Yardbarker: Dan Henderson

Griffin-Jackson Rematch?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:37:02 -0500

I'm not even sure what fight i would want to see next

The Anatomy of Forrest Griffin's upset victory over Rampage Jackson

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:11:32 -0500

Overview : Forrest Griffin displayed in his UFC 86 fight against Rampage Jackson that by fighting with a superior, disciplined battle plan designed to weaken his component's core and utilize his own strengths, an underdog can defeat a heavy favorite. Basically, Forrest Griffin masterfully executed his game plan of the following components to overcome Rampage Jackson via unanimous decision : 1. Leg kicks to shake Rampage's foundation : Every man's base are his legs, and even if you're a beast like Rampage, if you don't have your legs, your chances of winning are reduced dramatically. From the opening bell, Forrest Griffin went after Jackson's legs. Although, he had been knocked down by Jackson in the first round, Griffin's persistent leg-kicking had Rampage wobbly by the end of the round. In Round 2, Griffin unleashed his leg kicks full force, and his pain infliction on Rampage enabled him to take Rampage Jackson. He went for the standing guillotine choke, but when that didn't work, he went on top of Rampage, gained full mount and gave Rampage a steady dose of short range elbows, and almost submitted him. 2. A disciplined boxing game : The leg kicks allowed Forrest Griffin to take Rampage Jackson out of his game plan, but it was the boxing that allowed Griffin to give Rampage a steady dose of the leg kicks. Griffin continually pressed the action with his constant movement and one-twos. The combination of the pain in his legs and the chaos created by the constant movement and left-rights messed with Rampage's head and totally took Rampage out of the fight psychologically. Rampage Jackson ended up displaying very little of his action style that he displayed in knocking out Chuck Liddell and beating Dan Henderson. Instead of zigzagging, Rampage moved mostly back and forth, and occasionally moved side to side. He was unable to sustain any kind of rhythm, and he displayed none of his range-traversing fluidity. 3. Paying attention to the details of groundfighting : What sealed the deal for Forrest Griffin were the little details that he paid attention to in his grappling. Whenever he was taken down by Rampage, he clung to Rampage like a suction cup, so that Rampage could not pound him senseless. Also, in Round 4, when a failed triangle choke attempt from underneath could have turned him into another Ricardo Arona, he unbuckled Jackson's hold just in time so that he wouldn't be powerbombed full force. Summary : It is obvious from the way that Forrest Griffin fought that he thoroughly prepared himself to fight Rampage Jackson : Forrest shook Rampage's whole foundation with his painful leg kicks ; even though he knew he couldn't knock out Rampage with his hands, he never stopped moving his feet or throwing his one-twos. In turn, his hands set up more leg kicks, and more pain for Rampage. Forrest did take some hard hits from Rampage, but he didn't take so many that he would lose the fight. Even when Rampage took Griffin to the ground via knockdowns or takedowns, he did whatever he could to neutralize Rampage's strength and position advantage by sticking to Rampage like glue. Coming into the fight, Forrest Griffin had to fight the fight of his life to beat Rampage Jackson, who is as hot as any fighter in the UFC. Most people, myself included, didn't think Forrest would fight that fight, as chances of someone fighting that well aren't really high. But Forrest Griffin, just like he outgamed Shogun Rua, outdid Rampage Jackson, and is now the proud UFC light heavyweight champion!

Previewing UFC 86: Forrest Griffin vs. Rampage Jackson

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:49:18 -0500

Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson are set to face off on Saturday night for the UFC Light-heavyweight title, but there is one thing that stands out about this match-up: unlike most fights lately, there isn't very much trash talk going on between the two men. This fight doesn't need it. Griffin and Jackson are two of the most popular fighters in the UFC and two of the most straight-forward fighters you will find. Unlike most fighters, Griffin is willing to concede is faults and where he is still lacking as a fighter. Jackson is pure entertainment and may cut the best interviews in all of MMA.

The fight that should have been made for UFC 88

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:19:17 -0500

UFC 88 is set to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 6th. and so far it's shaping up to be a great night of fights. There are several big names on the card and the show will have a main event of Chuck Liddell taking on Rashad Evans. There is one fight that isn't on the card but should be. Dan Henderson and Rich Franklin are both on the card but should be squaring off against each other.

MMA Quote of the Day- Quinton Jackson Comments on Forrest Griffin's Punching Power

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:54:55 -0500

In a new interview at UFC.com Rampage gives his thoughts on Forrest Griffin's punching power(or lack there of).

"I think the time off was well-needed," he said. "I tore some ligaments in my hand (in the Henderson fight), I had three hard training camps in a row, plus the fight with Dan Henderson was really tough. I think my body needed that break and it showed in my training camp now. I came in feeling really good, and my body was well-rested – I just wish I hadn't got so heavy. I don't think about ring-rust, but if there is such a thing, Forrest will be the best guy to come back against because he's got good skills, but he's not a guy that's gonna knock you out when you lag. I don't think Forrest could knock out anybody. The last time I had a long layoff, I came back against Matt Lindland and he's the worst guy to come back against after a nine month layoff and I did pretty well against him."

I think Quinton knows that Forrest knocking him out is the most highly unlikely outcome of this fight and I would have to agree.

All apologies to The Axe Murderer

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:53:21 -0500

Before his bout with Keith Jardine in May, I wrote that regardless of the outcome of the fight that Wanderlei Silva should drop down in weight from light-heavyweight to middleweight to best utilize his talents and capitalize on possibly becoming a champion in the UFC. Not only do I need to take back that statement, I need to send my deepest apologies to Wanderlei in hopes that he doesn't beat me down like he did to Jardine.

Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares at UFC 88

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:01:20 -0500

Dangerous Dan Henderson is making his return to the octagon after being choke out by Anderson Silva to take on Rousimar Palhares. Rousimar is no joke and pulled out one of the slickest armbars we have seen in MMA against Ivan Salavary at UFC 84. Dan Henderson has lost two fights in a row in the Octagon so it is a must win for him.

"The Spider" to weave his web at 205

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:46:10 -0500

Anderson Silva will make his long-awaited debut in the light-heavyweight division on July 19th against James Irvin. Silva is headlining the event that UFC President Dana White is putting together to compete against the inaugural Affliction pay-per-view that will be headlined by a fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia.

Analyzing The UFC's Light Heavyweight Division

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:25:20 -0500

The UFC's light heavyweight division has a ton of star power, and blockbuster fight possibilities. The division will be on full display during the next few events as several big time fights will go down. Here's a breakdown of the top fighters, along with some possible fight scenarios for the future.

Win or lose, Wanderlei Silva needs to drop weight classes

Wed, 07 May 2008 18:57:58 -0500

At his peak, Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva was the most feared fighter in the world. His ultra-aggressive style won fans over worldwide and he became a dominant force in PRIDE. Silva is the only fighter to beat Rampage Jackson twice and held the PRIDE Middleweight Title for over five years. He looked as if he was unbeatable when he beat Jackson the second time in October 2004. Since that fight Silva is only 4-4, including a loss to long-time rival Chuck Liddell at UFC 79 in which Silva returned to the UFC after a seven year absence.

Dan Henderson is not sure who he is fighting next

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:28:25 -0500

Looks like Dan Henderson is not sure who he has to fight next. Lets hope he gets to tangle with Rich Franklin or Lutter? What do you guys think?