|
| |
|
|
|
Bookies favour Jackson at UFC 86 but others believe in challenger Griffin |
|
|
|
Written by Neil Davidson, THE CANADIAN PRESS
|
|
Friday, 04 July 2008 |
UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson and challenger Forrest Griffin square off. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Neil Davidson
Related Items
No keywords found
LAS VEGAS - The bookies favour light-heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson but some observers see another upset win for Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 if the challenger can survive the early rounds Saturday night.
"I think Rampage's going to be chasing him around, trying to grab him, slam him and impose his will on him and I think Forrest is going to bring his bicycle and try to take him for a ride and not let him get a hold of him," said heavyweight Justin (The Insane 1) McCully. "So it makes for a great fight stylistically."
Welterweight Josh Koscheck says the key to Griffin winning the mixed martial arts main event (available on pay per view from the Mandalay Bay Events Center) is surviving the opening.
"I'm rooting for Forrest," said Koscheck, who counts Griffin as a friend. "I think he has the potential to win this fight. I think if he can get to the third, fourth rounds, the later rounds. ... If he can do that, keep his feet moving, I think Forrest can come out with a victory."
Both fighters have been off since September, in part due to their roles as coaches in Season 7 of "The Ultimate Fighter." Griffin was sidelined by shoulder surgery after his unexpected win over Mauricio (Shogun) Rua at UFC 76. Jackson's last fight was a five-round decision over former Pride title-holder Dan Henderson at UFC 75.
"You've got to remember he won two world titles, became the undisputed champion in seven months," manager/trainer Juanito Ibarra said of Jackson. "He defied everybody's odds. We need a break. I wanted a four-month break, then the show was offered to us."
At 6-3, Griffin has a couple of inches on Jackson, who has been vulnerable to knees in the clinch in the past. But Ibarra scoffs at that still being a potential weakness, saying the champion has eradicated such flaws.
"Forrest is a big guy though ... if he had the power he could be fighting at heavyweight," Ibarra said. "Rampage is shorter, more stockier, lot of weight in his legs, if you will, on his back."
"I like the matchup, I'll be honest," Ibarra continued. "I don't think there's a matchup I really won't like ... I just believe he's the best and this is his time. And as long as he keeps listening, he'll keep learning and he'll keep that title."
Adding some spice to the matchup is the fact Griffin and Wanderlei (The Axe Murderer) Silva, who beat Jackson in 2003 and 2004 in Japan, trains together at Xtreme Couture in Vegas.
"I didn't really ask him anything," Griffin said. "We just trained together. He gave me some ideas of stuff to do in the clinch."
The MMA equation doesn't always make sense, however.
Silva beat Keith Jardine who defeated Griffin who downed Rua who beat Jackson who defeated Chuck Liddell who stopped Silva but lost to Jardine.
One thing is certain. Jackson has one-punch knockout power - just ask Liddell - and Griffin doesn't.
"He hits hard. I don't have the best chin in the world," Griffin said candidly.
On the plus side, Griffin is well-rounded. So the challenger can either move and jab, hoping to stay out of range and frustrate Jackson, occasionally looking to clinch and do damage from outside.
Jackson also has a few tools at his disposal. And he is a beast, who moves forward like a shark. When he connects, he hurts.
Griffin's endurance and never-say-die attitude will be needed Saturday night. He had thought he had an edge in cardio over Jackson but rethought that after the champion went five rounds with Henderson - although Jackson almost fell over when the bell finally rang.
It is almost a given that Griffin will be bleeding by the time the bout ends. He often leaks during fights.
Jackson put on weight during his layoff and extended his camp to seven weeks from the normal five at Big Bear Lake in California. Ibarra opted to work the weight off him, rather than have him diet it off first, to make the process more natural and less stressful.
With the likes of six-foot-four heavyweight Cheick Kongo at camp, Jackson is used to handling big men.
"I'm telling you, that guy hit's hard. He's crazy. He don't care," Jackson said. "He'll kick your ass then kiss you after the round is over with. That's the kind of guy I have been sparring with. I'm ready."
Jackson can expect more of the same with a motivated Griffin.
 |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
|
|
|
Who's Online
We have 156 guests and 8 members online
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
