UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin

• By MATT RAMSAY
• Special to 2theadvocate.com
• Published: Jul 5, 2008 - UPDATED: 7:30 a.m.

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For 13 straight weeks during the taping of the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Forrest Griffin frequently competed, but it was their students in the Octagon this time. They both found themselves in unfamiliar and sometimes uncontrollable situations coaching instead of fighting.

Jackson and Griffin both agreed to coach teams for this season’s TUF competition and in the end to faceoff for the Light Heavyweight Championship title.

While Griffin is looking to make a clean sweep with his team winning the overall show, Jackson is certain that he will make his own fireworks on Saturday, July 5. While both coaches seemed to be up to the task of coaching, it appeared Jackson had lost patience by the fifth episode. Jackson began to make angry remarks that his fight with Griffin would not go to a decision.

This appears to be the only animosity building for Jackson, as Griffin and Jackson seem to have gotten along great on the show while pulling some friendly punches along the way.

The normal buildup of bad blood between the main events never surfaced. In fact, you probably could not find two more easygoing guys or an ounce of anger in either one of these Mixed Martial Artists outside of the Octagon.

Griffin, the first winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” -- who almost single-handedly saved the show and the UFC from extinction -- is coming off of a win against who many thought was the best light heavyweight fighter in the world: Mauricio “ Shogun” Rua. Forrest frustrated, dominated and physically outmatched Rua for 2 1/2 rounds before forcing him into submission in the third round by rear naked choke.

All Jackson has done is go undefeated in his UFC career, winning the light heavyweight title, while along the way pounding out a five-round decision against former Pride middleweight and light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson and defeating Chuck Liddell by TKO for the second straight time. Jackson is the only Mixed Martial Artist ever to beat Liddell twice.

Coaches Forrest Griffin and reining Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will meet Saturday night in the main event and their current friendship will come to an abrupt end. If you are looking for more fireworks after July Fourth, you might not want to miss this event.

So those of you who have been anxiously awaiting the end of “The Ultimate Fighter 7” and the coaching faceoff on Saturday night, it’s almost here. For those of you who are looking for the fight of the year, it appears you might have that too.

Predictions:

Main Event:

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin

In the past, Jackson has been very vulnerable to the Muay Thai clinch which is one of Griffin’s strengths. This alone should make for a very evenly matched and entertaining fight.