UFC 86: JULY 5, 2008 IN LAS VEGAS
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
Weigh-Ins go just as planned and the main event for this card is set and features: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, the 205-Light Heavyweight Champion vs. Ultimate Fighter One Phenom, Forrest Griffin.
This is how the rest of the card stands now:
- Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle
- Joe Stevenson vs. Gleison Tibau
- Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Justin McCully
- Tyson Griffin vs. Marcus Aurelio
- Justin Buchholz vs. Corey Hill
- Melvin Guillard vs. Dennis Siver
- Ben Saunders vs. Jared Rollins
- Jorge Gurgel vs. Cole Miller
- Melvin Guillard vs. Dennis Siver
- Chris Wilson vs. Steve Bruno
There are several matchups on this card that could lead to a major number one contender shot at various weight classes.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin w/ the winner being number one at the top of the heap at light-heavyweight. Rampage on a six fight win streak, with wins over top fighters like Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson. Griffin however, only on a two-fight win streak. One fight over Hector Ramirez and Shogun Rua. On the feet, Rampage has better power and defense w/Forrest having better technique. On the ground, Jiu-Jitsu is fairly even w/Rampage having the edge in wrestling. Expect a war from these two w/Forrest earning the upset via TKO and becoming the new champion.
Today's Must Reads
Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle w/ the winner being in the mix for title contention behind Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves. We very well could see the winner of this fight versus Alves. For Lytle, it would be a rematch of a loss he suffered to Alves at UFC 78. As of late, Koscheck is standing a bit too long on the feet as ate several kicks/punches from Dustin "Mclovin" Hazelett. Kos can't afford to do that w/Lytle who has above average standup and power. Lytle by TKO
Joe Stevenson is coming off a very rough submission loss to arguably the top mixed martial artist in the game, that being BJ Penn. Tibau is coming off a loss as well but to top lightweight Tyson Griffin at UFC 81. It will be interesting to see how both react to tough losses. Gleison Tibau by decision
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Justin McCully: Gonzaga has dropped 2-straight fights since the Famous Head-Kick KO of Mirko Cro Cop and McCully last seeing victory over Antoni Hardonk. Joe Silva playing his cards right and giving Gonzaga a opponent that doesn't have KO power. Both opponents love to be on the ground. However, Gonzaga posseses KO power and McCully's standup looks terrible so expect a KO. Gabriel Gonzaga.
Tyson Griffin vs. Marcus "Maximus" Aurelio w/ the winner no doubt being in line for title contention. Tyson Griffin ground and pound decision style meets Aurelio's Jiu Jitsu style. Griffin is on a three-fight win streak and Aurelio being at two wins in a row. Aurelio is coming off a submission win over Ryan Roberts w/arguably the sweetest arm bar ever seen. The winner should be looking at Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta. Marcus Aurelio by submisson
To this point this is how the main card stacks up. There isn't any huge names but solid names with interesting implications on the respected matchups. With the exception of Rampage and Forrest! Sit back and enjoy
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2 months ago
stephan bonner isn't even in the top 10 2 wins by desicion
maybe jardine is in the top ten but not top 5 and got put to sleep ZZzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ
elvis sinosec not in top 10 he won by tko
who the hell is hector ramirez not in UFC AND NOT TOP20
wow an overrated but good tito ortiz at the time was top 10 but not top 5 and he lost
then theres shogun who hadn't fought in the ufc let alone a cage and was also out of shape and this ais a fact cause he was gassed in the end of the first round and he still gave forrest the fight of his life till the rnc
so please can someone tell me where in this list of nobody's and somewhat somebody's is griffin in the top 5 let alone #1 contender cause how is it you can be devistatingley put to sleep by a maybe top 10 fighter then win against a nobody and get a match with ring rusted rua for the #1 seat
it just baffles me how the UFC has been going downhill in their match up selections. i would love to hear from someone who has been watching reall mma fights for almost as long as i have and not be bias to their fighter casue i am not a griffin fan nore a rampage fan just a true to heart mma fan
i'm not taking anything away from griffin cause he is a semi good fighter but i deffinatly see rampage putting griffin to sleep or winning by decision but more then likley griffin will be staring at the back of his eye lids
2 months ago
If Rampage doesn't win this fight by KO then he loses b/c he came into this camp at 241 pounds and will not have better cardio then Forrest to last 4-5 rounds.
2 months ago
Please Rampage came right out of Pride to fight Chuck, and it looked like he was going to have his way with the rest of the LHW's in the UFC. Rua was a ace card pulled right from Pride to give Rampage some challange because he was the last person to win agains Rampage easily. Rua was supposed to run through Forrest and fight Rampage, but he couldn't. Rua was the #1 contender and lost to Forrest in a manhandeling show. Of corse Forrest would get a shot at Rampage and as you can see took the belt. Forrest is a stand up guy with tons of heart and I hope he stays champ for a while.
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