After a gutsy win against Keith Jardine this past Saturday at UFC 96, Quinton Jackson earned a shot at the 205lb title, but Jackson will not be able to accept the fight.
It turns out that Jackson sustained torn ligaments in his jaw which will require surgery, and hyperextended his left elbow to boot.
Rashad Evans will now defend his title against Lyoto Machida instead. Machida, who was always waiting in the wings in case Jardine won the fight at UFC 96 against Jackson, has verbally accepted the bout, as has Evans. Marketing-wise, this is a big blow to the UFC, as Jackson is a much more marketable fighter. Machida, while ultra-talented, doesn’t have “it” and has a bit of a dull personality.
Main Event 1A: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Frank Mir
The UFC decided to use season 8 of the reality show to build this one. It’s for the interim heavyweight strap and should be a great scrap, but it lost a bit of its lustre when the self-exiled heavyweight champion Randy Couture made an unexpected return to the organization and announced he was facing Brock Lesnar. No matter, Nogueira is a gamer and this will be a good scrap.
Main Event 1B: Forrest Griffin vs Rashad Evans
Griffin has become arguably the most popular fighter in the UFC. He is the original Ultimate Fighter and a true rags to riches story. Evans meanwhile, has officially shed his “boring, plodding, unable to finish”, at least in my book anyways. He put on decent fights, but they always felt a bit slow, and he would just seem to do enough to win by decision, dating back to his first fight on TUF 2, where he won all his fights by decision. No longer, as Evans’ last win, a sudden knockout of Chuck Liddell, would even make Kenny “I finish fights!!” Florian blush with girlish glee.
Main Event 1C: Quinton Rampage Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva
Oh man, this is going to be good. Personally, I’m looking forward to this one the most. Jackson will be looking to avenge his two KOs at the hands of Silva, but inside the cage this time. As well, what better way to get his suddenly stalled career (loss the 205lb title, got arrested, sent for mental evaluation) back on track then to defeat Silva? Silva will look to build on his 36 second mauling of Keith Jardine from UFC 84 in May.
