Any time a fight has to be decided by an objective third party, the decision will always be subject to scrutiny. When both fighters are left standing, it is up to a set of judges to intervene. For the most part, that system has worked fairly well in the world of mma. However, Ben Fowlkes of Sports Illustrated disagrees. In an article published Monday afternoon, Fowlkes feels that the Griffin-Jackson decision is one more piece of evidence that depicts the judging flaws in the world of mixed martial arts.

Fowlkes contends that Griffin’s face looked as though he took the brunt of the beating. However, one or two good shots can leave quite a nasty imprint on a fighter’s face. Over the course of a championship match, there are twenty-five minutes of hard-hitting action. That translates into both fighters landing quite a significant amount of blows to one another. Simply because Griffin wore more badges of brutality doesn’t shouldn’t discredit him from a victory.

Fowlkes goes on to compare mma judging too much like that of boxing. Yet, there are significantly more disputed boxing matches than there are in the world of mma. Following the fight, Jackson himself admitted that “he got whooped”. If Jackson can see that then why can’t everyone else?

Quinton Jackson made no excuses after losing his light heavyweight title to Forrest Griffin. However, a day after the fight, Jackson’s coach Juanito Ibarra has plans to protest the fight. Apparently, Ibarra is unhappy with the judges’ take on the action. But all the rumblings have come from Jackson’s camp have not come from Jackson himself. And that is no surprise given the character of Jackson.

Ibarra’s pleas will more than likely wind up being to no avail, although he may have another strategy entirely. Voicing such a vehement displeasure with the fight’s outcome will generate more attention, thus intensifying the possibility of a rematch. In fact, that may be Ibarra’s sole purpose for appearing to be so disgruntled.

While Griffin may not have dominated the fight, it was obvious he was the clear cut winner. Even Jackson himself admitted that fact. Although, to get another shot at Griffin, Jackson’s camp may have to do some politicking. That is where Ibarra comes into play. Sherdog.com offers a piece in which Iberra goes into greater detail about what he claims to be a “baffling” decision.

For those who don’t have access to a television, wait, is that even possible these days? Anyway, tonight’s UFC 86 will also be available to rent through Yahoo Sports. So for the same amount of money that it costs to watch the event on your television, the fight card could also be streamed right into your computer. Yet, watching all the action from a PC might lose some of the flavor that comes with watching the same event on a big screen TV.

Whether you watch from the comfort of your couch or from the discomfort of a wooden bar stool, there is something entirely different. Sitting at a computer desk leaves less room for bottles of beer, bags of chips and even a pizza or two. Furthermore, it isn’t so exciting for a group of spectators to gather around a laptop and watch such Rampage beat up on Forrest.

So if in fact you do have the option of watching from a TV or PC, your best bet with to opt for the former. However, with the option of watching from a PC, fans on the go can also enjoy a night of hard-hitting action. Yahoo Sports offers a glimpse of what is to come by way of television or via computer.

Now that fight day has finally arrived, many varying opinions continue sound off leading up to the Quinton Jackson-Forrest Griffin clash. Plenty of hype has been generated, arguments have been made and even a season of The Ultimate Fighter has attempted to add to the mystique of this main event. But is most of that mystique simply fabricated? Some might answer that question with a negative, however a look into each fighter’s past provides a pretty solid affirmative.

Griffin is coming off the biggest win of his career after submitting Maurico Rua. Yet, Griffin is probably still not considered to be one of the top five light heavyweights in the world. A win over Jackson would certainly thrust him into that top five, but how realistic are his chances?

When talking about mystique, none can deny that Jackson has created a unique one of his one. For it is a gripping sight to watch Jackson make his way into the octagon with a chain draped around his neck and a ferocious look on his face. He then brings a furious fighting style which can even intimidate people in the audience. There is a certain awe directed towards only a few fighters, and Jackson is indeed the recipient of that awe.

Now Jackson cannot rest on the laurels of mystique alone when he steps into the octagon tonight. But Jackson’s mystique was also created by his past success. And now, Jackson seems to be at the top of his game. Griffin will probably be able to overlook the mystique of Jackson, although he may have a tough time handling the fighting prowess of the number one light heavyweight in the world.

So while hype will continue to follow this fight all the way up to is beginning, it’s hard to envision Griffin walking away with a victory. It is almost if there is an ominous sense in the air. And even if fans aren’t treated to a long, competitive fight, they will be able to watch one of mma’s best at his best. Tonight at UFC 86, the main event might just turn out to be the simple fact that the audience was able to witness the ever-growing mystique of Rampage Jackson.

It may have only been fiction, but it was still a riveting scene as the Roman Coliseum chanted the name of “Maximus” after the Gladiator had emerged victorious on his field of battle. Although that field of battle will be quite a different one tonight in Las Vegas, Marcus “Maximus” Aurelio will hope to hear similar cheers.

Aurelio is one of the young up and coming fighters who could make a lot of noise in the future. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is dangerous in every facet of the game, but will still have to be at his best as he squares off against Tyson Griffin.

The bout could, in fact, wind up being one of the most exciting of the night. While many believe Quinton Jackson will rampage through Forrest Griffin, opinions are split regarding the Aurelio-Griffin affair. However, one thing is for certain. Aurelio will be prepared when he steps into the octagon for the fourth time. He carries with him a 16-5 professional record while holding a 2-1 mark in the UFC.

MMA Weekly caught up with “Maximus” to discuss tonight’s match-up.

The fighters have already stepped on the scales and all but one have made the appropriate weight. And unlike UFC 85, there will be no controversy surrounding the main event when Thiago Alves tipped the scales four pounds over his required weight limit. The only fighter who checked in a pound overweight was Gleison Tibau. Apparently, Tibau had a couple extra sandwiches as he weighed in at 156 pounds for his 155 pound match-up with Joe Stevenson.

Part of every fighter’s training involves maintaining a certain weight as so much of their daily efforts center around that goal. Heading into UFC 86, just about every fighter has been able to reach that goal. Here’s a look at the official weigh-ins for tonight’s event.

Main Event – UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Forrest Griffin (205) VS Quinton Jackson (205)

Justin Buchholz (155) VS Corey Hill (155)

UFC’s highly anticipated showdown between Forrest Griffin and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is now less than a week away. Next Saturday night, the two will finally take center stage and square off in the octagon. While Griffin is most recognized as the first Ultimate Fighter, Jackson carries with him the notoriety of the man who dismantled Chuck Liddell. Yet, this fight could be a defining moment for both men.

Jackson has since established himself as the man to beat in the light heavyweight division. A win would further cement the foundation he is building as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. Adversely, a loss may drop him down a notch and hinder his credibility. That doesn’t mean that Griffin is not a worthy opponent. But if Griffin can came out with a victory, he could find himself catapulted up to the same echelon as Jackson. Putting forth a game effort against Rampage just won’t be enough to elevate him to that same status.

A long time coming

Although the fight is still a few days away, the stage was set a long time ago. This past season, both Griffin and Jackson were coaches during the latest Ultimate Fighter saga. And that was by no coincidence. Throughout the season, the two seemed to get along. However, there always seemed to be an underlying tension in the air. In casting the two, UFC president Dana White carefully positioned them both as though they were chess pieces. Neither man made any bold moves during the Ultimate Fighter series, but rather waited until this week for the chance to say check mate.

In the past, both Griffin and Jackson also shared a similar opponent in Mauricio Rua. Rua was Griffin’s latest victim in a dramatic match that ended late in the third round this past September. Jackson is also no stranger to Rua as Rampage felt his wrath during a PRIDE match-up in 2005 in which Rua scored a first round knockout.

Needless to say, a lot of hype and history has led up to the Jackson-Griffin battle. More hype will follow in the week to come, and on Saturday both fighters will make history. There has been so much building up to this event, that anything less than the dramatic would be a bit of let down.