Comments on: UFC 86 (7/5/08 Las Vegas)

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:31:55 +0000

If this was a boxing match Rampage would have won. But unfortunatly this is not boxing it is MMA. Rampage landed several good punches, Forest landed a few good punches. Rampage got the half mount and dropped a few punches. Forrest landed several good leg kicks and a couple of head and body kicks. Forrest also landed a knee. Forest also put him in a triangle, as well as the guillotine, he didn’t finish him but he put him in them none the less. Forrest also got the full mount and dropped elbows for half a round. Now I was for Forrest, but I figured that Rampage would win. The fact of the matter is that Rampage boxed Forrest, and Forrest dominated him with all other aspects of the fight.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:05:57 +0000

Well 2 of the attempts came in Rd 2, which went for Forrest regardless.

The triangle I initially thought was close, but hell, Rampage got out of it rather quickly and it looked effortless. Rampage dominated the striking in that round as well. So even with a good attempt of my favorite submission, I didn’t think Forrest won that round.

By: Ultimo Santa

Ultimo Santa — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:43:14 +0000

Sad that you can lose your championship on a decision that is either a legit draw, or at best a marginal victory for the challenger.

The fact that the fight didn’t have a final sudden-death round is a travesty.

Boxing’s antiquated ‘10 point must’ system – that belongs nowhere near MMA – strikes again, and puts yet another blemish on a UFC contest.

Hat’s off to both men for fighting their asses off.

By: liger05

liger05 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:17:23 +0000

I gave it to Jackson and at worst a draw for the champion. 1 & 2 went to each fighter. 3 I gave to Jackson as well as round 4. 5 Griffin. There were rounds that were close and difficult to score but I like to think the challenger has to take the title so if its close the champion should get the round.

By: Jeremy (not that Jeremy)

Jeremy (not that Jeremy) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:55:28 +0000

Leslie,

So you’re not counting the near submissions at all?

By: Garret

Garret — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:12:45 +0000

That fight was a draw, no question.

By: cyph

cyph — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:28:08 +0000

The most damaging strikes in the fight were the leg kicks. It crippled Rampage so much that he became more defensive as the fight went on. That was the difference in the fight. Rampage could barely walk after the fight was over.

In a close fight like this, whoever you favor to win will likely have won on your score card. However, based on number of strikes thrown and landed, Forrest won 4 of 5 rounds. Striking power is subjective, so there is a lot of bias involved, including Fightmetric’s evaluation.

Forrest’s got KO power in his legs. He should try more high kicks. Cro-Griffin anyone? I can see how he broke the reporter’s femur with one kick to his leg.

By: MMA Game

MMA Game — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:17:53 +0000

Forrest won the fight. People need to realise that punches aren’t the only scoring strikes.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:39:00 +0000

Forrest did great with the leg kicks early, but was less effective over time and, most importantly to me, couldn’t capitalize when he had the chance. There’s not too many KO’s by leg kicks in MMA. There happen to a lot by getting hit in the head. I give more credit for doing damage in a way more likely to directly finish the fight than leg kicks which are most often a set up to put you in a position to finish fight.

Again, I freely admit my thinking is not how USA MMA bouts are typically scored. I feel with the countless ways one can finish a fight the most important criteria should be who comes the closest to finishing, how close, and how often. I don’t think every offensive move deserves equal consideration, or any consideration. It should depend on how it builds to the finish.

By: Jeremy (not that Jeremy)

Jeremy (not that Jeremy) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:36:06 +0000

If Forrest is fit to fight in October, I want him to fight Machida ASAP. No reason for Lyoto not to have a shot if Forrest is the beltholder, even if UFC might have had reservations about potentially damaging one of their more expensive properties.

Next up would either be Chuck or Wanderlei, I expect.