UFC 86: Griffin shocks the world in thriller
by Ben Blackmore, 06 July 2008
Forrest Griffin is the NEW UFC light-heavyweight champion of the world after he edged Rampage Jackson in one of the most thrilling fights in UFC history to shock the world – live on Setanta Sports.
Missed the action? Watch highlights as soon as they become available via Setanta By Broadband.
Name any action hero you want – Rocky Balboa, James Bond, Rambo even, they all fit the bill when it comes to Forrest Griffin, the man who rips up every type of rule book.
Written off by so many before the fight (Rampage's coach promised to retire if Jackson lost), Griffin has dodged more bullets than Bond, he has worn more battles scars than Rambo, but crucially he has a heart bigger than Balboa's - and so it proved again.
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This is the man who revolutionised The UFC with his war against Stephen Bonnar, the classic battle that earned Griffin his place at MMA’s top table.
Three years and seven fights on, “The Warrior” was at it again – this time in a five-round roller-coaster battle that was every bit as enthralling as that Bonnar fight, dubbed the best fight in UFC history.
After 25 energy-sapping minutes had come to an end, Bruce Buffer went to the scorecards. 48-46, 48-46, 49-46. Then came those immortal words: “And NEW UFC light-heavyweight champion…Forrest Griffin.”
“Credit Rampage Jackson,” said the new king of the 205lb division, whose record moves to 16-4-0.
“He punches f*****g hard. Every punch he threw hurt. Even if it hit my arm.”
That much was obvious from the very first round, which saw Jackson floor the challenger with a thunderous right uppercut.
Griffin had peppered his opponent with legs kicks before that moment, but a sharp left from the champion rocked him midway through round one before the uppercut dropped Griffin to the deck.
Survival is Griffin’s forte though, and he came roaring back in round two, producing the decisive moment of the fight as he buckled Jackson’s left knee with two massive leg kicks.
Rampage could not stand, and in making a desperate lunge for Griffin’s legs he opened himself up to a deep guillotine from the challenger.
Jackson resisted but Griffin smelt victory, slipping between side control and full mount to pound away at his opponent for fully three minutes, even threatening an Americana before the bell saw the champion crawl to his stool.
“I tried to pretend it didn’t hurt, but I’m not that good at acting. He hit my leg pretty good,” said a humble Jackson, 27-7-0.
“He whooped my ass. Forrest works hard and he deserved it.”
Griffin’s success with the leg kicks seemed to distract him in round three as he became predictable, and Rampage showed the courage of a champion as he connected with a series of combos to work his way back into the fight.
Both fighters were engaging at will as Rampage cut the challenger above the right eye in round four, but every clean shot only seemed to rock Griffin for a matter of seconds before he came back for more.
Tellingly, it was the underdog who locked on a huge triangle midway through the round to score big with the judges, although Rampage was equally eye-catching as he slammed his way out of it.
By now the Las Vegas crowd were in raptures, it was Griffin/Bonnar or Wanderlei/Chuck all over again.
Both knew the winner of the last round would surely win the fight, and both landed several big rights as they stood toe-to-toe.
Griffin was the aggressor though, buckling Jackson's left leg with yet more relentless leg kicks, before one final flurry brought the curtain down on a simply sensational fight.
A privilege to witness, a battle to savour, a new champion to admire.