Will "Rampage" Reign in UFC?

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With Liddell recently gracing the cover of ESPN The Magazine along with son Cade, and making a cameo in HBO's Entourage, the fight's weigh-in shown live on ESPNews and the UFC on the cover of Sports Illustrated, it's likely that Saturday's UFC 71 was many a casual fan's first time ordering a pay-per-view.

And those first-time viewers saw the face of the UFC take a devastating right to the chin. Liddell eventually got up, though. He says he'll fight again, even though he's 37. I know you're worried about me, too, but I'll be all right, I'll live to order another fight. And I think the UFC will be fine, too.

Jackson already has endorsement deals and his smiling mug has already cracked jokes on ESPN. Most in Las Vegas booed his entrance and his victory, but that was likely because Liddell is so beloved. Jackson might very well be, too, given time. The guy's charismatic, speaks his mind and puts on entertaining fights.

Granted, here's the taboo topic of race and it's obvious that white America would rather Liddell was still wearing the strap. But unless you're an out and out racist, it's near impossible not to succumb to the charms of Jackson. He's confident, outspoken and utterly hilarious. Like Liddell, he's a fighter's fighter, willing and wanting to take on the best of the best.

"This sport is so unpredictable I think that's what makes it so exciting," said UFC President Dana White on ESPNews the day after the fight. "Lately we've been on a tear of upsets ... That's the way this sport goes."

The last five title defenses in the UFC have resulted in title changes. With the recent losses by contenders Mirko Crocop and Keith Jardine coupled with stunning title triumphs by Couture and Matt Serra, upsets have become a trend. It's what separates the sport apart from boxing. Big-name fighters aren't coddled, prospects aren't groomed. The best fight the best. Upsets happen.

Saturday night stunned me, the Iceman, Rampage, Dana White, fans everywhere and the mixed-martial arts world. But we'll all be fine, especially the UFC.