Rampage-Henderson Review

Years from now, history will show that on Saturday, September 8th, 2007, one of the seminal events in Mixed-Martial-Arts took place. On that night in London, a unified, world MMA champion was crowned for the first time. For years the world’s two biggest MMA organizations, the American-based Ultimate Fighting Championship, and the Japan-based Pride Fighting Championship had both had great fighters. Their respective fans endlessly debated which had the best talent. This was hard to quantify; fighters from both organizations had defeated opponents who fought primarily in the other. The organizations also had different rules and held matches in different settings; Pride fought in the more traditional squared ring, while UFC combatants squared off in a multi-sided steel cage, the famous Octagon. Red tape, bad luck, and colossal egos prevented matches between their respective champions; fans had wanted UFC 205 lb. champion Chuck Liddell and Pride 205 lb. champion Wanderlei Silva to square off for years without result. And so we were left with lots of questions but few answers. Could Silva, a feared striker who had questionable takedown defense, dominate in the more wrestling-oriented UFC? How would Liddell fare against Pride’s many great strikers? Would Fedor Emelianenko, Pride’s legendary heavyweight champion, be a fish out of water if fed a steady diet of elbows from inside his guard (a tactic not allowed in Pride) while wedged against an Octagon fence? It seemed the world would never know.
That changed this Spring, when the owners of the UFC, which had exploded in popularity in the United States over the past few years, purchased the financially strapped Pride, removing obstacles preventing their respective champions from facing each other. Ironically, the anticipated Liddell-Silva match-up is still on hold. On February 24rth, longtime Pride standout “Dangerous” Dan Henderson knocked out Silva, capturing its 205 lb. title. Three months later, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson did the same to Liddell, relieving him of his belt. The night he did, one of the first people into the ring to congratulate him was his friend Henderson. Henderson also came with a surprise; UFC matchmakers had scheduled him as Rampage’s first title defense. The first ever meeting of a UFC champion and Pride champion for the world’s undisputed title was a reality.
The combatants in this historic bout were more than worthy of the moment. Before joining the UFC in late 2006 Jackson had fought mainly for Pride. He was one of the most feared light-heavyweights in the world. To this date he remains the only man to have beaten Liddell twice, in their November 2003 bout, he not only beat him, he plain dominated him from beginning to end, forcing Liddell’s corner to throw in the towel. “Rampage” always proved his nickname was apt; fighting with unrelenting aggression, he immediately became a favorite of the Japanese fans. His trademark was his body slams; very athletic and possessing awesome core strength, he’d routinely pick opponents up in never-before-seen angles and slam them to the canvas, where he could pound them out. He has one of the best highlights in MMA history, in 2004 against Jiu-Jitsu standout Ricardo Arona, he appeared trapped in a triangle choke with Arona on his back squeezing Jackson’s neck and shoulder area with his encircled legs. Instead of submitting, Jackson simply braced his legs and stood completely up, lifting the 215 lb. man off the ground and above his head, before slamming Arona back to the canvas, knocking him out. He was one of the most engaging personalities in the sport, as funny and entertaining outside of the ring as he was feared in it. Never having the best fight camp in the past, he was surrounded with better trainers and sparring partners recently, and was only getting better.
Dan Henderson is one of the best MMA fighters on the planet. Competing at both 183 and 205 lbs, he is the current Pride champion at both weight classes, the first fighter in MMA history to simultaneously hold belts in two separate weight classes, and holds wins over a “Who’s Who” list of fighters such as Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Renato Sobral. A well-rounded fighter’s fighter, his never-retreat attitude and willingness to trade with anyone has made him a fan favorite worldwide. A two-time Olympic wrestler, he’s one of the founding members of the vaunted Team Quest fighting camp, along with UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture and top middleweight Matt Lindland. His recent knockout of Silva had only caused his legend to increase, as he beat the feared striker at his own game, instead of using a more wrestling-based strategy.
Settling in to watch the fight, the first thing I noticed is how calm and businesslike Henderson looked walking out. He was the picture of a man who knew exactly what he had to do and had prepared thoroughly to do it. However, compared to Rampage, I felt he looked kind of small; Lindland, who accompanied him out and fights most often at 185, seemed bigger. Joe Rogan, who does a magnificent job commentating, mentioned Henderson might feel he has an advantage in heart, as he has never shown even the remotest sign of quitting during a fight. There was a lot of reaction for Rampage as he came out with his trademark scowl, serenaded with rap music featuring background sounds of dogs barking. “Not a guy you’d want to meet in a dark alley,” Couture commented. “Or on a lighted street,” commentator Mike Goldberg laughed. As Rampage stops twice for his signature werewolf howls, Goldberg mentions that he’s lost fights in the clinch before, against Silva and Mauricio Rua, and Henderson has some of the best clinch fighting around.
In the 1st round, both fighters seemed ready to get at it. Rampage comes out swinging immediately, and then they clinch, with Rampage pushing Henderson against the side of the cage. After awhile Henderson reversed positions and now had Rampage against the side. Henderson uses a few very effective knee strikes, where he lifts his knee up high and back in a wide arch, and then slams it against the meat of Quinton’s left thigh. He has the control in this position. At the 3 minute mark Henderson gets an impressive single-leg takedown, and quickly transitions into side control, controlling Quinton impressively for a guy of Rampage’s strength. After awhile Rampage is able to scramble to his feet, but Henderson gets him in a clinch again, and works in some more impressive knees to the thigh. It becomes apparent why Henderson is known as such a good clinch fighter, he’s controlled the majority of it with his superior technique, despite not being as strong. Towards the end of the round they break free and there’s a good exchange. You can see why these guys make a great fight, both love to throw, and aren’t afraid to both take and give punishment.
The 2nd round opens with Rampage looking to exchange. Henderson lands a nice leg kick, but Rampage is still swinging well, using good head movement. Henderson scores another takedown and gets side control, and I began to wonder if it’s not going to be Quinton’s night. With two and a half minutes in, Henderson is still working side control, when Rampage shows some of the athleticism that makes him hard to physically dominate; he wiggles out and flips back up to his feet, and is soon giving Henderson some of his own medicine, pressing him against the fence. It soon goes to the ground, but this time Rampage is on top. His top position isn’t as good as Henderson’s, but that’s no surprise, grappling is Henderson’s bread and butter. Still, Rampage controls the rest of the round as Henderson is unable to shake him. Quinton isn’t doing much damage, but he’s simply overpowering him.
The 3rd begins with both looking to exchange, especially Rampage. He lands a good right kick, and there’s another good exchange around the four minute mark. Quinton scores a takedown off a missed knee by Henderson and gets into side control. Again, he’s able to overpower Henderson, who seems like he may be tiring. Henderson tries for a kimura, but it isn’t effective. He’s able to scramble into top position though, and on a side note, I notice his arms look a lot smaller than Quinton’s (Part of that may simply be appearance, both fighters weighed in at exactly the same weight.). Towards the end of the round Quinton is impressive in being able to stand up with Henderson still draped all over him, and he swings punches with bad intentions as the round closes.
As the 4rth begins Rampage quickly takes Henderson down, who may have been hit right before that, or may have been simply off balance; it’s hard to tell. Henderson attempts an arm-bar twice, but Rampage is able to get out both times. Quinton gets side control. He remains on top in half guard at the round’s mid point. Rogan is impressed with how much Quinton is controlling Henderson, saying he’s never seen Henderson controlled on his back this much. He mentions Henderson has to take chances and try to get up, regardless of the energy he’ll have to expend. With one minute left, both fighters are stood up, and Rampage throws some good combinations. On a completely unrelated note, I notice Rampage could really use some hair; the shaven headed look magnifies the “Cro-Magnon-esque” traits of the already rough looking Memphis native. He doesn’t need a lot, just a little, maybe a nice low fade. Before I can ponder this further, the round ends.
Before the last round they show Lindland in Henderson’s corner, telling him not to settle for the bottom position if he’s taken down. “Scramble your ass,” Lindland urges. The round starts, and I notice another reason why Henderson is so beloved by fans worldwide, their REALLY is no quit in him. Whenever he gets hit he comes firing right back; it’s as if his preferred means of defense is to simply increase his offense. He’s not as good a technical boxer as Rampage though, who gets the better of most the exchanges. Henderson clinches around one minute in, but soon it’s Rampage who has the advantage, pushing in on him. They both take turns controlling the other, and Quinton lands a nice knee inside. They separate and Quinton has another good exchange, landing a good leg kick at the round’s mid point. Quinton lands some more good combinations, but it seems Henderson may have landed some shots also; both of their chins are so good they hardly react to being hit, it’s hard to tell if they’ve been hurt. Henderson gets a takedown. He’s on top and is controlling, but he’s not inflicting any damage. Quinton is trying to stand up, and with thirty-five seconds left he succeeds, and gets a roar of appreciation from the crowd. There’s another clinch, and this time Quinton gets the takedown. Henderson may have been rocked, and seems to fumble as he tries to avoid punches. If he was hurt he seems to recover quickly, and both fighters trade as the fight ends.
The decision is announced, and Rampage is the winner. The UFC uses a ‘Ten-point-must’ system, with the winner of a round receiving 10 pts and the loser 9 or less. He receives a score of 48-47 once, and 49-46 twice. Both fighters hug after the decision, and Rampage admiringly grabs Henderson’s chin. “Damn, you got a hard head!” he says as Henderson smiles. I got the feeling both guys had really won, Rampage showed everyone how much he’d improved and that he’s a force to be reckoned with, and Henderson impressed everyone by showing how well rounded he is and giving it his all from beginning to end. If he decides to fight exclusively at 185 he might be a beast there. UFC fans may have gotten an answer to a question that’s been asked ever since phenomenal striker Anderson Silva destroyed Rich Franklin to win the UFC 185 lb. crown: “Can anyone beat this guy?”. With his impressive grappling and iron chin, Henderson might prove to be that someone; a match-up between the two in the near future would be awesome. But on this night, MMA fans were the true winners. We got to see some great match-ups and a historic headliner, and it was all free for the millions of households with Spike TV. And people took notice, the fight card was the most watched UFC event in history, and the most watched Mixed-Martial-Arts event ever in North America, drawing 4.7 million viewers. During the Rampage-Henderson fight, it drew 5.6 million. The card drew more men aged 18-34 and 18-49 than anything else on Television, Broadcast or Cable, that Saturday, including heavy sports competition from college football on ABC and ESPN, NASCAR on ABC, and the U.S. Open Women’s Final on CBS. Maybe Quinton said it best when interviewed immediately after his victory. “This is the best sport in the world,” he says, beaming. Gone is the battling Rampage, and I realize we’re now left with Quinton, he of some of the funniest but also most perceptive quotes in the sporting world. He stares directly into the camera, cocks his head, and goes into an R&B persona. “We’re taking ooohvaaah…,” the now UNDISPUTED 205 lb. Mixed-Martial-Arts champion of the world sings sweetly.

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