Over the past week or so, angry Quinton Jackson fans have hit MMA forums hard saying that "Rampage" should still have the UFC Light Heavyweight belt. This "controversial" decision has been denounced by many fans, writers and even Jackson's camp. Although many contest this decision, I believe that Forrest won the fight. I can see a case for Quinton taking the decision, however there is a much bigger case for Forrest. Fighters win rounds by trying to end the fight and Forrest tried to end the fight more often and more effectively than Rampage did. I'll break it down:

Round 1: This goes to Rampage. Forrest dominated the first 4 minutes of the round. He was consistently hitting leg kicks and he was winning the standup battle. The reason Rampage won this round is because he almost ended the fight with his uppercut that knocked Forrest down. This one is arguable, but again it's all about ending the fight. Rampage 10-9

Round 2: This is an obvious round for Forrest. Forrest threw a beautiful leg kick at the beginning of the round that made Quinton's knee buckle. Forrest took down Quinton and attempted a guillotine choke. He improved his position on the ground from half-guard to side control to mount. Then he attempted a few submissions including an Americana and threw some short elbows. Forrest 10-8

Round 3: Forrest barely took this. Rampage landed a few good combinations and did a pretty good job staying away from Forrest's leg kicks. Forrest covered up for most of Rampage's combinations, but Rampage's power still knocked Forrest a bit off balance. However, the round goes to Forrest because he consistently threw and landed. A lot of Rampage's punches just hit Forrest on the arm. Forrest 10-9

Round 4: This goes to Rampage. Rampage scored a few punches and takes Forrest down. Forrest locked in a pretty deep triangle which scores him points here for attempting to end the fight. Rampage's "slam" doesn't really get any points. It got him out of the triangle, but it didn't affect Forrest at all. Forrest also attempted an omoplata. Forrest got right up and for the rest of the round, Rampage tried to hit Forrest with big shots. This one can go either way actually, but Forrest's submission attempts weren't substantial enough to outweigh Rampage's power punches and his takedown. Rampage 10-9

Round 5: Forrest gets this. Forrest consistently hit Rampage while Rampage had short spurts of power punches that rarely landed flush. Forrest got the better of the exchanges and scored better punches than Rampage did. Forrest consistently landed the leg kick throughout the round and he landed some knees to end it. Forrest 10-9.

Decision: Forrest 48-46

Under UFC judging (10 point must system), Forrest wins this fight. He won looking at each round individually. Under PRIDE judging, Forrest wins this fight. He won looking at the fight as a whole. People watch this fight and see most of Rampage's punches knock Forrest a little off balance. Those punches don't land flush. If they did then Forrest would've had his back on the canvas. Forrest covers up for almost all of Quinton's power punches. I'm sure that Forrest's arms were throbbing, but that doesn't do well on the score sheet. Forrest consistently hit leg kicks and other strikes while Rampage hit short spurts of punches that usually landed on Forrest's arm.

The bottom line is that Forrest Griffin deserves to be the champion. I'm a big Quinton Jackson fan, but after watching the fight upwards of 15 times, I have to give it to Forrest. He was more aggressive, more consistent and he attempted to finish more often and more effectively. Forrest looked great in this fight and he shouldn't have to deal with everyone calling it a "controversial decision."