Greetings MMA Supporters:
This Saturday, July 5, 2008, the UFC returns with UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin. The world will be watching as this season's The Ultimate Fighter coaches battle for the UFC Light-heavyweight title.
More than just another fight, this war will be the final validation of Forrest Griffin's legitimacy as an MMA fighter. He has proven himself many times in the cage, but has yet to shake the stigma of being somehow less than equal to other UFC competitors because of his ties to the TUF franchise. Oddly, some fans and fighters believe that fighters who ascend to the UFC through the TV show are not as qualified as those who grind their way up from the smaller promotions. Personal jealousy notwithstanding, few if any may argue against Season One champ Forrest Griffin's claim to challenge for the Light-heavyweight Championship. Griffin has shown remarkable improvement since his television debut, and has beaten top contenders, including Mauricio Rua, to earn his shot at Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. A victory for Griffin will silence all critics, and prove that TUF competitors are as equally worthy of respect as other fighters. The following are my predictions for UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin.
Corey Hill Vs. Justin Buchholz: I really have no idea who these guys are. Toss-up either way, but the odds would favour Buchholz for his better record. Buchholz
Melvin Guillard Vs. Dennis Siver: Melvin Guillard's impressive 39-8-3 record is proof of his abilities as a fighter; however, two losses against very tough opponents, Rich Clementi and Joe Stevenson, have set him back on his quest to become a contender. Look for Guillard to come out on fire, because another loss could see him out the door. Guillard
Jorge Gurgel Vs. Cole Miller: Jorge Gurgel, for all of his incredible ability, has been getting a rough ride lately. He has yet to finish a fight without going to the judges, and needs to use his brilliant ju jitsu skills to submit his opponents. If Gurgel can avoid Miller's strikes, he'll win. Gurgel
Gabriel Gonzaga Vs. Justin McCully: Gonzaga is coming off of two losses to two of the toughest men in the UFC, Fabricio Werdum and Randy Couture. This fight looks like a confidence booster for Napao, to get him tuned up to challenge for the Heavyweight title sometime next year. Gonzaga
Tyson Griffin Vs. Marcus Aurelio : I've been a fan of Tyson Griffin's energetic powerhouse style for some time now. A win on Saturday will move him into contention for a title shot. Griffin
Josh Koscheck Vs. Chris Lytle: Chris Lyltle 35-15-4 is by far the more experienced fighter, and due for a title shot. I've never liked Koscheck's attitude, but he is an incredible wrestler. I'll give the nod to Lytle because I want to see if he can hold his own against the higher-ranked Welterweights. Lytle
Joe Stevenson Vs. Gleison Tibau: Tibau is a fierce opponent, but I have to favour "Daddy" Joe because I trained with him at a seminar last year. I think Stevenson is too skilled and powerful for Tibau. Stevenson
Patrick Cote Vs. Ricardo Almeida: This one's easy. I always back a Canadian brother (er, except Kalib Starnes). Cote's big hands are going to smoke Almeida. Cote
Quinton Jackson Vs. Forrest Griffin: I had to write this last because I really didn't want to make a prediction. I like Griffin as the emotional favourite, but Rampage is way too dominant a striker. Griffin has a chance if he can absorb Jackson's blows and take him down. I'll take Griffin, and pray for him to show some of that monkey boy magic he pulled off against Rua. Griffin There you have it. Check back on Tuesday for a review and analysis of my predictions. Cheers, Rich
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3 months ago
I have to disagree with a lot of your picks. Check out why at www.ourpickswin.com. I was 7 for 7 right, on the tuf 7 event, and my overall record is 37-17.
3 months ago
Thats right run Forrest run take the fight into the later rounds and bring home the belt.
3 months ago
for you to talk about TUF fighters and then to say that you don't even know who corey hill is is absurd....hill wins the first one..siver,gurgel,gonzaga,aurelio,koscheck(COME ON NOW),daddy joe,cote, and last but not least..jackson wins by split decision although it is close enough to go both ways....however i would love to see griffin KO him in the first round
3 months ago
i stopped reading once you said you didn't know who corey hill was...you shouldn't comment on UFC or TUF if you don't even watch them.....
3 months ago
Lights out is gonna lights out Koscheck, and Forrest will dominate this fight. Gonzaga definetley..
3 months ago
yeah but your canadian...what do you know?
3 months ago
Jeez, screw this article. Come and check out my predictions and post fight analysis. Way better, and this guy doesn't even know Hill and Buchholz...fake MMA fan.
from 3 months ago
Fake MMA fan? I watched UFC 3 live on PPV, and have followed the growth of the sport since. I also train at Xtreme Couture Toronto with real MMA fighters. I missed most of the 2 last seasons of TUF and some of the Ultimate Fight Nights because of working to support my family. Up yours, fanboy, I know what I'm talking about. The only main card prediction I got wrong was Lytle/Koschek, and that one went the distance. I'll have a look at yours, and we'll see who's right.
3 months ago
Wow. We have an MMA star in the building. Let me give you a little bit of advice that someone gave to me recently, as I'm a relatively new writer myself. Yelling at people, or taking criticism badly isn't the way to respond to comments. I apologize for coming off so rude, as I probably shouldn't have said screw this article, and maybe the fake MMA fan was harsh too, but knowing MMA is very important, and if your going to make a comment about a fight, you shouldn't say that you know nothing about them. I agree with Derrick about that fight. I work too...over 40 hours a week, and it's not to support a family, it's to support myself in college. I know about Corey Hill, and I don't sit my butt in front of the TV 24/7. It's called being an informed fan. If you didn't know about Hill or Buchholz, do some damn research. It's part of being a writer. And Lytle/Koscheck wasn't the only screw up, as you predicted Gurgel's fight wrong too. I don't see you commenting other people like Rob, Derrick, and Amanda for getting on you, but you want to comment on the one kid that knows more about MMA than you do. Very low class. You have a couple articles to your name. I have a TV show, and two semesters of writing sports under my belt in college. Learn MMA jerk. And if your training with Randy at Team Couture Canada, maybe you should stick to that instead of writing about MMA. Idiot.
from 3 months ago
Hi tv star,
I frankly don't give a damn about you, your show, your immense knowledge of writing, or anything else you do.
I have been watching MMA for 14 years.
I have been training in various martial arts for 8 years.
I have been writing the English language longer than you have been alive.
If you are so insecure that you feel the need to lecture me to make yourself look good, please continue. I love laughing my ass off at nerds.
The only reason I replied to your snotty comment was because you called me a fake fan. I have never been called a fake anything in my entire life. The fact that I wrote about not knowing Hill/Buchholz is called sincerity. How would I have known about Buchholz's better record if I hadn't checked it at ufc.com? I'm sorry if they're your best friends.
You're hardly one to lecture on class, having none yourself.
Keep going to school, kid. Maybe you'll learn about respecting your colleagues' opinions.
Until then, stop wasting my time. The only children I play with are my own.
Cheers,
Rich
3 months ago
Ha you guys love to bicker!
from 3 months ago
No, I don't.
Arguing with people who have no knowledge of my character and integrity is not something I enjoy in the slightest.
3 months ago
Great article. I picked close to the same that you did. Good stuff man.
3 months ago
Great article man. I picked close to the same you did. Good call on the griffin fight. Good stuff bro.
3 months ago
Very immature Rich. I told you already I was sorry about the fake comment, but nothing else of that comment I take back. Should you hold a grudge, it's up to you. You can write the English language and watch and train MMA for double my age for all I care. The fact that you looked up his record at UFC.com makes you a bigger fool for not knowing more about him and Hill. I hold no grudge, but I do not wish to keep bickering about it. Your lack of MMA knowledge...and how to spell KOSCHECK is funny to me, but you keep doing if it makes you happy. Have fun in Canada with the rest of Hockey nation.
from 3 months ago
Hi buddy,
I don't hold a grudge, but you have a funny way of apologizing if you think it's ok to then call someone an idiot after. I genuflect to you, Alpha Geek of MMA.
Should we cross paths in the future, I'll buy you a beer (if you've reached legal age by then) and we can have a larf about this bit of silliness.
If your producers are interested, I would be happy to show you around Toronto for a feature on Canadian MMA and the political efforts of lobbyists (such as myself) to legalize the sport in the province of Ontario.
If you would like to continue this conversation, or have any other comments, please contact me through my new website, www.mmagateway.com.
Cheers,
Rich
3 months ago
To anybody interested
I would like to make a full apology to Nick for my part in our argument.
I especially would like to retract the comment I made about him having no class.
I wish Nick well in all his future endeavours, and look forward to reading his upcoming articles.
Sincerely,
Rich H
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