UFC 86 – JACKSON Vs GRIFFIN
Now a little over a week away, this highly anticipated UFC event will take place at what many believe to be the home of the UFC, the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 5th. The main event will be between the two coaches of The Ultimate Fighter 7 reality series, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Forrest Griffin with Jackson’s UFC Light Heavyweight title up for grabs. Let’s have a look at each fight on the card in more detail:
Main Card
Light Heavyweight Championship bout: Quinton Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin
Having spent a number of weeks together as coaches on the latest
season of The Ultimate Fighter, Jackson and Griffin will be no strangers to each other when they step into the octogon. Long time Pride superstar, Jackson compiled big win’s in Japan against the likes of Ricardo Arona, Matt Lindland and former UFC Heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman. Swapping the Pride ring for the UFC octogon in February 07, Jackson has made a deverstating impact knocking out both Marvin Eastman and then champion Chuck Liddell, to capture the title. In September 07 he fought then 2 time Pride champion Dan Henderson in London, winning a 5 round unanimous decision to unify the titles. Since this win, injury has plagued the popular champion, who hopes to return to winning ways this July.
Having won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Forrest Griffin quickly became a fan favourite with his down to earth attitude, exciting fighting style and never say die attitude. Looking impressive after a number of fights after the show, Griffin earned a shot against long time UFC champion Tito Ortiz at UFC 59, losing by split decision, although many believe he won the fight. Bouncing back with a win, his progress was halted again in December 06 after being knocked out by dangerous striker Keith Jardine in round 1. Again Griffin immediately bounced back to win in Ireland against former Jackson team mate Hector Ramirez before deciding to take the fast road to a title shot, calling out the man considered by many to be the best light heavyweight on the planet, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in Rua’s UFC debut in September. Managing to pressure the out of sorts Rua, Griffin managed to wear his opponent down and submit him at the end of round 3, earning him the biggest opportunity of his young career.
This is a very interesting match and unusual having spent so much time together over the first months of this year. With both men having excellent striking ability along with Jackson’s wrestling, slams and brutal ground and pound against Forrests submissions, movement and scrambling ability, style’s wise, these guy’s match-up well where ever the fight might take them. Having admitting to not being the most powerful striker, I wouldn’t be expecting Griffin to win by knockout. Griffin’s way to win will be to drag the fight into the later rounds, hoping his conditioning is better than Jackson’s and win by submission, much like he did against Rua. Jackson will be looking to close the distance and get inside Forrest’s reach and test his chin with his much improved boxing skills. If he isn’t successful with this, look for him to mix it up and go for takedowns and slams followed by relentless ground and pound although he will still need to be aware of Forrests dangerous ground game.
Verdict – Jackson by KO in round 3.
Middleweight bout: Patrick Côté vs. Ricardo Almeida
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Ultimate Fighter 3 finalist Côté will look to continue a four fight win streak against dangerous UFC & Pride veteran Ricardo Almeida who is on a seven win streak himself. Both fighters must be considered one or two fights away from a title shot so this will be a piviatal fight for both.
Although fantastic on his feet, Côté was found wanting on the ground against Travis Lutter at the end of 06 losing by armbar. Now facing a top level bjj practisioner and accomplished grappler in Almeida, if this fight hits the ground I would expect it to be over quickly. That said, if Côté can if fact keep it standing a massive advantage would be his and a shot at the belt in his grasp.
Verdict – Almeida by submission in round 2.
Lightweight bout: Joe Stevenson vs. Gleison Tibau
Having worked his way to a title shot in January 08 and losing, Stevenson will be looking to get back to winning ways against big lightweight Tibau who is also coming off a loss after looking a contender himself.
With both being grounded in a wrestling background, I wouldn’t expect this one to stay standing for long. Look for Tibau to work his bjj skills from the top or the bottom and if anyone is going to look to keep it standing, it will be Tibau as he has the reach advantage. Stevenson himself will look to take it to the ground and end up on top to utilise his ground and pound skills and, if the opportunity arises in any position, lock in his deverstating guillotine choke.
Verdict – Stevenson by decision.
Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle
One of the most improved and dangerous fighters to come of the Ultimate Fighter series, Koscheck will look to take another step towards the title against veteren Lytle. Koscheck’s only loss in the last seven came at the hands of welterweight mavrick Georges St. Pierre and even GSP himself couldn’t finish the young fighter. Lytle’s up and down UFC career continues with him falling short usually against the divisions contenders (former champions Hughes, Serra and the highly touted Thiago Alves) when a victory would make him a major contender.
Koscheck, having greatly improved his boxing skills, should be at little disadvantage against Lytle on the feet in this one. Being an All-American wrestler on top of this it’s hard to see how wiley verteran Lytle can beat the young up and comer, rated by many as a top five contender.
Verdict – Koscheck by TKO in round 2.
Lightweight bout: Tyson Griffin vs. Marcus Aurelio
Having had 3 fights in the UFC in 2007 which all made a list of 10 best of 2007 fights, expect Griffin to come out wanting to impress again in this one. Losing just one fight in his career back in 06, he is homing in quickly on the 155 title and an expected shot early in 09. Rebounding since his debut loss with two wins, Aurelio, a Pride veteran, will have his own aspirations of a title shot.
Having a strong wrestling background, Griffin may look to take this to the ground, he may not. Aurelio is very dangerous off his back, with the majority of his wins coming by submission, most notibly against Takanori Gomi. Griffin may look to wear his much taller opponent down before looking to finish by ground and pound in the last round. One interesting fact is that although Aurelio has five losses, he has never been stopped and all five have gone to the judges. Being a highly touted bjj fighter, Aurelio will be very dangerous off his back and will look to use his very dangerous triangle choke he has used to finish 4 of his fights already.
Verdict – Griffin by decision.
Heavyweight Bout: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Justin McCullyPreliminary Card
Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel vs. Cole MillerHaving both great stand up and submission skills, Gonzaga will hold all the keys to victory in this fight. I’m expecting a highly motivated and better conditioned Gonzaga to dominate the Team Punishment member McCully than we saw gas out at UFC 80 in January.
Verdict – Gonzaga by submission in round 1.
Lightweight Bout: Melvin Guillard vs. Dennis SiverLook for the very energetic Gurgel to take this to the ground and use his superior bjj to dominate his opponent. Having gone the distance in all five of his UFC fights, Gurgel will try to make a statement and finish this one against the lesser experienced Miller.
Verdict – Gurgel by sumission in round 2.
Lightweight Bout: Corey Hill vs. Justin BuchholzNow back after a fight away from the UFC to regain his confidence, the extreamly athletic Guillard will look to keep this one standing and bounce back after recent losses inside the octagon. Look for him to come out swinging for the fences and put the division on notice.
Verdict – Guillard by TKO in round 1.
Being 6ft 4 and training with UFC veteran Jeremey Horn at the Miletich camp, Corey Hill, although lacking experience, will have the confidence and skills to despatch his opponent. Look for a quick knockout, possibly a head kick, or ground and pound win from this young fighter.
Verdict – Hill by TKO in round 1.
Compiled by Michael Pepper.
