Griffin-Jackson rematch on the horizon?
Forrest Griffin prevailed over Quinton Jackson at UFC 86 Saturday in what was easily the best main event of 2008. Some of the reaction from the fight has been downright idiotic, so let’s clear some things up. First, the “fix” was not in. I’ve heard this theory posited on several message boards and in a few e-mails from fans and it’s downright absurd. While Griffin is a homegrown champ, the UFC would’ve been fine with Rampage winning. It would’ve proven he’s a dominant champion at the top of his game. Additionally, the UFC has far too much to lose by fixing a fight than it would stand to gain by having Griffin win the belt. Third, the judges aren’t even employed by the UFC so it’s not like president Dana White is lording over these people. If you try to argue that this fight was fixed, you’re an idiot.
Griffin won the fight, though it should’ve been a little closer than it was on a few scorecards. Next, there should not be an immediate rematch. I’ve heard a few writers suggest this because Jackson did not lose convincingly and has had an impressive stretch lately. I certainly understand their point because it was a terrific fight and a sequel would be pretty awesome. It can’t happen, though. There’s just too much depth at light heavyweight in the UFC to have an immediate rematch. On one hand, I feel like Jackson deserves it. But one of the main reasons he deserves it is the controversy surrounding the scoring and an immediate rematch would be the UFC validating concerns over scoring, and I think that would send the wrong message.
On the other, there are a lot of great fights that can happen to set up a rematch. I’d love to see Rampage take on Wanderlei Silva first and for Griffin to defend his title against the winner of the Chuck Liddell-Rashad Evans fight in September. Of course, Lyoto Machida needs to figure into this somewhere, although I don’t think he deserves a title shot just yet (although I wouldn’t complain if he got one, either).
All in all, it was a great fight that saved a very average and disappointing card. It’s tough to figure the UFC out sometimes. You will get a stacked card worth plunking down nearly 50 bucks for and then one like this, with a whole lot of nothing until a terrific main event. The UFC has had more hits than misses lately and I think the next two events are huge hits, but this one was a one-fight show.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
I think Rampage does deserve a rematch with any other light heavy bout matches. One if griffen loses then we never get to see the rematch. Two it was a very close fight. I thought the judging could've gone either way.
BTW http://www.fightmetric.com/fights/Griffin-Rampage.html
put rampage as the winner.
Posted by: jman | July 7, 2008 9:32 AM
Alright, who are you on the Underground?
Posted by: AF | July 7, 2008 1:47 PM
Actually, I agree with the judges decision. There are a lot of rampage fans out there and just like liddell, who when he lost to rampage they were all coming out of the woodworks saying liddell messed up and gave rampage an easy win, give another rematch he won't mess up again.. blah blah blah.
Forrest won that fair and square and ultimately dominated rampage more so than the other way around. I don't feel rampage deserves a title shot right away, he lost fair and square and now he has to prove himself through a series of big wins before going back for the belt... just like liddell and anyone else for that matter.
And don't feel bad for either guy.. both walked away with a ton of cash and in one piece..... like rampage said sometimes u win sometimes u lose.... Forrest was the better fighter this time around and was able to withstand rampages hard hits and counter with his own. Rampage figured forrests weakness is his chin (which in reality, it seemed tougher than they say.. maybe he's been working on it) and was swinging for that... meanwhile forrest knew rampage was suspectible to knees & low kicks... which proved victorious for him.
All in all, it was a great fight and this is a good article. Too many people need to stop being fan boys for a moment and give credit where and when credit is due. This time it's due to griffin and he earned that.
The question is though.. rampage said he bets his whole purse it won't go to the scorecards... and his trainer said he will retire if rampage loses... now I can see what rampage said as more of a joke, but how about his trainer? LOL
It's much better to keep ur mouth shut before a fight for these exact reasons and just say you're going to go in there and give it your all and not give up... like Forrest said.
Posted by: Nonyo | July 7, 2008 2:35 PM
people need to stop and watch the fight again if they dvr;d it, forrest won 2 out of five rounds.
It sucks that the judges that score these events don;t know much about mma fights, great fight regardless the outcome/watch out war Tiago Silva in 09
Posted by: RealDeal MMA2000 | July 7, 2008 4:19 PM
I agree that the 205 division is STACKED and that there are a lot of other fight opportunities.
The reason I want a rematch isn't because I thought the fight was rigged or incorrectly scored but because a good fight deserves and rematch and possibly a 3rd.
Either you believe that Griffin and Rampage are the top two contenders or you don't. I do, and with that being said I think the other fighters should battle it out while we watch Griffin and Rampage discern who the better fighter is. We don't know after one match, and the precedent more than exists.
Posted by: infinitex | July 7, 2008 9:01 PM
THE PROBLEM is not whether you think Rampage or Griffin deserved to win, the problem is that the judges score cards do not resemble ANYONES score cards!!
This is happens a lot in boxing, and people automatically give the judges a pass by rationalizing how the final decision went. Meanwhile, their round by round scoring relates in no way to the actual events in the ring.
Accountability. You dont want this crap ending up like boxing.
Posted by: silus | July 8, 2008 4:17 AM
I am one of those idiotic people.
The champ loses his belt to 2nd round leg kicks?
Posted by: dellon sears | July 8, 2008 11:08 AM
Rampage had one good moment in the 1st round, period. Anyone who thinks otherwise is blinded by hype or hopelessly PC. Forrest isn't a "great" fighter, but he has guts, and Rampage ended up looking like a tentative, one dimensional fighter. He apparently has forgotten how to block leg kicks, something they start teaching you your first week of any kick-boxing class. The 205 lb weight division is stacked as noted above, and Rampage will have to fight some of the others looking for a shot at the title. Silva is too old, he's only been able to beat no-chin Jardine. Chuck is too old, he's only been able to beat a Silva who'd already lost two straight fights. Rampage is younger than Forrest, and can improve. Forrest is a smart fighter and can improve. Mochida is very skilled but maybe not very exciting. But he deserves a title shot now or after one more win. Give some of the other guys a chance, including Rampage, but forget Chuck and forget Wanderlei.
Posted by: Curtis Bell | July 8, 2008 6:56 PM
It wouldn't be controversial if it was at least a split decision. But UNANIMOUS DECISION? That truly did Not look like a Unanimous Decision.
The leg kicks were good though and shows how smart Forrest really is. He was outmatched coming into the fight. Jackson's hands and speed are superior but Forrest obviously studied well and went with what worked.
Rampage on the other hand seemed like he underestimated his opponent. His natural skill and talent was almost enough to win the fight however.
Posted by: Derrick | July 9, 2008 12:08 AM
Forrest had a great game plan. It was a terrific fight but the more I think about it, the more I think a unanimous decision might have been a little much. Especially the judges that gave round 1 to Griffin.
After talking with Brandon Vera and Tim Sylvia tonight (cheap plug for future Q/As), I'm starting to come around to their side that it wasn't as wide as the judges had made it out to be.
Still think Griffin won the fight, though.
Posted by: Mark Chalifoux | July 9, 2008 12:21 AM
the fix was not in? hahaha what a joke. UFC 88 is in atlanta ga...Griffin being from GA... how can u say theres no political propaganda and money invovled with Griffin being the champion...Such a nieve statement.....THE FIX WAS SO ON.....
Posted by: ATLSAINTS | July 15, 2008 4:18 AM
yea i thought rampage held back in the fight , and was not himself.. and would also like to see a rematch...
Posted by: garyl | July 29, 2008 10:09 AM
no he doesnt deserve a rematch. he lost. now move someone else up who hasnt lost recently. besides i dont think he should had even got the title fight against liddell. he won but thats besides the point. there are other fighters in that weight class who had beaten rampage that deserved the title before him and others who havent gotten the chance who deserve the chance but i guess thats politics for you. n on the fix part. that bull crap. ive seen rampage fight like that before, the only fix is, griffin getting the title shot. he beat 1 person in the top ten. how did he deserve a title shot. not to mention jardine knocked him out.
Posted by: scott | July 31, 2008 12:57 AM