Rashad Evans produced a devastating knockout of Chuck Liddell at UFC 88 ironically with an overhand right, a trademark of the “Iceman” shocking the MMA world. Both Liddell and the UFC organizers could not have imagined the brutal fashion in which this fight ended.
The plan as you all know was for a super fight between current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin and the winner of the UFC 88 main-event, with Liddell the overwhelming favorite. It was an attempt to restore Chuck as a genuine contender after consecutive losses to “Rampage” Jackson and Keith Jardine, as the top contender for the Light Heavyweight title.
Instead Evans gave the “Iceman” a dose of his own medicine, melting any chances of a title shot and putting serious doubts over the future of once, the most feared striker in MMA. Liddell is at his best on the counter but Rashad did a great job of being elusive in the first round frustrating the favorite to chase, leaving himself open.
The fact is a Liddell/Griffin super-fight would have put the UFC publicity machine into overdrive; the older poster boy of the UFC against its newest star would have been a money-spinning blockbuster!
Dana White announced in the post UFC 88 press conference that Evans will get an immediate title shot against Griffin, with the date yet to be confirmed though heavily rumored to be an end of year December showdown. From a publicity standpoint this fight may not generate the same hype but does make for a really fascinating clash.
People may question Forrest’s UFC 86 victory against Quinton but there is no questioning his character; it is so refreshing to see the modesty with which he goes about his business.
Griffin is such a well-rounded fighter always prepared for a stand-up war with a superb yet under-rated Jui-Jitsu game, before submitting “Shogun” Rua at UFC 76. This is reflected in a breakdown of his 16 MMA professional career wins; with 3 wins via KO, 7 by way of Submission and 6 in a Decision victory.
“Sugar” conversely is bit of a showman by nature with an impressive unbeaten record looking to build on the confidence gained from his brutal knockout of Liddell. Evans is a terrific wrestler with an ever improving stand-up game as he showed the world at UFC 88.
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