UFC 86 POST FIGHT NEWS & NOTES

By Gary Herman

Forrest Griffin pulled off the upset by defeating Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to win the UFC Light heavyweight championship at UFC 86. However, Griffin wasn’t the only person making news. Several of the participants had some noteworthy things to say about what’s coming up in the UFC.

Griffin – Jackson II?

Griffin and Jackson waged a classic five-round title fight. Now, another match-up between the two seems inevitable.

“Rampage wants a rematch. Forrest wants a rematch,” said UFC President Dana White. “A rematch would be very good for everyone involved.”

The former champion, Jackson, quickly agreed.

“I always want a rematch,” said Jackson.

Jackson, though, was not so sure that he deserved to lose the championship.

“I felt that I won the fight,” Jackson said, “My cornermen told me they thought (Griffin) only won the second and fifth rounds.”

“When you’re the champion, I feel someone should have to take the title from you.”

A dream match is close

After defeating Sean Sherk by TKO in May, lightweight champion B.J. Penn left no doubt whom he wanted to face next. That man is welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre.

St. Pierre beat Penn by split decision at UFC 56 in March 2006.

Pitting two reigning champions in different weight classes against one another would be a first for the UFC. Initially reluctant, White has relented and will make the match – if one thing happens first.

“Georges St. Pierre has to get by Jon Fitch first. Fitch is no joke,” said White, “If St. Pierre buzzsaws through Fitch then yes, we’ll do BJ vs. GSP.”

Fitch believes he’ll break up the potential dream fight.

“I think I match up very well with St. Pierre,” Fitch said, “A lot of people aren’t giving me credit, but I don’t care. I know what I’ll be able to do that night.”

Should St. Pierre and Penn end up meeting, Penn will continue to defend the lightweight title while also competing as a welterweight.

“BJ will keep the title and go to 170,” said White, “Penn also said he’ll come back down to defend the title at lightweight.”

In the lightweight division, Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian will be fighting at UFC 87 in August in what was believed to be a number one contenders match. The winner of that fight will no longer get an immediate chance due to Penn’s insistence to fight St. Pierre.

“BJ will not fight the winner of Huerta and Florian. He wants GSP,” said White.

Then, tongue in cheek, White said, “Penn even wants me to pull the Fitch fight.”

The Sandman is ready for the Spider

Light heavyweight James “The Sandman” Irvin will be headlining the next UFC show on July 19th. He’ll be taking on the man generally regarded as the world’s best pound for pound fighter in middleweight Anderson “Spider” Silva.

Irvin thinks Silva is making a mistake moving up in weight to fight as a light heavyweight.

“I see what Silva is doing. There’s no one left for him to beat up at 185,” said Irvin, “but I think he’d better off going down a weight class.”

The difference from being a middleweight to a welterweight is fifteen pounds while the difference from middleweight to light heavyweight is twenty pounds. Silva, who walks around at 210 lbs prior to cutting weight, has not expressed an interest in fighting as a welterweight.

Irvin believes the added weight will be a disadvantage.

“He’s not going to be as strong as he was at 185 lbs. He won’t be able to bully anybody around.”

Irvin, however, is definitely not underestimating the UFC middleweight champion.

“He’s a better fighter than me. He’s better all around than me,” Irvin said, “But I am bigger and stronger.”

The Axe Murderer’s return

Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva recently recorded a scintillating victory over Keith Jardine in just over thirty seconds.

After turning down an opportunity to face Brandon Vera on July 19th due to short notice, Silva now has a plan on when he will step back into the Octagon.

“Wanderlei Silva wants to fight in September,” said White.

At this point, the opponent is not known.

Title shot coming

The co-main event of UFC 86 pitted striker Patrick Cote against. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Ricardo Almeida. The tagline for the match was that the winner would face UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Even though the fight did not live up to expectations, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Cote would receive the shot against Silva.

“Patrick Cote will be receiving a title shot,” said White.

Even though Cote will get the chance to face Silva, White was not impressed by the performance.

“I thought the fight was boring, sorry,” said White.

Getting help

Jesse Taylor was kicked off the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter due to a drunken tear in Las Vegas. The incident included kicking out a limousine window and harassing female patrons at the Fertita-owned casino Palace Station.

Now, Taylor is getting the assistance he needs to fight in the UFC.

“Right after he got off the show, he went in to AA,” said White, “He’s been in AA and he’s been training three days a week.”

Taylor is set to fight his replacement in the Ultimate Fighter finale, C.B. Dalloway, on July 19th.

Heading eastward

As the UFC continues to expand internationally, there are still many big cities in the United States waiting for the promotion to visit.

Among those markets are two very passionate sports towns.

“We’d like to go to Chicago in October, and Boston in November,” said White, “That is what we are planning.”

The UFC President is from the Boston area.

UFC 86 Awards

Following the show, the UFC handed out awards for the best fight, best knockout and best submission. The awards come with a $60,000 bonus.

Best fight: Forrest Griffin vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Griffin defeated Jackson by decision in an instant classic to claim the UFC light heavyweight championship. Griffin used a vast array of leg kicks to keep Jackson from connecting on any damaging punches.

Best knockout: Melvin Guillard. Guillard needed all of 46 seconds to finish off Dennis Siver. Guillard connected with a stiff right hand that floored Siver. Guillard immediately pounced on Guillard for the quick finish.

Best submission: Cole Miller. Miller defeated Jorge Gurgel with a beautiful triangle choke at the end of third round.