A more objective look at Saturday's fight

Definitely an interesting perspective on the fight. I have to say I disagree with the scoring by the judges, but I agree with the overall outcome. At best Rampage can make a case for a draw and if so many people hadn't made a huge to do about the actual scoring he wouldn't really be complaining.

Stats from Fightmetric.com

Stats from Compustrike.com

More on the scoring from Saturday night

Somehow I don't think this will be the last post on this topic. Yahoo! Sports Dave Meltzer weighs in.....

Joe Rogan and the Goats Vagina

Yes that was probably one of the more crazy UFC PPVs I have seen. Not only was the Forrest upset huge, but Joe Rogan actually referred to Chris Lytle's cut, or was it Marvin Eastman's(too many brew dogs at that point) as a goat's vagina. Never a dull moment in or out of the Octagon.

Two days after the fight I am still not sure how to take it. On the one hand I am disappointed that Rampage isn't the champion because I was really hoping to see a Liddell - Rampage rematch with the title on the line before the end of the year and that just isnt going to happen. However, I am stoked that Forrest is the new champion, the people's champ, and I think the UFC has to be tremendously happy as well. From TUF 1 Champ in 2005 to Light Heavyweight Champ in 2008, that's pretty damn good and it also validates all the fighters that have competed on the show. Somewhere out there Nick Diaz is cursing I am sure. As far as the fight itself, it reminded me a lot of Couture's dismantling of Tim Sylvia to regain the heavyweight belt. Rampage was never comfortable in the Octagon and other than dropping Forrest in Round 1, he just seemed out of it. Forrest followed the gameplan, which was to tire him out with leg kicks and by the time Rampage did get the opportunity to slam him, he had no energy to do so. Hopefully we see a rematch this fall. More on the other fights later today.

"The judges will not be needed."

Butch's Picks for UFC 86

Corey Hill Vs. Justin Buchholz

Neither of these guys are particularly experienced and I am not familiar with either. Hill looks to have better stats according to Sherdog (both fights won were stoppages). Hill via TKO round 2.

Melvin Guillard Vs. Dennis Siver

Guillard lost his last two UFC fights to Rich Clementi and Joe Stevenson, both excellent fighters. Siver on the other hand is 1-2 in last two UFC fights and lost both fights via submission. Neither appear to be submission artists and will look to bang it out. Guillard via KO round 1.

Jorge Gurgel vs. Cole Miller

Gurgel appears to be the better fighter on paper, but Miller fights with American Top Team and I am going on hunch here. Miller via split decision.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Justin McCully

Gonzaga has fought some big boys in the UFC (Couture and Werdum) recently and lost, but he has 20 pounds on McCully and McCully hasn't fought in over a year. Gonzaga via armbar round 2.

Marcus Aurelio vs. Tyson Griffin

Aurelio will spend the entire fight looking for a submission, while Griffin will inflict punishment. Griffin's defense will hold up. Griffin via unanimous decision.

Joe Stevenson vs. Gleison Tibau

Both of these are young fighters that have dropped from welterweight to lightweight. Stevenson most recently lost a great battle to BJ Penn and Tibau also lost his last fight to Tyson Griffin. Both will be looking to rebound. I expect Stevenson to take this fight to the mat and go with a ground and pound strategy. Tibau will look to use his BJJ for submission. I expect this fight won't be too exciting with Stevenson winning via unanimous decision.

Patrick Cote vs. Ricardo Almeida

Patrick Cote is riding a 4 fight win streak with signature TKO wins over Kendall Grove and Drew McFedries. Cote's punching power cannot be denied. Almeida has fought both in PRIDE and in Pancrase in Japan. He is a second degree black beat in BJJ and not surprisingly most of bouts are won via submission. This quite troubling for Cote whose last lost was due submission by Travis Lutter. Almeida could easily dust Lutter. I suspect this fight will be quick. Almeida via rear naked choke round 1.

Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle

Josh Koscheck is former NCAA national champion wrestler and has won six of his past seven fights in the UFC. His only was unanimous decision loss to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 74. Lytle has lost three of his past five fights in the UFC, to Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, and Thiago Alves. All are very good opponents and Lytle is definitely a veteran fighter, but I see Koscheck utilizing his wrestling skills and dominating this fight. Koscheck via TKO round 2.

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiits time for five rounds in the UFC light heavyweight division...

Quintin "Rampage" Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin

Is it me or does it seem like this card and this fight especially is not being hyped as much as it should. This fight pits two excellent fighters that are crowd favorites. Rampage has won his last 6 fights including 3 in the UFC with wins over Marvin Eastman, Chuck Liddell, and Dan Henderson. Griffin has a two fight win streak including a victory over the last fighter (Shogun Rua) to beat Rampage. Rampage has distinct advantages in punching power, wrestling, and top game control. Griffin has highly underrated BJJ skills and a huge heart. He can take a beating and keep going. Griffin will look to take this fight into later rounds and exploit Rampage's perceived cardio issues. I believe Rampage will show again that he is well prepared and ready to rumble. Rampage via TKO round 4.

Thirsty Thursday

UFC 86 Drinking Game: Compete at ones own peril. Remember to act as responsible as possible when drinking excessively and to not hangout with Jay Bilas afterwards. Oh and be careful or you might end up like BJ Penn.



UFC 86 Drinking Rules

1. Ensure ample supply of beer, preferably cheap
2. Grill should have an excess amount of red meat on it
3. Girlfriends, Wives, Significant others should not be in close proximity of those competing in the game
4. Maybe have a trash can ready
5. Game begins when the Buy button is pressed on the PPV
6. Before each fight pick a winner

Drinking references

QBP = Quarter Beer Pound(full minute time limit)

HBP = Half Beer Pound(full minute time limit)

FBP = Full Beer Pound(three minute time limit)

Shotgun = Shogun the beer

Sip = self-explanatory

Buffalo = To drink with one’s off hand

Failure to comply with the rules will require that the participant Shotgun

QBP if you watch the shows preview twice in a row, the fight doesn’t come on for a half an hour idiot

QBP if the show’s opening involves gladiators

Shotgun if you are playing this game with Cobra

Sip because Mike Goldberg is to old to rock that haircut

Sip if Joe Rogan corrects Mike Goldberg

Joe Rogan says “That’s Craaaaaaaazzzzyyy!!!” = HBP

QBP if Joe Rogan is wearing a black button up shirt

Bruce Buffer says “Aaaannnnd NOW ITS TIME….” = HBP

Switch to Buffalo if the fighter assumes a Southpaw stance

Sip if a fighter throws a Superman Punch

Sip if a fighter passes his opponents Guard

Sip if a fighter takes down his opponent

Sip if a fighter takes side control

Sip if a fighter escapes from a submission

Sip if a commentator says a fighter has a lot of heart

Sip if a fighter lands a head kick

Sip if a fighter completes a Judo throw

Sip when rampage howls

Sip when someone begins to bleed

Sip when they show a celeb in attendance

QBP if Forrest comes out to Drop Kick Murphy’s

QBP if your fighter wins

QBP if a fighter is dropped by a single punch

QBP if Rampage power slams his opponent

QBP for early stoppage or if fighter believes early stoppage

HBP if your fighter loses

HBP for blood/cut stoppage

HBP if a fighter is saved by the bell from a submission or KO as viewers must feel what its like to be in the match

HBP if a fighter is dropped by a barrage of punches

Shotgun if a fighter submits opponent via gogoplata in any round

Shotgun if a fighter wins via 1st Round TKO

UFC 86 Vegas Odds

From Bodog:

Quintin Jackson -275
Forrest Griffin +215

Patrick Cote +115
Richardo Almeida -145

Joe Stevenson -260
Gleison Tibau +200

Josh Koscheck -315
Chris Lytle +240

Jorge Gurgel EVEN
Cole Miller -130

Gabriel Gonzaga -600
Justin McCully +400

That's right he submitted him from that position....

The "other" big fight on the UFC 86 card that is getting some pub, but probably not the amount it deserves is the Patrick Cote/Ricardo Almeida fight. Both of these fighters are great to watch because they leave it all in the ring. Cote took his first fight in the UFC on two weeks notice, moved up from 185 lbs to 205 lbs and lost a split decision to Tito Ortiz, who was in the prime of his career, not bad for your first shot in the big show. Almeida is eerily similar to Renzo Gracie, not surprising since Renzo brought him to the US from Brazil and taught him everything he knows about fighting, but seriously the guy is his doppelganger. He talks like him, he looks like him, and he fights like him. Which is pretty awesome for the fans because Renzo let his rival in Pride, Kazushi Sakuraba break his arm in a match because he said he would rather break his arm than tap(see below). I like Cote's hands a lot, but Almeida has that Gracie heart that beats never says die and I can't see him getting KO'd. I am going with Almeida via submission in Round 2. The rest of my picks for UFC 86 will be up tomorrow.

Yahoo! Sports to carry Friday's UFC 86 weigh-ins

Yahoo! sports will carry Friday's weigh-ins for UFC 86 live. They will begin at approximately 4PM Pacific.

While the weigh-in's generally are not very exciting, I expect Rampage may bring some comedy to the scene.

Wednesday Wreckage: Get Over The Hump

The Science of Slam

The Clinch is the Key

An aspect of the upcoming fight between Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson that has been getting some publicity is Rampage's ability to fight within the clinch, specifically when he is on defense. As noted in the Spike TV preview, Countdown to UFC 86, Forrest and his team have specifically cited this as an area of Rampage's game that they wish to attack. They feel that Forrest's height and reach advantage will allow him to control Rampage's movement, as well as wear him down physically by landing knees to the body. Plus it will neutralize Rampage's biggest assets which are his vicious slams and powerful punches. Still don't believe me? Checkout what Forrest's training partner, Wanderlei Silva, did to Rampage over in PRIDE with just that game plan.

Hmmmm that’s not pretty, for more on that see MMA Weekly's interview with Forrest, where he specifically highlights his Wanderlei influences. Oh and to make matters worse, Forrest just beat Shogun Rua, who was the last guy to take out Rampage. Here's are the highlights from that fight. Notice the similarities....

Hold on a minute. Before you all rush out to your local bookie or hit up Bodog to change you bets, it should be noted that those fights are three years old and Rampage is a much more polished fighter than he was in those losses. Secondly, those bouts were fought under PRIDE rules and in a ring versus a cage. I still am not sold that Forrest is going to come through with the upset, but I definitely see him making a very very good match of it. Perhaps it will be as excellent a match as the TUF 1 finale, but with Forrest on the losing end of the decision.

Forrest getting some love in the UK's SUN

"I fought when the fights were free. A lot of my first few fights ended up costing me more than I made — but it was fun."

UFC 86: Champion vs. Challenger July 5th

Big weekend for MMA fans, UFC 86: Champion vs. Challenger on July 5th. So what you’re a little hung over from the 4th, pick up a 12 pack, get the shampoo effect going and saddle up for some bushwhacking action. Reigning light heavyweight champ Rampage Jackson takes on Forrest Griffin in the main event. Yes, they both were coaches on this season's Ultimate Fighter Reality Show, but who really cares. These guys are a pair of jokesters and the “hostility” I saw on the show was forced at best. However, from a physical standpoint it is going to be a great fight. Rampage’s game has evolved greatly from being the slam machine he was in PRIDE and he has run through two of the UFC’s best in Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson. Forrest, the winner of the Ultimate Fighter Season 1 and probably the most popular fighter amongst the new breed of MMA fans, just knocked off the number one contender for the light heavy crown in Shogun Rua. Neither of these guys have seen the ring in the last 10 months so appropriately I expect fireworks this fourth of July weekend. Plus, you could probably hit Forrest with a tire iron and he wouldn’t go down. Oh yeah he rocks that really dope song from The Departed as his walk out music, just check the video below.



As much as I love Forrest’s guts in this fight, I expect to see Ramage rocking the chain and patented howl at the end of round three in a TKO(strikes).

- Cousin Luke

For more info checkout the Countdown to UFC 86 below

http://86.ufc.com/