The improbable yet admirable career of Forrest Griffin has finally come full circle as Griffin earned a unanimous decision over Rampage Jackson Saturday night to win the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

The improbable yet admirable career of Forrest Griffin has finally come full circle as Griffin earned a unanimous decision over Rampage Jackson Saturday night to win the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

The judges scored it 49-46, 48-46, 48-46 for Griffin who is now 16-4 and sits just a few years removed from headlining the main event of the organization's reality show. Now, he is the champion in the UFC's most hotly-contested division.

For what it's worth, Ropes Ring and Cage scored the bout 48-47 for Jackson with rounds 1, 3, and 4 going to Rampage by 10-9 scores with Griffin taking rounds 2 and 5 by 10-9.

"I'm not a feared guy but I'm going to fight you for 25 minutes," Griffin told the Candian Press. "Whoever you are, anybody at 205. I'm not going to break. I'm not going to quit."

Jackson, who is now 28-7 and had been on a roll with a title win over Chuck Liddell and subsequent defense against Pride champ Dan Henderson thought he won the fight but knew of what could happen when you let the fight go to the cards.

"You know what, I didn't think Forrest could hang with me," Jackson told the Canadian Press. "I said if Forrest gets past the third round, he'll gain my respect. And I respect him. And if I ever fight him again, I'm going to respect the hell out of him with my right hand."

Griffin reeled off a wicked leg lick to Jackson's left knee/thigh area that affected the now former champion all night, especially in Round 5 when he was noticeably limping and unable to aggressively attack Griffin. Griffin had a pretty badly bloodied right eye, but nothing intense enough to warrant a stoppage. Most of the fight was on their feet with a few takedowns, marked by Griffin almost locking in a triangle at one point midway through the fight.

I feel there is no doubt we'll see a rematch, likely November/December 2008.

>Other results:

Patrick Cote defeated Ricardo Almeida

Joe Stevenson beat Gleison Tibau

Josh Koscheck beat Chris Lytle

Tyson Griffin beat Marcus Aurelio

Gabriel Gonzaga beat Justin McCully

Cole Miller beat Jorge Gurgel

Melvin Guillard beat Dennis Siver

Justin Buchholz beat Corey Hill

Notes:

-The card was at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Center.

-Sellout crowd of 11,172 for a gate of $3.3 million.