Forrest Griffin has sights set on "championship of the world"

HammerFist · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

by John Morgan on Jun 25, 2008 at 4:20 pm ET
Now that the world knows Amir Sadollah is the next "Ultimate Fighter," MMA fans' attentions have shifted to team coaches Forrest Griffin (15-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (28-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and their July 5 title fight at UFC 86.

While a guest on The Lights Out Show on the TAGG Radio Network (TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com), Griffin discussed his plan for taking Jackson's UFC light-heavyweight title.

"It sounds better when you say 'championship of the world,'" Griffin joked. "I like that."

However one refers to the belt, it is safe to assume Griffin will enter the bout as the decided underdog. That's just fine for the soon-to-be-29-year-old.

"I prefer being an underdog," Griffin said. "But I (also) prefer to go out second. Usually when you're the underdog you have to go out first. So if I just win that belt, then I could always come out second."

The Georgia native had plenty of face time with his upcoming opponent earlier this year while filming "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest." Griffin said, though the fighters knew they would eventually square off, the tensions between the two stayed at a minimum.

"I'd prefer not to see a guy until we step into the cage, personally, with any opponent," Griffin said. "But we were kind of far out (from our fight). We weren't really training specifically for each other. So, it wasn't that bad."

The winner of the original season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Griffin said that the two coaches' competitive nature did cause a few outbursts between the light heavyweights.

"It's funny; nobody likes to lose," Griffin said. "And one thing I've never wanted to be in my life is a good loser. I had little temper tantrums, and he had rampages, and we got kind of uppity with each other a couple times. It's just (that) I like to win, and apparently he does, too. Imagine that."

Despite the proximity to the title-holder, Griffin said he learned relatively little about Jackson during the filming process. But Griffin feels that knowledge is unnecessary anyway.

"My opinion, I don't worry about the other guy's house," Griffin explained. "I get myself in order, and whatever he does is him. I don't care if he's running on the moon. I don't care if he's not training at all. What he does doesn't matter.

"There's two things you've got to do. You've got to work every day as hard as you can to do everything you can in your power to win the fight -- just do everything in your power to win the fight. It's kind of like the prayer that the alcoholics say. Control everything in your power and leave the rest up to God or Yahweh or whoever you happen to believe in. The rest is the rest. I don't worry about it."

What Griffin does worry about is preparing a game plan that will propel him from an obscure Georgia law enforcement officer to the "champion of the world" in three short years. Griffin shared that plan in typical-for-him fashion.

"I was recently watching 'The Bourne Identity,' and I decided that is the style I need to do," he said. "Whatever you call that, that's what I'm doing."

Griffin also shared insight into his time as a police officer, as well as his feelings on the weight-cutting issues that have recently become prevalent within the sport. To hear the full interview, download Thursday's edition of The Lights Out Show, available for free in the TAGG Radio Network archives.

This story, written by John Morgan, was produced by The TAGG Radio Network (TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!) specially for MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). "The Lights Out Show," hosted by Chris Fries and The JDH, airs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Download all the former episodes at TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!.

Forrest Griffin has sights set on "championship of the world" | MMAjunkie.com

Forrest the cop ?? He should of fought crocop in a whoever loses goes back to policing.

POINDEXTER · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 08:22 PM

I like both fighters, but I'm hoping Forrest pulls off the upset.

blah · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 09:20 PM

i admire forrest's attitude: "There's two things you've got to do. You've got to work every day as hard as you can to do everything you can in your power to win the fight -- just do everything in your power to win the fight. It's kind of like the prayer that the alcoholics say. Control everything in your power and leave the rest up to God or Yahweh or whoever you happen to believe in. The rest is the rest. I don't worry about it."

that's the attitude more people need.

BigBanda · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 09:27 PM

Forrest has hell of a lot of heart and works his ass off. He is a fighter we actually do see make improvements all the time. The thing is that Rampage is just simply better at about every aspect. If Forrest wins it would indeed be a huge upset. My pick is Rampage in this fight but I never count Forrest out because you just never know... I mean look at the Shogun fight.

mauladala · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 09:32 PM

How can you not like Forrest? He's such a funny dude. I really kinda feel like QJ and him would be great friends if they didn't fight in the same weight class and/or have a fight coming up with each other.

My ideal outcome for this fight would be QJ winning by decision with Forrest representing well. I think QJ is going to dominate though. I love Rampage, and I grow to like Forrest more every day. It's gonna be bittersweet any way you slice it. lol

Problematique · #6 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 10:08 PM

Gotta love Forrest.
Funny guy, very hard working, nice guy, loves fighting and loves to have exciting fights.
How can you not like someone like that?

Healzyou · #7 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 11:01 PM

Well, obviously Forrest is going to win. He stated he's adopting the style of Jason Borne, and Borne is lethal.

Forrest is going to go Damon all over QJ's ass.

Problematique · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 11:06 PM

^Its Bourne. Not Borne.

Jardinewinstko · #9 (**permalink**) 06-25-2008, 11:36 PM

id hate to quote anything from wwe but as vinny macs song say forrest has *NO CHANCE IN HELL* of beating rampage, betting on rampage is money in the bank

KcMizzou · #10 (**permalink**) 06-26-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blah

i admire forrest's attitude: "There's two things you've got to do. You've got to work every day as hard as you can to do everything you can in your power to win the fight -- just do everything in your power to win the fight. It's kind of like the prayer that the alcoholics say. Control everything in your power and leave the rest up to God or Yahweh or whoever you happen to believe in. The rest is the rest. I don't worry about it."

that's the attitude more people need.

I couldn't agree more.

My head says Rampage, my heart (kinda) says Forrest.

Both guys are cool as hell... I'm rooting for Forrest by default. He's the underdog.