By now everyone has seen or at least heard about the close 5 round decision that went to Forrest Griffin anointing him the new Light Heavyweight Champion while Quinton "Rampage" Jackson came out the loser. The crowd boo'd the results and the announcers lauded the praises of Griffin's effort while the MMA world seems split in half as to who actually won the fight.
First things first, I scored the contest 48-47 for Rampage to retain the title. Some argue and 2 of the ring side judges did score a 10-8 round in the 2nd for Forrest, though I did not. Even if you do give him the 10-8, the fight then comes out a draw and Jackson keeps the belt. The only real controversy seems to be over that 3rd round. Almost everybody scores the rest the same with Round 1 Rampage, Round 2 Forrest, Round 4 Rampage, and Round 5 Forrest. Again, the 10-8 or 10-9 2nd is a moot point ending the fight in an even less satisfying draw.
So the 3rd round. Rampage avoids those painful leg kicks early on and neither man does much until the 3:40 mark when Quinton blocks a kick and a punch that gains him nothing but was beautiful. At 3:22 Jackson lands a nice combination. 3:05 and Forrest lands his 1st leg kick of the round followed by some misses as Rampage lands some strikes (I believe 2). 2:45 leg kick by Forrest answered by a combo from the Champ. 2:25 area some slight kicks landed by Griffin. 2:04 Rampage lands a jab and an overhand right and the two trade after. 2 punches from Forrest and his best punch (a hook) lands at 1:42. 1:31 Rampage lands 2 head shots followed by an inside leg kick from the challenger. 1:15 a great body shot by Quinton but Griffin lands two jabs. 0:59 Forrest's Superman punch misses but a leg kick does not. 0:30 Rampage backs Griffin up with a chin check then at 0:12 Forrest lands 2 while Quinton comes forward and the two men trade a barrage, 3 land for the Champ and 1 for the challenger who moves away till the end of the round. My count has 15 (meaningful shots) landed by Rampage and 14 by Griffin. Compustrike gives the 3rd 24% strikes by Griffin and 38% by Jackson. Pretty close but I still give the edge to Quinton though it was a damn close round and fight.
The fight total was 33% strikes by Griffin and 49% for Jackson with 64 power strikes by Rampage and 47 by Griffin, though in total Forrest landed more shots in total. The fight is round by round but I just found the numbers interesting. Take em or leave em.
All this being said, and even with the Juanito Ibarra protesting to the Commission, the outcome is in the books and Forrest Griffin is the new Light Heavyweight Champion. I am glad. The guy has grown as a fighter before our eyes beginning as a slug it out tough kid with heart, into a training machine sponging up knowledge in every facet of the game becoming a full rounded Mixed Martial Artist. It is amazing to see a man so humble and seemingly approachable come so far after all he has been through. The pressure of being a TUF Season 1 winner, the bullshit decision loss to Tito Ortiz, and the bad KO loss to Keith Jardine. The guy just went back to the gym with each defeat and learned from it never losing his sense of humor. Forrest knew the fight was close and wants the rematch with Rampage as we all do. Time will tell if the UFC makes it happen but one thing is for sure, the nice guy finally finished 1st!
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