WELL, THAN THAT MAKES THE UFC THAT MUCH MORE POWERFUL. I SUPPORT THE FIGHTERS NOT THE ALREADY RICH PRES AND OWNERS!
4 months ago
Forrest wanted it more, and that's what it came down to. Rampage was looking for one big knockout punch, and didn't get it. He appeared slow and cumbersome, and may have underestimated Forrest.
Who else has beaten Shogun and Rampage? Forrest may not hold on to the title for long, but you have to give him credit. People just don't want to admit that Rampage lost.
You don't necessarily have to dominate the champ to win the belt, you just need to win three rounds. This was not an example of Arlovski/Sylvia 3, because there was no way you could give Arlovski that fight. The evidence for Forrest winning is clear, and there's no need to repeat it here.
Forrest won rounds 2,3, and 5, so 48-47 in total. Rampage shouldn't get an immediate rematch, he had his chance on Saturday. There are several other contenders vying for a shot at the belt who should get their shot. Rampage should fight Wanderlei next.
4 months ago
did anyone ever find out why rampage had his ankle taped?
4 months ago
rampage won it stop making excuses.even forrest won't co-sign you could see it in his face. you have to hammer the champ, to beat him. THAT WAS WWE..
4 months ago
Sometimes fights are exciting all the way through because neither fighter has the lead. But in most sports, when on team or competitor has established a margin of victory before the end of the competition, then winning becomes more a strategic exercise in risk management.
When a football team is up by 3 scores (17pts) in the 3rd quarter of the superbowl, you don't see them throwing the ball on their side of the field, do you? There's no payoff. If it goes well, you win by 4 scores instead of 3?? If you throw a pick 6, and they convert the extra point for 2 then you a touchdown and a field goal away from losing.
MMA is even more volatile than football in terms of changes in fortune/momentum, so Griffin would have been an idiot to risk the lead for the sake of entertainment. For him and Jackson, this was not a night of entertainment, this was business. This was their career path. Griffin fought smart so he could fight for more $$$ for the rest of his career as a crowned champion.
Hats off to both fighters. They are both warriors who fear nothing. Both were willing to risk defeat in order to gain victory. Once the margin of victory had been established, Griffin worked to maintain it and Jackson valiantly tried to chase it down and seize it. That's noble. Fans of MMA and UFC should want that. Otherwise get ready for all the challenges from those who call it brutality and senseless violence and "not a sport".
4 months ago
This fight is what is great about mma, anything can happen. I didnt give forest a chance in this fight. This is an upset not as big as GSP and Serra ,but an upset. There is no doubt Rampage fought his best ,but give Forest credit for doin what he needed to get the win. It was a good fight not a great fight. The most exciting part of it was that it blows open the already stacked light heavey weight division.
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