Rashad Evans KO’s Forrest Griffin to win UFC light heavyweight title

Rashad Evans has been struggling for respect since he entered the UFC.  As his record improved—adding to the win column and remaining undefeated—the conventional wisdom was that it was a matter of time before he’d step up in class too much and be “exposed” as a good, though not great, fighter.  A draw against Tito Ortiz appeared to validate the critics—Tito was deducted a point for grabbing the fence or he would have won a decision.

A split decision win over tough Michael Bisping followed, but it was a highlight reel KO of longtime 205 champ Chuck Liddell that really got people to pay attention and accept that maybe Evans *was* “that good”.  For Evans, he’s got all the validation he needs now in the form of an undefeated professional record and the UFC light heavyweight championship belt around his waist.  He won the belt by yet another devastating knockout finish over Forrest Griffin in the main event at UFC 92.

Griffin got off to a good start in his title defense by using his superior height and reach and an impressive array of kicks to keep Rashad Evans just out of range for two full rounds.  That changed dramatically in the third, as a flash knockdown by the challenger gave him the opening he needed to mount Griffin and unleash a brutal ‘ground and pound’ assault.  Griffin managed to pull guard and survive for a couple more minutes but it merely delayed the inevitable as Evans ended the fight with another punishing punching attack. 

The referee jumped in to stop the contest at the same time that Griffin appeared to be tapping out.  After the fight, however, Griffin gave his explanation—which given his track record of toughness and heart is easier to buy than most fighters’ post loss explanations:

"I was flailing, not tapping. I was done at that point. I didn't know what was going on. It was actually just his punches giving my body motion. I'm fine. I'll be back."

Evans said that Griffin’s reputation for toughness and ability to take punishment made it hard to determine whether he had him hurt or not:

"I knew I had him in trouble. He kept smiling, so I didn't know if he was hurt or not. They kept letting me hit him, so I was like, 'All right.'"

Griffin was making his first title defense since winning the belt from Quinton “Rampage” Jackson earlier this year.  His record dropped to 16-5 with the loss, while Evans’ record improved to 13-0-1.