“Rampage” Jackson KO’s Liddell, Wins Light Heavyweight Title

Report by Brady Crytzer
photos: Chris Cozzone
FightWireImages.com

History was made Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arean when Quinton “Rampage” Jackson defeated and dethroned “The Iceman” Chuck Liddell in an epic rematch of their 2003 bout making him the new UFC world light heavyweight champion.

Since defeating Randy “The Natural" Couture, Liddell has become the most dominant champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, stopping every challenger in his path and leaving no question who the number one 205 lb. fighter in the world was. But there was always the matter of “Rampage.” In their November of 2003 meeting Liddell and Jackson squared off in the ring of the Pride Fighting Championship to determine who would continue in the two-night tournament to determine who was best. That night, Liddell was beaten convincingly and a new star was born. Jackson had made history and Saturday night “The Iceman” was determined to rewrite it

The packed house at the MGM Grand Garden Arena anxiously anticipated the meeting between the two old foes. Highlighted by a night of great mixed martial arts action, excitement grew for what may turn out to be the most significant fight in “The Iceman’s” long and illustrious career. Fans grew restless as the challenger, brandishing a metal chain around his neck, walked to the Octagon. The question circulating the stands had been the question on every UFC fan’s mind-Jackson was unsteady in his recent fights and had seemed to lose that fire that allowed him to beat Liddell in the past. At that moment there was no doubt about it--"Rampage” was back.

The champion Liddell now made his way to the cage. Eagerly bouncing, Liddell had an unusual smirk on his face for someone called “The Iceman.” In many cases that smirk was the last thing many fighters remembered before their dreams of UFC gold came crashing down courtesy of a hard right hand. First it was Couture. Then it was Jeremy Horn. No one who ever beat Liddell has been lucky enough to do it twice. In fact that weren’t lucky enough to escape without being knocked out convincingly. “Rampage” was up next and for “The Iceman” vengeance was best served cold.

The time had come. As the fighters squared off fans went wild. The wide-eyed Liddell, with his trademark wide stance and hands poised for action, stared laser beams through his opponent looking for an opening to throw. Jackson appeared very concentrated on not giving the champion that chance. Using new angles designed to take away the tools of Liddell Jackson shot forward with a hard 1-2 combination. Liddell simply backed away from the attack.

After some tense moments of human chess that ultimately led to what looked like posing “The Iceman” shot a right cross to the head of his nemesis followed by a left hook to the body. Though the right was stiff and the body shot was well placed Liddell paid the price of leaving his left hand down as the challenger winged a hard right hook over the top, blasting “The Iceman” on the chin.

For the first time in nearly four years Liddell was sent to the canvas. As the fans exploded in applause “Rampage” ferociously pounced on the fallen Liddell, slamming hard shots to the head. As Liddell stiffened up, the fight was stopped making Jackson the new UFC light heavyweight champion of the world. The official time was 1:53 seconds.

Parysian Tops Burkman in Barnburner

In an exciting welterweight showdown, Judo expert Karo “The Heat” Parisyan scored a three round unanimous decision over The Ultimate Fighter 2 star Josh Burkman.

As the round started Josh Burkman immediately scored with a left hand that stunned his opponent. Parisyan, known for his balance and toughness, caught a kick thrown by his opponent and attempted to take him down. Defending nicely, Burkman stopped the attack but was hit by a right from Parisyan. In an attempt to befuddle his man Burkman switched to a southpaw stance but quickly paid the price when two right hands scored. Showing great athleticism, Burkman scored a hard takedown and began to work from the guard of Parisyan. Showing ground savvy Parisyan rose to his feet and executed a judo throw that electrified the area. Now working for an armlock, Parisyan was lifted into the air by his stronger opponent and was nearly slammed. In an unrecieved motion, by Parisyan the slam was stopped by a convenient grabbing of the fence as the bell sounded.

Round two saw the judo whiz Parisyan begin to shift the fight in his favor as he landed a number of hard rights that left Burkman dazed. The third round saw a visibly urgent Burkman throwing everything he had at his opponent including another wrestling style takedown that put him in the top position. After being warned for holding the gloves of Burkman Parisyan began to work for another kimura shoulder lock. With nothing there the men returned to the feet to slug it out as the fight came to an end. All three judges scored the fight for Parisyan with scores reading 30-27 twice and 29-28.

Martin Slams Salaverry in First Round KO

In a battle of two middleweight crowd pleasers, tough brawler Terry Martin knocked out veteran Ivan Salaverry in the opening round with a brutal slam followed by hard punches.

Away from the cage for nearly two years Salaverry looked very sharp in the opening moments of the fight. Landing a hard left kick to the body of his shorter opponent the long and lean Salaverry pushed the pace and then attacked the legs with more hard shots. Known for his hard-nosed fighting style Martin closed the distance and attempted a slam that was blocked by his more experienced opponent. Reaching for a standing kimura Salaverry left his guard down and allowed the brutally strong Martin to elevate him and slam him head first. Now defenseless, Salaverry ate a few hard punches forcing referee Mario Yamasaki to halt the contest at 2:04 of the first round.

Newcomer Houston Blows Away Jardine in Upset

The first upset of the night was dealt to Keith Jardine, as UFC newcomer Houston Alexander scored an early first round knockout in just 48 seconds. Since stopping Forrest Griffin in December “The Dean of Mean” Jardine has been considered one of the top light heavyweights in the UFC. With a title shot possibly in his grasps, a bout with an Octagon first timer seemed like the perfect situation for an active contender. As the men squared off Jardine landed a hard right hand that floored Alexander. As Jardine moved in for the finish his opponent surprisingly rose to his feet firing on all cylinders. After landing a hard series of hook Houston Alexander blasted Jardine with two hard uppercuts that felled him repeatedly. Now hurt badly Keith Jardine fell face first to the mat losing his mouth forcing referee Steve Mazzagatti to wave off the contest in just 48 seconds.

Irvin Injury Stops Early Fireworks

In a disastrous light heavyweight contest, Chute Boxe’s Thiago Silva won via injury TKO when James “The Sandman” Irvin suffered a knee injury in the first round. As both men were known for their striking skills fans were not surprised when Silva and Irvin began to trade haymakers early on. As the Brazilian attempted a throw to break up the exchanges the knee of Irvin buckled sickeningly. The fight was immediately stopped and medical attention was given to the fallen fighter.

Late Sub Belcher Redeems Himself Against Larger Salmon

In a match of two fighters coming off of losses, late replacement Alan “The Talent” Belcher submitted Sean Salmon in just 53 seconds of round number one. After losing his UFC debut via a devastating head kick at the hands of Rashaad Evans in November Salmon brought the fight to Belcher early. Using a noticeable size and strength advantage the light heavyweight Salmon lifted the middleweight Belcher into the air. Belcher, who recently dropped an April bout to Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove, quickly applied a standing guillotine choke to his opponent. Visibly panicked, Salmon drove Belcher to the mat. Though “The Talent” absorbed the impact of the slam he did not panic and kept the pressure on the neck of his opponent. In just 53 seconds Salmon conceded the fight tapping out to the choke. With this loss, Salmon falls to 9-3 overall, 0-2 in the UFC, and Belcher impressively improves to 10-3.

Starnes Decisions Leben

In a hard fought three round middleweight clash of reality stars, Kalib Starnes scored a three round unanimous decision victory over fan favorite Chris “The Crippler” Leben. Leben spent much of the fight winging hard shots at Starnes. But fighting smart, the jiu jitsu expert took advantage of a missed backfist attempt by Leben and scored a takedown in round number one. In round two Leben was surprisingly outstruck by his Canadian opponent and Starnes easily took the round. The third and final round was all action and Starnes was awarded the unanimous decision victory.

“Dinyero” Comes Up Big Versus Newcomer Stephens

The Ultimate Fighter 4 star Din Thomas defeated UFC newcomer Jeremy Stephens when referee “Big” John McCarthy halted the contest due to a Thomas armbar at 2:44 of the second round. Thomas began to press the action early in the first as he slammed his opponent to the mat. Quickly working for a kimura shoulder lock, Thomas abandoned the hold opting to take the back of Stephens. Showing tremendous patience and experience, Thomas worked for a rear naked choke for much of the round. Though it was his first outing in the UFC, Stephens showed promise escaping the hold and reversing the position. Now in the guard of Thomas, Stephens winged hard, looping shots from that top that did not find their mark. Allowing Thomas to regain his footing Stephens absorbed a series of sharp punches as the round came to a close.

The second round saw the veteran Thomas successfully defend a series of high kicks from his less experienced foe. Waiting for his chance to strike Thomas secured a takedown. From his back “Dinyero” secured an armbar that Stephens was unprepared for. Though he did not submit referee “Big” John McCarthy deemed the hold too dangerous to allow the fighters to continue and waved off the contest at 2:44 of the second round.  With this win Thomas advances his extensive record to 23-7 while Stephens falls to 13-2.

Gouveia Makes Quick Work of Marrero

In the opening bout of the evening, American Top Team’s Wilson Gouveia started the night off right submitting tough wrestling standout Carmello Marrero at 3:06 of the opening round. Marrero, who has found mixed success in the UFC’s heavyweight division, was making his light heavyweight debut against the experienced Gouveia. As the men squared off they appeared equally cautious which did not please the fans filing into the MGM Grand Garden Arena. After nearly two minutes of posing Gouveia slammed a hard leg kick into the thigh of Marrero that sent him to the mat. Showing quick reflexes the Brazilian quickly pounced on the off balance Marrero mounting him and locking in the fight ending guillotine choke. Wilson Gouveia improves to 9-4 while

Carmello Marrero falls to 6-2.