UFC: What's The Future Of The Light Heavyweight Divison?

UFC 86 has come and gone and most assumed Quinton "Rampage" Jackson would still be on the top of the 205lb division.  But and it's a huge BUT...Forrest Griffin is the NEW Light Heavyweight Champion.  It doesn't sound right, does it?  Perhaps "certain" UFC officials had their dream come true.  Forrest is their new "poster boy."  Their very first Ultimate Fighter, their guy who will fight hard and train harder, a guy who represents what a fighter is supposed to be and Dana White's new man crush. 

Forrest squeezed, what many to believe, a tainted victory over Rampage to claim the gold. 

For me, I had Rampage winning rounds 1, 3, and 4.  It's understandable how they could have given the fight to Forrest due to his overall attack.  I spoke with a UFC fighter, who will not be named, earlier today and he said it best, "Forrest stayed busier and Rampage hit some clean hard shots." That's exactly what happened. 

Rampage didn't hunt down Forrest the way he needed to.  Griffin is a cardio freak who will not get tired, we know this.  So Jackson allowing him to come at him and counter might not have been the best strategy to have.  The judges saw Forrest dictate the fight with minor punishment other then the repetitive leg kicks.  

Griffin got caught a few times but showed an overall MMA game.  Rampage looked more like a boxer, with great head movement and hard shots.  I could see Dana White giddy like a twelve year old on Christmas Eve when he walked into the Octagon.  You knew Forrest won, at least on the cards. 

I'll say something not many are saying.  The fight was a DRAW.  That's right, it was too close to really give it to either fighter.  With that being said, to be champion you have to BEAT the champ. 

Forrest didn't beat the champ, he battled him...and he battled him hard.  Rampage dropped Forrest a couple times, only to crumble once due to leg kicks.  There was no decisive difference between the two.  The scorecards were a F'N joke.  49-46, you know nothing about MMA.  That's a disgrace, enough said.  The reality of it is Forrest is the NEW Light Heavyweight Champion, whether we like it or not. 

So now what's next for the champ and the division?

There could be a possible Griffin/ Rampage II as early as the New Year's Eve show.  Can you smell the PPV buys?  This would be huge.  UFC could go it's normal route where to get a rematch first you have to win a fight.  I heard of a rumored bout with Rampage and Wanderlai Silva. 

Hate this idea. 

Why? 

Save this for a belt or wait until there's going to be a while before they get a title shot again.  Silva ate Jardine's soul after losing three fights in a row. 

Rampage is, arguably, the most charismatic champion that UFC has ever had.  Let Wandy get one more "death" under his belt before a title shot.  We need Rampage and Forrest right away!  Silva wins convincingly over Thiago Silva or whomever the UFC throws at him then bring on the champ.  If it's Rampage, huge draw, buys, and interest with Rampage losing twice to him in Pride.  No need to rush into it. 

If it's Forrest, Jardine destroyed Forrest and Silva took five years off of Jardine's lifespan.  It makes dollars and it makes sense.

The rest of the Light Heavyweight division other than Silva, Rampage, and Forrest are also hungry for a title shot.  Evans/ Liddell is set for September, UFC may possibly be saying,"Chuck if you drop Rashad, you get Forrest."  The storybook pages of Liddell's brilliant career are getting crumpled up.  He probably has one final run in him, he's 38. 

He's not F'N Randy Couture so NO he won't be able to do what Randy did and come back in his 40's to win gold, Randy is the Juggernaut b*$tch!  But the UFC can capitalize on money/ buys, Liddell's legacy, and all of the fans who would love to see the "Iceman" back on top.  

The next few months are going to be very interesting for the Light Heavyweight division.  Other than all these questions, there are a few more looming like,"what if Anderson Silva dominates this division, and where does Lyoto Machida fit into all this?"  The questions will continue but one thing is for sure, now is a great time to be a MMA fan. 

I'll be back to preview UFC's upcoming shows, keep your hands up!

- Venym