Griffin over Jackson: Upset, or just Upsetting?

The pug nosed, cauliflower eared challenger certainly looked like he took the brunt of the punches when the final bell rang. His pasty skin was split and bleeding. His light eyes showed the 1000 yard stare of a shell shocked casualty of war.

And, the faithless look on his face when the "judges'" score cards were read and his hand was hoisted in 'victory' gave away his own personal disbelief. His own doubt. His own understanding that he was a pawn in the game. That for this moment, though his body and mind told him that he was beaten by his opponent, he was the 'champion'.

Almost all accounts of the fight between Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson question the decision. Most say that at best, Griffin might have earned a draw. Few that we have read do not question what sort of math the judges used to give Griffin the unanimous decision and the belt.

Famed MMA trainer, Juanito Ibarra (who has trained at least one UFC champion), had a cage-side seat for the fight. Ibarra has been cage-side for the past few UFC light heavyweight title fights. He, as much as anyone, is qualified to sort out the judging.

He was baffled that Byrd and Silbert gave Griffin a 10-9 advantage in the first round, during which Jackson dropped the challenger. In Ibarra's view, the knockdown warranted a 10-8 round in Jackson's favor. He believes Jackson won the third and fourth rounds on 10-9 scores, though he said Griffin deserved a 10-8 second round and a 10-9 fifth. That comes out to a 47-46 win for Jackson. - from sherdog.com

We just hope this wasn't the UFC and the judges' way of sending a message to Jackson. In a presser prior to the fight, Jackson acknowledged that much of his passion for MMA is based on the joy of getting the chance to beat up white people without repercussions.

Unfortunately, it seems Dana White is sending Rampage a pretty clear message:

Beating up white people will now come with a price.

Defeat.

Rampage Jackson: Love of Beating Up White People

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel ran a column yesterday detailing a press conference held by the one and only UFC light heavyweight champion of the world, Rampage Jackson.

The column detailed some of Rampage's history, shedding light on a few of the things that have formed the man who today is on the verge of becoming the face of the UFC.

Perhaps the most interesting tidbit of information:

“I’m not fighting so more black people get into fighting. Black people can do whatever they want. White people can do whatever they want to do."

Clearly, while Mr. Jackson's intention may not be to pave the way for a Negro dominated UFC; one can't help but believe that, in time, it will.

Particularly when more Negroes become aware of just why Mr. Jackson so loves MMA.

“Because I can beat up white people and not get in trouble.”

Sounds like it is time for a Sean Jean or FUBU line of MMA sportswear!

It's only a matter of time before countless other Brothers find the same joy that Mr. Jackson has discovered!

UFC: Rampage Jackson Ends Career of Iceman

In all the excitement of the Donovan McNabb's aerial extravaganza and Andre' Woodson leading Kentucky to another thrilling comeback win, we were remiss in providing coverage of a wonderful UFC card this weekend.

The headline brawl featured former light heavyweight ruler, Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddell versus Keith 'The Dean of Mean' Jardine.

On paper, it should have been a tune up for the Iceman. Despite the appeal of Jardine's rhyming nickname, he had a middle of the road track record and is considered a tough guy, but a marginal talent.

The one variable that everyone -except our readers- forgot: Liddell is damaged goods.

Having suffered a humiliating and humbling beating at the hands of all time great light heavyweight, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson; Liddell proved to be both a physically and psychologically beaten man.

Certainly, Jardine is a man of strong will. However, Liddell was a shadow of the man that garnered magazine covers and wide acclaim as perhaps being the best pound per pound fighter on the planet.

Jardine wasn't particularly crafty or well polished. He didn't employ any unique or technically impressive strategies. And, he took the once stone fisted right hand of Liddell without major difficulty. Throughout the fight Jardine hammered the legs of Liddell with potent leg kicks. While powerful,they were telegraphed and unsurprising. It was as if Liddell's spirit, life and will to fight had been left outside the Octagon.

Certainly, Jardine played a minimal role in this. His lumbering and slow style and marginal skills should have had a 'great' fighter like Liddell chomping at the bit. But Liddell was thoroughly unimpressive, unmotivated and unprepared. Even sporting a bit of paunch on his once trim abdominal region.

The only logical conclusion to this performance is that the thorough dismantling administered by Jackson shed the dark light of reality directly into the eyes of Liddell.

His time was over.

After essentially retiring Liddell, Jackson went on to 'unify' the light heavy title by defeating Dan Henderson while Liddell gave a passionless performance in an effort to score one more pay day before being turned out to pasture.

So, while Keith Jardine will get the W in his record, anyone who understands MMA agrees that he should really be splitting his purse with Rampage Jackson.

It doesn't take sunlight to melt Ice. Darkness melts Ice.