“If
anyone tells me I’m not gonna win they can kiss my natural
black ass. My ass is natural and black.” Rampage
For those that believe that a TUF champion
can truly be a belt contender, UFC 86 may
prove to be next lesson of champion versus TUF alumni. Sherk
over Florian, Penn over
Stevenson, Silva over Lutter,
the later are only some TUF names so far that couldn’t quite
grasp the belt from the champion. BJ Penn took control of
the octagon, licking his beaten enemies blood moments after
a vicious knee, calling the fight before the referee. Florian
landed a sharp elbow and was then frustrated and soaked with
the then champion’s blood, while Lutter couldn’t even beat
the scale and then got quashed in the complementary battle.
In this case, Quinton Rampage Jackson will
be taking on Forrest Griffin, not necessarily
the man who deserved the next shot, but a deserving fighter
via popular rankings. In other words, he’s popular among the
working masses and making Dana White and the boys “much"
money. Although Lyoto Machida is first in
the talent line in “true” ranking terms, we will now see a
true test of Forrest Griffin who earned his status by taking
out the top light heavy at that moment in time, Mauricio
“Shogun” Rua.
So what this fight is going to determine is whether the UFC’s
“my favorite contender system” upholds any positive
reputation, or whether it is inherently flawed. You see, the
problem with the UFC as of recent has been the fact that they
are trying to sell inexperienced fighters at the same level
as the top shelf warriors. In other words, we are being sold
schwag for the price of chronic, an SUV for the price of a
Ferrari, hamburger for fillet mignon.
Not to digress from this main event card, an example of this
TUF alumni super status was revealed in UFC 85
in a rush of a card between 84 and 86 it was
quite a revelation of mediocrity and filler. The biggest disappointment
was Mike Swick who displayed no warrior spirit,
instead backing away with the mind of a mercenary, taking
the money and running. Quick sure knows how to avoid a fight
and get the cash, and he does a great impersonation of a squid
out of water, flailing his tentacles so the nose bleed section
believes he’s actually landing strikes, but meanwhile the
cameras reveal something much different, winning by any means,
playing a game instead of fighting! Meanwhile the much hyped
also TUF alumni Marcus Davis simply did not
have a response and was frustrated into a judge’s loss. Thinking
back before that, Bisping versus Evans
was another horrific spectacle involving TUF alumnus.
I believe the hype of an experienced MMA fighter, while I
don’t believe the hype of fighters suddenly born before TV
cameras. Obviously many fighters who have gone through that
process where already MMA fighters, such as Travis Lutter
or Mac Danzig, and many others. I still believe that Josh
Koscheck is one of the most overrated fighters in
the welterweight category and tonight Chris Lytle
will most likely teach the TUF 1 contestant what a truly well
rounded journey man can do. If Koscheck fights the way he
fought Diego Sanchez it should be boring
as hell, but I have a feeling that Chris Lytle is going to
make him engage and tangle him into at least fighting, instead
of running and looking pretty.
Although this card is indeed heavy in filler once again,
there are definitely a couple other worthy encounters such
as Griffin vs. Aurelio and Patrick
Cote meeting a man who walked away with the KOP title,
Ricardo Almeida.
With his always-hilarious commentary, the charismatic rampage
already laid down some straight words for Griffin in the UFC
86 Web Site Preview. Now lets see if Rampage can sing the
star spangled banner with his fists or if Forrest Griffin
is as talented as he is popular.
“I’m gonna whoop his ass. I’m serious. It don’t matter
what Forest wants… it’s a matter of what I’m gonna do… If
you wanna see somebody get their ass whooped just tune in.
July 5th there’s gonna be more fireworks than July 4th, I’m
telling you.”
UFC 86® Jackson vs. Griffin
Saturday July 4, 2008
Mandalay Bay Events Center, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Bout 5 x 5 min. Rounds
Quinton Jackson Vs. Forrest Griffin
Middleweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Patrick Cote Vs. Ricardo Almeida
Lightweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Joe Stevenson Vs. Gleison Tibau
Welterweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Josh Koscheck Vs. Chris Lytle
Lightweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Tyson Griffin Vs. Marcus Aurelio
Heavyweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Gabriel Gonzaga Vs. Justin McCully
Lightweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Jorge Gurgel Vs. Cole Miller
Lightweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Melvin Guillard Vs. Dennis Siver
Lightweight Bout 3 x 5 min. Rounds
Corey Hill Vs. Justin Buchholz
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