Brando19
05-27-2007, 12:53 AM
This is it, the big one, the fight which brought everyone here to the MGM Grand. Anyone who has even the slightest interest in mixed martial arts knows the story behind this: The UFC's biggest star, light heavyweight champion "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell, has lost three times in his stellar career. He has avenged his losses to Jeremy Horn and Randy Couture. Only Quinton "Rampage" Jackson remains.
Jackson (26-6) took it to Liddell (20-3) in a one-sided fight on a PRIDE show at the Tokyo Dome in 2003. But they were never able to rematch until Jackson became a part of the UFC when the company bought his contract as part of an assets sale for the struggling World Fighting Alliance late last year.
Liddell has won his past seven fights since losing to Jackson, all by the way of KO or TKO. He is the longest-reigning current champ in the UFC, holding the title since beating Couture in April, 2005. Rampage has won his past four, including his UFC debut, a second-round TKO of Marvin Eastman at UFC 67.
The fight closed on the MGM Grand books with Liddell as a -170/+150 favorite. More than 46,000 people voted in our FOXSports.com "Who will win?" poll, with 67 percent picking Chuck.
The lights go down. The noise is deafening and just about everyone in the building is standing. Memphis native Jackson's walk out to the octagon is slow and deliberate. Jackson gets a mixed reaction as he enters the octagon. He grabs the fence and his corner, looks down toward the mat, and stretches out his calves.
The lights go down again, and a huge roar comes from the crowd as Liddell makes his appearance. Liddell, who lives in Santa Barbara, CA, wastes no time on his way to the octagon, slapping hands with the fans as he comes down the aisle.
Jackson gets a mixed response on his introduction. He doesn't look happy about it, but Liddell represents the home team for UFC fans. Liddell gets another ear-splitting response in his intro.
Big John McCarthy is your referee.
Round 1: Rampage comes out and immediately establishes octagon control. Chuck throws a quick low kick. Jackson still at center octagon. Both fighters still circling, Rampage maintains octagon control. Rampage gestures with his hands, looking for action.
The two trade their first combo. And Rampage just floors Chuck with a devastating right to the jaw, Jackson jumps in with four big right hands with an elbow mixed in, and that's it. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is the new UFC light heavyweight champion. Chuck looks like he can't believe the fight is stopped.
That absolutely was the correct call by Big John McCarthy in stopping the fight. Liddell was rocked by the first big right hand, and was not defending several huge, powerful right hands.
Wow...Liddell gets beat in the first round. He wasn't even on the offense any! I'm a huge Liddell fan, but Jackson definitely has his number. I smell rematch, again.
Jackson (26-6) took it to Liddell (20-3) in a one-sided fight on a PRIDE show at the Tokyo Dome in 2003. But they were never able to rematch until Jackson became a part of the UFC when the company bought his contract as part of an assets sale for the struggling World Fighting Alliance late last year.
Liddell has won his past seven fights since losing to Jackson, all by the way of KO or TKO. He is the longest-reigning current champ in the UFC, holding the title since beating Couture in April, 2005. Rampage has won his past four, including his UFC debut, a second-round TKO of Marvin Eastman at UFC 67.
The fight closed on the MGM Grand books with Liddell as a -170/+150 favorite. More than 46,000 people voted in our FOXSports.com "Who will win?" poll, with 67 percent picking Chuck.
The lights go down. The noise is deafening and just about everyone in the building is standing. Memphis native Jackson's walk out to the octagon is slow and deliberate. Jackson gets a mixed reaction as he enters the octagon. He grabs the fence and his corner, looks down toward the mat, and stretches out his calves.
The lights go down again, and a huge roar comes from the crowd as Liddell makes his appearance. Liddell, who lives in Santa Barbara, CA, wastes no time on his way to the octagon, slapping hands with the fans as he comes down the aisle.
Jackson gets a mixed response on his introduction. He doesn't look happy about it, but Liddell represents the home team for UFC fans. Liddell gets another ear-splitting response in his intro.
Big John McCarthy is your referee.
Round 1: Rampage comes out and immediately establishes octagon control. Chuck throws a quick low kick. Jackson still at center octagon. Both fighters still circling, Rampage maintains octagon control. Rampage gestures with his hands, looking for action.
The two trade their first combo. And Rampage just floors Chuck with a devastating right to the jaw, Jackson jumps in with four big right hands with an elbow mixed in, and that's it. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is the new UFC light heavyweight champion. Chuck looks like he can't believe the fight is stopped.
That absolutely was the correct call by Big John McCarthy in stopping the fight. Liddell was rocked by the first big right hand, and was not defending several huge, powerful right hands.
Wow...Liddell gets beat in the first round. He wasn't even on the offense any! I'm a huge Liddell fan, but Jackson definitely has his number. I smell rematch, again.