UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - Tale Of The Tape
Even with two other exciting bouts slated for this Saturdays UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin, all eyes were on the current light heavyweight champion Quinton Rampage Jackson [click here for Jackson interview] and Forrest Griffin.
With the build up to this potentially explosive bout months in the making with both men participating as coaches in this seasons The Ultimate Fighter. However, few people know that this boutalong with Griffins historic rise in the UFCalmost didnt happen.
When we did the first season of the Ultimate Fighter, we went after Forrest and he made the show, Dana White said of Griffin. The first day that everybodys supposed to arrive, no Forrest Griffin. We called him up and he decided that he didnt want to do the show. He had it set in his mind that he was going to be a police officer in Georgia, with the white picket fence and all that good stuff. We terrorized him, begged him, pleaded with him and he came out to do the show.
For all the praise White heaps on the man he deems The American Dream, Forrest remains humble when discussing his ascent to the UFC.
They didnt really try that hard to convince me. It was kind of an inconvenience for them. I just kinda thought about it. Youd rather fail trying than not trying, Griffin says of his final decision to appear on The Ultimate Fighter.
Also known as a fighter that can takeand withstandhigh levels of punishment in the Octagon, Griffin also reveals that hes been training smarter this time around.
Ive worked specifically on not taking shots.
Another ace in Griffins hole may be training partner Wanderlei The Axe Murderer Silva, a former Pride FC standout who owns two victories over Jackson.
Ive gotten very used to getting hit in the heada lot, he says of training with Silva. So Ive got that going for me.
While Griffin comes into the biggest fight of his career to date, its another day at the office for Quentin Jackson.
What matters to me is that the guy shows up to fight. I like to fight guys that like to fight; I dont like to fight guys that like to run. I train to win, I trained my hardest and Forrest is a hard worker. So I had to work hard. You all are in for a battle and I do plan on finishing this fight. Im going to be your champion for a long time, thats a promise, Jackson says.
With a new training camp in tow, Jackson dismisses any advantage Griffin will have through training with Silva.
When I was training for Wanderlei Silva, I was training with jiu-jitsu guys, he said of his old training camps. "Now, I have sparring partners. I have Cheick Kongo. Im telling you, that guy hits hard. Hes crazy. Hell kick your ass and kiss you after the round is over. Im ready.
The nights other featured bouts include a middleweight showdown with Patrick Cote squaring off against Ricardo Almeida and fellow TUF alums Josh Koscheck and Chris Lights Out Lytle.
UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin kicks off live on pay-per-view this Saturday at 10 p.m. EST.
Quentin Rampage Jackson
Height: 61
Weight: 205 lbs.
Record: 27-6
Strengths: Wrestling, strength, striking
Notable Victories:
Chuck Liddell (twice), Dan Henderson, and Kevin Randleman
Forrest Griffin
Height: 63
Weight: 205 lbs.
Record: 15-4
Strengths: Grappling, big heart
Notable Victories:
Mauricio Shogun Rua, Stephan Bonnar (twice), Elvis Sinosic
Analysis:
On paper, the reigning champion wins this fight in convincing fashion. Jackson holds advantages over Griffin in wrestlingwhich may nullify Griffins ground gamestriking and strength. But as always with mixed martial arts, anything can happen.
To win this fight, Griffin needs toor rather, has tofollow the same model that allowed Wanderlei The Axe Murderer Silva to score two decisive victories over Jackson in the now defunct Pride FC. The challenger must be aggressive, and keep the pressure on Jackson for the duration of the fight. If Griffin can weather the storm of Jacksons striking (more on this later), he may be able to keep the fight in close quartersand sink in a Muay Thai clinch, similar to the way Silva did.
Unfortunately for the original Ultimate Fighter, the champion is a much differentand far better fighter than he was in the early Pride FC days. The odds of Griffin weathering the storm of Jacksons heavy hands (the same hands that put Chuck Liddell on Dream Street) is highly unlikely, as Griffin was knocked out by The Dean of Mean Keith Jardine. With Jackson owning all the advantages and cardio good enough to go the distance (as seen in his victory over Dan Henderson), Griffin is in for one long night if this fight goes five rounds. Despite an extra-large frame during season seven of The Ultimate Fighter, Rampage is also back in top condition, courtesy of trainer Juanito Ibarra. Look for this one to end by ass whooping" with Jackson delivering a highlight reel worthy knockout.
DX prediction: Jackson via 2nd round knockout.
With the build up to this potentially explosive bout months in the making with both men participating as coaches in this seasons The Ultimate Fighter. However, few people know that this boutalong with Griffins historic rise in the UFCalmost didnt happen.
When we did the first season of the Ultimate Fighter, we went after Forrest and he made the show, Dana White said of Griffin. The first day that everybodys supposed to arrive, no Forrest Griffin. We called him up and he decided that he didnt want to do the show. He had it set in his mind that he was going to be a police officer in Georgia, with the white picket fence and all that good stuff. We terrorized him, begged him, pleaded with him and he came out to do the show.
For all the praise White heaps on the man he deems The American Dream, Forrest remains humble when discussing his ascent to the UFC.
They didnt really try that hard to convince me. It was kind of an inconvenience for them. I just kinda thought about it. Youd rather fail trying than not trying, Griffin says of his final decision to appear on The Ultimate Fighter.
Also known as a fighter that can takeand withstandhigh levels of punishment in the Octagon, Griffin also reveals that hes been training smarter this time around.
Ive worked specifically on not taking shots.
Another ace in Griffins hole may be training partner Wanderlei The Axe Murderer Silva, a former Pride FC standout who owns two victories over Jackson.
Ive gotten very used to getting hit in the heada lot, he says of training with Silva. So Ive got that going for me.
While Griffin comes into the biggest fight of his career to date, its another day at the office for Quentin Jackson.
What matters to me is that the guy shows up to fight. I like to fight guys that like to fight; I dont like to fight guys that like to run. I train to win, I trained my hardest and Forrest is a hard worker. So I had to work hard. You all are in for a battle and I do plan on finishing this fight. Im going to be your champion for a long time, thats a promise, Jackson says.
With a new training camp in tow, Jackson dismisses any advantage Griffin will have through training with Silva.
When I was training for Wanderlei Silva, I was training with jiu-jitsu guys, he said of his old training camps. "Now, I have sparring partners. I have Cheick Kongo. Im telling you, that guy hits hard. Hes crazy. Hell kick your ass and kiss you after the round is over. Im ready.
The nights other featured bouts include a middleweight showdown with Patrick Cote squaring off against Ricardo Almeida and fellow TUF alums Josh Koscheck and Chris Lights Out Lytle.
UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin kicks off live on pay-per-view this Saturday at 10 p.m. EST.
Tale of the Tape:
Quentin Rampage Jackson
Height: 61
Weight: 205 lbs.
Record: 27-6
Strengths: Wrestling, strength, striking
Notable Victories:
Chuck Liddell (twice), Dan Henderson, and Kevin Randleman
Forrest Griffin
Height: 63
Weight: 205 lbs.
Record: 15-4
Strengths: Grappling, big heart
Notable Victories:
Mauricio Shogun Rua, Stephan Bonnar (twice), Elvis Sinosic
Analysis:
On paper, the reigning champion wins this fight in convincing fashion. Jackson holds advantages over Griffin in wrestlingwhich may nullify Griffins ground gamestriking and strength. But as always with mixed martial arts, anything can happen.
To win this fight, Griffin needs toor rather, has tofollow the same model that allowed Wanderlei The Axe Murderer Silva to score two decisive victories over Jackson in the now defunct Pride FC. The challenger must be aggressive, and keep the pressure on Jackson for the duration of the fight. If Griffin can weather the storm of Jacksons striking (more on this later), he may be able to keep the fight in close quartersand sink in a Muay Thai clinch, similar to the way Silva did.
Unfortunately for the original Ultimate Fighter, the champion is a much differentand far better fighter than he was in the early Pride FC days. The odds of Griffin weathering the storm of Jacksons heavy hands (the same hands that put Chuck Liddell on Dream Street) is highly unlikely, as Griffin was knocked out by The Dean of Mean Keith Jardine. With Jackson owning all the advantages and cardio good enough to go the distance (as seen in his victory over Dan Henderson), Griffin is in for one long night if this fight goes five rounds. Despite an extra-large frame during season seven of The Ultimate Fighter, Rampage is also back in top condition, courtesy of trainer Juanito Ibarra. Look for this one to end by ass whooping" with Jackson delivering a highlight reel worthy knockout.
DX prediction: Jackson via 2nd round knockout.
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