Will Cro Cop and Rampage live up to the hype?

Mirko “Cro Cop”.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

If those names don’t sound familiar to UFC fans, they will soon enough.

On Saturday night, Cro Cop and Rampage each step into the Octagon for the first time in what arguably constitutes the most highly anticipated debuts in the UFC’s brief history. Hardcore fans are clamoring to see Cro Cop because he is universally recognized as one of the top two heavyweights in the world. Rampage, who happens to be one of the most charismatic figures in the game, is the last man to claim victory over reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell.

Most fans and fight cognoscenti expect the pair to challenge for UFC gold sooner rather than later. After all, fellow international fighting star Anderson Silva won the middleweight championship in his only his second fight after coming to the United States.

But success overseas, and both Cro Cop and Rampage posses international fighting resumes equal or superior to that of Silva’s, don’t necessarily translate to success inside the Octagon.

Just ask Heath Herring.

(Read More)