Wayne McCullough, UFC - The upcoming fight between Forrest Griffin and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is a great matchup, with the crowd favorite being the big hearted Griffin going against the strong, tough and hard punching Jackson. I’m sure each fighter already has a great gameplan to get the big win, but this is how I see it.
By Wayne ‘The Pocket Rocket’ McCullough
The upcoming fight between Forrest Griffin and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is a great matchup, with the crowd favorite being the big hearted Griffin going against the strong, tough and hard punching Jackson. I’m sure each fighter already has a great gameplan to get the big win, but this is how I see it.
FIVE REASONS FORREST GRIFFIN WILL WIN
• With guts, determination and a huge heart, Griffin fights until he can do no more. He’s coming off a big win over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua – the last fighter to beat Jackson – at UFC 76. So his high confidence level, along with his other attributes, will make him very dangerous.
• Griffin can take it and dish it straight back. He is tough and durable, sometimes breaking his opponent’s heart simply by continuing to move forward. He has to be knocked out to be stopped.
• Griffin needs to remember to use his high kicks to the head. They’re fierce. He is accurate, and against Jackson, who keeps his left hand low, his right kick can be a big factor.
• Forrest is solid on the ground and strong with his deadly rear-naked chokes, Griffin needs to avoid short punches and try for the choke. Jackson is very hard to submit though.
• By using his height advantage and keeping his chin tucked in lower to avoid looping hooks, Griffin can block Rampage’s punches and kicks, and then he can land his long, straight, hard right hands to Jackson’s chin. If he keeps his chin in and works from long range he could do damage. He can’t be reckless though, as Rampage’s counterpunches are deadly.
FIVE REASONS QUINTON JACKSON WILL WIN
• Jackson is probably better at his standup than Forrest. He keeps his chin tucked in and is good at landing long sweeping hooks to his opponent’s head as he showed against Chuck Liddell. I think if he stays on his feet he can use his jab to set up his looping shots and try to catch the taller Griffin when he’s moving backwards. On his feet, Rampage is hard to beat.
• Can Jackson handle the taller Griffin? He is well known for his body slams, and if he can lift Griffin and slam him to the ground, Jackson will have control and demonstrate his strength.
• Jackson is good at getting out of submission holds and turning the tables on his opponents to finish fights. It will be hard against Griffin, as he has a long body and his arms are everywhere. But Rampage’s power on the ground will be a factor, if indeed the fight goes to the ground.
• Griffin will test Jackson with hard shots coming from every angle, so if Jackson takes the shots, the fight will be a war. But Jackson’s strength and standup could be the key to winning this fight.
• Jackson has a solid straight right hand that he throws to his opponent’s head. He is good at getting close and seems to do his best work there. His right hand could be a knockout shot.
That’s the fight as I see it. I can’t wait for Saturday night.