The Sunday Sprawl 06.30.08: Volume 6 - UFC 86, Jackson Vs. Griffin & Cote Vs. Almeida
Posted by Alex Mattis on 06.30.2008
With UFC 86 just around the corner... It's time for an in-depth look at Jackson Vs. Griffin and Cote Vs. Almeida!
And so we have arrived at UFC 86. An event that could be the biggest the UFC will put forth this year. An event headlined by a very important fight, a fight that I cannot see being a disappointment. One of the men responsible for making MMA what it is today, Forrest Griffin, will get his first UFC title shot against a monster of a champion. The undercard of this event is not one that should be overlooked as it will showcase what should be some excellent fights, including one that could sculpt the next middleweight title fight.
It has become the norm in the UFC. With the end of a season of the Ultimate Fighter comes a big fight. Well they haven't come this big since season one. Season 3 we had Tito Vs. Shammy, we all knew what was going to happen. Season 5 we had BJ Vs. Jens, we all knew what was going to happen. Season 6 we had Serra Vs. Hughes, it never happened. And now we have Jackson Vs. Griffin and who knows what is going to happen in this one. This season of TUF has helped build intensity and intrigue for what was already a very interesting fight. It showed how serious each man is about fighting each other and it showed how much both men hate to lose. By the season's end, we have all seen that both Rampage and Forrest are going to do what it takes to walk out of Vegas with the strap.
The winners of the Ultimate Fighter have always come under criticism from those stating that they aren't "tested" and favored upon by the UFC. Now is it true that Dana and Co. would prefer TUF winners to win their fights and may give them a few fights that may seem "easier" when they start out? I believe it is. But I don't see how anyone could say Forrest hasn't been tested. Out of the box he fought savvy veterans like Bill Mahood and Elvis Sinosic. Now Forrest should have, and did, win those fights. Then was Tito Ortiz. The man who at one time was the #1 guy at 205. Forrest showed that he belonged to be in the cage with the best in the world in this fight. He went the distance with Tito and lost a very close decision that is still debated about to this day (I'm in the group that thinks he won). Forrest has had his ups and down's since that fight gaining victories over Stephan Bonnar and Hector Ramirez but also being stopped by Keith Jardine in the 1st. Despite all of this, the biggest moment in the career of Griffin would come late last year at UFC 76 when he beat Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Shogun, at the time, was at the top of the light heavy weight division but in this fight was beaten by Forrest in every sense of the word. He was beaten down, gassed, and submitted in the closing seconds of the fight. It was one of the most impressive performances that I have ever seen in MMA. Now Forrest is going into another fight as a sizeable underdog. But as he has shown in the past he works well under pressure, he likes being the underdog. Griffin knows the importance of this fight. He is in the headlining fight of a PPV event. He is fighting for the top light heavy weight title in MMA. He is going to make the most of this opportunity and is not going to go out without a hell of a fight.
A new, focused, and very dangerous Rampage has turned many heads since debuting in the UFC. Rampage had his ups and down's in PRIDE, but it has all been up since UFC 67. He walked through Marvin Eastman in his first fight. Then at UFC 71 he made quick, and I mean quick, work of Chuck Liddell and took the crown at 205. Rampage would cement his ranking as the #1 lightheavy weight fighter in the world with his decision win over Dan Henderson at UFC 75. Rampage has looked improved in every fascist since moving to his new camps and looks to be putting the division on notice. I truly believe that Jackson is going to be looking to make an example of Griffin come the 5th. It's hard to doubt much coming from the man that put Chuck Liddell to sleep in the 1st round. Everyone has seen how good Rampage has become, it's time to see if it's good enough.
Despite what many think, this is a near impossible fight to call. Both Rampage and Forrest are known for banging it out and having nasty brawls, so we could see a total slugfest here. We could also see a very tactical battle, but I think both will be looking to put the other down with a KO. When breaking down this fight there are two important factors that Rampage needs to be sure to make himself aware of. Many are saying that Rampage will win this fight, and win with ease. Quinton needs to be sure and not buy into this and take Forrest lightly, if he does that it could be a bad night for him. Second, Forrest has heart that is unparallel. He will not quit. He has had his arm broken in a fight by and armbar, he got out and KO'd his opponent with his good arm. This man is coming to fight, and doesn't consider losing an option. Now, if Rampage fights the way he did against Chuck and picks his spots he could put Forrest down and retain his title. Jackson needs to not engage in wild sluggin' because that's where you are most likely to get caught. You have to believe that Forrest is going to want to fight similar to the way he did against Shogun, wear his down then put him away. But if the Henderson fight proved anything about Jackson it is that it is going to be hard to wear him down. I do believe this fight could turn out to be the most exciting fight of the year, it has all the makings. In the end, I have to give it to Rampage but it's damn hard to count Forrest out. Count on both men leaving it all on the line.
The middleweight division is in an odd spot. The champion is pound for pound the best all around fighter on the planet and has crushed anyone who dare try to take his title. The rankings seem to be irrelevant at this point due to his dominance. But there are still plenty of fighters out there that are going to do what it takes to get a shot at this monster. Patrick Cote has always been knocking at the door of the top middleweights in the world, and Ricardo Almeida is attempting to get back into the top spot he was nearing years ago. Much like the main event, both men want the win here so bad. Cote and Ameida have show great confidence in themselves and will be looking to take one another out quickly.
Now, I'm trying to put my uber-fandom for Cote aside but if I seem bias I apologize. Patrick Cote has had one of the most up and down records of any UFC fighter. His first fight in the UFC was against Tito Ortiz when he was at the top, so needless to say he was thrown to the wolves at the start. He hit some hard times after that when he lost a fight to Joe Doerksen, a fight that he was dominating, he then lost a close decision to Chris Leben. But after his submission loss to Travis Lutter at TUF 4 finale he has been constantly improving and has won every fight since then. And these are victories over some great talent. The most impressive coming in the form of his TKO victories over Kendall Grove and Drew McFedries. If he is able to add a praised Ju-Jitsu practitioner like Ricardo Almeida to his win streak, he has to be regarded as a threat.
Ricardo Almeida has always been a highly touted fighter and was on the rise in the middleweight division then went on a near four year hiatus. His return was quick and impressive, but didn't prove that much considering he was fighting a replacement opponent. Now, what he has done in the past has been very impressive and a way for him to recapture that and get right back to where he was prior to his time off would be a victory over an up and coming on a hot streak just like Patrick Cote. Almeida will be intent on fighting his fight, taking it to the ground and ending it quickly.
This is your classic fight of one guy wants to stand the other wants it on the ground. It is that simple. I do give the advantage to Cote here. If he can avoid the takedown he could put Almeida away at anytime. Of course, while Cote may have improved ground game, if Ricardo can get the fight to the ground Cote's title hopes may be over. But in the process of going in for a takedown you run the risk of eating 2 or 3 fists and what is the main thing that we have learned about Patrick Cote? His incredible power in his punches. If he hits you: you're going to feel it, you're going to be dazed, and more than likely you're going to drop. And Cote can finish a fight. Be it Joe Doerksen, Kendall Grove, Jason Day, Drew McFedries, even Tito Ortiz every time Cote has hit them, they have dropped. Don't get me wrong, Almeida could take this but I just have to believe that the advantage lies with "The Predator."
And now... A final look at the headlining bouts:
...And my predictions for the rest of the card: Joe Stevenson Vs. Gleison Tibau
Josh Koscheck Vs. Chris Lytle (I can't go for Kos on anything, plus I love me some TUF 4 alumni)
Tyson Griffin Vs. Marcus Aurelio Gabriel Gonzaga Vs. Justin McCully Jorge Gurgel Vs. Cole Miller
Melvin Guillard Vs. Dennis Siver Corey Hill Vs. Justin Buchholz
I'll see you right back here next week with my thoughts on the event and more from the MMA world.
