UFC 75: Rampage Outpoints Henderson to Unify Titles
UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion brought the UFC and PRIDE light heavyweight champions together at The O2 in London on September 8, 2007. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson faced Dan Henderson in a five-round unification bout. Around that main event, the nine-fight card featured a disputed hometown decision, another setback for Mirko Cro Cop, and a dramatic recovery by Marcus Davis.
Jackson defeats Henderson over five rounds
Jackson had won the UFC light heavyweight championship from Chuck Liddell at UFC 71. Henderson arrived as PRIDE’s 205-pound champion, giving the London fight significance beyond an ordinary defense. The promotion’s “Champion vs. Champion” billing reflected the meeting of titleholders from the two organizations.
Henderson began strongly, using the clinch and takedowns to create favorable positions. Jackson had to work through those early exchanges before finding more success with his own wrestling and offense from the top. The contest repeatedly shifted between striking, fence work, and grappling.
Jackson’s later rounds were important. He controlled stretches on the ground and continued producing offense as Henderson slowed. After the full 25 minutes, all three judges favored Jackson: 49–46, 49–46, and 48–47. The unanimous decision retained his UFC belt and settled the advertised light heavyweight unification contest.
Bisping wins a disputed decision
Michael Bisping and Matt Hamill renewed a rivalry associated with The Ultimate Fighter 3. Hamill’s wrestling and forward pressure caused the English fighter problems, particularly in the first round. Bisping kept moving, returned to his feet after takedowns, and sought opportunities to answer with strikes.
The official result was a split decision for Bisping. Two judges scored it 29–28 for him, while the third awarded every round to Hamill, 30–27. Contemporary reaction included considerable disagreement with the verdict. The scorecards establish the winner, but the controversy belongs in any account of the fight rather than a description of an easy hometown triumph.
Kongo adds to Cro Cop’s difficulties
Cheick Kongo defeated Mirko Cro Cop by unanimous decision, 29–28 on all three cards. Cro Cop had useful early moments, including work from top position, but Kongo’s later offense and control carried him through the remaining rounds.
For Cro Cop, the defeat followed the head-kick knockout he suffered against Gonzaga at UFC 70. London therefore brought a second consecutive UFC loss. Kongo, meanwhile, earned a significant victory over a highly regarded heavyweight whose reputation had been built in PRIDE.
Davis recovers, Alexander finishes quickly
Paul Taylor hurt Marcus Davis with a head kick and attacked on the ground, but Davis survived the danger and reversed the course of the fight. He established his own offense before catching Taylor in an armbar at 4:14 of round one. The submission made their welterweight contest one of the card’s clearest examples of a fight changing direction.
Houston Alexander stopped Alessio Sakara with knees and punches at 1:01 of the opening round. The quick finish followed Alexander’s knockout of Keith Jardine at UFC 71, adding another striking victory to his early UFC run.
The preliminary results
Gleison Tibau defeated Terry Etim by unanimous decision. Thiago Silva stopped Tomasz Drwal with strikes at 4:23 of round two. Dennis Siver knocked out Naoyuki Kotani with punches at 2:04 of round two, and Jess Liaudin stopped Anthony Torres with strikes at 4:10 of the first round.
The night’s lasting importance lies in Jackson’s championship victory, but its supporting bouts supplied their own stories: a contentious decision, a major heavyweight win, and a submission comeback. Together they made London more than a stage for a single title fight.
Sources
Article Tags
UFC 75, Quinton Jackson, Dan Henderson, Light Heavyweight, UFC Results
