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[Diegonightmare]

Griffin vs. Liddell could be a huge year-end fight for UFC

Forrest Griffin is in the midst of a history-making run through the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The ex-cop turned ultimate fighter followed up a brilliant performance against Mauricio Rua at UFC 76 with a unanimous-decision win over Quinton Jackson to claim the UFC light heavyweight title at Saturday's UFC 86 event in Las Vegas. Some fans questioned whether Griffin even deserved the title shot, but it's hard to have doubts now about Griffin's evolution from reality show star to world-class fighter.

Griffin is quickly becoming one of the best big-fight mixed martial artists in the sport, unfazed by the pressure that comes with fighting at the highest level. He's now beaten the men who most experts considered the world's two best fighters at 205 pounds. Griffin has to be ranked as one of the sport's top 10 pound-for-pound fighters, and while a rematch with Jackson certainly makes sense, an even bigger fight might be in his immediate future.

A Griffin versus Chuck Liddell match-up has always been an intriguing fight, and with Griffin now holding the title, this is the year to make it happen.

The fight would unfold in a similar fashion to the Griffin-Jackson battle since Liddell's stock-in-trade is to stand and fire. "Rampage" was content to stay on his feet and look for openings to land against Griffin. He hit Griffin plenty of times, just not enough to finish him. Liddell's punching power could be a difference maker.

"The Iceman" is still the biggest draw in the UFC, while Griffin has always been a fan favorite. The fight would be a huge main event, and regardless of who won, Jackson would be up next. A Griffin victory would deliver the necessary rematch, while a Liddell win would set up the inevitable third installment of Liddell-Jackson.

The first order of business for Liddell, though, is to beat Rashad Evans at UFC 88 Sept. 6 in Atlanta. If that happens, the blockbuster fight between Liddell and Griffin would teacher versus student. Griffin fought on Team Liddell during that first defining season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

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I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if Chuck beats Rashad at UFC 88, we will definitely see a Liddell-Forrest main event for the NYE card. That would kick a lot of ass, co-headlining with BJ Penn vs. Fitch/GSP, plus Wandy on the card vs. someone.

I know a lot of folks have some definite ideas about the LHW title picture, so I don't expect everyone to agree with this

I don't even necessarily know that I agree. Beating Rashad Evans doesn't earn you a shot at the title; although Chuck did decisively beat another top-5er in Wandy, which neither Wandy (in recent memory), nor Thiago Silva, nor Lyoto nor Jardine can claim.

I think Chuck would be as deserving of a title shot as any 205er would after beating Rashad (aside from arguably Rampage, though immediate rematches are always complicated).

Questions of title ascension aside, I think a Liddell-Forrest fight would be one for the ages. I would like Forrest in that fight, he's well rounded enough plus has Randy gameplanning with him. If he beats Shogun then Rampage then Chuck Liddell in that order, he becomes a legend.

[bigsmooth696969]

I agree with you. I think Machida is VERY deserving of a shot but I still want to see him fight a top 3-5 LHW that is not on the down side of his career before I would give him the shot. I think if Liddell beats Rashad, he is a lock for the title shot. Maybe we see Rampage vs Machida as winner gets Griffin/Liddell winner if Liddell beats Rashad???

[Dave_44]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Source

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if Chuck beats Rashad at UFC 88, we will definitely see a Liddell-Forrest main event for the NYE card. That would kick a lot of ass, co-headlining with BJ Penn vs. Fitch/GSP, plus Wandy on the card vs. someone.

I know a lot of folks have some definite ideas about the LHW title picture, so I don't expect everyone to agree with this

I don't even necessarily know that I agree. Beating Rashad Evans doesn't earn you a shot at the title; although Chuck did decisively beat another top-5er in Wandy, which neither Wandy (in recent memory), nor Thiago Silva, nor Lyoto nor Jardine can claim.

I think Chuck would be as deserving of a title shot as any 205er would after beating Rashad (aside from arguably Rampage, though immediate rematches are always complicated).

Questions of title ascension aside, I think a Liddell-Forrest fight would be one for the ages. I would like Forrest in that fight, he's well rounded enough plus has Randy gameplanning with him. If he beats Shogun then Rampage then Chuck Liddell in that order, he becomes a legend.

Well we know how Randys game plans go against Chuck now dont we lol

[ChrisAM]

Yeah, Chuck takes this. I just don't see Forrest leg kicking Chuck for 5 rounds without catching an overhand right in the middle of one.

[thefirm0]

just keep counting forrest out guys, it makes it that much funnier

[Problematique]

Originally Posted by thefirm0

just keep counting forrest out guys, it makes it that much funnier

I agree.
LOL.
I hope this does happen, and if Forrest wins, people will say;
"Chuck took him lightly"

[hunterkiller]

Chuck lost 2 in a row in convincing fashion. I think he is 2-3 wins away from getting a title shot. I know that's not likely, and he will be one of the top contenders but if a loss is suppose to get you having to win 1-2 before getting another shot, what does 2 losses get you.

IMO, for Chuck to get another shot, he should have to beat Rashad and then if Wanderlei beats T. Silva, have their rematch with the winner getting a shot at whoever the champ is.

[hunterkiller]

Originally Posted by ChrisAM

Yeah, Chuck takes this. I just don't see Forrest leg kicking Chuck for 5 rounds without catching an overhand right in the middle of one.

Yea, because Jardine didn't have any success with kicks against Liddell.

[POINDEXTER]

I don't think Chuck will be Forrest's first title defense.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by POINDEXTER

I don't think Chuck will be Forrest's first title defense.

Who then? I'd just as soon see Forrest fight Chuck as anyone else, though a strong argument could be made for Machida.

In any case, the LHW title picture is going to get alot more complicated now that Anderson Silva is in the mix.