Keith Jardine speaks up on his next mystery opponent

Keith Jardine made a lot of noise when he beat up Forrest Griffin at UFC 66.
With the win, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 2 alum believes he put himself in serious title contention, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Here's a snip:
"They were really building up Forrest as one of the top contenders for the title shot, but I think the way I beat him, I took that position. Right now, people have to consider me whenever they talk about who's a contender for the title."
Big words from one of the quieter cats in the UFC 205-pound stable.
And, his reticence is perhaps the reason he still needs a few more fights before being plopped in the Octagon with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell.
Even though Jardine is a solid fighter and had great exposure on TUF, he is not an overwhelming fan favorite. Nor is he an overwhelming villain, despite his "Dean of Mean" moniker.
He's just, well, Keith Jardine.
Here's another snip:
"Whoever I fight next, I'm going to beat, so they've gotta figure out who they want to risk. They know I'm a contender, but I think they want to build me up a bit more."
Jardine was thought to be inline to tangle with Tito Ortiz. However, his Team Jackson training partner Rashad Evans appears to have earned that fight.
With not too many marquee names left on the board for one reason or another, Jardine will most likely find himself up next against a "stepping stone" type of fighter.
It's not something he's looking forward to ... and neither am I.
Here a final snip:
"They (UFC) really don't know who I'm fighting yet. I want to fight a top contender. I want to fight Tito, and I'd love to have the honor of fighting Chuck, but I might get someone who's a steppingstone. I don't like steppingstones. Man, they're hard to train for. They're trying to take what you have."
Certainly not the best scenario for a quiet guy trying to ride the noisy wave of momentum to a future title fight. Then again, there aren't too many guys like Griffin available to fight right now.
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19 comments
Comments
Jardine-Rampage would have been an interesting fight if Dana wouldn’t try to outsmart everyone with the premature scheduled Liddell-Rampage2 fight. This way we could have gotten a reality check – for either Jardine or Rampage.
by YouTapped on Mar 19, 2007 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What about Jarding/Evans rematch. Just because they are friends doesn’t mean they aren’t competitors. If they are not willing to fight each other they shouldn’t even be showcased as wanting a title fight. Fighting is not about friend vs. foe, but friend vs. friend. They both say the are the best, but only one can win.
by PACO on Mar 19, 2007 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i wish rah and jardine would fight each other, its stupid they refuse to, that would be a good ass fight, he had a nice fight against forrest and he obviously has some nice stand up that would match up nice with rah…eventually forrest will get a shot to defend that loss too i hope
by tha spida on Mar 19, 2007 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rashad and Jardine are eventually gonna have to get over the friend issue, if one of them ever holds the title, does anybody actually think for a second that either will put their career on hold because their training buddy is standing in the way…….pleeeease
by Jordan on Mar 19, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jardine vs. Lambert or Babalu is the next reasonalbe match up for him imo
by Gus on Mar 19, 2007 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see Jardine v Babalu. Let Sobral redeem himself for the two lazy flying knees that got him KOd. Lambert vs Jardine would be a good match up, pretty even I think. It would probably make for a good fight. I dont think Jardine and Evans will need to fight. If Rashad comes out prepared he should put out a great showing against Bobble Head. It should definetly make his stock jump up. I think Jardine is good but I just dont see him beating anyone else that will catch him back up to Rashad after this next fight.
by Bawana on Mar 19, 2007 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He may get a no name now, then a Jason Lambert later. His problem is Dana White pampers media savvy types with charisma and Keith just doesn’t have that type of personality. It stinks, but it seems being a good fighter is only half of what you need in the UFC. You also have to be a good entertainer
by getrawbc on Mar 19, 2007 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
KEITH JARDINE vs. JAMES IRVIN
Hell ya, why not? Irvin hasnt fought since UFC 66 i beleive, and theyre at a crossroad imo.
by jammin on Mar 19, 2007 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I like it. Jardine vs Irvin makes alot of sense.
by Jesse1 on Mar 19, 2007 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jardine vs. Machida is the only one that makes sense, if he cant fight Tito. Rampage is one class above right now, and the resta are a step below ( Lamber, Irvin. ) Babalu would be great, but after 2 losses, my boy’s stock has dropped. For Jardine it wouldnt mean much if he won. ( God I hate haveing to analyze Babalu like that. He’ll be back!!!)
by MoreThanUFC on Mar 19, 2007 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i would never fight a friend either so…
lets do jardine rampage
by GasManShad on Mar 19, 2007 4:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Keith Jardine looks like a tough bridge troll.
by J.R. King on Mar 19, 2007 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Jaedine vs Irvan or Machida would both be good
by joe on Mar 20, 2007 5:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
with machida having destroyed rich franklin and bonner in japan this would be an interesting match up. You just have to question whether dana wants to risk machidas clean record
by padjo on Mar 23, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Machida has got a tough fight with David Heath at UFC 70 so there is no way Jardine gets that fight anytime soon. I would love to see him get the winner, but at UFC 71 I think Lambert would be the best fight for him. If he isn’t available then James Irvin or Eastman would be good alternatives. Eventually Jardine and Evans will have to fight again and I would go with Rashad to take him again.
by Tim on Mar 23, 2007 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s bullshit the UFC isn’t allowing you a shot at Chuck. Hell, the least they could do is let Rampage Jackson fight you first and then find out who the #1 contender is- so what if Jackson beat Chuck’s ass once before. Too be honost, I think I’d rather watch you fight in PFC. Shit, at least you wouldn’t have been robbed like you were in that fight against Bonner. Bullshit I say! Has he even hinted at a re-match yet? Just goes to show that the UFC wants to protect their “future” even though you beat the brakes off both Bonner and Griffen.
by Steven S on Mar 25, 2007 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
give Keith Renato sobral, he says he wants to build up, let him see what he can do against a man who has defeated the likes of shogun, jeremy horn, Trevor Prangley ALL IN THE SAME NIGHT!
by Justin on Apr 13, 2007 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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