UFC: Jackson vs. Henderson

Are you ready? Are you ready? Let’s get it on!!! Famous words from Big John McCarthy, UFC’s premiere referee. As the bell rang to start the battle for UFC 75 Champion vs. Champion last Saturday which features Pride FC’s Undisputed Middle and Light Heavy Weight Champion Dan “Hollywood” Henderson against UFC’s very own Light Heavy Weight Champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for the 1st ever unification title bout.
A first in the modern era of MMA or as some call it Ultimate Fighting.

The Jackson-Henderson battle was an important fight because it pitted two of the world's best against each other, and it determined the true world champion. Not only are they two of the world’s best they are also good friends.
This was the fight to end debate over the best at 205 pounds. This was the bout to unify the UFC and PRIDE light heavyweight titles.

Yet Henderson remained unknown in the eyes of Generation TUF. He fought in PRIDE, in Japan, for the majority of his career. In his homeland, only hardcore and diehard fans know him. The UFC wisely signed him but stupidly failed to build him and the publicity he created in Japan.

Henderson should have been given a few bouts inside the Octagon to decimate opponents and add to the spectacular highlights of his PRIDE career and build the reputation of his class. Then, provided Jackson was still the champ, the UFC should have made the fight and ranked in the profits and would be the premiere organization in the world to showcase such talented fighters.

The UFC 75 main event was still a solid fight, won clearly by Jackson. Rampage silenced many critics by smothering Henderson and proving that he is without question the best fighter on the planet at 205.

Well, for now at least Jackson enjoys the limelight of being the undisputed champion in the LHW division in the UFC until someone like Wanderlei Silva or Mauricio Shogun Rua gets his ass owned once more. Looking back at Jackson's stellar career, this was easily the best he has ever been.

Gone, it seems, are the days of Jackson entering a fight unprepared or distracted. His stamina was at an all-time high against Henderson, and he thwarted everything the PRIDE champion threw his way.

Henderson may have been distracted pre-fight with the birth of his new baby girl, but he never gave up. In the final round he kept plugging away and fought with desperation. Jackson was simply on top of his game, and won the round.

Unlike the other massive fights Zuffa has delivered, this bout was only a blip on the MMA radar in the eyes of mainstream journalists and hardcore fans. That said, the only one to blame for not properly building Henderson is Zuffa -- a shame considering the battle will go down as one of the most important in the sport's history.