Did Forrest Griffin Really Defeat Quinton Jackson?

Forrest Griffin's first professional MMA fight was against Dan 'The Beast' Severn. Forrest lost the fight, but earned $250 for his efforts. This past Saturday, Forrest defeated Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and won the coveted UFC light heavyweight title. Forrest made $310,000 which includes $60,000 in "Fight of the Night" bonus money.

Some fans are outraged by the unanimous decision favoring Forrest, but Rampage admitted during the post fight interview, "He jacked my leg up. I tried to pretend, but I ain't that good at acting....he just whooped my ass."

Jackson did change his tune during the post fight press conference, saying: "...I felt like I won the fight." Quinton also said, "...he threw me a whammy, he hurt my leg, that's what messed me up."

Juanito Ibarra, Quinton's coach, who said he'd retire should Forrest win, is creating a big stink about the decision and demanding an immediate rematch. Perhaps he's just not ready to retire, but he does make a valid point. How did two judges give Forrest a 10-9 score for the first round when he got knocked down?

...Forrest kicked the outside of the left knee. The result was instant.

Quinton knocked down Forrest in the first round, but Forrest defended intelligently by pulling guard. Well fought, sure, but to give Forrest a 10-9 for the first round is dubious at best.

However, Quinton didn't have an answer for Forrest's leg kicks and it made all the difference.

Forrest Griffin landed a beautiful leg kick early in the second round. It was beautiful as it was damaging. And none of this kicking to the meaty part of the thigh either. For an opponent to hurt from such kicks requires a cumulative effort. It also takes too damn long.

Instead Forrest kicked the outside of the left knee. The result was instant. Quinton hurt and hobbled about for several seconds before clinching. The kick was thrown with such precision and power that its momentum continued onto Jackson, who spun halfway around in dance-like fashion.

It was Jackson's lead leg that was taken out of the equation. No lead leg = no power punch. It's hard to say whether Jackson's left knee fully recovered in the later rounds. He walked gingerly out of the octagon.

But what's done is done and Forrest is the new champ.

It was a great fight with a controversial ending. I'd say that's the perfect formula for a rematch.

Photos by Sherdog.com