In retrospect, UFC won big in Griffin-Jackson fight
Last week, following the UFC light-heavyweight championship fight between defending title-holder Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and challenger Forrest Griffin, Griffin sent entreaties heavenward that the judges would see the fight his way. He had tried to keep Jackson, a slugger, off-balance and did dominate the second round pounding Jackson relentlessly while the two were on the floor.
"Please, please, please," seemed to be Griffin's prayer as he awaited the decision following a five-round bout.
It was answered with a unanimous decision that some observers thought could have gone the other way. Even Griffin said he wasn't sure. "You really don't know in the fight what's happening," he said. "You watch on TV, it's a lot easier to tell what's going on."
Well, if Griffin got a little bit lucky that night -- or at least avoided being unlucky -- the UFC can be just as thankful that the decision went the way it did and the graduate of the University of Georgia is one its new champions. Jackson was just arrested in California for erratic driving in a police chase that included a number of collisions and with Jackson's pick-up on the sidewalk. I can't imagine why he thought he's get away even if he evaded police at that moment -- he has his face on the doors on both sides of the truck.
The Sun's mixed martial arts blogger Mark Chalifoux, who does a splendid job of tracking and examining that sport on his blog MMA Stomping Ground, wrote that he doesn't believe the incident will hurt the UFC's image much and that Jackson himself should rebound from the arrest and fight again. I have no idea about the inner-workings of the UFC but I think that it's safe to say that there has to be at least some thought given about whether Jackson gets a quick rematch with Griffin.
In the meantime, the UFC should be pretty happy that Griffin, who graduated with a double major from Georgia and, in a curious twist, worked as a law enforcement officer for a sheriff's office back in Georgia, wears one of its championship belts. In talking with Griffin the day after his fight, he seemed to be a level-headed guy dedicated to this fledgling sport and intent on honoring the responsibilities that come with being a champion in any sport.
Meanwhile, Jackson -- who rocketed to popularity following a highly-publicized pummeling of MMA legend Chuck Liddell -- has to regroup and rededicate himself if he doesn't want to become merely a colorful footnote in his game.
Comments
Bill,
What was Griffin's second major. I know he majored in Political Science, but you have a double major listed here. I can't seem to find the second focus of his dual studies.
Thanks
M
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Matt,
It was criminal justice ... that's what he told me and another reporter the day after the fight.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Matt | July 16, 2008 2:29 PM
fledgling sport? its the fastest growing sport in the world you moron
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Anonymous,
It may be what you say it is as far as fastest growing but it is a sport that's essentially come into its own this century as opposed to baseball, football and others that go back to the early 20th or 19th century. Some MMA organizations, such as the UFC, are very successful. Others, however, are struggling. So there's a shake-out going on and the final shape of MMA has yet to be realized. I think the characterization that this is a relatively new evolving sports enterprise is accurate.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 16, 2008 3:38 PM
Bill you rock!
So does Baltimore Sun.
Thanks for answering all the questions posted.
Do you think Chuck Liddell is going to make a comeback?
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Mike,
Thanks for writing. I talked to Liddell while in Las Vegas and I asked him how long he ibtended to do this. He said that as long as his body holds up that he'll fight. Now we both know that MMA organizations really hold the key to that. I don't think Liddell would fight in just any old circumstance but he difinitely thinks he can still do it. He seemed to be in good shape and was totally engaged when talking with Forrest Griffin. If he does return to the octagon, I hope he doesn't wind up taking the kind of beating he did against Jackson.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: mike | July 16, 2008 11:30 PM
Bill is right on with this. The UFC got lucky twice this week. First, that Jackson didn't seriously injure someone. Second, that Jackson lost to Griffin. It would've made things much more difficult to promote a champion whose currently going through these ordeals.
And it's pretty hard to say the sport isn't fledgling as it's essentially in its infancy on the national scale. Millions of fans are just beginning to be introduced to the sport.
Sure, the UFC is the dominant organization in the sport and the UFC has done a great job growing the sport here and abroad but there is still a long way to go before it's a permanent fixture among the major sports.
Dana White is the first person to admit that, too.
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Mark,
Thanks for chiming in. I have to say I'm becoming a convert to MMA.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Mark Chalifoux | July 17, 2008 2:22 PM
Bill,
Liddell is scheduled to return to the octagon in September against Rashad Evans. The fight will take place in Atlanta, GA.
Good article Bill.
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Michael,
Thanks for the kind words and the information on Liddell.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Michael | July 17, 2008 4:53 PM