By Joe Fernandez
As a journalist, I watched the Forrest Griffin-Mauricio "Shogun" Rua fight late Saturday night. As a mixed martial fan, I watched it two more times on Sunday.
What a fight.
Last blog entry, I predicted that Griffin would win by decision. I never would've guessed he would choke out the former Pride star.
With Rua dropping his hands during the bout, he appeared tired, but kept shooting for single-leg takedowns against his opponent. Griffin protected himself well in his guard, and even managed to almost nail an omaplata, a shoulder lock with the legs that is used by upper-level fighters in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Like Chris Leben, Griffin seems to get better during a fight as soon as he gets punched in the nose. Maybe it's an Ultimate Fighter thing.
Keith Jardine became a serious contender with his decision victory over former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. Jardine's kicks to the legs and ribs of Liddell seemed to keep the former champ from nailing those match-ending strikes.
(AP Photo)
If there was a match that Liddell should've shot in and used his Division I wrestling background, this would've been it. After a dominating second round by Jardine, Liddell needed to secure a round, and taking the fight to the ground might've given him the edge.
Jon Fitch is for real.
Taking nothing away from Diego Sanchez because I think he'll be champion one day, but that was an impressive performance from Fitch. There is so much talent now at 170, but who deserves the title shot the most?
Fitch just picked up his seventh consecutive UFC victory, Georges St. Pierre just beat arguably the No. 1 contender in Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes will fight the champ, Matt Serra, and Marcus Davis has won his last five UFC fights impressively. That's a great log jam right there.
Fightin' Words readers, what do you think should happen next in the UFC welterweight division?
