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Chris Cozzone: Jardine may mean a title shot

By Chris Cozzone
Friday, November 10, 2006

Albuquerque's mixed martial arts fighter Keith Jardine will be the underdog when he steps into the Octagon next month.

Jardine's bout will be the co-main event of "Ultimate Fighting Championships 66" on Dec. 30. An upset win could put him in line for a UFC world title.

The Montana-born Jardine (11-2-1), a resident of New Mexico since 2000, is slated to take on his toughest opponent to date in Forrest Griffin (13-3).

"This is my first real UFC event," says Jardine. "I've worked my way in through the backdoor. I had four fights this year, and I won all of them."

Actually, Jardine has had three victories this year, but he considers a controversial loss to Stephan Bonnar in April a win, along with a last-minute pullout by Mike Nickels last month at "UFC 64."

The card is to be televised on pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The main event features a rematch between UFC's light heavyweight champion Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell (19-3) and Tito Ortiz (15-4).

Since their original fight in 2004, both have won five straight bouts. But whereas Liddell has stopped all of his foes, including retiring former champ Randy Couture, Ortiz can only boast to having stopped an aging Ken Shamrock in his two knockouts; and two of three decisions were split verdicts, one of which was to Griffin.

"Forrest is definitely my toughest fight," says Jardine. "He has no weak spots."

Griffin, winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 1 in 2005, has won all but one of his UFC fights, including a split decision to Ortiz in April.

Jardine has won all but one fight since he entered the UFC ranks in 2005 - the controversial decision to Bonnar.

Bonnar has been in the Octagon twice with Griffin, the first of which is considered one the greatest slugging matches in UFC history.

"I thought I beat Bonnar," Jardine said. "But I thought Griffin beat him worse. Still, I've gotten a lot better since I fought him.

"I know Forrest won't run from me. I know he won't back down."

Griffin is seen by most as the next man in line for Liddell's belt; a loss to Jardine could have the two fighters swapping positions.

"Every fight Jardine's in is a fight," Griffin said at a recent news conference. "But I'm definitely game for that.

"I'm going to have to start cutting out the Mickey's (beer) now so I'll be ready Dec. 30."

Jardine won't be the only fighter from Albuquerque with a spot on a UFC card in December. On Dec. 13, undefeated Diego Sanchez (16-0) will headline a Spike TV card when he takes on Joe "Diesel" Riggs (25-8).

Also, on the UFC 66 card Dec. 30, Nathan Marquardt (22-6-2), a Colorado fighter who's relocated to Albuquerque to train at Jackson's, is up against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Dean Lister (9-4).

"It's definitely war training camp," said Greg Jackson, trainer for Jardine, Sanchez and Marquardt.

Said Jardine: "This fight means a lot to me. It shows the UFC has a lot of faith in me."

Also, on the UFC 66 card Dec. 30, Nathan Marquardt (22-6-2), a Colorado fighter who's relocated to Albuquerque to train at Jackson's, is up against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Dean Lister (9-4).

"It's definitely war training camp," said Greg Jackson, trainer for Jardine, Sanchez and Marquardt.

Said Jardine: "This fight means a lot to me. It shows the UFC has a lot of faith in me."

Women's bout: Albuquerque's Tonia Cravens (2-4-1, 1 KO) will take on undefeated Vanessa Juarez (4-0) of Fort Worth on the undercard of the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Jimrex Jaca HBO-televised card on Nov. 25 in Hidalgo, Texas.