Just rewatched Forrest Griffin vs Shogun Rua 1 - Time to set the record straight

There was nothing wrong with this version of Shogun. And in fact he looked better than the one who fought Coleman, Jones, Hendo, Vera, and Gus. He wasn't carrying around a bunch of fat, he was light on his toes, kicks and punches had a lot of snap, very active off of his back, going for takedowns full force non stop, and working his ass off inside Forrests guard. The only thing you can say is perhaps his cardio wasn't as good as it normally is but even then I'm not sure, he always gasses.

The thing is....Forrest did EXCELLENT. He outstruck him the feet in round 1(slightly) and completely nullified Shoguns ground n pound. He forced Shogun to use all of his energy just trying to pass guard. He made Shogun fight for takedowns and work from his back. Plus he gave as well as he got on the feet. No one had pushed him like that at this point in his career, even Lil Nog.

So lets put this myth to rest. That was NOT the worst version of Shogun like so many try and claim and Forrest didn't overachieve. Its time to give Forrest Griffin his props for an elite performance against the #1 LHW in the world.

 

Forrest was an animal then. He deserves full credit for that fight and the following Rampage fight.

 

I think Shogun's knee had a little something to do with it, even though he said it didn't. Anyway, gotta give Forrest props, didn't see that one coming at all.

 

I've always shared those sentiments TS. Forrest earned that win.

 

Prepare to get flamed. But i agree, you can't discount that win for Forrest. One of the greatest upsets/fights in UFC history. Forrest stepped up big time.

Yes Rua destroyed Forrest in the rematch, and there were no excuses for Forrest's performance. Rua is the superior fighter, no doubt about it.

But you have to give Forrest his props.

 

Forrests reaction to the win says it all.

 

The only thing the knee could have effected was his cardio if he missed some training because of it. But his knee looked just fine. He was bouncing, throwing kicks, going for takedowns with a Chael Sonnen type of relentlessness, his guard was active and dangerous while he still had gas.

I just think he got pushed and broken by someone he probably thought he'd run through.

 

Forrest earned that win. Shogun earned the rematch.

 

I remember watching that fight and i was so surprised about how tough Forrest was, can't believe how he has fallen down so much after that UFC 101...

The Forrest that fought Shogun/Rampage/Rashad had so much heart...

 

I agree, it's disrespectful to both Forrest and Shogun to discredit that win.

 

The thing is he still has heart and hasn't done all that bad. Its his chin that fails. Really tho, its that Anderson fight that makes people think the guy just sucks now. But that should be a testament to Silva not a knock on Forrest.

 

That could be it as well, he probably underestimated Forrest and payed for it.

I thought he had 0 chance when I heard the fight was confirmed lol.

 

Agreed, Shogun has never had superb cardio, that was a legit win for Forrest.

 

He gassed like a few minutes into the fight and was extremely sloppy, he looked absolutely horrible. Lets not try to paint a false image of this fight. He looked BAD.

It's a fact that he came into the fight in horrible shape because of knee issues, and reinjured his knee during the fight. He had ACL surgery right after.

Like I said, don't try to paint a false image of the fight.

 

Great post TS. From what you hear on the regular regarding this fight you would think most people never watched it. Forrest outstruck Shogun in the first before he gassed and Shogun gassed himself out by trying to take the much larger Forrest Griffin down

 

lol wut

 

Him leaving the octagon shows he has heart, saying his heart is gone is a myth. He cares a lot about his MMA career and his fight with Tito was personal, those 2 don't like each other. Forrest is very emotional that's for sure, hates to under perform. He loves MMA, not just the fighting but the training, eating and the whole lifestyle.

He has made some bad post fight decisions, but he is a respectful fighter. He showed that when he hugged Rashad, hugged Rampage, Defended Tito when people were booing him post 106.

I'm a forrest fan for life. Nothing will change it.

 

Maybe it's because Forrest took the fight to him and made him look bad?

 

^^^

Yep. As awesome as the AS fight was for AS's highlight reel, I wish that fight never happened. It destroyed Griffin.

It ruined his confidence, and he hasn't performed well since