The year-end Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson fight will likely be the type of UFC bout for which fans remember the exact location of where they were when they saw it.
"UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008" may be headlined by two title fights, but it's a light-heavyweight contender bout that will surely steal the show.
Headlining the Dec. 27 super card, Forrest Griffin defend his light-heavyweight belt for the first time as he takes on No. 1 contender Rashad Evans. In the co-main event, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira puts his interim heavyweight title on the line against Frank Mir with the winner taking on Brock Lesnar, perhaps as early as March or April in 2009.
While championship fights are often considered early candidates for UFC "Fight of the Night" honours, for the aforementioned, there is some serious competition. The early nomination has already been slated for the completion of an epic trilogy that will see 205-pounders Quinton (Rampage) Jackson and Wanderlei Silva do battle in what may be the equivalent of an Octagon World War.
History has shown us that when these two forces meet, fans are in for an explosive affair as well as a brutal finish. In November of 2003, Silva used a barrage of knees to TKO Jackson and win the Pride Grand Prix. He did the same thing to Jackson in their 2004 rematch, kneeing him in successive fashion while providing MMA fans with a highlight reel finish. The ending of the fight saw a motionless Rampage, face down towards the mat, being held up by only the second ring rope.
Although decisive in his two victories, Silva would still have to hear Rampage call out his name. Rampage has been pleading for another bout believing that if they were to meet in the Octagon, and not a ring, the bout would have a much different result. While strategies differ when fighting in a cage -- and perhaps they do favour Rampage -- it looks as if Silva simply has Rampage's number.
One of the key advantages Silva has over Jackson is mental; psychologically speaking, Jackson is in trouble. Jackson does have the stronger right hand, the better takedowns and better wrestling, but it's what is going on upstairs that may be his own disadvantage in this bout. Jackson has all the tools to defeat Silva and all he has to do is look at the first two bouts to put together the perfect game plan.
Jackson has no business engaging in an all-out stand-up war with Silva. If he does, it will most likely be a short night for the former light heavyweight champion. Jackson's right hand may be more powerful than anything Silva throws, but it's the successive barrage that the Brazilian unleashes that has seen many a foe buckle under the pressure. Jackson has seen this twice and if he gets in trouble again, he may crumble to the vivid nightmares of his past.
Jackson must take this fight to the ground and rely on his ground and pound acumen. He needs to control Silva with his positioning and pound away with hammer fists, body shots and elbows. He should have no issues taking Silva down to the ground, as Silva's weakest link is his takedown defence. Considering Jackson's takedowns are generally worthy of highlight material, one big slam will go a long way in garnering crucial points on the judges' scorecards. Many judges generally use one decisive moment in a round and measure everything else against it. Big slam equals big points and Silva will need to do a lot to win back the round.
For Silva, his game plan is as basic as they come. He needs to obviously fight his fight. He needs to own the centre of the Octagon, dictate the pace of the fight while firing away from long range. Silva's typical looping punches will frustrate Jackson, especially when he closes off his combinations with a kick -- to the legs the majority of the time with an occasional to the head to mix it up. In keeping Jackson guessing, he will be able to set up his shark-like attack, honing in on the final finish the moment Jackson gets dazed and confused by one of the leather bombs.
This light-heavyweight contender bout will no doubt be one for the ages. It is bouts like this that will have fans in attendance and those watching on pay-per-view in a state of awe; breathless in between flurries, hoping the ending will not occur the moment they blink their eyes. Silva-Jackson III will likely be the type of bout for which fans remember the exact location of where they were when the fight went down.
Something tells me the two title fights on this card will only be remembered for being on the same card as the one that brought a climax to an epic trilogy.
