The Fight Network

Here’s a little history for the kids….

Once upon a time (blah blah blah)

A rematch that was squandered by most fans as “unworthy” of main event status, due to the drop out of current (or former) heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar meeting powerhouse Shane Carwin for headlining honors this past Saturday at UFC 106, Tito and Forrest stepped up and in turn put on another vintage performance of their original meeting back at UFC 59. 

A fight three years in the making, both competitors had both reached both the highs and lows of their careers. Tito having had another shot at the light heavyweight title back at UFC 66 was unsuccessful as than champion Chuck Liddell was able to retain the belt, then drew with Rashad Evans where shortly thereafter dropped a unanimous decision to current champion Lyoto Machida.

Ortiz wasn’t wallowing in sorrow for long as he kept some momentum going with a stint on Donald Trump’s: Celebrity Apprentice, then netting Jenna Jameson (two points), new twins and a patched up relationship with the UFC brass (namely former manager turned promoter, Dana White).

Forrest, having sky-rocketed to stardom after the Fight of the Year candidate performance against Ortiz in their original returned to winning ways beating Stephan Bonnar for a second time and Hector Ramirez, two wins sandwiched between an embarrassing TKO loss to the proverbial gatekeeper Keith Jardine. 

In true Forrest fashion, he jumped right back on that horse he ran out on against Anderson Silva (but that’s not till later) and threw his name in the hat to contend against Maurico Rua in his octagon debut, winning the spot and the fight by what was considered a huge upset, submitting “Shogun” in three.

Later thereafter, having won the title opposite of B.A Barrackus look-alike: “Rampage” Jackson via unanimous decision in what marked a big step for the Ultimate Fighter brand, Griffin became the first true winner of the traditional series, building himself up through the ranks and later becoming champion.

His party was short lived when Rashad Evans pee-pee kissed his way to victory, finishing Griffin in the third round with that good ole ground and pound stuff.

A fight that could main event any large card, Forrest put up his dukes against Anderson Silva, the pound-for-pound king, middleweight champion, former Shooto Champion, former Cage Rage champion, former Meca champion, Muay Thai master…do you see the picture I’m trying to paint? Dudes’ good.

Though his grit is obvious, Griffin was not able to get out of the first round, succumbed to two knockdowns before the third finally put him down and out.

Both men had their backs against the fence, with Griffin leading the way as a sure shoe-in for walking papers had he lost three-fights against “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”.

Ortiz, having had extensive back surgery for his bum back, an 18-month layoff since the Machida fight than a change in opponents from a 40 some-odd Mark Coleman is a definite shift in gears.

Everything to gain and everything to lose for these two; Tito with credibility as still an existing threat at 205 and Forrest with longevity in an organization he has received great fame for what he has put in. 

So round by round, here we go…

Round One:

This was the toughest round to call.

First bit of action is bit of a stalemate; neither fighter landing anything significant until Ortiz finally secures an ankle and brings Griffin to the ground.

With his patented ground and pound formula working to a tee, i.e.: posturing up, remaining in full guard and blasting away punches and elbows, Tito moves away from what’s made him so successful in his earlier years as a fighter, attempts to move to Forrest’s half guard, before Griffin is able to identify it, grab an arm and rise back up to his feet.

Ortiz presses him up against the fence again before Forrest reverses, landing some knees and the remainder of the round is Griffin, as he is able to beat Tito to the punch with his straight punches and leg kicks.

Round 1: Griffin, 10-9

 

Round Two:

This round, not so tough.

Little dancing on the feet this time as the round begins. Immediately Tito is able to put the former light heavyweight champion in Griffin back on the mat. It looks like now Ortiz is content with remaining in full guard as he is beginning to pour it on with a steady stream of elbows and punches…but I spoke too soon.

Tito passes to half guard and what do you know, Griffin gets back to his feet. Shocker!

After successfully stuffing a telegraphed takedown from Ortiz, Forrest pops Tito with a nice front kick to the face, knocking Tito’s mouth guard from his….mouth? Yeah.

(In-ring conversation)

Josh Rosenthal: “You want to wash it”?

Tito Ortiz: “Yeah”.

(Cage side conversation)

Joe Rogan: “He asked him if wanted to rinse it…um, duh?! It’s gonna go in my mouth, stupid. What do you think? No, just spit on it and put it back in”. 

Mike Goldberg: “What happened to the five second rule?”

Ah the comical musings of Joe Rogan and Mile Goldberg, can’t beat that. Though it looks like Goldie’s been watching more Fear Factor than I feel comfortable mentioning. 

Back to the fight…just after the rinsing of said mouthpiece, Ortiz takes Forrest right back to the ground with a takedown. Tito with some very nice elbows cuts Forrest with an immediate bleeder (imagine, Forrest Griffin bleeding, who would have thought?). Over and over with elbows before Griffin is able to push off and reverse Tito, taking top position. With 30-seconds remaining, Griffin is able to land short elbows on top that look more annoying than effective.

Round 2: Ortiz, 10-9

Round Three:

Wow.

Safe for a few failed takedown attempts and maybe  one or two punches landed by Tito, Griffin dominates the round.

Throwing everything but the kitchen sink, Griffin is able to highlight his penchant for his inability to knockout or even knockdown his opponents, but some credit must be issued to the head that rests on the shoulders of the Californian native as he absorbs blow-after-blow.

The whole round is fairly one-sided, Griffin battering him on the feet with low-kicks, high-kicks, straight punches, hooks—the works. 

Forrest looked on point and sharp in the third round and in my opinion took the round on a more than adequate 10-9 basis, based on Ortiz’ inactivity and Griffin’s will to win.

Round 3: Griffin, 10-8

My assessment, Griffin 29-27 defeats Tito Ortiz.

Judges, Griffin 30-27 (Lester Griffin...hmmm), Ortiz 29-28 (Glenn Trowbridge), and Marcos Rosales 29-28—Forrest Griffin wins via Split Decision

Robbery? Not so much.

Horrible judging? You bet your ass.

A fight in the works for a third meeting? 

“Team America, [expletive] yeah”!