FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Let's face it, UFC 86 wasn't exactly a stacked card.  The fights weren't "sexy" matchups, there was no bad blood between any fighter, and the title fight was widely believed to be a walk through for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.  But if you believed that, you missed a hell of a show.  Four out of the 5 "main card" fights went to decision.  Was it flashy?  No.  But it was entertaining.

I'll run through the first 4 fights with a few questions.  Marcus Aurelio, what were you thinking?  You are taller and have a reach advantage.  Why are you trying to out wrestle the wrestler?  Some how I find that strategy flawed.  And, as everyone saw, you were dominated.  You would think a guy with the nickname "Maximus" would show us more.

Chris Lytle.  How in the world did you get THREE cuts on one eye?  Were you trying to block punches with your face?  And how about all that blood.  Thought I was watching a Mortal Kombat fight at the local arcade.  And Koscheck, get a haircut.  After the fight it looked like you had pink hair.

Gleison Tibau, why did you let Joe Stevenson get you in a guillotine choke?  You knew it was coming.  That's all that Stevenson does.  It's almost as if Joe has a patent on it, and you let him apply it to you.  I thought you had the match readily in hand, and you slipped up.  Maybe some studying is in order.

And in the match of "Who wants to get beatdown in the 1st Round against Anderson Silva", Cote' gets the Split Decision.  I think the Split Decision was justified.  I could've almost called a draw.  But in the end, does it really matter?  Neither one of these two stands a chance against Anderson Silva.  So congrats, Cote'.  You get the chance to get some bones broken.  Not really the prize I would like.

Now, in what was probably (according to so-called experts) one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, Forrest Griffin got a Unanimous Decision against Rampage Jackson.  Unanimous?  I dont' know about all that.  This fight was close.  Real close.  And it was exactly what I wanted to see in a title fight.  Two warriors going the distance.  I would've scored it Round 1 going to Quinton, Rd 2 to Forrest, Rd 3 Draw, Round 4 to Quinton, and Roud 5 to Forrest.  Hardly unanimous. 

The 1st Round belonged to Rampage.  And it almost turned out to be what everyone was predicting, a KO delivered by Rampage.  He caught Forrest with a punch and knocked him down to the mat.  I'm sure everyone thought it was over.  But Forrest, rock hard chin and all, fought through it.  The turning point was when Forrest kicked Rampage's leg in the 2nd Round.  You saw it instantly, Rampage was hurt, and really didn't have that Rampage aggression he had in the 1st Round.  Forrest pounced on him and totally dominated the round.  The last 3 rounds were close.  I thought too close to award Griffin the belt.  I think even Forrest thought he didn't win.  When he heard Michael Buffer say, "The winner by unanimous decision..", he looked like he knew it was Rampage's win.  Like he thought he should at least have lost in a Split Decision.  But then Buffer finished, "and NEW UFC Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, FORREST GRIFFIN!!"  The look on his face was that of shock, and awe.  I was shocked.  I too thought they were going to give the belt back to Rampage.  But they didn't.  As he accepted the belt Forrest talked about a rematch.  I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting that fight.

So there you have it.  The orginal Ultimate Fighter traveling the long hard road to becoming a champion.  Beating the best Light Heavyweight in the world to do it.  Underdogs everywhere rejoice, for you have your champion...until the rematch.