LIVE COVERAGE: RAMPAGE JACKSON KNOCKS OUT CHUCK LIDDELL IN MAIN EVENT OF UFC 71
Special to MMANewsdesk   

Wrestling News Desk / MMA News desk
By Arturo Collozo Junior
05/27/07, 12:31 AM EST

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson knocked out "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell at 1:53 in the first round to become the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. It was then announced that Rampage's first title defense would be against Pride Double Champion Dan Henderson, who wore both title belts into the Octagon for the post match interview.

It was a shocking KO, as Rampage caught Liddell with a tremendous right, and then reigned down with vicious blows until you could see Liddell could not defend himself, and ref John McCarthy stepped in.

Houston Alexander emerged as the star to watch with his 48 second demolition of Keith Jardine. When the fight started, Jardine decked Alexander right away, but Alexander came back and blasted Jardine with punches and knees. It was as spectacular a fight like this can be. It practically stole the undercard.

Shown on pay per view, but taped earlier in the night was Din Thomas vs Jeremy Stephens. The result was Thomas locked in Stephens' arm, but Stephens, on his 21st birthday, picked Thomas up and powerbombed him. Thomas held on, and while Stephens was claiming he didn't tap, that arm was locked and it was clearly over. Thomas then went after the publicity, saying, "to all you boxers talking shit, I'm the motherfucker you need to fight!"

Stephens, in the meantime, came across like a real star, and was exciting as Hell to watch.

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Also listed on AOL Sports:   Fighting - Jackson Takes Belt From Liddell With Swift Blow - AOL Sports