Articles tagged as jackson
Strikeforce Prelims: Isaac Vallie-Flagg Split Decision Stuns ‘JZ’ Cavalcante
Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts export Isaac Vallie-Flagg looked nothing like an underdog.
Posted in: jackson, nothing, cavalcante, vallieflagg, isaac
Read the full article at Sherdog
King Mo says F the purists, willing to fight with or against "Rampage" Jackson
submitted by BreakfastGuru [link] [comment]
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, king mo, king, breakfastguru link
Read the full article at Reddit
'Rampage Punch:' Quinton Jackson demonstrates his latest punching game app (Video)
Think you can busta' grape?
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson will be the judge courtesy of his latest punching game app, which is currently in production and scheduled for release sometime in the near future.
It's apparently the second of three punching-inspired apps that "Rampage" has/will help(ed) create with MEDL Mobile, an early leader in the emerging mobile applications software market. In fact, Rampage's "three-app deal signifies a continuing trend of celebrities who are marketing their own mobile apps to connect with their fans and extend their brands into the fast-growing mobile apps market," according to a recent press release.
Anyway, here's how "Rampage Punch" will work:
Test your punching power and get inspiration from Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Steady up, wait for the bell, then swing away. Rampage will rate your swing and tell you how you did.
Jackson is currently estranged from the UFC; however, he has agreed to complete the last fight on his contract as soon as possible once he recovers from knee surgery. In the meantime, feel free to get your Jackson fix on your mobile device if that's your pleasure.
Here's to hoping the third and final installment is "Punch Rampage."
Posted in: rampage, jackson, quinton, app, game app
Read the full article at MMA Mania
Quinton Jackson still haunted by loss to Forrest Griffin
Iconic light heavyweight Quinton Jackson has made it clear there are only two opponents on his radar at the moment – Mauricio Rua and Forrest Griffin. Though both men hold past wins over him, only one of the two stumbles still bothers the 33-year old to this day.
Jackson’s loss to Griffin cost him the UFC light heavyweight championship and also involved a good deal of controversy as many felt “Rampage” had done enough to retain the belt.
“I really, really wanna pay Forrest back. Forrest was the last guy I took lightly. I just didn’t think he could beat me at all. I still don’t think he beat me, honestly. If I lose a fight I’m the first one to say I lost. I seriously don’t think he beat me,” said the 32-10 Jackson on last week’s episode of Inside MMA. “That fight still haunts me. I really wanna destroy Forrest.”
The outspoken 205er remains sidelined at the moment, poised to get surgery on both of his knees though no actual timeframe has been mentioned in terms of his return to the ring. In the interview with Inside MMA he also made it clear he is 100% done with the UFC after finishing out his contract with one more fight, expressing displeasure over the way fans have treated him as well as the matchmaking process pairing him against “cowards” who “hump you and la down on top of you the whole time.”
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: fight, jackson, forrest griffin, forrest, “ hump
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainMFC 33 results: Greg Jackson's deplorable actions while cornering Ryan McGillivray
Disgust.
For the first time in years as a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA), I found myself disgusted while watching the main event of MFC 33 last night (Fri., May 4, 2012) between Nathan Coy and Ryan McGillivray. It had nothing to do with amount of blood, or the pounding that McGillivray was going through.
No, it had to do with the actions taken by McGillivray's head trainer, Greg Jackson, between the third and fourth rounds.
After three brutal rounds of punishment at the hands of Coy, a clearly dazed and blood drained McGillivray had to be assisted to his corner by his coaching staff. His head coach, Jackson began slapping his face and shoulder while telling the near unconscious 25-year-old to "wake up" and that "he can still win this fight."
Even veteran trainer and commentator Pat Militech, who was calling the fight for HDNet, couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing out of the fighters corner, stating that Ryan's camp "should throw in the towel" for their unresponsive fighter.
Luckily for McGillivray and his family, the referee and ringside doctor had seen enough and decided to stop the fight before he took any more unnecessary damage.
Still, this is an issue in MMA that hardly seems to be addressed and Jackson is at the forefront of it. As the most recognizable trainer in the entire sport, he should be held to a higher standard. This also isn't the first time there have been issues with Jackson's instructions to his fighters between rounds. He also notably ignored Georges St. Pierre when the welterweight champion told him he couldn't see out of one of his eyes during his UFC 129 title defense against Jake Shields.
It's entirely possible Jackson is simply trying to motivate his fighters to go above and beyond. It's a rough game, after all, and every little boo-boo isn't cause to throw in the white towel.
Then again, it certainly looked like McGillivray needed someone to save him from himself. Maniacs, what are your thoughts on Jackson's actions last night?
Complete MFC 33 results posted after the jump:
Josh Kitchen def. Mike Scarcello via submission (triangle choke) in round oneMatt Jelly def. Garret Nybakken via submission (armbar) in round oneDerek Parker and Jared McComb fight to a drawDiego Bautista vs Sabah Fadai ends in a no contest due to illegal kneeJamie Toney def. Andrew Buckland via unanimous decisionLuke Harris def. Edwin Dewees via submission (guillotine choke) in round oneMukai Maromo def. Adam Lynn via split decisionNathan Coy def. Ryan McGillivray via TKO in round three
Poll
What Greg Jackson did while cornering Ryan McGillivray was ...
Just a part of MMA.
Worthy of review by the Athletic Commission.
61 votes | Results
Posted in: jackson, round, ryan, mcgillivray, ryan mcgillivray
Read the full article at MMA ManiaFriday Night in MMA Discussion: Bellator, TUF:Live and MFC (Spoilers)
Didn't seem to be any discussion yet on any of this so I figured I'd sum it all up in one post since I managed to watch most of it. Bellator: Chandler/Gono really exemplifies to me what is wrong with Bellator. Chandler looked fantastic and I actually think he could be a legit threat at 155, but facing guys like Gono does very little for him. Worst part that was Gono came out with no fanfare/dancing and announced his retirement afterwards. TUF:Live: I don't really watch TUF, but I was home so I watched this week's fight. I thought I had read that Ogle was a huge underdog so I was extremely impressed by him in this fight. His striking looked good, he managed to get to his feet quickly after being taken down in the 1st when I thought he'd end up losing the round on his back, and he surprised me by choking out Rio. Proctor/Vick and Chiesa/Lawrence should be good quarterfinal fights. MFC: Adam Lynn fought Mukai Maromo in the CME (I think) and dominated the fight. Adam rocked Maromo in the first and just dominated the fight. In many cases, I can see a fight being close, but this wasn't a close fight. When it was over, Maromo knew he lost and Lynn and his corner were all smiles. Yet, somehow, Maromo was gifted a split-decision that might be the worst decision I've ever seen in MMA. Just horrid. However, the worst part of the night was the Main Event, and any respect I had for Greg Jackson is gone. Nathan Coy fought Greg Jackson-cornered Ryan McGillivray in a 5-round title fight. McGillivray was outclassed by Coy and sliced up by some vicious GnP early and lost a lot of blood. I wondered if he'd come out for the 3rd, but he did. By the end of the 3rd, he was obviously out of it, though. In the corner between rounds, Jackson kept slapping McGillivray's face and shoulder and screaming at him to "wake up!" despite McGillivray being unresponsive and dozing/nodding. IMO, Jackson should have thrown in the towel to protect his fighter, and Miletich (the announcer) suggested the same, but Jackson sent him out for the 4th. Luckily, the ref was on top of his game and brought in the doctor who quickly called an end to the fight, but not before I lost respect for Jackson. Title fight or not he should feel responsible for protecting his fighters. Here's a report on the controversy. Anyone else catch any of this? submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [comment]
Posted in: fight, jackson, round, mcgillivray, maromo
Read the full article at Reddit
Pat Miletich Not Afraid To Question Judges, Greg Jackson At MFC 33
It's not every announcer that is a former UFC champion. It's not every announcer that coached multiple former UFC champions and even a Hall of Famer. It's not every announcer that built one of the sport's most legendary training camps. It's not every announcer that was one of the first well-round martial artists in the history of the sport with mastery of striking, wrestling and submissions. And it's certainly not every announcer who tells the truth no matter who it might offend.
I'm referring, of course, to Showtime and HDNet announcer Pat Miletich who called tonight's MFC 33: Collision Course on HDNet.
That card featured some skilled and spirited performances by fighters Luke Harris, Adam Lynn, Muaki Moromo, Nathan Coy and Ryan McGillivray. It also featured some remarkably bad judging by the Alberta judges and some very troubling corner-work from one of MMA's biggest names, Greg Jackson.
And Pat Miletich didn't mince words.
When the judges inexplicably gave Muaki Maromo a split-decision win over Adam Lynn, Miletich said it was the worst call he'd ever seen.
And then superstar coach Greg Jackson literally told a fighter "Wake up, wake up" and shoved his face and shoulder to try to get defending champ Ryan McGillivray to snap out of his stupor. The next words out of Jackson's mouth were "You can still win this fight" to the unresponsive fighter and sending him back out for a fourth round against Nathan Coy.
Pat was quick to identify the issue and suggest that the corner throw in the towel rather than send a dazed and bleeding fighter back out there to take more punishment.
Fortunately the ringside doctor stopped the fight and protected an out-on-his-feet McGillvray.
In Jackson's defense, it was a title fight and McGillvray clearly wanted to continue. In fact it was only when the doctor stopped the fight that McGillvray responded to him at all. Nonetheless, a coach needs to keep a close eye on the safety of his fighter and Jackson was clearly aware that McGillvray was out (you don't say "wake up, wake up" and shove someone who's clear eyed and alert) and yet willing to send him back out there.
Miletich also did a stellar job calling the action throughout the event. He ably dissected a slick guillotine choke to mount set up that Luke Harris pulled off to finish UFC veteran Edwin Dewees. Later he explained the subtle nuances of the Lynn vs Moromo bout.
I hope we'll be seeing Pat Miletich calling more MMA for a long time to come.
Posted in: jackson, fighter, miletich, announcer, mcgillvray
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowVideo: Chael Sonnen calls out Rampage Jackson for being a 'crybaby' and a 'nuisance'
Well, at least he's an equal opportunity destroyer.
Lest you think Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight number one contender Chael Sonnen only talks trash against Brazilians, the raucous ex-Realtor is also taking aim at former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson, who's making headlines with his anti-ZUFFA tirades.
Sonnen tells MMA:30 that "Rampage" better not "try that stuff" around him.
"You know, Quinton is really good, and I’m not sure why. I don’t have the foggiest idea what he’s good at. He can’t wrestle a lick, I don’t believe he knows any submissions, he’s got no real competitive boxing or kickboxing, but he is a fantastic fighter when you stick him in the cage and you turn him loose. You know, I think he’s got a place, but he’s a crybaby, he’s a real ‘poor me’ guy. He comes in, he takes all the money, he takes all the money, he takes all the spotlight, and it’s still not enough. And, you know, it’s coming down to, you know, guys showed him respect for a lot of years but now he’s just a nuisance. You know, you want to come around me talking that crap; I’ll smack you down so fast. You know, you think you have problems with Ryan Bader, you know don’t even try that stuff with some of us that have, you know, kicked and scratched and clawed while you, you know, you’ve been eating at the trough for years. So, you know, ‘Rampage’ has a place, but you know if he doesn’t want to fight anymore, he doesn’t have too."
The full video of Sonnen deconstructing Jackson's recent media outbursts after the jump.
Jackson has just one fight left on his UFC contract. Who wants to see him save it for Sonnen, who has no issues moving up a weight class when called upon?
Posted in: ufc, jackson, sonnen, hersquo, i donrsquot
Read the full article at MMA ManiaDana White on Rampage Jackson: "If he doesn’t want to be with us anymore, then the feeling is mutual."
submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [4 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, doesn ’t, mattyblayze
Read the full article at RedditChael Sonnen Rips On Quinton "Rampage" Jackson: "He’s A Crybaby, He’s A Real ‘Poor Me’ Guy"
submitted by BreakfastGuru [link] [comment]
Posted in: jackson, chael, breakfastguru, breakfastguru link, ’ guy
Read the full article at Reddit
Rampage Jackson's Anti-UFC Campaign Wearing Thin With Dana White
NEW YORK -- Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wants out of the UFC. At this point, everybody follows mixed martial arts is aware of that. All you have to do is follow him on Twitter to know that he's had it with the Las Vegas-based fight promotion. Earlier this week, he expanded upon his feelings again while on HDNet's "Inside MMA." The UFC has repeatedly said that they will give Jackson the last fight on his current contract, but on Thursday, UFC president Dana White acknowledged that his frustration with Jackson has hit a new high.That stems at least partially from the communication issues between the two, which have left White scratching his head in confusion. According to him, he'll have what he considers to be a positive conversation with Jackson, only to see or hear him continue on his anti-UFC slant.
Because of that, White's apparently reached a point where it's no longer worth the effort to try and placate Jackson, as he explained on Thursday following a UFC on FOX 3 press conference at the Beacon Theater."Rampage is obviously not happy with the UFC," he said. "No big deal brother, you don’t want to be here anymore. The way I always look at it is, we have this mutual relationship with the fighters. Do we always see eye to eye? Do we always get along? Whatever the deal might be. As far as money goes, everybody needs to make more money ... That’s human nature. What we do is we go in and we negotiate deals that work for everybody. We’ve been good to everybody that we’ve ever dealt with. We’ve never screwed anybody over, including Rampage. And you want to talk about a guy that we went to bat for? We’ve gone to bat for him many times. I feel like f----- [Derek] Jeter when it comes to Rampage, OK? If he’s unhappy with us, doesn’t like us, and doesn’t want to be with us anymore, then the feeling is mutual."Jackson is currently on the mend from a series of injuries sustained prior to his UFC 144 loss to Ryan Bader. Those issues forced him out of a proposed bout with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, but when he gets back, it appears it will be one and done for Rampage and the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, everybody, wersquove
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse
‘After I Leave the UFC, I’m Done With Them,’ Rampage Jackson (Video)
Rampage Jackson makes no bones about how he feels about his current employer: "After I leave the UFC, I'm done with them. Just like when I left Pride."
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, ufc im, bull, pride retweet
Read the full article at MMA Weekly
Rampage Jackson criticizes the UFC for "boring wrestlers" match-ups
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Quinton Jackson, appeared on HDNet's Inside MMA, talking about the future of his Mixed Martial Arts career. Jackson confirmed that he will be leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship after his next fight, also adding that he's no longer interested in fighting "boring fighters, wrestlers, and gameplanners".
Quote via MMAMania.com:
"After I leave the UFC, I'm done with them! Just like when I left PRIDE. You remember when I left PRIDE? It's over. I was very loyal to
Posted in: ufc im, fighters wrestlers, wrestlers matchups, rampage jackson, jackson
Read the full article at Low Kick'Rampage' Jackson calls out 'cowards,' vows to never fight for UFC again after contract fulfilled
submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [5 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, mattyblayze, coward
Read the full article at RedditDana White sees wasted potential in “Rampage” Jackson
The resume of light heavyweight fighter Quinton Jackson reads like “who’s who” of MMA. At 32-10, “Rampage” has beaten some of the sport’s all-time greats including Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Dan Henderson, held the UFC championship, and transitioned his popularity into a career earning him millions of dollars. However, according to UFC President Dana White, Jackson could have even exceeded those lofty accomplishments had the 33-year old approached his career differently.
“I think he could have been so much better if he applied himself. He had all the tools. Incredible chin, knockout power in both hands, incredible charisma and personality,” said White in an interview with MMAFighting. “Tell me ‘Rampage’ Jackson wasn’t born to fight. Not only in his power, but his attributes, his wrestling, his chin, the list goes on and on.”
“His potential could have been so much more,” White wistfully concluded. “This is a crazy business, you always have these guys who think they’re getting screwed and this and that and everything else that’s happening. ‘Rampage’ wants to fight one more fight on his contract, and his last fight, and he’ll never make that money ever again for the rest of his life. A lot of those guys in the UFC don’t realize that until it’s too late.”
Jackson’s status hasn’t been updated in more than a month when he revealed he would undergo surgery on both of his knees and be out until later this year when he is expected to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. The bout could very well mark Jackson’s final appearance inside the Octagon having cited a desire to depart the organization for personal reasons after getting one more match-up in.
PHOTO CREDIT – TRIUMPH UNITED/UFC
Posted in: fight, rampage, jackson, dan henderson, jackson ’s
Read the full article at Five Ounces of Pain
Entire Jon Jones-Rashad Evans Ordeal Has Left Greg Jackson Upset
Trainer-to-the-champions Greg Jackson has plenty of feelings still for Rashad Evans. After seeing his star pupil, Jon Jones, defeat Evans and retain the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 145, Jackson talked with Sherdog’s “Savage Dog Show” about everything that went down between the two former teammates. “It was a bittersweet night. I’m glad Jon [...]
Posted in: jon, jackson, rashad evans, greg jackson, evan
Read the full article at MMA ConvertDana White: 'Rampage Jackson could have been so much better if he applied himself'
Did Quinton Jackson come up short?
The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight titleholder, who's riding the pine to heal a pair of bum knees, has just one fight remaining on his Zuffa contract before leaving the Octagon for good.
But how will UFC fans remember him?
"Rampage" debuted with a knockout win over Marvin Eastman at UFC 67 back in early 2007. His win over "The Beastman" earned him an immediate 205-pound title shot -- and PRIDE FC rematch -- against UFC poster boy Chuck Liddell.
He won the light heavyweight title in dominating fashion and even defended it against fellow PRIDE import Dan Henderson at UFC 75 for his third win of the year.
Then Forrest Griffin went and crashed the party at UFC 86 in July 2008, stripping Jackson of the title after five rounds of back-and-forth action.
He would never get it back.
The loss to the former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Champion kicked off a dismal 4-4 run over the next four years, culminating in consecutive losses to Jon Jones and Ryan Bader, preceded by lackluster performances over Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill.
UFC President Dana White (via MMA Fighting) reflects on what could have been, after the jump.
"I think he could have been so much better if he applied himself. He had all the tools. Incredible chin, knockout power in both hands, incredible charisma and personality. Tell me Rampage Jackson wasn’t born to fight. Not only in his power, but his attributes, his wrestling, his chin, the list goes on and on ... His potential could have been so much more. This is a crazy business, you always have these guys who think they’re getting screwed and this and that and everything else that’s happening. ‘Rampage’ wants to fight one more fight on his contract, and his last fight, and he’ll never make that money ever again for the rest of his life. A lot of those guys in the UFC don’t realize that until it's too late."
There's more to Jackson's fractured relationship with the UFC than just wins and losses.
After his most recent unanimous decision loss to "Darth" Bader at UFC 144 in Japan, Rampage launched a very public (and very ugly) verbal spat with his employers at Zuffa, even accusing the UFC of trying to sabotage his career, and claiming UFC matchmaker Joe Silva should be "shot in the face" for the poor job he's done setting up Jackson with opponents.
And this doesn't include his TRT admission, rape simulation video and motorboating skills.
In spite of all that, White believes a focused, committed and hardworking Rampage could have been one of the best of all time. Who amongst you disagrees with that assessment?
Opinions, please.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, loss
Read the full article at MMA ManiaDana White says Rampage Jackson had all the tools, but could have been so much better
The career of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has seemed to have taken a downward turn as of late, and with it come some criticism from UFC President Dana White. Although White acknowledges the high-level skills of Jackson, he still thinks that perhaps Rampage could have had an even more productive, illustrious career. Dana White expressed the following via mmafighting.com:
"Tell me Rampage Jackson wasn’t born to fight. Not only in his power, but his attributes, his wrestling, his chin,
Posted in: rampage, jackson, dana, career dana, highlevel skills
Read the full article at Low KickUFC Quick Quote: Jon Jones' UFC 145 victory was bittersweet for Greg Jackson
"It was a bittersweet night. I'm glad Jon won, but I'm just sad about the whole situation. It's nice to just kind of move on and be done with the whole thing. .... I went up after the fight and shook [Rashad Evans'] hand, and we kind of patted each other on the shoulder. That's kind of where we're at right now. There's no animosity or hard feelings on my end at all. We'll see where it goes from here."
-- There's two sides to every story. Obviously, elite coach and trainer Greg Jackson was happy for his top student, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who was victorious at UFC 145 this past Saturday night (April 21, 2012), although the victory came with a cost, as "Bones" defeated one of Jackson's original team members and old friend "Suga" Rashad Evans. Evans' high profile victories over Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin in 2008 really put Team Jackson on the map, allowing the Albuquerque gym to become one of MMA's top training destinations today. Speaking with Sherdog's Savage Dog Show, Jackson discussed his feelings about the fight and where he currently stands with Evans now that it's all over. Do you Maniacs sympathize with Jackson at all?
Posted in: ufc, jon, jackson, chuck liddell, evan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaJon Jones’ Win Over Rashad Evans Bittersweet for Trainer Greg Jackson
Greg Jackson had mixed feelings Saturday after Jon Jones defended his UFC light heavyweight title against Rashad Evans.
Posted in: jackson, jon jones, rashad evans, greg, feelings saturday
Read the full article at SherdogVideo: Rampage Jackson visits Manny Pacquiao camp in Philippines
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Quinton Jackson took some time off from his kneehab to pay a visit to world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who is training for his upcoming bout against undefeated WBO junior welterweight kingpin Timothy Bradley Jr. on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Says "Rampage" (1:30 mark):
"I think he's gonna destroy him. I don't think there's no man on this planet at his weight that can hang with him. I've been watching him fight for some years now, and I don't care who he fights, I never know who he fights, I just know he fights. A Manny Pacquiao fight? I'm goin' to watch it."
Another video of Rampage on location, howling and taking down fans (seriously), after the jump.
0:36 mark.
Jackson, himself an aspiring boxer, has one more fight left on his UFC contract before setting sail. Any guesses on where he might turn up?
Posted in: fight, rampage, jackson, manny, fights i
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson reflects on Jon Jones' victory over Rashad Evans
Jon Jones' coach Greg Jackson looks back on his prized pupil's unanimous decision victory over former student Rashad Evans at UFC 145 on Saturday night.
Posted in: jackson, greg jackson, evan, decision victory, greg
Read the full article at Low Kick
Greg Jackson Reflects on Jon Jones’ Win Over Rashad Evans at UFC 145
Jon Jones' coach Greg Jackson looks back on his prized pupil's unanimous decision victory over former student Rashad Evans at UFC 145 on Saturday night.
Posted in: jone, jackson, rashad evans, greg jackson, decision victory
Read the full article at Heavy MMAFight Day: Greg Jackson UFC 145 Pre-Fight Interview
HeavyMMA's Megan Olivi talks to Greg Jackson, Jon Jones' head trainer and the former trainer of Rashad Evans. Jones and Evans meet Saturday for the UFC 145 light heavyweight title at Philips Arena in...
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, trainer, philips arena
Read the full article at Heavy MMAWhen Georges St. Pierre fights Carlos Condit, Greg Jackson will step out and have a cheeseburger
Lesson learned.
Top mixed martial arts (MMA) trainer Greg Jackson, who saw one of his biggest stars walk away from his famed gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico, understands that moving forward, teammates may eventually fight teammates.
But he doesn't have to be a part of it.
By "stepping out of it," he can help prevent a major internal rift, like the one that forced Rashad Evans to skip town after a young phenom named Jon Jones was being groomed to take over the UFC's light heavyweight division -- right in the midst of "Suga's" title run.
Evans will have a chance to exact revenge on his former friend and teammate at UFC 145 this Saturday night (April 21, 2012) at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. That's where Jackson will corner "Bones," but as he explains to Kimura.se, there are new protocols in place for future fights, including the potential title unification bout between Georges St. Pierre and Carlos Condit later this year.
"Me and Georges are still tight. It's always been that way he always lived in Montreal, he's always traveled around. I think people are probing for weaknesses now, anything they can get, but that's business as usual for Georges. He's a great guy. Two of my champions are fighting each other and I just step out of it. Let the other coaches get a lot of credit so we have all these protocols now after this situation. Now I step out and those guys will have a lot of fun and I'll be eating a cheeseburger somewhere. Everything's cool, Georges is great and we're the same tight team we've always been. I'm not gonna help either of them against each other."
Hear more from Jackson on UFC 145 and "St. Pierre vs. Condit" after the jump.
Get up to speed on UFC 145 right here. For more on Georges St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit click here.
Posted in: jackson, pierre, st, condit, george
Read the full article at MMA Mania
Dana White says Greg Jackson’s philosophy on friendly fighters is “crock of sh*t”
The circumstances surrounding Rashad Evans’ falling out UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and former trainer Greg Jackson are well-documented. The drama created by their past relationship as teammates at Jackson’s gym in New Mexico has been a focal point of their feud, seemingly mentioned every other minute on any promotional piece surrounding their title-fight Saturday night at UFC 145.
However, while he may be benefitting from the scenario, don’t expect UFC President Dana White to feel sorry for any of the men involved based on the root of their hard feelings.
“There is one thing that is an absolute fact, and no matter how often Greg Jackson pumps that family sh*t, Greg Jackson is a (expletive) businessman. The more top guys he brings in, the more money he makes. There’s nothing wrong with Greg Jackson, but he’s a (expletive) businessman,” said White in an interview with Yahoo Sports. “Some of these fighters, who ought to know better but don’t listen to that sh*t and don’t take it for the crock of sh*t that it is. These guys need to make the decision where they train based on where they think they’ll get the best work and develop the best, and not on this (expletive) crazy idea that you’re becoming a part of a family.”
“Greg Jackson (expletive) told Rashad this wouldn’t happen, that they’re family and all that other sh*t, but look what is going on now,” the outspoken executive continued. “Look and see who is at Jackson’s and who is not. Train where you think it’s going to be best for you and if that’s Jackson’s, that’s fine. Just don’t buy into this family sh*t because there’s nothing to it. This is the fight business, not the friend business.”
White’s Breakdown of Jones vs. Evans Fight
White has been a longtime opponent to the notion of teammates not wanting to meet inside the Octagon. Based on his latest statements clearly he has no intentions of changing that viewpoint in the future.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: jackson, ’t, greg, sht, ’s nothing
Read the full article at Fighters.comHistory in the Making: Jon Jones chokes out Rampage Jackson in dominant fashion at UFC 135
The last time Quinton Jackson entered the Octagon as the challenger for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight title, he stood opposite Chuck Liddell, one of the greatest champions to ever grace the cage.
"The Iceman" had run roughshod over the division, knocking out each and every fighter they put inside the cage to go against him. He was almost universally ranked as the top light heavyweight in the world and looked to cement the status with a victory over "Rampage."
The two titans had met once before, during PRIDE Fighting Championships' 2003 grand prix, and Jackson walked away the victor that night. At UFC 71, it took "Rampage" less than two minutes to replicate the result. Over his decade plus long career, the Memphis native had been there, done that in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). He was quite the polar opposite of the man he faced off against at UFC 135.
Jon Jones rocketed to the top of the MMA world through a series of brutal wins, one so much so it ended in a disqualification loss for him. When he choked out fellow rising prospect Ryan Bader in early 2011, he jumped at the chance to face off against Mauricio Rua in a title bout six weeks later.
He beat and pounded on "Shogun" for nearly 13 minutes before the fight was stopped and at 23 years of age, "Bones" became the youngest UFC champion in history. Impressive, yes, but winning the belt is one thing while defending it in the shark-filled tank that is the 205-pound division is something else entirely. He got his first opportunity to prove himself against a former champion in Jackson.
Before "Bones" steps inside the cage this weekend (April 21) against Rashad Evans at UFC 145: "Jones vs. Evans," we'll take a look at the young prodigy's first title defense, a dominant display against a formidable foe which helped prove that, yes, this kid is for real.
Let's dive in.
Jones begins the fight by almost crawling towards his opponent, nearly keeping both knees and one hand on the mat at all times. Eventually Jackson gets close enough for Jones to shoot in for a takedown. The champion grabs hold of his opponent and bullies him against the cage where he proceeds to punch Jackson's ribs, knee his thighs and stomp his feet.
They break and reset in the center of the Octagon where Jones immediately throws a front kick to keep Jackson at bay. A leg kick swings Jackson's lower limb backwards and everyone quickly realizes "Rampage" has learned nothing from his loss to Forrest Griffin. They clinch up again and Jones nearly tosses the challenger to the mat with what seems like the utmost of ease.
Kicks are the name of the game in the first five minutes. To the chest and face, against the thighs and to the front of the knee all land for the champion and the round ends with Jackson throwing punch after punch, each hitting nothing but the air between him and his opponent.
The second round opens with more of the same from "Bones" until one kick is caught. Jackson forces the champion against the cage but the much larger fighter is able to work his way off the chain-link and back to the center of the Octagon. From there, he continues to pick "Rampage" apart with leg kicks, a strategy for which the challenger has absolutely no answer for.
For as poorly as Jackson is doing in the stand-up exchanges, he's doing remarkably well when defending the champion's takedown attempts. Any time Jones tries to get the fight to the mat, "Rampage" is able to foil him. This lasts until 90 seconds into the third round when "Bones" finally gets his opponent on his back, landing in side mount and then almost immediately exploding into full mount. To his credit, the former champion weathers the elbows Jones throws his way and gets back to his feet.
A front kick from the champion snaps Jackson's head back and as the seconds tick away in the round, the fact that Jackson's only triumph in the bout has been a defensive maneuver and he has landed little to no offense in 15 minutes becomes startlingly clear.
The first championship round begins with Jackson taking the center of the Octagon but a hook from the champion rattles him. A kick from Jones goes high and the two clinch up, jockeying for position until "Bones" shoves his opponent against the cage. "Rampage" attempts to turn away and Jones takes his back and it's only a matter of seconds before the champion's anaconda-like arms wraps themselves around Jackson's neck.
One thing which can't be dismissed was the mental warfare "Bones" waged on his opponent. In the opening round, he ragdolled Jackson to the mat. At the end of the second, Jones pulled guard as if to tell "Rampage" the bout would go wherever he wanted and in the third, a last second takedown attempt ended with the champion literally lifting Jackson up and shrugging the Memphis native of his shoulders.
Physically and mentally, Jones decimated "Rampage" and proved he belonged at the top of the 205 pound mountain.
Can he do the same this weekend against Evans?
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, champion, cage
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 145: Rashad Evans, Greg Jackson Discuss Main Event
MMA Fighting's Luke Thomas is in Atlanta for UFC 145, and he was able to snag separate interviews with famed coach Greg Jackson and one half of the UFC 145 main event, Rashad Evans. Evans started off by pointing out how much shorter he is than Luke, but quickly got down to business when it came to talking about his UFC light heavyweight title bout with Jon Jones. Here's what he had to say about the differences between Imperial Athletics (his current team, also known as the Blackzillians), and his old camp at Jackson's MMA:
"I was just correcting for more coaching. No matter how great it was at Albuquerque, we didn't have a lot of coaching. You know, Greg was there and he did the best that he could, and Winkeljohn was there, but we didn't have a really, really in-depth jiu-jitsu coach and stuff like that. You know, Greg specializes in jiu-jitsu but he's more like an MMA-type coach, all-round. At the gym in Boca, we bring everything together. We have a great jiu-jitsu coach, we have a striking coach, have a great wrestling coach, and we even have a great judo coach. We have all different facets of the game, and I think that's what's gonna bring our athletes along better because we're getting that one-on-one attention with these great coaches."
Here's the full video with Rashad. You can catch more quotes from the Rashad interview after the jump, along with quotes and video of Luke's interview with Greg Jackson.
SBN coverage of UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans
Rashad discussed his divorce, and how it has affected his mindset going into this bout:
Rashad: "I've been going through my situation for a while, you know, I just started speaking about it publicly. Mentally, I'm ready. I've dealt with that situation, so I'm kinda cool. All my other fights, it's been worse than this."Luke: It was worse in other fights?Rashad: "Aww man, shit. Yeah, a lot worse in other fights. So, this is nothing. I'm in the cool now."
He also discussed the idea that a win over Jones might validate his split from Jackson's and all the stuff he's been through since then:
"I really haven't thought about all that. I was just thinking about going in there and winning the fight. I don't want to put that much pressure on myself. I don't want to put that much pressure on myself for a reason, cuz it's like, I don't wanna say 'this symbolizes this', 'this symbolizes that' because that's more extra weight that I have to carry on myself. I'ma go out there and fight from the bottom of my heart, and whatever happens happens. I believe I'm going to be victorious in the fight, but whatever that validates, whatever comes off that is great, but for me, I'm just looking to go in there and compete and have a good time doin' it."
In Luke's interview with Greg Jackson, the coach gave his assessment of the wrestling in the Jones vs. Evans bout:
"Well it's MMA wrestling, both of them, but I believe there are some similarities and some differences. But I think it's mostly the geometry of their body types that allow them or disallow them to do certain techniques. Rashad shoots in very well because he's a little shorter, Jon likes footsweeps and stuff because he's a little taller."
And here is the full video of the Jackson interview:
Posted in: jackson, coach, rashad, greg, im
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowDana White Calls Out Greg Jackson For Problems Between Jones, Evans
Dana White has always been a big fan of keeping teammates from fighting teammates. Wait, no he hasn’t. During a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports’ Cagewriter, the UFC president called out trainer Greg Jackson for his decision-making that ultimately led to the fallout between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Rashad Evans. Jones and [...]
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, ufc president, greg jackson
Read the full article at MMA ConvertGreg Jackson’s Study of Civil War Helped Him Decide to Corner Jon Jones
Greg Jackson had wanted to stay out of it, but eventually he decided to corner Jon Jones for his light heavyweight title defense Saturday at UFC 145 against former teammate Rashad Evans.
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, greg, corner
Read the full article at SherdogUFC 145 Greg Jackson Pre-Fight Interview
Greg Jackson Contends Jon Jones Has Underrated Fight IQ
ATLANTA -- MMA trainer and coach Greg Jackson spoke to MMA Fighting today at the UFC 145 pre-fight open workouts. Jackson expressed surprise at the levels reached by some of the vitriolic personal attacks he received, discussed Rashad Evans' physical capabilities as he enters his thirties, contrasted the wrestling styles of Evans and Jon Jones, discussed how he and his camp manage Jones' training as he grows in size and tried to make sense of why Jones' fight IQ is underrated.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, rashad evans, workouts jackson
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseDana White: “This is the fight business, not the friend business.”
When the MMA community discusses the name Greg Jackson it’s usually in relation to the coach’s reputation as one of the top trainers/corners in the sport. However, one word UFC President Dana White associates with Jackson that few others consider in relation to the sought-after sensei is “businessman”.
White recently gave his thoughts on Jackson’s role in the situation surrounding light heavyweights Jon Jones-Rashad Evans (who fight for the divisional title this weekend at UFC 145). As has beaten into the psyche of every MMA fan, Jones and Evans were former teammates at Jackson’s gym and had a falling out after Evans decided to leave, citing a sense of betrayal brought on by Jackson and Jones’ behavior.
“There is one thing that is an absolute fact, and no matter how often Greg Jackson pumps that family (expletive), Greg Jackson is a (expletive) businessman. The more top guys he brings in, the more money he makes. There’s nothing wrong with Greg Jackson, but he’s a (expletive) businessman,” said White in an interview with Yahoo Sports. “Some of these fighters, who ought to know better but don’t listen to that (expletive) and don’t take it for the crock of (expletive) that it is. These guys need to make the decision where they train based on where they think they’ll get the best work and develop the best, and not on this (expletive) crazy idea that you’re becoming a part of a family.”
“Greg Jackson (expletive) told Rashad this wouldn’t happen, that they’re family and all that other (expletive), but look what is going on now. Look and see who is at Jackson’s and who is not,” continued White, adding a bit of advice for fighters along the way. “Train where you think it’s going to be best for you and if that’s Jackson’s, that’s fine. Just don’t buy into this family (expletive) because there’s nothing to it. This is the fight business, not the friend business.”
The UFC has encountered other past issues involving teammates not wanting to fight each other such as Jon Fitch-Josh Koscheck and Evans-Keith Jardine. Similarly to the root of the issues between Jones-Evans, in those cases a sense of personal loyalty was cited rather than focusing on the business aspect involved.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/JACKSONS MMA
Posted in: business, jackson, greg, expletive, fight business
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainVideo of UFC champ Jon Jones KO'ing a sparring partner in training at Jackson's MMA in...
Video of UFC champ Jon Jones KO'ing a sparring partner in training at Jackson's MMA in Albuequerque, NM.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, partner, training, jacksons mma
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowDana White critical of "business man" Greg Jackson: "don't buy into this family [expletive] because there's nothing to it."
submitted by gnomesane [link] [8 comments]
Posted in: jackson, family, there, theres nothing, family expletive
Read the full article at RedditUFC 145: Dana White Uses Rashad Evans Vs. Jon Jones As Proof Jackson's MMA Is Not 'Family'
Greg Jackson and Jackson's MMA have been one of the biggest camps at the center of the teammates not fighting teammates thing. The idea that fighters are "family" or "teammates" who shouldn't fight each other has long bothered UFC president Dana White and he's taken the opportunity to try to prove what nonsense the idea that fighters are family is in the wake of the fallout between Jon Jones, Jackson's MMA and Rashad Evans.
Here's the quote from Yahoo's Cagewriter:
"There is one thing that is an absolute fact, and no matter how often Greg Jackson pumps that family [expletive], Greg Jackson is a [expletive] businessman," White told Cagewriter. "The more top guys he brings in, the more money he makes. There's nothing wrong with Greg Jackson, but he's a [expletive] businessman. Some of these fighters, who ought to know better but don't listen to that [expletive] and don't take it for the crock of [expletive] that it is. These guys need to make the decision where they train based on where they think they'll get the best work and develop the best, and not on this [expletive] crazy idea that you're becoming a part of a family.
"Greg Jackson [expletive] told Rashad this wouldn't happen, that they're family and all that other [expletive], but look what is going on now. Look and see who is at Jackson's and who is not. Train where you think it's going to be best for you and if that's Jackson's, that's fine. Just don't buy into this family [expletive] because there's nothing to it. This is the fight business, not the friend business."
Rashad trained at Jackson's for most of his career, becoming one of the gym's most successful fighters. Despite being somewhat uncomfortable with Jon Jones starting to train at the gym, an arrangement was made that then "friends" Jones and Evans would never fight each other. With Evans gunning to win back his light heavyweight title, Jones made statements that if Rashad was champion, he'd be content to keep dominating without the belt.
SBN coverage of UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans
Of course, once Evans was hurt and Jones was offered his title shot, Jones took it, won the title and made the statement that set everything into motion by claiming he'd be willing to fight Rashad if that's what the UFC asked him to do.
The subsequent fallout saw Evans leave Jackson's but Greg Jackson continued to say that he wouldn't corner against Rashad given their history. That, of course, quickly changed and led to Dana's above statement.
The idea that fighters should be creating bonds that prevent the best fights from being made is a bit crazy to me. I understand the idea of training with someone every day and becoming friends may make you wary of fighting them. But, ultimately your best career decision is to look out for yourself.
For all the flack boxing gets for "the best fights not happening," as someone who follows both sports very closely, I can name more legitimately good fights that didn't happen in MMA than boxing over the past ten years. And the biggest reason for a lot of them were "oh, those guys won't fight, they train together." Be it Jackson's, AKA or any other big camp there were a lot of appropriate fights for guys.
This is a business and no one is going to remember the fights you didn't have because some coach sold the idea that you're a "family." The sooner fighters start looking out for themselves a bit more than worrying about hurting other fighters' feelings, the better off the sport will be.
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, family, expletive
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowDana White rips 'business man' Greg Jackson for bungling Jon Jones vs Rashad Evans UFC 145 situation
Family Guy?
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White is ignoring Michael Corleone's advice and taking sides against the family -- simply because he doesn't believe such a thing exists at Jackson's Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Just ask Rashad Evans.
The former Light Heavyweight Champion, who's tasked with fighting former friend and teammate Jon Jones at UFC 145 this Saturday night (April 21, 2012) at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, "divorced" himself from head coach Greg Jackson after "Bones" won the 205-pound title from Mauricio Rua when "Suga" was forced to bow out of the fight due to injury.
Out with the old and in with the new.
That's the business side of combat sports, one that White tells Yahoo's Cagewriter he wants all fighters to realize when they align themselves with a particular gym. Underneath all the gooey feelings and "family" hyperbole, at the end of the day, it's still all business.
Those comments, after the jump.
"There is one thing that is an absolute fact, and no matter how often Greg Jackson pumps that family [expletive], Greg Jackson is a [expletive] businessman. The more top guys he brings in, the more money he makes. There's nothing wrong with Greg Jackson, but he's a [expletive] businessman. Some of these fighters, who ought to know better but don't listen to that [expletive] and don't take it for the crock of [expletive] that it is. These guys need to make the decision where they train based on where they think they'll get the best work and develop the best, and not on this [expletive] crazy idea that you're becoming a part of a family. Greg Jackson [expletive] told Rashad this wouldn't happen, that they're family and all that other [expletive], but look what is going on now. Look and see who is at Jackson's and who is not. Train where you think it's going to be best for you and if that's Jackson's, that's fine. Just don't buy into this family [expletive] because there's nothing to it. This is the fight business, not the friend business."
This is not the first time White has been critical of the Jackson camp.
Back in late 2010, he slammed the corner of Nate Marquardt for failing him in a unanimous decision loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 122, one that may have cost him a shot at the division title in 2011 and beyond.
And Georges St. Pierre, who was put in an "awkward situation" when the "Jones vs. Evans" fight was announced, was the primary reason Diego Sanchez skipped town in the midst of his pursuit of the welterweight title in 2008.
Out with the old and in with the new.
The only upside for White and the UFC is the profits they stand to gain from this weekend's pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza in "The Peach State," a direct result of how they did "business" in Albuquerque.
Nothing personal.
Posted in: business, jackson, greg, family, expletive
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 145 Video: Rashad Evans On the Good Times with Greg Jackson, Keith Jardine and More
UFC light heavyweight contender Rashad Evans opens up about the good times he had with his former coach Greg Jackson, as well as the loyalty he's felt from former teammates like Keith Jardine.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, jardine, evan, loyalty hes
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 145 Video: Jon Jones Talks Ronda Rousey, Greg Jackson, and Rashad Evans’ Ground Game
Following the UFC 145 pre-fight press conference, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones took time to answer additional questions from the media including speaking about Ronda Rousey, Greg Jackson and Rashad Evans' ground game.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, ground, ronda
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyTeam Jackson Relationship Helped Drive Rashad Evans Both Then and Now
ATLANTA -- A trainer can't blame a fighter for following his advice, even if it works against him.
Greg Jackson tells his fighters to adapt, to not rely on even their most reliable weapon. What happens when that backfires? At one time, Jackson was Rashad Evans' most reliable weapon, the guy whispering in his ear. The guy spotting the holes in his opponents' attacks. But no more. Now he's on the opposite side, the enemy.
Indulge me in a theory for a moment, one in which I play armchair sports psychologist. It goes like this: Evans wanted out, needed out of Team Greg Jackson, even if it was a subconscious thought in the deep recesses of his brain. It's not like he set out to lure Jon Jones into his camp and create a rivalry so he could escape. But on the other hand, when the tension became a flicker, he didn't try to blow it out. He doused more gasoline on it and set it ablaze.In my opinion, Evans was willing to sacrifice that relationship for his own self-improvement, a trade both cold and fair. In other words, he adapted.
Why? The everyday grind of being a fighter is taxing. Everyone knows about the aches and pains. But that's just the start of it. Staying mentally sharp is even more difficult. One camp melds into the next. The drills get repetitive. The faces in front of you begin to represent safety and comfort rather than challenge. Before you know it, the drive you had has seeped away a little at a time, replaced by the routine. That is not a championship formula. So what do you do when something is stale? You throw it out. You trash it, even if it was something once worth having.
This is a theory, and not one Evans addressed, but if you listen to him, if you hear his words, the clues are there. For example, when he was asked about what is different about him from the time he trained with Jones, this was his answer. "It's really hard to say but for the most part I enjoy the fight a little bit more than I did before. Under Jackson, I felt like that part of me slipped away from enjoying the process of the whole fight and everything that has to do with it. Being in this new camp with my new training partners, learning new things helped me get the flame underneath me again."Fighting the staleness of monotony is an ongoing challenge for veteran athletes. That's why coaches get fired so frequently in major team sports.
When you're young and everything is a new experience, that's not a problem. That's why Jones can sit in front of the media with a smile and say that he's enjoying every part of this process. He's 24 years old and he's only been fighting in the UFC for a little over three years. He's only been with Team Jackson for a little over two. He's only been champion a little over one. Everything is still new and exciting for him. The world is still his. It might not always be that way.Ask Evans, who said that from the beginning, he's been a "paranoid thinker," with the feeling that everybody's always against him. He gave a deep look into his pysche while equating this Jones fight to his UFC 88 bout against Chuck Liddell, a fight that launched him into stardom and a title shot."There’s a lot of similarities to that," he said. "I went to that fight and doing interviews, people were interviewing me like, 'What have you done to even get a chance to fight Chuck? How can you even step into the cage with him?' That's the kind of questions I was getting. I was very invisible at the time. But it was something that I took with me. I said, 'You know what? I'm just going to go in there and just do me.' And it's the same way I feel right now. I'm going to go in there and do me. Nobody sees me winning this fight. Nobody sees me winning this fight, so I'm going to go in there and do me and see what happens."See, that chip on his shoulder is something nearly every champions has. They all have something to prove. Even when they don't, they create a scenario that exists only to them, because they need to have that focused intensity that only comes with wanting to succeed when everybody says you can't. Someday very soon -- probably on Saturday night at UFC 145 -- Evans and Jones will shake hands and admit they have more in common with each than they have let on for all these months. And probably not long after that, Evans will make peace with Jackson. He served his purpose when he trained Evans, and he served his purpose when he didn't. If each time resulted in bringing the best out of Evans, he did his job, even if it resulted in hurt feelings. If Evans wins, he won't look back on this time with any regret. The lifespan of a pro athlete isn't much past the blink of an eye. In that time, difficult decisions must be made for the advancement of careers, ones that fray old friendships, ones that create conflict where there is none. Evans may not have intentionally set out to nuke his relationship with his old team, but deep down, he probably did what he felt necessary. He chose an uncharted course over familiarity. He chose movement over standing still. He followed the advice of his old coach, even if it meant going against him.
Posted in: fight, time, jackson, evan, he
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 145: Jon Jones Has The Coaches Who Taught Rashad Evans To Fight
Saturday's UFC 145 Light Heavyweight title fight between champ Jon Jones and challenger Rashad Evans isn't just the biggest MMA fight so far this year, it's also a deeply personal grudge match. Much of that tension has arisen because of their shared experience training under coach Greg Jackson in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Evans trained under Jackson from 2005 until last year when he left the camp in a huff over Jon Jones' ascension to the top of the UFC heap and Jones' stated willingness to fight Evans. Now Greg Jackson has agreed to corner Jones.
Related Stories: Evans Says Jackson Brought In Jones 'For Greg' Not The Team | Jones' Coach Winkeljohn On Convincing Jackson To Corner Against Evans | Jones Confirms That Jackson Will Corner Him Against Evans
Jones spoke to MMA Fighting's Ben Fowlkes about the advantage he has working with the men who coached Evans for more than 5 years. Those quotes are after the jump...SBN coverage of UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans
"I have the coaches that taught him how to fight. They taught him the guard passes he uses, the ground-and-pound system that he uses, the punches that he used to throw and the combinations. I mean, it almost seems not fair sometimes," Jones told MMA Fighting.
"We know his psychology. We know what makes him tired. We know everything about him. He's in trouble.
"What people don't realize is, Rashad says, ‘I trained with Jon and I have his number.' But that's a crazy thing for him to say, because I trained with him, and one thing all my fans know is that I'm not just a good fighter, I'm also a smart fighter. If he truly believes that I don't remember every training practice we ever had, what I landed and what I did well against him, he surely must remember that. He should be nervous. I've done great against fighters I've never trained with before. I mean, I fought [Lyoto] Machida when I'd never fought a karate fighter before, and I beat him in a karate match. So Rashad thinking that the time we spent together wasn't extremely beneficial to me, I think he's crazy," said Jones.
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, fighter, evan
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowUFC 145: Can Rashad Evans Stand with Jon Jones?
Through the build up to the UFC 145 grudge match between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans, one factor has been continually thrown around as the key to this fight, Rashad Evans' chin. Some insist that it is so weak that he could donate it to a Jewish wedding. Others point to his only being knocked out once in his entire career, during which he has fought heavyweights, and insist that his chin cannot be as bad as it is commonly believed to be. The chin (here meaning a man's ability to take a punch) is a vague and abstract concept. It is also one which I, and most others, cannot address with any definitive science. The merits and flaws of Rashad Evans' striking, however, are a different matter - and herein we shall address them. And be sure to check back later this week for Fraser Coffeen's breakdown of the striking of Jon Jones.
Before we start, let us establish the obvious. Rashad Evans hits very, very hard. He staggered the iron jawed Quinton Rampage Jackson, and was the first man to knock Chuck Liddell legitimately unconscious with one punch (to a point where Chuck wasn't even attempting to defend himself). Heavy hands, however, do not a great striker make. It is fairly safe to assume that Rashad possesses the power to knock Jon Jones out. Plenty of light heavyweights do. Getting close enough to Jon Jones to do so is Rashad Evans' greatest problem.
Evans cannot shoot in on Jones from range. While this would fly against a lesser opponent, it will get Rashad hurt if he attempts it here. Therefore, Rashad will be looking to strike with Jones, with the ultimate goal of either knocking him out, or of taking him down and blanketing him.
The three key weaknesses in Rashad Evans' stand up game are:
His side on stance.
His difficulty working at distance.
His ineffectual head movement.
Stance
Rashad is not a big light heavyweight, he might not even be a particularly big middleweight if he chose to cut to 185lbs. At just 5'11", he carries a 75 inch reach. Against Jones this reach disadvantage will be even more pronounced due to the height disparity - Rashad will be forced to punch upward, and his favoring of circular punches over linear ones will mean that he needs to be almost chest to chest with Jones to connect.
Photo by Nat Arem
To compensate for this lack of reach, Rashad often chooses to stand from a particularly side on stance - just as the Diaz brothers and BJ Penn opt to. This lengthens his jab, but also means that the back of his lead leg is especially vulnerable to low kicks. These often cut into the hamstring, the most tender part of the upper leg.
While most men are uncomfortable kicking against Rashad Evans due to his stellar wrestling pedigree, Lyoto Machida found a great deal of success with kicks against Evans. Lyoto, fighting southpaw, could not use his rear leg to punish Rashad's turned in lead leg, but was able to use short kicks to the calf with his leading, right leg to break Rashad's balance several times throughout the fight. This illustrated another disadvantage of having the lead foot turned in; it is easier to have one's foot kicked out from under oneself.
Rashad often stands so side on that he needs to take an enormous lunging step outward, like that of Babe Ruth, in order to throw his right hand. A quick look at the Liddell fight reveals how stunted his right hand is by his stance. Liddell was caught rushing in to throw a right uppercut without set up or distraction (a self destructive striking strategy) and still Rashad was only able to reach with the inside of his fist and fingers, rather than a solid punching surface. Obviously he knocked Liddell out, but Jones will not be that close even if he chooses the same ill-advised lead right uppercut.
Photo by Martin McNeil of ESPN.
Distance
Rashad's speed is an enormous asset, and this really showed against one dimensional brawler, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. Jackson's only assets at this stage in his career are his powerful hooks, having abandoned his wrestling and ground and pound almost entirely. Rashad was able to run rings around Quinton Jackson by bouncing around, exploding in, and following through to a takedown with beautiful set pieces. The sequence in which Rashad threw a left hook, followed by a weave under Jackson's counter hook combined with Evans' own right hook to the body, into a running takedown, was a marvel to behold. The only men with comparably brilliant and varied set ups for their takedowns from long range are UFC welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre, and a 2003 - 2008 era Fedor Emelianenko.
Against opponents whose intention it is to fight at long range, Rashad struggles. It took Evans three rounds of eating punches from Forrest Griffin (one of the lightest punchers in MMA) before Evans managed to chase Griffin down. Against Machida, who was waiting for Rashad to attack, Rashad looked tentative throughout the fight as Lyoto moved straight backward from all of the techniques in Rashad's limited arsenal of strikes. Rashad's side on stance meant that he could only lead with his jab, making Lyoto's counter simply a matter of reflex, rather than thought.
Against Jones, Rashad will be forced to deal with great distance again. But where Machida simply kicked into this distance, and could not punch without closing the range, the enormous distance which Rashad has to navigate against Jones will see him under fire from punches the entire time. Jon Jones' length is his most obvious asset in the stand up - his technique being slightly above average at best - but his understanding of how to use this reach is unparalleled. A quick look at a Jon Jones fight will show how rarely his opponent comes close enough to throw a punch without Jon hitting them first. Jones uses low kicks, jabs, and even the very controversial Jackson's MMA favorite, the push kick with the sole of the foot against the opponent's knee joint.
Put simply, Jon Jones fights how Stefan Struve should fight. One has all the kickboxing pedigree in the world yet routinely gets knocked about by men who are half his size, and one is largely untouchable. Rashad's vulnerability to low kicks will hurt him if he stays in the open, and closing the distance from a side on stance will certainly be difficult.
Head Movement
Rashad Evans, in the head movement department, suffers from the same affliction that Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir do. Evans' head movement looks good, but is almost entirely ornamental. A prime example would be his fight with Lyoto Machida. Immediately before getting knocked down, Rashad bobbled his head around several times, then stood bolt upright as he lunged in with his actual attack. Lyoto was not even looking at Evans as he threw his counter, knowing that Evans' head would stay in position.
The same happened against brawlers, Thiago Silva and Rampage Jackson. When Rashad was able to run in and out, he landed heavy shots and took them down. Then he stood on the outside, wiggled his head about, stopped, and got caught with a big punch by both men.
Jon Jones has proven capable of exploiting holes in an opponent's offense. Against Machida he switched stances, knowing that he could land a rear hand hook against Machida's unguarded right side. It is pretty safe to assume that Jones will look to counter Rashad's weak head movement on offense.
Photo by ERNEST DOROSZUK/QMI AGENCY
Rashad's Keys to Victory Against Jones
This is a terrible stylistic match up for Rashad Evans. It's not as terrible as Jones was for Rampage, the latter being a shade of his PRIDE era self. Jackson's game had quite literally devolved to using only hooks, and his 73" reach was even more lacking than Rashad's will be. Rashad's best bet is to knock Jones out early or get him to the floor and lay on him. Jones is an excellent wrestler, so Rashad will be forced to take the initiative by striking with Jones.
Evans has enormous power and speed in his punches, so a knockout is never truly off of the cards. But closing the distance will prove tough, and his striking didn't look that crisp technically even against Tito Ortiz. If Rashad gets stuck on the outside he will be kicked into a bruised mess. If he runs in without moving his head, as he is wont to do, he will get hurt and likely finished. Really, Rashad needs to do exactly what he did against Rampage; spring around and get to Jones' chin as early as possible. Jones has not been hurt yet in the octagon, and his opponents have all given him time to establish his game and work methodically. If Rashad can land a good blow on him early, we may see Jones mentally collapse due to lack of experience of adversity.
Finally, a potential wild card in this fight is that even Rampage Jackson, as averse to kicking as BJ Penn, found some success in kicking Jones' gangly legs. If Rashad continued to work Jones' legs, which have little muscle to serve as a shock absorber, he may be able to stop Jones kicking and moving so freely, and make him stand as still as Thiago Silva and Quinton Jackson did.
Want to learn the techniques of Junior Dos Santos, Anderson Silva and Roy Jones Jr.? These and the techniques of 17 other elite strikers, are broken down in detailed photography in Jack Slack's new ebook Advanced Striking: Tactics of Kickboxing, Boxing and MMA Masters, which is out NOW!
Jack Slack blogs at his website www.fightsgoneby.com and can be found on Twitter @JackSlackMMA.
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, rashad, evan
Read the full article at Bloody Elbow
Tough test for Bones
Greg Jackson says that Jon "Bones" Jones' upcoming matchup against Rashad Evans at UFC 145 will be Jones' toughest test to date.
Posted in: jone, jackson, test, rashad evans, bone
Read the full article at sportsnet.caAlexander Gustafsson May Help the UFC Bid Rampage Jackson Farewell Later This Year
submitted by FlopFaceFred [link] [6 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, alexander gustafsson, flopfacefred, bid
Read the full article at RedditJon Jones: “We know everything about (Rashad Evans). He’s in trouble.”
During the build towards a September title-defense, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was accused of having a spy in opponent Quinton Jackson’s camp who was reporting back with inside information on his training. While Jackson’s accusations were unfounded, when it comes to his upcoming bout with Rashad Evans there’s no question Jones will enter the Octagon with intimate knowledge of his adversary thanks to insight gleaned from Evans’ former coaches.
However, there’s nothing underhanded about the process this time around. Evans not only decided to depart Greg Jackson’s gym, where Jones still calls home, but has questioned the integrity of instructors at the renowned training center. And, to hear Jones tell it, Evans was never much of a teammate to begin with.
“He’s never gone to a team dinner. He never went out and said, ‘Hey, let me buy these other guys a drink because I can afford it.’ It was not like that. He just had ‘Cowboy’ (Donald Cerrone) and basically the guys who had money in the bank and could hang with him, dress with him, and look good standing next to him at the club. That’s not a team member,” said Jones in an interview with MMAFighting, adding Evans completely ignored a number of the people at Jackson’s MMA.
Now, when they meet on April 21 for Jones’ belt, “Bones” will have an ace in the hole with Jackson, Mike Winkeljohn, and others in his corner who are extremely familiar with what Evans has to offer based on his years in New Mexico.
“I have the coaches that taught him how to fight. They taught him the guard passes he uses, the ground-and-pound system that he uses, the punches that he used to throw and the combinations. I mean, it almost seems not fair sometimes,” confessed Jones. “He always talks down about Greg Jackson now and he always talks crap about our team, by saying our team was just commercial and we’re overrated. But all those insults have really made it almost personal for our coaches. We know his psychology. We know what makes him tired. We know everything about him. He’s in trouble.”
Jones-Evans will serve as the headliner this Saturday night at UFC 145. Each man has only lost a single time in his career though Jones’ involved an unnecessary disqualification while Evans was finished cleanly by Lyoto Machida. Jones has won six straight since the stumble with “Suga” ‘Shad stringing together four consecutive victories.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: jone, jackson, team, rashad evans, evan
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainJackson's Introduces an MMA Belt Ranking System
submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [7 comments]
Posted in: mma, jackson, mattyblayze, system, mma belt
Read the full article at RedditJackson’s Introduces an MMA Belt Ranking System
Jackson's MMA in New Mexico has introduced a new belt system similar to jiu-jitsu or judo, except this one is specific to mixed martial arts...
Posted in: jackson, jackson ’s, system, belt system, mma belt
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 145: Rashad Evans Says Greg Jackson Brought In Jon Jones 'For Greg' Not The Team
UFC Light Heavyweight #1 contender Rashad Evans was one of the first big-time UFC fighters to join Greg Jackson's MMA team in New Mexico. Evans came out at the invitation of Keith Jardine after the two starred in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter together in 2005
A few short years later and Jackson coached Evans to the UFC LHW title. Then Evans lost the title and the decision was made to invite fast-rising LHW superstar Jon Jones into the camp. Accounts differ as to what agreements were made when that happened but the outcome is not in doubt: Evans left the camp in a huff after Jones took a title shot against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128 and won the title.
Now Evans has a different take on the events leading up to Jones joining the team. Per MMA Weekly:
"Like I told Greg at the time, I told Greg I don't think it would be a good idea, but Greg did what Greg wanted to do for Greg.
"That's why Greg brought him on because Greg wanted to do what he wanted to do for Greg.
"That's the thing about him. Greg talks about ‘for the team, for the team.' The team consists of ‘I' which is Greg Jackson. That's what the team consists of, it's about Greg Jackson getting the ‘Coach of the Year' awards. That's what it consists of."
I believe there's a song about this...Money Changes Everything. What do you think?
Jackson will be cornering Jones at UFC 145 on Saturday.SBN coverage of UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans
http://www.sbnation.com/admin/entries/new?community_id=117&entry_type=Story
Posted in: ufc, jackson, team, evan, greg
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowRashad Evans Has Some Strong Words For Former Coach Greg Jackson
Rashad Evans learned a lot from Greg Jackson, and “Suga” won’t discount that. However, Jackson has confirmed that he will corner UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones against Evans next Saturday night. Jones and Evans meet in the main event of UFC 145 from Atlanta’s Philips Arena. On a recent episode of Pro MMA Radio [...]
Posted in: jone, jackson, rashad evans, greg jackson, evan
Read the full article at MMA ConvertHistory in the Making: Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson finally collide at UFC 114
Quinton Jackson had just won a hard fought unanimous decision against Keith Jardine in the main event of UFC 96. It was his second consecutive win -- the first being a brutal knockout against Wanderlei Silva three months prior -- since losing the UFC light heavyweight title to Forrest Griffin.
It was supposed to be a moment for "Rampage" to enjoy, a moment where he stood inside the Octagon and made his intentions to get back the title he had lost less than a year earlier. He had bested a man who held wins over Griffin and longtime foe Chuck Liddell and figured out the riddle they could not.
But instead of celebrating, the PRIDE Fighting Championships veteran was too busy talking. He traded in physical sparring for verbal when fellow former champion Rashad Evans stepped inside the Octagon after seeing his teammate get defeated. The two light heavyweight titans stood nose to nose, trading barbs back and forth, whetting the appetite of every fight fan in the process.
To help promote their bout -- which would end up being one of the most successful in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history -- the promotion pegged them both as The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) coaches and added internet street fighting sensation Kimbo Slice along to the already volatile mix.
Evans is no stranger to bouts with bad blood. He is currently six days away (April 21) from yet another, this time against former teammate Jon Jones. He will meet the 205 pounds champion at UFC 145: "Jones vs. Evans" in a fight with hype not unlike the UFC 114 bout with "Rampage."
Let's take a closer look at that bout.
Jackson takes the center of the Octagon as soon as the bout starts and throws out a quick jab. Evans answers back seconds later with his own. He doubles up on a left jab all the while bringing a right hook across. It's a right hook "Rampage" never sees coming.
It slams against the Memphis native's jaw and sends him staggering towards the mat. The fans in attendance explode in applause as Jackson tries to get back to a vertical base and reorganize his thoughts. Evans pounces, pressing his opponent against the cage. He looks for a quick takedown but momentarily begins working with punches before going back to working towards getting the fight to the mat.
Imposing his will on "Rampage," Evans begins kneeing his opponent's thighs and punching the body. Every attempt Jackson makes to reverse position is squashed by the TUF 2 winner. After a couple minutes of jockeying against the chain-link fence, the two are broken up and reset in the center of the cage.
Evans begins pawing his jab out, keeping Jackson at bay. He finally moves forward with a combination and changes level at the last possible second to avoid his opponent's counter. He latches onto Jackson's legs and dumps "Rampage" onto the mat. Jackson is able to get to his feet several seconds later but eats several punches in the process. And even though he's now vertical, Jackson still has Evans grinding against him, hoping to sap energy and will out of his opponent's body.
The second round begins with both men trying to size the other up. Evans finally wades in, getting tags by several of Jackson's punches but none land with consequence. "Suga" is able to grab ahold of his opponent and once again forces him against the cage. Jackson is able to force his opponent off in much quicker fashion this time around but not before eating more body punches and knees to the thigh.
The gameplan being employed by Evans goes unimpeded, however, and a stuffed takedown leads both men to the same position they were in only seconds earlier. A little over halfway through the stanza, they are broken up and reset. Throughout the rest of the round, "Rampage" lands basically nothing in the stand-up. His offense amounts to a couple of punches in the clinch combined with a handful of knees.
Evans is absolutely having his way with Jackson.
The final five minute period begins much like the previous did. Evans shoots in but is shrugged off by "Rampage." It seems Jackson isn't as tired as Evans' corner would hope. Still, though, he is down two rounds and needs something big to go his way if he hopes to come out victorious.
Then, a little over a minute into the round, it happens.
"Suga" dives in for a takedown which Jackson defends perfectly. As Evans begins to stand back up, "Rampage" nails him with a huge uppercut that sends the UFC 145 headliner straight to the mat. Much like they did in the opening round, the crowd lights up as Jackson begins to deliver ground and pound. Evans, for his part, is trying to simultaneously recover and avoid getting rocked for a second time.
Jackson stops the onslaught, likely to avoid gassing himself out or possibly because he's already exhausted. Regardless, he works to improve and then maintain his position on top of Evans as opposed to attacking. Evans uses this reprieve to get back to his feet a minute later. Although Jackson still has ahold of a leg, he releases it and resets in the center of the cage, hoping to use his boxing to secure the win.
At least, if this was Jackson's plan, he executes it horribly. He throws absolutely nothing in the next minute, allowing "Suga" to recover and then eventually nail a takedown. From there, Evans begins landing ground and pound until the round ends.
Evans would win the decision that night and earn a title shot but opted to wait out Mauricio Rua's injury. In doing so, he suffered an injury himself and saw Jones take on -- and defeat -- "Shogun."
Four fights and a ton of trash talk between them later, we're finally ready for the two to meet inside the Octagon.
Can Evans become a two-time champion or will Jones add another notch in "Suga's" loss column?
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, round, evan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRashad Evans: Greg Jackson is About Greg Jackson, Not the Team
Rashad Evans blasts his former coach Greg Jackson and says he's more about 'Coach of the Year' awards than worrying about the good of the team.
Posted in: jackson, coach, greg jackson, greg, year awards
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyMarcus Brimage Talks UFC Fame, Rampage Jackson; Picks Rashad Evans to Beat Jon Jones
Growing up in the sweltering, country-fried air of Alabama, Marcus Brimage sometimes imagined what it would be like to be recognized. For a lifelong athlete in the football-crazed South, that aspiration usually meant one thing -- strapping on a pair of cleats and shooting for the NFL.
So when Brimage beat the odds and parlayed a love of Muay Thai into an undefeated amateur MMA record, a burgeoning pro career, a big break on The Ultimate Fighter 14, and ultimately, a decisive UFC debut victory over Stephen Bass (followed by a notoriously laughable post-fight interview), Brimage was sure his life would change.
He was, of course, right. But that's just what being a UFC fighter does for you.
"I ain't going to lie, I'm an attention whore," Brimage laughed on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour. "I don't go looking for it, but if it finds me, I'll bask in it. I'll do that."
Since moving from his native Birmingham to the more MMA-savvy coastal paradise of Coconut Creek, FL, that recognition has come more readily, and Brimage certainly won't be the first one to complain.
For a 27-year-old child of the South who grew up idolizing the violent exploits of Rampage Jackson, the transition from fan to fighter has been a surreal ride. So even if his childhood hero is now his coworker, Brimage still regards himself as Jackson's "number-one fan."
Though, the former champ hasn't exactly made it easy of late.
"As a fighter and as a person, you do want to feel appreciated," Brimage hesitantly explained.
"Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson is a name. He's an OG in MMA, everybody knows that. He's up there with Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture; he's up there with those guys because he's been in it for so long. And he just doesn't feel like he's appreciated, which sucks. I appreciate everything he's done for the sport. I appreciate his fighting style. It sucks that he feels like that, but I'm still his biggest fan, and whatever he does, I'm going to support it."
In the interim, Brimage has his own battles to worry about. After roaring through his first career UFC victory in December, "The Bama Beast" is slated to meet Maximo Blanco for his sophomore effort this Saturday, in the opening fight of UFC 145.
A highly-regarded bruiser and former King of Pancrase, Blanco is a tall task for someone so young in the sport. But while it's easy to get lost in Brimage's whirlwind of quips and personality, behind the act is a fighter supremely confident in his abilities, and one that believes the move out east has done wonders to revamp his game.
"It's going to be ‘Fight of the Night,' slash, ‘Knockout of the Night,'" Brimage promised.
"You're going to see a different Marcus Brimage. I hooked up with this boxing gym and I'm punching 30-percent harder. So, like that Stephen Bass fight, I was hitting him with everything I've got, and he just wouldn't go down. I was like, ‘what the hell is wrong with him.' But this time it ain't going to be the case. If I hit you with the boom-ping-ping, you're going to fall now."
Brimage admits he "didn't know anything" about Blanco before signing on the dotted line, though now that he's been studying his opponent, he likes what he sees.
"He's a very aggressive guy, always moving forward, swinging heavy haymakers, blast double wrestling. He doesn't let up," Brimage mulled.
"Most of the Japanese fighters he fought against were probably pretty scared of him, but that ain't going to be the case with me. Like I said, we're going to go ahead and start this party off right."
With the toughest test of his career staring him right in the eye, it's somewhat telling to hear Brimage speak so loosely. After all, it's not like he's trying legitimize his spot in the world's largest MMA promotion.
Besides, the pressure is the fun part. Brimage is well-aware that people are scrambling to Atlanta to see the most contentious UFC title match in recent memory, not to watch him fight Maximo Blanco. But those same people are still going to be inside the Philips Arena, and when it's all said and done, Brimage is going to make sure they remember his name.
After that's taken care of, only then can his switch flip back from fighter-mode to fan-mode. And you'd better believe the southerner is betting his two cents on a good, old-fashioned upset. "I'm going for Rashad," Brimage declared.
"Right now he's the only person that knows Jon Jones' game in-and-out. Like he said in Primetime, he's moved on from Greg Jackson's, and Jon Jones is still doing Greg Jackson's stuff. He saw Jon Jones from when he first entered the MMA scene until now."
"So if Rashad can try to get on the inside, we know he's got knockout power."
Posted in: ufc, jackson, fighter, brimage, he
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 145: Jon Jones' Coach Winklejohn On Convincing Greg Jackson To Corner Against Rashad Evans
Rivalry, betrayal, and a friendship gone sour has the mark of a Hollywood movie, and if the actors really convey their parts well, you're pretty much assured a money maker. Now take out the actors, and replace them with fighters. Add some gasoline to the fire, in the form of a former coach, and now you've got a blockbuster to kick off the summer.
Does this storyline sound familiar? It should. It's happening right now. Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans, is locked in to fight current champ, Jon Jones at UFC 145, but their battle began over a year ago, when Evans left Jackson's MMA over a much publicized dispute with Greg Jackson and Jones.
Jackson's MMA head striking coach, Mike Winklejohn's recent comments to MMA Fighting took the tale up a notch. He states, in no uncertain terms, that because Evans "threw Jackson under the bus" numerous times, he helped Greg make up his mind to go ahead and corner Jones in his upcoming bout with Evans.
I find that the most telling quote of the interview was this one:
"I was always going to corner Jon because I was working with Jon since almost day 1 here, and Rashad had left camp, and Rashad is actually cool with that. We've spoken many times and he understands that everybody is out there to make a living, do their thing and we've got a good rapport."But he upset me in that he kept throwing Greg under the bus. Enough's enough. You have your disagreements, I understand that, but there's more important things out there and it's time for Greg to work in Jon's corner."
It shows me that the lines have been drawn, and choices were made. I have to wonder, if Evans defies the odds, and reclaims his title, will Jackson's coaches still be taking the hard line with Sugar?
SBN coverage of UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, evan, greg
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowUFC 145 Video: Jon Jones 'Trains' With Brother Art Jones
UFC Light Heavyweight champ Jon Jones has released a new video showing him and his brother Art Jones, of the NFL Baltimore Ravens, "training" for his April 21 UFC 145 title fight with Rashad Evans. The training involves some Nerf guns and Nerf bullets. Hopefully no one was seriously hurt.
SBN coverage of UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans
Jones, a former teammate of Evans' at Greg Jackson's Martial Arts in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has a bitter rivalry with Evans that resulted in the latter leaving Jackson's after several years training there. Greg Jackson has announced he'll be cornering Jones against Evans, despite earlier protestations that he would never do such a thing.
Evans had been one of the first high-profile UFC fighters to train under Jackson, joining the camp after his stint on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005 at the invitation of Keith Jardine. Since then the camp has become one of MMA's most legendary.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, training, evan
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowRashad Evans Breaks Down UFC 135 Title Fight Between Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson
Rashad Evans gets miked up at UFC 135 to break down the title fight between his current arch rival Jon Jones and his former top foe Rampage Jackson in this video courtesy of "UFC Ultimate Insider" on...
Posted in: ufc, jackson, jon jones, title fight, video courtesy
Read the full article at Heavy MMARashad Evans dissects Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson
Former Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, who will challenge current title holder Jon Jones at UFC 145, sits cageside in Denver, Colorado to offer his analysis on "Bones'" first title defense against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Wired with a microphone, Evans discusses Jones' strengths and weaknesses, as well as where Jackson went wrong in his approach to the fight.
Posted in: jone, jackson, evan, microphone evans, denver colorado
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson comments on rape joke video, says car jackers are next
Just a few days ago, a video started making the rounds featuring Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight Quinton Jackson teaching fans how to pick up a girl. Really, it was designed to make light of a creeper in a parking garage trying to use chloroform and rip ties to capture and rape a woman.
In the video, which you can watch by clicking here, "Rampage" stealthily sneaks up on what looks like a woman but turns out to be a transsexual, and attempts to subdue her/him with the chloroform. Except she/he fights back and loudly proclaims, "You want to rape me? I'll rape you!"
She/he then proceeds to bite Jackson's ... member, let's call it.
Finally, he escapes and as he does so, mutters to himself out disgusting it is that he tried to rape a man he thought was a woman. The entire 1:28 video clip is tasteless and unfunny and has been met with scorn from the mixed martial arts (MMA) media.
Now, "Rampage" has made his first comments on the video and, to no one's surprise, he thought the whole thing was funny. But he's also claiming a deeper message.
"The rape video was funny,but I did it because I hope that happens 2 any low life that has 2 rape a woman,I'll get on car jackers next."
Well, that's one explanation for it.
Then again, the entire scenario is interesting. Miguel Torres was famously fired from the UFC for making a rape joke on Twitter that many felt was in poor taste. Now, Jackson makes an entire video with a rape joke in perhaps even worse taste and there's been no backlash outside of the media lambasting him for it.
What gives?
Maybe UFC President Dana White is simply ignoring Jackson's oddball actions, knowing full well there's only one fight left on his contract and once that's been fulfilled, the two will part ways.
Still, should there be some form of punishment for this video? Or is the media overreacting to it?
Thought, Maniacs?
Posted in: jackson, video, rape, rape joke, car jackers
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRashad Evans breaks down Jon Jones’ win over Quinton Jackson from ringside
In the continuing promotion for this month’s much-anticipated match-up between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and rival Rashad Evans, the UFC has given fans an intimate look into the mindset of the hungry contender by filming his reaction to Jones’ bout September scrap against Quinton Jackson. In the clip, featured on this week’s episode of Ultimate Insider, Evans provides real-time insight on what’s occurring inside the ring and how he would approach things differently.
“It’s like this – you’ve gotta either be in or you gotta be out,” explained Evans a few rounds into the one-sided affair. “Jon is long so (Jackson) has to be in or out. He can’t be taking those kicks from the outside, he can’t be at the end of his jab. If you’re at the end of his jab you’re in the wrong position because Jon is fighting very comfortable. Make him uncomfortable. Put your head right there on his chest.”
Evans Thinks Experience Will Make the Difference in Title-Fight
At the time, though they didn’t know it, Jones-Evans would each compete another time before finally facing off to settle their personal and professional scores. Jones went on to beat Jackson, then Lyoto Machida in December, while Evans returned to the ring in late January where he outpointed Phil Davis on FOX.
Jones-Evans meet on April 21 in Atlanta at UFC 145. The first episode of a three-part UFC Primetime series chronicling their journey to the event airs this Friday night on FX at 11:00 PM EST.
Watch Evans’ intriguing assessment of things below:
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Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, quinton jackson, evan
Read the full article at Fighters.comRampage Jackson's Latest Effort Portends Worrisome Post-MMA Future
If you haven't caught the new Internet video featuring former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, you probably should. Or maybe you shouldn't. I don't know, really. It's at once horrific and confounding. Maybe you should just steer clear of it altogether.
If you decide to press forward, know this: the video is an attempt at humor. Believe me, you'll need a disclaimer. It's designed to be a spoof on rape tactics or what happens if you rape the wrong person. Or something like that. I'm really not sure what the point is, to be honest, and that's because to describe this video as an unmitigated, incoherent disaster would be the most charitable thing I or anyone else could possibly say.
If this most-recent attempt with Jackson is nothing more than a marketing attempt for the online site that created it, it's a success, I suppose. After all, here we are talking about it. The larger issue, though, isn't whether we've reached a new bottom on what some will do to market products. Rather, it's why Jackson - with all he has to lose, all he has to set up for his future - would personally participate in a video this profoundly unfunny and partially disturbing.
It's not as if Rampage came into this video project tabula rasa. Jackson has previously been lambasted for making gay slurs. On two different occasions, he arguably sexually harassed two female reporters. If there is anyone who might want to think twice before making a nonsensical video that's especially lacking in sensitivity, it's Jackson.
This is a piece of work that clumsily uses a botched rape as a conduit for humor. You'd think that would set off alarm bells in Jackson's head. After all, that's not all too dissimilar to Miguel Torres' Tweet that got him fired. And whatever one makes of Forrest Griffin's ‘rape is the new missionary' thesis, it's thematically consistent with the material in Jackson's video.
Some will probably suggest the topic of rape itself should be left alone and that's where Jackson erred. Given the baggage, it's not the worst advice. But I'm in no position to tell others which topics are or aren't off limits for their creative pursuits. What we can say, though, is that humor done well is exceedingly difficult. Humor done well in ultra-sensitive territories should only be managed by the experts. In the hands of skillful comedians, charged topics like rape or murder are treated with precision and delicacy. There are subtleties, contexts and qualifiers that have to be firmly established before difficult material can be mocked or used. Even then, it's all still pretty risky.
Jackson and the team at FilmOn.com - a website lead by Greek billionaire Alkiviades "Alki" David, a man who once pranked online viewers into watching the first live physician-assisted suicide only to later reveal the bit was a hoax - illustrate how poorly things can turn out when amateurs brazenly take on the task of dark humor. It's reminiscent of what happens when average citizens play with ignitable chemicals in their backyard for cheap thrills versus the regulated environment employed by ordinance teams who explode bombs at safe distances.
The video - from the concept to the execution - is prima facie bad. There is no defense of it, or none that put any premium on a sense of shame. This brings us back to the central question: why would Jackson participate in such a monstrosity? Between this video and his more recent history of dubious proclamations about a MMA future outside of the UFC, one has to consider he has seriously problematic judgment. Worse, it's in part fed from a poor understanding of how he's perceived and what's required to successfully navigate career challenges.
Jackson has almost always repudiated feedback: from media, outspoken MMA fans or even UFC President Dana White. When Jackson bristles at criticism, it's true he isn't necessarily wrong, though. The fact is most of the aggregate advice or critiques one gets over the course of their lifetime is bunk. It is highly believable Rampage has been given a dose of suggestions in his years in professional MMA that were perfectly dismissible.
Rampage's problem is his absolutist repudiation of it. He's famous for dismissing critics as busybodies intent on running his life or critics with too much time on their hands. He's going to do what he wants and no one is going to tell him differently. And when you've got the resources to arrange your life in such a way to see that vision though, it can be awfully persuasive logic.
The trick to criticism is not to reject it outright, but to develop an ear for it. Every so often and amid the cacophony of moronic or unsolicited advice, someone will say something that rings true. Uncomfortably, perhaps even embarrassingly true, but true nonetheless.
We aren't necessarily born with the ability to perfectly filter the helpful advice from the harmful either. It's not a dog whistle only the gifted can hear. The painful reality is it takes real humility and the ability to grant others the power to know as much and often more about your life and your ideas as you. This might sound obvious to some, but none of us are Rampage. None of us were born as this incredibly talented fighter who, over the course of their adult life, has had countless offers made across a board room table, heard hosannahs in the highest whispered in his ear and witnessed fan genuflection at his feet.
Fame, adoration and lionization is often the enemy of self-awareness. In fact, it can be downright toxic. When you arrive at a position where your judgment and actions are beyond reproach because they are your judgments and actions, you've passed the tipping point. I don't know if Jackson is there yet, but it certainly feels that way.
As abhorrent as this video is, no one should call on Rampage to apologize for it. That isn't to say we wouldn't welcome it if he organically came to the realization of how regrettable the decision was to be a part of it. But responding to demands or ultimatums aren't Rampage's strong suit. That's especially true in this precarious moment in his life. I wouldn't want a forced and utterly meaningless apology, anyway.
What we can say ask, though, is just for Rampage to take a second look at what he's doing. Not just with this video but the current career path he's on now. Perhaps he could take a moment to consider the idea that maybe this video is not particularly good; maybe the decision to make it in light of previous rape-related humor attempts gone bad among UFC fighters was not particularly smart; and maybe if this is a taste of what's to come post-MMA career for Jackson, there probably is a case to be made for some rethinking about what options he needs to explore.
This chilling part about the video is not so much the content as what it says about Jackson. His participation is as embarrassing as it is worrisome. If these are the opportunities he's taking advantage of while he's still enjoying a measure of fame to lean on, what will he resort to when that's withered and gone?
It's not my life or my career. All of this is really not my business. But it is hard to watch Rampage's detachment from good sense and appropriate decision-making happen in real time. It is also only Rampage - with or without effective counsel - who can stop this descent. Let's hope sooner rather than later he's willing to lend his own ear to the sound and sage, wherever he can find them.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, video, he, that
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse
Pass the Chloroform, I Want to Put Rampage Jackson to Sleep: Fan's Rant (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Pass the chloroform, please. I'd like to grab Quinton "Rampage" Jackson by the throat and jiu jitsu him into submission. That only sounds funny to me because Prius uses that line to advertise their cars. Except they don't use chloroform.
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, jiu jitsu, chloroform, chloroform i
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsYep, He Went There: Rampage Jokes About Rape
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson continues to attempt to harpoon his UFC career with this satirical video about raping transsexuals.
Funny? Offensive? In poor taste? You be the judge.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, video, ufc career, rampage jokes
Read the full article at MMA Convert
Is this the kind of acting career Rampage wants to give UFC up for to pursue?
Rampage Jackson is a master of demonstrating bad judgment. This new 'pick up' video is a perfect example.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, kind, rampage jackson, career rampage
Read the full article at Fight OpinionRampage Jackson Appears In 'Fake Rape' Video
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson has appeared in a video produced by FilmOn.com, a Live TV service provider.
The video appears on FilmOn's youtube channel, and is entitled "Rampage Jackson - How To Pick Up A Gurl - Fast."
Gals Guide To MMA picked up on the video on Wednesday afternoon:
In an apparent infinite capacity for poor decision making, stupidity, and vile behavior, Quentin Jackson has posted a video called, "How to Pick Up a Gurl [sic] - Fast". What's so offensive about this, you ask? Well, the video boils down to a how-to on raping women, including using cholorform to help her relax, using zip ties, picking women who are in parking lots with malfunctioning cameras, and putting on your condoms, cause, safety first! However the jokes on Rampage when the woman turns out to be a man, who then proceeds to bite Rampage's erect penis as he's screaming on the ground. No, I'm serious. That's really what happens. The video ends with Rampage disgusted that it was "a damn dude." Right, Quentin, because THAT'S what's disgusting here.
Related:
Rampage Jackson Tweets That He Wants UFC To Release Him | Miguel Torres Released From UFC for Twitter Rape Joke | Rashad Evans' Joke About the Penn State Scandal is No Laughing Matter | Forrest Griffin's Jokes About Rape Demand UFC Action
Yes, Rampage obviously thought an attempt at comic acting in the year 2012 with the double whammy of misogyny and homophobia, was a good idea.
It's worth noting that Miguel Torres was fired by Dana White for tweeting a line from a TV comedy show that joked about rape; how UFC reacts to one of its biggest stars taking part in a 'comedy' video of this nature is anyone's guess.
The video in question is after the jump.
Rampage Jackson - How To Pick Up A Gurl - Fast
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, video, joke
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowThe MMA Hour - Episode 125 - Greg Jackson
Greg Jackson: 'It’s my responsibility and duty to corner Jon Jones against Rashad Evans at UFC 145'
The much-publicized bitter feud between current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones and number one contender Rashad Evans has been going on for a little more than one year now.
Throughout that time, words have been said, feelings have been hurt and friendships have been ruined. "Bones" and "Suga" were not only training partners at Jackson-Winkeljohn Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., they were also good friends.
However, Evans and Jones wasn't the only relationship strained during the 12 months of verbal warfare. Famed trainer Greg Jackson, was also caught in the crossfire.
After taking Evans to the top of the mixed martial arts (MMA) game in 2008, winning the world title from Forrest Griffin at UFC 92, Jackson, a few months later, decided to bring in the young prospect Jones into his stable of MMA stars.
Three years later, Jones is the one holding the 205-pound title and Evans bolted the "505" for sunny Florida to join "The Blackzillians" over at Imperial Athletics. Now, the three will once again be reunited as Evans and Jones will finally meet inside the Octagon on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145, and Greg Jackson will be cageside, giving his young champion orders on how to defeat his former student.
Appearing on "The MMA Hour" today (April 2, 2012) Jackson says the decision to corner Jones against Evans wasn't easy, but it came down to the simple fact that Jon is still with the team and Rashad is not.
Check it out:
"I felt I had kind of a duty to the team. What I mean by that is Jon Jones is on the team, Rashad has left the team and has made it pretty clear he's not coming back. My personal feeling, if I wanted to be a little selfish, I would say, 'I don't want to deal with any of it. I don't want to be there at all.' But it has to mean something to be on a team. It has to mean something, and I felt I had a duty to do that, because Jon's on the team, so it's my responsibility to corner him. Even though it's a really hard decision, I decided to go with it. It's not fun. I wouldn't call it weird, it's just not fun. I love Jon to death, but I love Rashad, too. And so it's not a position I enjoy at all. It's not something I like, but it something I think I have to do."
Once the dust settles in Atlanta, Georgia, Jackson says he hopes the former friends and training partners will find a way to leave their differences inside the Octagon and squash their beef:
"In a perfect world, they have a great fight and everybody squashes it and moves on from there, but we'll see. Life is not a perfect thing. Everyone makes mistakes. I make mistakes, everybody else does as well, so yeah, I hope it gets squashed and everything works out after that. That's my hopeful scenario."
Indeed life isn't perfect, but as we have seen countless times, once two rivals exchange leather inside the Octagon for a few rounds, the majority of the time, peace prevails and difference are settled.
Just look at Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock, or Wanderlei Silva and Quinton Jackson. The once bitter rivals aren't exactly the best of friends, but the respect factor is there and it is safe to say the animosity is gone. Then again, Ronda Rousey didn't seem to care too much to squash her beef with Miesha Tate shortly after nearly breaking her arm at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey a few weeks ago.
Which route will Rashad and Jones take after their title fight, remains to be seen.
What's your opinion Maniacs, right call on Jackson's part to go ahead and corner Jones in his upcoming title fight against someone he still considers a friend?
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, team, evan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson Explains Decision to Corner Jon Jones Against Rashad Evans
Greg Jackson's decision to corner Jon Jones against Rashad Evans was made in the 1860s. Not literally, of course. Instead, Jackson turned to Civil War history to help him through his personal struggle of how to handle a situation that saw him stuck between one of his most revered former students and his current standout.Jackson said that while Jones and others in his fight team spoke to him about the possibility, he needed to figure out the situation for himself. In doing so, one day he was reading about the Civil War, and was struck by the way many were forced to take action to a cause they believed in, even if it was an inconvenient battle to fight. While he acknowledged his decision was nowhere near as profound as the one that ripped the country apart, he at least saw a small parallel that ultimately pushed him to take Jones' side when he opposes former Team Jackson member Evans at UFC 145.
"I felt I had kind of a duty to the team," Jackson said on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour. "What I mean by that is Jon Jones is on the team, Rashad has left the team and has made it pretty clear he’s not coming back. My personal feeling, if I wanted to be a little selfish, I would say, 'I don’t want to deal with any of it. I don’t want to be there at all.' But it has to mean something to be on a team. It has to mean something, and I felt I had a duty to do that, because Jon’s on the team, so it’s my responsibility to corner him. Even though it’s a really hard decision, I decided to go with it."Jackson has been working with Jones throughout the entire fight camp, but that doesn't mean it's been a comfortable feeling given everything he's gone through with Evans over the years. The two were together for most of Evans' career, through his championship victory, until the tension with Jones caused a rift that ultimately became a rip."It’s not fun," he said of the situation. "I wouldn’t call it weird, it’s just not fun. I love Jon to death, but I love Rashad, too. And so it’s not a position I enjoy at all. It’s not something I like, but it something I think I have to do."Jackson took the blame for the situation's genesis, saying he didn't have protocols in place to prevent it. Instead, it was simply an unwritten rule that teammates wouldn't fight each other.Now he admits that's no longer realistic, and that especially if a championship is on the line, teammates may have to square off. When that happens in the future, Jackson won't corner either fighter, but coaches from his camp will take each side. That's already happening to a degree, as campmates UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and interim champ Carlos Condit were once scheduled to fight, and will again face that situation when St. Pierre is healed.Jackson hopes that now that there is a procedure in place, things won't blow up again."Our camaraderie has been great," he said. "I thought it might wreck morale, but it didn't. In fact, because everybody knows this is the reality of the situation, everybody's OK with it. It's like being surprised. If you're surprised, if you're caught off-guard, things can go really badly. But if you know this is the way it is, when it happens, you're like, 'Well, we knew this would happen. Let's just get through it and move on.'"For now though, he's left with a difficult situation. When he arrives in Atlanta, he knows he may be contributing to the downfall of someone he still cares for. Ironically, the city was a key battleground in ending the Civil War, and Jackson hopes it is the place where this personal war reaches its end."In a perfect world, they have a great fight and everybody squashes it and moves on from there, but we’ll see," he said. "Life is not a perfect thing. Everyone makes mistakes. I make mistakes, everybody else does as well, so yeah, I hope it gets squashed and everything works out after that. That’s my hopeful scenario."
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, team, situation
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseJames Toney: Rampage Jackson is a slave to the white man
Pro boxing legend and one-fight UFC veteran, James Toney, discusses Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's recent Twitter tirade against the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Toney insists that Jackson has become a "slave to the white man," and offers the former Light Heavyweight Champion a job at his gym as a "janitor or sparring partner."
Posted in: jackson, toney, championship toney, twitter tirade, boxing legend
Read the full article at Low KickGreg Jackson: Jon Jones is still being tested; Georges St. Pierre has already passed his test
When you're the man at the helm of the success of some of the most dangerous fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) today, life is good.
Greg Jackson, head trainer at Jackson's-Winkeljohn Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the men behind arguably two of the top three pound-for-pound best fighters in the world, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and longtime champion of the Welterweight division, Georges St. Pierre.
Jones had an impressive year in 2011, capturing his first world title and defending it twice against some of the toughest competition at 205 pounds in span of nine months. "Bones" is near perfect, with only one blemish in his professional MMA career, a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill for illegal downward elbows in 2010.
St. Pierre has long been the king at 170 pounds, cleaning out the division twice over with wins over some of the tops fighters in the world today and six consecutive title defenses to boot.
The two gifted athletes have enjoyed much success in their careers and all the perks that come with it such as fame, money and mainstream exposure. Though the benefits of their success may be somewhat similar, the fighters themselves are at a different level in their careers.
UFC Central's "Showdown Joe" Ferraro recently caught up with MMA trainer extraordinaire, Greg Jackson, and got his take on which of the two is the best fighter he has ever trained.
Check it out:
"Both of them are amazing. Jon is still young, he is still being tested. He's had a couple of title defenses but he is still being tested and I have a lot of confidence that he will pass the test, as far as how you deal with fame, how you allow the people around you to change, who you bring in. GSP has passed those tests. He's had the title for a long time and so George is always the leader of the charge. He's the guy that everybody emulates. Even other champions can learn, like Carlos Condit, he is now the interim champion, he is also our guy, so we all learn from George's example of staying humble, staying true to himself and keeping the people he has had around him forever, just around him still, being loyal. Constantly learning new things, so yeah, George leads the way. "
As Jackson stated, if having the 170-pound champion in your stable wasn't enough, he also has the interim welterweight champion, Carlos Condit, under his tutelage, as well.
"The Natural Born Killer" will face off against "Rush" later this year, possibly in November at UFC 154 in Montreal, to unify the titles once and for all. Jones on the other hand, has his hands full against former training partner Rashad Evans, who, coincidentally enough, was also a UFC champion under the guidance of Jackson in 2008, at UFC 145 on April 21, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia.
In a den full of lions, the French-Canadian Georges St. Pierre, is still the king of the pack.
Anyone care to disagree?
Posted in: title, jackson, fighter, champion, george
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC Central: Greg Jackson on his career, Jon Jones following in GSP's footsteps, and his coaching and mindset..
submitted by tekprodfx16 [link] [comment]
Posted in: jackson, tekprodfx, gsp, greg jackson, gsps footsteps
Read the full article at RedditMauricio Rua dreams about being part of UFC 147
Earlier this month Quinton “Rampage” Jackson railed against the UFC, bemoaning the types of opponents he was being given and asking for his release from the organization with one fight remaining on his contract.
The UFC answered with a fight that seemed to fit Jackson’s style request, a rematch with the man that defeated him in August 2005 while they both fighters were members of the PRIDE organization, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
Not long after the UFC announced the fight, Jackson
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, rua, mauricio
Read the full article at Low KickJames Toney: Quinton 'Fat Boy' Jackson is a slave to the white man
Portly pugilistic powerhouse James Toney, whose lone venture into mixed martial arts (MMA) resulted in a Boston massacre at the hands of Randy Couture back at UFC 118 in August 2010, calls out troubled Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Quinton Jackson (again) for his recent woes.
From Elie Seckbach (translated by Brent Brookhouse):
"That's what you get for being a slave to the white man. Don't be scared. Step up and speak for yourself. That's why I got paid the million-and-a-half dollars and am still getting paid by the UFC. You know what I'm sayin'? The highest paid fighter ever. You feel me, fat boy? Me. And you been there...what, twenty years and you're getting paid pennies? While I make millions? Rampage, if you wanna fight me boy? Come on down to the gym and I'll give you a job. ...you could be the sparring partner. I pay $50 for a sparring partner."
"Lights Out" is referring to "Rampage's" recent campaign to get his ZUFFA release, following a deflating loss to Ryan Bader back at UFC 144 and the TRT firestorm that followed in its wake.
Toney unloads on Jackson after the jump.
Rampage has recently expressed his desire to transition to boxing. Anyone think we'll see these two enemies eventually hook 'em up?
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, toney, boy
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC CENTRAL: Upcoming Canadian content
The UFC makes its first trip to Calgary and UFC CENTRAL goes 1-on-1 with Dana White, Georges St-Pierre and Greg Jackson.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, canadian, georges stpierre, canadian content
Read the full article at sportsnet.caQuinton “Rampage” Jackson feels like TRT is perfectly fine for fighters
Do not expect Quinton “Rampage” Jackson to issue any sort of apology regarding his use of testosterone. Jackson, who feels like the substance helped allow him to fight Ryan Bader last month after suffering a knee injury, fully stands by his decision to use TRT.
Now, facing double-knee surgery, Jackson says he has several years left opposed to previous comments the ex-UFC light heavyweight champion made implying retirement was on the horizon.
“Before I started doing testosterone, I was thinking about retiring,” said Jackson in an interview with Sherdog Radio’. “Not because I was upset with the UFC as much as because my body’s all beat up. I wasn’t as motivated to train. That’s why, because my testosterone levels were really low.”
Some fighters have spoken out against the use of TRT, while several others have claimed it is perfectly legal if used within the strict guidelines. Jackson is one of the latter, adding, “I feel like it’s a medical condition. Now I feel like I’m 25 again. I’m going to be fighting for as long as I want to fight.”
It remains to be seen if the UFC or state athletic commissions change how they approach the use of TRT going forward, but for now count Jackson among those that will continue taking advantage of it.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: jackson, knee injury, use, trt, guidelines jackson
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainRampage Jackson slams the 'slave mentality' of TRT haters who criticize his 'medical condition'
Quinton Jackson, who turns 34 in June, feels like he's 25 again.
That's because "Rampage" has earned a second-lease on his fighting career thanks to the wonder of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), a treatment he began prior to his UFC 144 fight against Ryan Bader last month in Japan.
Despite coming in overweight and losing to "Darth" via unanimous decision, Jackson expects to get back into action in late 2012 or early 2013 following surgery on his injured knees. His first (and last fight) upon his return is expected to be opposite Mauricio Rua.
The TRT isn't being administered as a competitive advantage, according to the Memphis native, rather to help reverse a "medical condition" on the advice of his physician. And Jackson (via Sherdog's "Savage Dog Show") has a little message in response to the "slave mentality" from the people getting mad at him.
Those comments after the jump.
"If I was losing my hair and the doctor told me, ‘You need a hair transplant,’ I’m going to do a hair transplant. If I get my tooth knocked out like Randy Couture did against [Lyoto] Machida, I’m going to get a new tooth put in my mouth. If my testosterone gets low and the doctor tells me, ‘You need to raise your levels back up to where you used to be when you were 25,’ and you’re fighting these young folks, I’m going to go do it. I feel like it’s a medical condition. I have to say this. I have to say this and maybe some people will get mad, but I feel like whoever’s getting mad at me for healing myself up, [there’s] an old saying, a slave mentality, like, ‘Oh, how dare you make yourself 100 percent to be fighting out there.’ That’s what comes to my mind."
Aside from the TRT haters, Jackson has recently been butting heads with his employers at ZUFFA, demanding his release from the promotion and claiming UFC matchmaker Joe Silva should be "shot in the face" for the manner in which he's gone about booking "Rampage's" career.
Having had enough of the drama and likely feeling as though he's no longer worth the headache, the UFC announced Jackson would fight "Shogun," thus fulfilling the final fight on his contract. After that, he's free to go wherever he pleases.
And take his TRT with him.
Anyone think a revitalized "Rampage" sticks around for a few more years? Or do you truly believe he's one and done after rematching Rua? Perhaps if Jackson can avenge his loss to the Brazilian, which he suffered at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005, he'll feel motivated to keep on going.
Time will tell.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, he, trt, slave mentality
Read the full article at MMA Mania‘Rampage’ Jackson Not Apologizing for Testosterone Use
Quinton Jackson sparked some controversy when he divulged his use of testosterone replacement therapy while training for his UFC 144 bout against Ryan Bader.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, use, testosterone, bader
Read the full article at SherdogRashad Evans would rather beat Jon Jones' ass then be his friend for life
On Apr. 21, 2012, the main event at UFC 145 will feature a grudge match unlike any we've ever seen, as "Hotlanta" will play host to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight title bout between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans.
The former training partners have been engaged in one of the most widely publicized disputes in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community, and they will finally get their chance to settle things, once and for all, inside the cage at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georiga, next month.
"Suga" appeared tonight (March 22, 2012) on Spike TV's "MMA Uncensored Live" to discuss his upcoming bout and some of the bad blood between he and the man he seeks to dethrone. First, he spoke to Jones' accusation that Evans is "fueled by jealousy:"
"I'm not jealous of Jon Jones. You know, whatever Jon Jones has in life and whatever he's accomplished, he's earned. I can't want what another man has, because when it's time for me to have something, undeniably, it will happen for me. It's really foolish for me to be jealous of anybody because being jealous isn't gonna bring anything faster for me."
After the jump, check out what else Evans had to say about his former teammate, as well as the man he used to call "Coach."
Evans was asked about the difference between his former training environment and his new life in Florida where he exchanges leather with the "Blackzillians." Rashad says his new home reminds him of the early days training at Jackson's MMA:
"The difference between training there and training here is...there's more attention, and the fighters here are how the fighters were there when I first started training at Jackson's. That's hungry and vicious and helping each other out. So, the environment here mimics what it was at the beginning at Jackson's."
With that said, Evans has mellowed his tone a bit within the last year or so, regarding his stance toward Greg Jackson. Here's what he had to say when he was asked if he thinks Jackson's is a great gym because of the fighters who train there, or if the fighters are great because they've trained with Jackson:
"You know, I will never take anything away from Greg Jackson as a coach. Greg Jackson is an amazing coach, and he's one of the best coaches that I had. But, to that fact, there are a lot of guys who flock there because he is a great coach and that is a great training environment. It's a little bit of both. He has produced some great fighters, and, at the same time, great fighters have come and trained underneath him."
One of the areas that many are expecting Evans to look exploit is the use of the takedown. To date, no one has taken Jon Jones down. Evans believes he can get him to the mat if he wants to, but he's not overly preoccupied with that aspect of the fight:
"No, it's not playing in my head, the fact that he's never been taken down. I know how to get him down. There's been time to take him down in practice and stuff like that. But, practice is practice. When it comes to real time, we'll see what I can do, but for the most part, I'm not really worried about the fact that somebody has been taken down or not."
Sometimes, a feud as over the top as the one between Jones and Evans can come off as scripted or rehearsed. According to Evans, you can believe that the venom, in this case, is completely sincere:
"No, everything is 100-percent real. Unfortunately, it's 100-percent real. It's like one of those things where we had that respect for each other. We had that connection with each other. We were on the same team and everything. There's a lot that goes into that when you're training and sweating with somebody and you're giving everything you have to that person. A lot goes into that, so, there's a lot of emotion that's still there and still raw."
Finally, Rashad was posed the question of whether or not he'd choose to be able to go back in time, change things and be lifelong friends with Jones, or if he'd rather just beat his ass:
"At this point, uh...I'd rather beat his ass. To be honest. I'd rather beat his ass. But you know, it's kinda crazy 'cuz I'm goin' off the emotion that I'm feelin' right now. You know? But, I dunno. A friend for life is a pretty good friend, so I guess maybe the friend for life would be one that lasts longer 'cuz a friend in the cage is just for in the cage, but a friend for life is something you'd always have."
One thing is for sure. When the cage door closes at UFC 145, the talk won't matter anymore and fans will finally get to see just who is the superior fighter in this bitter rivarly.
Does the talk get you Maniacs excited for Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans? Or are you ready for the chatter to end and for each fighter to put their money where their mouth is?
Opinions, please.
Posted in: jone, jackson, fighter, training, evan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaQuinton Jackson admits he’s to blame for fallout with UFC
While fan-favorite Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is not backing off statements he’s made in the last few weeks pertaining to problems with the UFC, he did recently provide a level of accountability many might not have felt was in him by confessing he’s at fault for the original issue snowballing into his current state of circumstances.
Jackson’s admission came this week while stopping by Sherdog Radio where he said things had gone downhill after his decision to take a starring role in The A-Team, backing out of a planned and heavily promoted fight with Rashad Evans in the process.
“I know I messed up the relationship by doing the movie over fighting Rashad. It was my fault,” revealed Jackson. I’ve got to keep it real. I did that. I messed up. I should have honored my contract and fought Rashad after The Ultimate Fighter.”
“Before that Dana and I was really cool. I was really cool with the UFC, Lorenzo (Fertitta) and everybody. We were all cool, but I messed up the relationship by doing the movie and I’m aware of that,” the 33-year old continued.
The former light heavyweight champion also addressed his future in the UFC, stating he still intends to fight Mauricio Rua as soon as he’s healed from surgery on both of his knees. While that also means he wants to fight Forrest Griffin again, “Rampage” said Rua is the more enticing option for a last hurrah given how long he’s had to reflect on the TKO defeat he suffered in PRIDE.
“I want to rematch everybody who’s done kicked my ass. I’ve been asking for Forrest for years. I don’t know how come that never happened, but I’d rather fight ‘Shogun’ first and then Forrest because ‘Shogun’, I’ve been wanting to revenge that loss for years. That fight haunted me for years,” said Jackson. “So yeah, I want to fight Shogun. It’s perfect. I’m happy with that and I plan on that being my last fight in the UFC.”
No timetable was offered on when Jackson expected to be fully rehabbed and ready to fight again.
PHOTO CREDIT – LEXANI TIRES / UFC
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, i ’m, year
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson: Rocky Relationship with UFC ‘My Fault’
submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [2 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, relationship, ufc ‘, fault ’
Read the full article at RedditRampage Jackson: Shogun better train hard because I got something to prove
Before Quinton Jackson can get out of his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract, he has one more fight that he needs to fulfill.
After being matched up with wrestlers that only only want to "hump" him, as "Rampage" so eloquently put it, the former light heavyweight champion asked to be matched up against a striker, someone that would stand on the feet and swing leather with him to ensure an exciting fight for the fans. That is, after all, Jackson's main motive in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Though he and the powers that be at Zuffa haven't seemed to been seeing eye-to-eye, as evidenced by Quinton's recent verbal attacks on the organization he has called home for five years, Joe Silva and company not only granted him his match against a striker, they also gave him a rematch the he had desired for so long.
That fight is against none other than former 205-pound kingpin and all around striking machine, Mauricio Rua.
Rua and Jackson first met seven years ago in Japan at Pride Total Elimination 2005. The young Brazilian dominated the American from the opening bell and did not let up for a second en route to a first round technical knockout victory.
Since that fateful day in "The Land of the Rising Sun," both have gone on to have stellar careers and it has always been a fight that "Rampage" has always wanted back. Though he asked for and received the fight he wanted, Jackson recently stated that the bout will have to be put on hold for the time being until he gets both of his knees repaired.
But don't fret, Quinton assures everyone that he will heal fast and though he loves and respects "Shogun," he will give the last man to knock him out a run for his money.
Make the jump to see what he told MMA Heat's Karyn Bryant:
"The first time I fought Shogun I was injured, I dislocated my ankle three weeks into training camp, and I couldn't run for three weeks, so my cardio was pretty bad and we had 10 minute rounds. So that always haunted me. I love Shogun, he's a good guy, over the years we've seen each other and we've conversated and he and his brother Ninja are great guys. Me wanting to rematch Shogun is nothing personal. Shogun coming up, he was the best back then and I knew I could beat him but it's just unfortunate that I couldn't get my ankle (healed). I just want to get that fight back. Straight up, when I get my knees back together, I'm training my ass off. I got something to prove to Shogun. I don't care if I'm just coming off of knee surgery and stuff like that, I'm going to give Shogun a run for his money. Shogun better train pretty hard for this because I know how to train hard. When I was training for Jon Jones, that was the best Rampage ever and that's why I give Jon Jones his praise because I have never lost a fight being in that type of shape and he beat me quite easily and submitted me."
With no word on exactly when Jackson will undergo his knee surgery, there is no accurate timetable as to when his farewell fight could possibly go down. Rua, on the other hand, has not see action since on over four months, his epic fight with Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on November 19, 2011.
With knee surgeries often requiring plenty of time to rehab and heal properly, it could mean an extended waiting period for "Shogun," should he decide to wait for "Rampage" to be all healed up.
How about it, do you see this colossal 205-pound tilt going any different than it did in Osaka? Or will the anticipation be all for naught, given the complications that are holding this much anticipated fight up?
What say you?
Posted in: fight, rampage, jackson, shogun, knee
Read the full article at MMA Mania
Rampage Jackson’s Displeasure with the UFC Continues to Evolve: “I Wish I Didn’t Have One More Fight for the UFC”
Quinton Jackson
The next chapter of the “Rampage” story has begun, as now Jackson seems to be wavering on the idea of even fighting for the UFC at all. This comes just days after a matchup with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was announced by the organization. After stating that he plans on leaving the UFC after his contract concludes, which coincidentally has one fight left remaining on it, Jackson now hopes to leave the UFC even before he steps inside the Octagon.
Jackson went on Inside MMA and made his intentions well known, both about how he feels he is treated by the UFC and the matchups he has been given.
“I’ve been upset with the UFC and the opponents they’ve been giving me. I think Joe Silva needs to be shot in the face,” said Jackson. “If you’ve got a fighter like me who likes to go out and put on fights, why are you giving me wrestlers who are gonna take me down and hump me?”
Jackson’s last fight came against Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan last month. He went on to lose to him via unanimous decision. Much discussion was made following the pre-fight weigh-ins, where Jackson weighed in at 211 pounds, five pounds over the division’s weight limit. Following the fight, Jackson admitted to using Testosterone Replacement Therapy, which created even more discussion.
Following the loss, Jackson also stated he felt disrespected by UFC brass, who according to Jackson, are questioning his appeal.
“After my fight with Jon Jones, they [the UFC] told my manager that I was losing my appeal, that rappers and stuff don’t come out to watch me fight no more, that the fans don’t really like me no more,” said Jackson. “For me, the respect is worth more than the money. I’ll go fight for some other show for free. I’ll prove to the fans that I’m not all about money. I’ll go fight for some other show for five dollars.”
Now Jackson is voicing his displeasure, just days after the planned rematch between he and “Shogun” was announced. The two first fought at Pride Total Elimination 2005 in April 2005. “Shogun” defeated Jackson via first round TKO. Since that loss, Jackson has stated his desire to avenging that loss. But even with that desire, it seems even that may not enough to have Jackson return to the UFC one last time.
“I wish I didn’t have one more fight for the UFC,” said Jackson. “I’m trying to get out of it.”
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, loss, loss jackson
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyGreg Jackson: MMA 101
Renowned MMA coach Greg Jackson breaks down the basics of MMA training.
Posted in: mma, jackson, coach, training, greg
Read the full article at MMA ConvertGreg Jackson - MMA 101
submitted by NewUploader1 [link] [5 comments]
Posted in: mma, jackson, greg, newuploader
Read the full article at RedditUFC 145 Video: Pros Pick Jon Jones Vs. Rashad Evans
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his belt against Rashad Evans at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21, 2012. It's one of the most anticipated bouts of the year and probably the toughest test Jones has faced in his young career.
Evans and Jones are former training partners at Greg Jackson's famous MMA camp in New Mexico and the two ex-friends have approached the fight as a very personal matter. Evans left Jackson's camp permanently after being unhappy with the way the camp handled the fight booking process.
Despite Evans' formidability, Jones is a 6-1 favorite with the oddsmakers. In this video a number of UFC and MMA fighters including Forrest Griffin,Mike Pierce, Kyle Kingsbury, Urijah Faber, Dominick Cruz, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Muhammed Lawal and Jay Hieron speak their piece about the match-up and the odds.
What do you think? Is Evans being overlooked here? What do you think the right line should be? Poll after the jump.
More SBN Coverage of UFC 145
Poll
What's the right betting line for Jones vs Evans?
6-1 Jones
5-1 Jones
4-1 Jones
3-1 Jones
2-1 Jones
Even
2-1 Evans
3-1 Evans
6 votes | Results
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, camp, evan
Read the full article at Bloody Elbow
This guy really doesn't like Rampage Jackson
There's about a million ways to use the phrase 'Don't be that guy' and plenty of ways we can apply the phrase in MMA. things like, don't be the guy that wears an Affliction shirt and rhinestone studded pocket jeans with Pauly D spikey hair. Don't be the guy that chants 'USA' anytime someone of a different nationality is fighting an American. Don't be the guy that claims he is an MMA fighter after taking two classes at Tiger Schulman's. I could go on and on with the 'Don't be that guy' stuff in relation to the sport we love, but I'm just going to stop right here with the guy in this video. This guy really does not like Rampage Jackson. If this guy ever gets the chance to hang out with Rampage Jackson, he is really not going to want to be the guy that did this video. Check it out:
Posted in: guy, rampage, jackson, dont, video check
Read the full article at Middle EasyQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson: Rocky Relationship with UFC ‘My Fault’
Quinton Jackson hasn’t been happy with the UFC lately, and he’s not hesitating to let everyone know.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, quinton, hasn, ufc ‘
Read the full article at SherdogJon Jones is defending the honor of Greg Jackson's gym against Rashad Evans at UFC 145
Why don't we add yet another layer to this feud, shall we?
In addition to defending his light heavyweight championship against Rashad Evans at UFC 145 on Sat., April 21, 2012, at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, Jon Jones will also be defending the honor of the gym he's pledged his allegiance to, Greg Jackson's down in New Mexico.
Yes, really. Here's how he told it to Sherdog.com:
"One part that is kind of there, I kind of feel like I'm defending kind of like the honor of this team. Rashad's been badmouthing this team and really calling our team cliche and commercial and just really badmouthing Greg and our program's loyalty and everything like that. I think he kind of has it all twisted in his own head, feeling as if people betrayed him. And, really, this is a family here and it's the same program that it's always been. Yeah, he's been here longer than me but he doesn't realize how much a family this team still is. There's more people on this team than just the UFC fighters. We start from kids, to kids with no money, to kids who can't speak English, there's a whole family here. I'm here to defend this family and to defend everything he's kind of said about us. I feel like me beating him solidifies that this is a program that's going to live without him."
That takes the cake, doesn't it?
Evans, of course, used to be a card-carrying member of Team Jackson, even reaching the pinnacle of the sport with a championship victory under Jackson's tutelage back in 2008. But that all started to fall apart when Jones showed up and has eventually led to this impasse, with "Suga" and "Bones" about to beat each other senseless inside a cage.
That should settle things rather quickly.
Hear more from Jones on his upcoming title defense against his former teammate after the jump.
Posted in: jone, jackson, kind, team, family
Read the full article at MMA ManiaChael Sonnen calls Quinton Jackson a “crybaby” but still likes him
When you give Chael Sonnen an open mic and allow him to speak his mind you better believe he is going to do just that.
While a guest on last night’s episode of MMA Uncensored, Sonnen was asked his opinion on a number of subjects. One of them included Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, specifically in terms of how the former UFC champion has been going about trying to get out of his contract.
“I like him. Look, he’s a crybaby, but I find it interesting,” said Sonnen. “I like it when he goes on his campaigns about entitlement and how he should be given easy fights. A lot of things are expected of him and he’s not quite delivering.”
Jackson, you might remember, missed weight for his bout with Ryan Bader in the co-main event of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson last month in Japan. He quickly let it be known a knee injury caused him to miss several days of training, not allowing him to get in the kind of shape he needed and thus he couldn’t cut the necessary weight.
In more recent days, Jackson has tried to push his way out of competing in the final fight on his UFC contract. Instead, it was announced “Rampage” would meet Mauricio “Shogun” Rua later this year, though, before a date could be set, Jackson remarked he would undergo double-knee surgery and be out for an extended amount of time.
When the 33-year old caught wind of Sonnen’s comments, Jackson addressed them on Twitter, writing, “I’ll walk up to him and smack him like a bitch on camera for the whole (world) to see.”
Sonnen is rumored to be fighting Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title later this year in Brazil, though the outspoken 185er reiterated he still hasn’t signed a bout agreement and that nothing official is in place.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, jackson, year, chael sonnen, sonnen
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainVideo: Rampage Jackson slaps a drunk MMA fan
When he's not rapping drunk in Japan, Quinton Jackson is slapping drunken fans in the U.S.
After a long, hard few days of running down the UFC on Twitter, figuring out he needs surgery on both his knees, and taking his love of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to Sylvester Stallone levels, "Rampage" hit a nightclub in Los Angeles to wind down.
And wind up five fingers for one lucky fan who was begging to be slapped. Requested and received.
For what it's worth, the fan offered his chin up and gave no resistance to the shot to the dome. Despite this, Jackson still hasn't knocked anyone out since Wanderlei Silva back in 2008.
Tsk tsk.
Posted in: jackson, wanderlei silva, los angeles, fan, mma fan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Continues To Talk Testosterone Replacement
In a very, very long (like, 45 minutes long) interview with MMA Heat's Karyn Bryant, Quinton Jackson talks about all kinds of topics. From his recent Twitter rampage, to his disappointment at his spot on the UFC's return to Japan and everything in between. But, for me anyway, the most interesting segment is when Jackson addresses the subject of his testosterone replacement therapy.
Here's the video:
Quotes on the TRT situation after the jump...
When Karyn asked him about the controversy surrounding his use of testosterone replacement, here is what Jackson had to say:
"Well, the reason that I took it was, I heard that organizations like to have all the fighters on a level playing field. My test was really low and I was told by some doctors to bring it up to 600. My doctor said I should bring it up to 800 because some guys are naturally at like 1100. Say a guy like Cheick Kongo. You see how he's ripped and stuff all the time? Totally natural. But they said he might be 1100 naturally. So why should I be at 6? I did it fair! I said okay, I did 6. I don't care. I didn't want mines at what it was, it was really low.
My doctor...Dr. Kessler he sees me and he automatically gets paid by the UFC. He'll call the UFC and tell the UFC what I need. I'm not used to that, before I didn't do this. The UFC pays for everything. That's what I was saying in the interview..."
...
"I went back to Dr. Kessler he said well...if you depend on fighting you gotta go meet this doctor right here, Dr. K. He's a Russian guy, very smart and he said they'll put you on some...age management or something. He'll know what to do to make you heal faster. So I did that and sat down and talked to him and he explained everything to me."
...
"I got blood tests every week to test my levels and everything and I made sure I didn't go over the level. It helped me good enough to do the fight."
Posted in: ufc, jackson, everything, i didnt, testosterone replacement
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowRampage Jackson Talks Exit From UFC
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson talks about his want to exit the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, talk, exit
Read the full article at Heavy MMAQuinton Jackson out for undetermined period due to knee surgery
After two weeks of talking trash about the UFC, former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson seemingly got his wish in the promise of a contractual release after his next fight with the added bonus of a chance to avenge his past loss to Mauricio Rua. However, two things “Rampage” failed to mention on Twitter during his online assault pertained to his problematic knees and the possibility of going under the knife to fix them.
Jackson saved that nugget of information until Thursday where he again took to the social networking site, this time writing his bout with the Brazilian would have to wait while he got surgery on both of his knees. No specifics beyond that were offered in terms of the procedure or required period of recovery though “Rampage” did state one had been hurt against Jon Jones and the other in training.
“I heal fast (so) don’t trip,” said Jackson, assuring fans he planned to make his way back to the Octagon sooner than later. The circumstances certainly didn’t appear to bring the popular pugilist’s spirits down, as later in the evening he mentioned being “buzzed” and heading to a club in Los Angeles.
With no date set for Jackson-Rua II, nor knowledge of the 33-year old’s actual prognosis, it’s impossible to know exactly how the planned rematch will be affected. The two 205ers first fought in PRIDE with “Shogun” picking up a TKO win in the first five minutes of action.
PHOTO CREDIT – LEXANI TIRES/UFC
Posted in: jackson, jon jones, mauricio rua, knee, jacksonrua ii
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainRampage Jackson goes in-depth about TRT, knee surgery, UFC, Shogun rematch, and much more
Speaking exclusively to MMAHeat's Karyn Bryant, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson went in-depth about his future with the UFC, Testosterone Replacement Theory, and basically every other controversial topic that put him in the headlines over the past few weeks. Jackson also spoke about his recently announced rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and when the Mixed Martia Arts fans around the world can expect the match-up to become a reality. Jackson puts all the cards on the
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, weeks jackson, reality jackson
Read the full article at Low KickJon Jones says he will defeat Rashad Evans in honor of Jackson's MMA
Reigning Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, who will put his title on the line against Rashad Evans at UFC 145, discusses his opponent, as well as the grudge that has formed between them. Jones expects that once the fight gets underway, it will be like any other, but admits that he feels he has to defend the honor of Jackson's MMA.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, rashad evans, jacksons mma
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson on Leaving the UFC
submitted by complexmatrix [link] [comment]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, complexmatrix link, complexmatrix
Read the full article at RedditQuinton Jackson-Mauricio Rua rematch on hold while “Rampage” goes under the knife
Though the recently announced rematch between Quinton Jackson and Mauricio Rua was still in its development stage and lacking a specific date it appears the two former UFC light heavyweight champs will not face off any time soon after “Rampage” announced today he’s slated for surgery in the coming weeks. Though the details surrounding his condition were not revealed, according to Jackson the procedure will involve work on both of his knees.
“I heal fast (so) don’t trip,” the 33-year old wrote on Twitter after revealing his status through the social networking site.
Rua has not been seen in the ring since his November classic against Dan Henderson, lending weight to the notion of him taking on an opponent other than “Rampage” in his next outing rather than wait for an extended period of time while Jackson heals. The two first fought in 2005 under the PRIDE banner where Rua stopped Jackson with strikes.
“Shogun” Feels Rematch with “Rampage” is Inevitable
Their eventual bout in the UFC is likely to be Jackson’s final appearance inside the Octagon after lobbying for his release over the past few weeks. According to Jackson, he is underpaid, under-promoted, and underappreciated, and as a result he wants to take his talents to another organization he believes is a more-positive environment.
PHOTO CREDIT – DSE
Tweet
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rua, rematch, jackson ’s
Read the full article at Fighters.comShowdown on Rampage: Pandora's box
Attempting to uncover the underlying issues surrounding Quinton (Rampage) Jackson's recent dispute with the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, showdown, box
Read the full article at sportsnet.caShowdown on Rampage: What's the beef?
Attempting to uncover the underlying issues surrounding Quinton (Rampage) Jackson's recent dispute with the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, what, rampage whats
Read the full article at sportsnet.ca‘Rampage’ Jackson Reveals Plans for Double Knee Surgery Prior to Clash with ‘Shogun’
Quinton Jackson announced Thursday that he will undergo surgery on both knees in the near future.
Posted in: jackson, clash, knee, knee surgery, surgery
Read the full article at SherdogRampage Jackson Needs Surgery On Both Knees, Shogun Rua Rematch ‘Will Have To Wait’
2 keep it real,the Shogun fight will have 2 wait,I just found out that I have 2 get surgery on both knees,but I heal fast don't tripabout 2 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
Well so much for Rampage Jackson vs. Shogun Rua 2, at least for now.
As seen above, Rampage Jackson tweeted today that the Shogun rematch will have to wait because he needs surgery on both knees. Shortly thereafter, Rampage tweeted again and blamed his injured left knee on Jon Jones and his right knee on one of his training partners.
Rampage says he’ll heal fast, but that timetable is unknown at this point. It’s also unclear if the planned rematch will merely be postponed or if they’ll just scrap it.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, shogun, knee, right knee
Read the full article at MMA ConvertRampage Jackson Says Shogun Rua Fight Will Have To Wait, Having Double Knee Surgery
It's been a volatile few weeks for Quinton Jackson. First, he told Fighters Only that he was prescribed testosterone after suffering a knee injury and that it made him feel 25 again, then he went on the Twitter warpath saying he wanted the UFC to release him as they've taken his love of fighting.
It was announced earlier this week that Jackson would face Mauricio Rua in a rematch of their fight from back in the PRIDE days. The Rua fight would be Rampage's last on his UFC deal and he sounded quite content to go elsewhere after the deal was up.
But now Rampage hit up twitter and is saying the fight won't happen very soon:
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson 2 keep it real,the Shogun fight will have 2 wait,I just found out that I have 2 get surgery on both knees,but I heal fast don't trip Mar 15 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
This makes sense if he did actually have knee injuries heading into his bout with Ryan Bader. The testosterone prescription never made sense as a "cure" for any sort of actual joint injury, so having surgery is hardly a shock. Given how plodding his footwork has become in recent fights though, this might not do Rampage any favors when the Rua fight does happen.
Posted in: fight, rampage, jackson, rua, rua fight
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowKnee Surgery for Quinton Jackson Squashes Rampage vs. Shogun 2
If you’ve been paying any attention to former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson lately, you know that the seasoned vet hasn’t been having the easiest go at things.
An injured knee suffered in training camp for his UFC 144 fight with Ryan Bader led to the fighter being curiously prescribed testosterone for testosterone replacement therapy, and eventually to a controversial interview on the topic with FightersOnly. The TRT also helped contribute to Jackson missing weight badly for UFC 144, a factor that only made his unanimous decision loss to Bader look worse.
Shortly after his fight and the interview with FightersOnly, Jackson began frustratedly sounding off via Twitter on his relationship with the UFC. Rampage let it be known that he felt disrespected and undervalued by the UFC brass, whom he alleged treat fighters like slaves in regards to proper compensation. Jackson continued pressing the issue in an interview with Bas Rutten on HDNet’s Inside MMA, declaring for everyone to hear that he wants out of the UFC after completing the final fight on his contract. Oh, and it better not be against another boring wrestler.
Rampage repeatedly indicated Shogun — who beat Jackson soundly in a PRIDE fight back in 2005 — as his desired opponent and even revealed through Twitter that the knee injury he aggravated during the Bader fight was healing up.
Yo guys not sure who I’m fighting yet but I hope it is Shogun cause he always come 2 fight,just got my MRI today,n I’m feeling great now
The UFC obliged Jackson, announcing publicly via UFC Tonight that Jackson vs. Rua 2 was on and would indeed be Rampage’s farewell fight from the UFC. Unfortunately, Jackson’s MRI results have apparently put the kibosh on that.
2 keep it real,the Shogun fight will have 2 wait,I just found out that I have 2 get surgery on both knees,but I heal fast don’t trip
The proposed bout did not yet have an assigned date or location.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, shogun
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyRampage Jackson: Knee Surgeries Will Delay Final UFC Fight
Looks like free agency will be delayed for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. So, too, will his final fight in the UFC.
On Thursday, Jackson tweeted that he would have to have surgery on both of his knees, pushing back the last contracted fight of his UFC tenure. On Tuesday, UFC president Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta both said that Jackson would face Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in his swan song, but there's no telling whether that plan will hold up after being impacted by Jackson's recovery timetable.
Jackson didn't detail the injuries he suffered, but in the weeks since his last bout, he's made reference to injuring one of his knees prior to his UFC 144 loss to Ryan Bader. According to an interview he did with Fighters Only, during hist most recent injury, he sought out medical care, eventually leading to a diagnosis of low testosterone. Jackson said he was prescribed testosterone replacement therapy, something that White confirmed last week.
The 33-year-old once said that he would retire by the age of 35, but in recent weeks has indicated a desire to compete far beyond that age. According to him, it just won't come in the UFC. Citing disrespect as a motivator to part ways, Jackson (32-10) publicly asked for a release.
The UFC has agreed to let him go after he finishes the terms of his contract, which call for one more fight.
The bout with Rua was a match that he has requested for quite some time. The two first fought in April 2005, with Rua winning by first-round TKO. Jackson has always sought revenge for the defeat, but turned down a chance to fight him last February when approached about taking the bout on short notice.
Given Jackson's injuries, surgeries and any physical therapy that might follow, the schedules of the two PRIDE veterans might refuse to be synced up yet again, depriving Jackson of the rematch before he moves on from the UFC.
Next time he competes, he'll be trying to snap the first two-fight losing streak of his career as he sets off into free agency.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, surgery, pride veterans
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseQuinton Jackson and the Top Five Fighters to Leave the UFC in the Last Year: A Fan's View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
According to a Yahoo! Sports report, the UFC and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson are headed for "Splitsville" after his upcoming fight against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, in a rematch seven years in the making.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, year, quinton jackson, yahoo
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsRampage Jackson vs. Shogun Rua II will not be going down, at least not right now
So remember that one time when everyone did backflips from the kitchen table when the news dropped that Rampage Jackson vs. Shogun Rua was slated, but then everyone started scratching their heads in confusion when we published our Sunday Morning Rumor Mill entry on the status of the potential Shogun vs. Rampage fight? Well it appears the truth lies somewhere in between the two articles. This morning, Rampage Jackson tweeted that while he does want to fight Shogun Rua, he needs to have surgery on both of his knees. Rampage also reassures that he heals fast, suggesting that he has a healing factor, similar to Wolverine. I'm not sure what the NSAC's policies are on mutant abilities, but hopefully Rampage Jackson will disclose it on his pre-fight registration forms.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, shogun, rua, healing factor
Read the full article at Middle Easy
UFC's 'Rampage' Jackson: 'Shogun' rematch delayed to due to double-knee surgery
The recently announced rematch between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua apparently will have to wait.
Earlier this week, UFC officials announced that the fighters, who first met in PRIDE in 2005, would rematch sometime this summer.
But "Rampage" today said the fight is on hold because he has to undergo surgery on both knees.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, surgery, doubleknee surgery, rampage today
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Jackson to Undergo Double Knee Surgeries, Shogun Fight Delayed
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson still has one final fight to go in the UFC and it is scheduled to be against Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, but not before he goes through surgery.
Posted in: fight, rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, shogun
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Gets Mauricio Rua Before Leaving UFC: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Following his UFC 144 loss to Ryan Bader, a disheartened and discouraged Quinton "Rampage" Jackson took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Jackson (32-10, 7-4 UFC) has been one of the most loved fighters in the UFC since joining...
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, mauricio rua, ryan bader
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsRampage will fight Shogun then leave UFC
In his final UFC bout, Quinton (Rampage) Jackson will fight Mauricio (Shogun) Rua in a rematch of former light-heavyweight champions.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, shogun, mauricio
Read the full article at sportsnet.caHow's Taste My Tweet Tweet? MMA On Twitter - Rampage Says TRT Has Given Him 10 More Years Of Fighting
A few updates on what's been going on in the MMA & UFC Twitterverse
STUGSTUGS TUGS STUGS
"little known fact I used to be a DJ but quit when UFC took off,anyway you can download my latest mix here... enjoy... off to bed! enjoy the tunes!!!! ...just checked out the listens, its going viral man, lol" -Michael Bisping
BRING BACK JON TUCK?
"About to get picked up by the toe truck to pay the doc a visit to see what we are working with. Thanks @ufc" -Jon Tuck
"@danawhite @ufc @InsideTUF doc said Im good to go! Im your man if you have any slots to fill in! #GAME" -Jon Tuck
CONTROVERSIAL TWEET OF THE WEEK
""What are your plans after your done fighting?" -- Now with the TRT I got 10 more years!" -Quinton Jackson
There's a ton of tweets after the jump, but first, don't forget to follow me on twitter: @antontabuena
Oh, and these guys are probably worth following as well: The Official BloodyElbow Twitter Account, Luke Thomas, Kid Nate, Brent Brookhouse, Richard Wade, Chris Barton, Damon O, Scott Broussard, Tim Burke, Matt Bishop, Fraser Coffeen, Dallas Winston, KJ Gould, Ben Thapa, Josh Nason, T.P. Grant.
JAMES TONEY SPARRING WITH NICK DIAZ
"@nickdiaz209 @ufc we will be getting some great sparring. James Toney is a fan" -Cesar Gracie
STILL ON A RAMPAGE
"Yo guys not sure who I'm fighting yet but I hope it is Shogun cause he always come 2 fight,just got my MRI today,n I'm feeling great now" -Quinton Jackson, who will probably be getting his wish.
"Let me clear things up 4 my fans,it might take 2 tweets! I'm upset cause I've been fighting hurt 4 a few years now,cause I have kids n 4yall... The @ufc knew I was hurt,n almost everyfight I was hurt n,but instead of saying thanks 4 not pulling out,they talk shit about a poor job I did, I never missed weight,but when I do, nobody stop 4 a second 2 ask if I was hurt,yall just quick 2 talk shit,so I'm done with them after" -Quinton Jackson
"I'm not complaining about money,cause I'm about 2 make a lot less money now,but at least the people I fight 4 will appreciate what I do4mma" -Quinton Jackson
"Real talk,2 those that r tired of hearing me bitch or whatever,it can b easily fixed,but I know u aint smart enough 2 stop following me! Tuf" -Quinton Jackson
"@ufc said I lost my appeal... Well I'm hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive" -Quinton Jackson
ROY NELSON WEIGHT WATCH
Current likes on Facebook, 101,794. Nelson still needs around 30,000 before March 18, for him to lose the bet and drop to 205.
JOSE ALDO SPARS WITH A FAN
"Aldo realiza sonho de fã e lhe aplica uma "surra"" -Erik Tatame
JOE WARREN AFTER THE BELLATOR KO
"I'm fine physically but egos bruised have fun playing with the kids!" -Joe Warren
NATASHA IS BACK! ...WELL, SORT OF.
"Exciting news 4 my MMA fans! I am honored to b @InvictaFights Ring girl 4 their 1st fights.. April 28th & July 1st Ill b in Kansas City :D ... I am so honored to be a part of their fights... support the woman in mma :)" -Natasha Wicks, will have her ring girl duties in Invicta, an event which will host all female MMA fights.
"HollyMolly im tired!! Pushin through on todays weight sesh.. at AKA.. hill repeats kicked my butt yest." -Natasha Wicks
"Happy #friskyfriday everyone! Today is a speedwork, chiro., core day. W/ BBQ and TUF tonight!! stoked on my day :)" -Natasha Wicks
TWIDEOS
"Here's my 10yr old son Callum killing it with me at the the strength and conditioning gym! Hes a real hard worker. http://yfrog.com/7hrboz" -Micheal Bisping
"UFC 145's @MaydayMcDonald may be only 21, but says fighting "has been my job forever"" -UFC
"You don't choose if we fight, you just choose if it's in the Octagon. You and me, we can step outside and see, who's the winner." -Chael Sonnen, the video below isn't really related, but Sonnen also tweeted that without adding a comment:
TUF: LIVE FEATURING MASTER THONG
"Coaches choose who's on #TeamCruz and who's on #TeamFaber Friday on #TUFLive - http://on.ufc.com/wh0iUJ - who do you think gets picked first?" -UFC
"#TUFLive Blog 2 #TeamFaber" -Urijah Faber
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, quinton, im
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowMauricio Rua to serve as Quinton Jackson’s final UFC opponent
If Quinton Jackson is indeed exiting the UFC after his next bout inside the Octagon, as he’s vowed to do, the 33-year old former champion will see a familiar face for his final appearance in Mauricio Rua. Jackson and Rua memorably mixed it up in 2005 under the PRIDE banner where “Shogun” scored a TKO stoppage a little less than five minutes into the melee assisted largely by legal kicks to a downed opponent’s face.
While no date is set for their meeting, the UFC confirmed the match-up as well as the company’s willingness to set Jackson free after the fight on this week’s episode of UFC Tonight. The pairing also aligns with a number of public statements from both Jackson and Rua in the past pertaining to their interest in a rematch.
“Rampage” has been seeking his release for the past few weeks, citing problems with pay and an overall level of respect from his longtime employers.
In addition to putting two former title-holders and all-around entertaining, high-level competitors inside the cage together, Rua and Jackson could both use a win as each is coming off a decision loss in their previous performance. Jackson came up short against Ryan Bader at UFC 144, while the Brazilian battle it out with Dan Henderson in a Fight of the Year contender last November.
Success-wise, Rua holds an overall record of 20-6 with wins over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, Alistair Overeem, and Lyoto Machida to his credit. Comparably, Jackson is 32-10 with notable triumphs against Liddell, Machida, Henderson, and Wanderlei Silva.
Watch the full report below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rua, mauricio rua, pride banner
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC announce Rampage Jackson vs. Shogun Rua 2
After long weeks of speculation about his future, it looks like the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, has finally got his wish. Jackson will be released from his Ultimate Fighting Championship contract, but only after the long-anticipated PRIDE rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
Here's the official announcement on UFC.com:
As reported on Fuel TV's UFC Tonight, UFC President Dana White has revealed that disgruntled former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton
Posted in: ufc, jackson, heavyweight, official announcement, championship contract
Read the full article at Low KickUFC: Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson's Greatest Hits and Misses (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is at it again. Whether you're a fan of the former UFC light heavyweight champion or not, few will dispute he's one of the most interesting characters in a mixed martial arts business full of them.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, quinton, arts business
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsReport: Former Champions ‘Rampage’ Jackson, ‘Shogun’ Rua to Meet in 2012
After campaigning for his release from the promotion this past week, Quinton Jackson will apparently take one more ride with the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, week, champion
Read the full article at SherdogQuinton “Rampage” Jackson will fight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in Final UFC Fight
UFC President Dana White announced tonight on UFC Tonight that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in his final UFC fight. White did not specify a card for the event on the Fuel TV show.
Jackson has been adamant about his desire to leave the UFC due to various reasons, including matchmaking, and it appears he will get his wish in being granted a big fight and his release.
Jackson and Rua previously fought at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005. Rua won the fight in devastating fashion via soccer kicks.
While Jackson’s future seems set for now, this is not the first time the UFC and Jackson have argued only to make up eventually.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, rua, ufc fight
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyQuinton 'Rampage' Jackson Vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Planned For 2012
Quinton Jackson has been in the news a lot lately with his talk of using testosterone replacement therapy and, more recently, his talk that he wants to be released from the UFC. With everything that was going on it seemed that Jackson may be kept on the sidelines for a bit, but Dana White was on TV tonight to announce Rampage's next fight.
From UFC.com:
As reported on Fuel TV's UFC Tonight, UFC President Dana White has revealed that disgruntled former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will face another former champ, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
There has not been a date announced for the bout.
Rampage has stated that he only has one fight left on his deal and was told by Dana previously that the UFC would "allow" him to go elsewhere when the deal is up. So, this fight represents his last in the Octagon unless things change.
Knowing how quickly Rampage can seem to change his tune, it's not crazy to assume that this all could change in the coming months.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, dana, bout rampage
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowDana White: Rampage Jackson's Last UFC Fight Will Be Against Shogun Rua
submitted by randomsum1 [link] [5 comments]
Posted in: jackson, shogun rua, rua, ufc fight, rampage jacksons
Read the full article at RedditQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson To Face Shogun Rua in Final UFC Fight
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson will get his wish to leave the UFC, but not without one more fight, and it's a big rematch.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, quinton
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson To Face Shogun Rua in Final UFC Fight
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson will get his wish to leave the UFC, but not without one more fight, and it's a big rematch.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, quinton
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyDana White: Rampage Jackson's Last UFC Fight Will Be Against Shogun Rua
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wants out of the UFC. It looks like he'll get his wish, but not before fulfilling the last fight on his current deal.
According to a report on Tuesday's edition of FUEL TV's "UFC Tonight," Jackson and the UFC have agreed to part ways after Jackson faces Mauricio "Shogun" Rua later this year.
The 33-year-old Jackson (32-10) has previously said on Twitter that he was amenable to taking the last fight on his deal as long as he would be allowed to part ways with the UFC afterward.
If that is the end, it would mark the close of a rocky five-year relationship which began with Jackson's debut win over Marvin Eastman at UFC 67 in Feb. 2007. Just prior to that, Jackson had been fighting in the short-lived WFA, and UFC ownership group Zuffa LLC acquired the company. Later, UFC president Dana White would say that the only reason they bought the promotion was to acquire Jackson's contract.
Jackson went on to win the UFC light-heavyweight championship by beating Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 and defend it against Dan Henderson a few months later before dropping the belt to Forrest Griffin in July 2008.
The next fight would be the 12th in Jackson's UFC tenure, and he currently has a 7-4 record while fighting for the promotion, losing his last two.
No timetable was given for the matchup with Rua, which was reported by Ariel Helwani, but the bout should please Jackson, who has long wanted a rematch stemming from his April 2005 defeat at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005. That was the opening round match of the PRIDE middleweight Grand Prix that made Rua a star, and Rua won in style with a spectacular first-round TKO.
Jackson had a chance to take the rematch in 2011, but turned down the short-notice bout because he felt he didn't have enough time to get into shape and come in at optimal strength. Now, he'll have a chance to win in his last octagon appearance and avenge a bitter defeat at the same time.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, rua, part ways
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse‘Rampage’ Jackson: If the UFC Thinks I Have Lost My Appeal, Then Let Me Go
In the long run, Quinton Jackson wants what anybody wants out of a career: Respect, appreciation and the occasional “thank you.”
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, quinton jackson, appreciation
Read the full article at SherdogTime has come for UFC and Rampage Jackson to part ways ()
There is a simple solution to the Quinton "Rampage" Jackson mess that, for some reason, is apparently being overlooked.
Cut him.
The UFC ought to sever ties with its mercurial former light heavyweight champion as quickly and completely as possible.
There is no good being done for any side in this equation by forcing an unhappy Jackson to fight the final bout on his UFC contract.
It certainly won't do Jackson any good to hang around. He's apparently had it with the UFC and has complained about the opponents matchmaker Joe Silva has picked for him to fight, his pay, and the seeming lack of gratitude UFC officials have shown him for fighting while injured.
Speaking to Bas Rutten on HDNet's "Inside MMA," Jackson said he is displeased that the UFC is matching him with wrestlers who don't want to fight. Four of his last five opponents were wrestlers, but there's more to the story than just the UFC putting him in against wrestlers.
On May 29, 2010, he lost to Rashad Evans in a battle for the No. 1 contender's spot at 205. He came back at UFC 123 on Nov. 20, 2010, with a win over karate expert Lyoto Machida in a battle between former champions looking to get back into the mix.
Next up, at UFC 130, was wrestler Matt Hamill on May 28, after a series of potential other opponents fell through. Beating Hamill earned (got?) Jackson a title shot against wrestler Jon Jones at UFC 135 on Sept. 24. After being submitted by Jones, the UFC put Jackson in against wrestler Ryan Bader on Feb. 26 at UFC 144 in Japan.
Jackson missed weight by five pounds in Japan, pointing to a knee injury suffered in training. He could have pulled out, but was so desperate to fight in Japan that he remained on the card. That was his choice, but now we're supposed to shower him with thanks because he did what nearly every one of his peers do every time they compete and went out and fought hurt?
Please.
Cutting Jackson would be the wise move for all parties, because Jackson clearly doesn't want to be around, he's no longer a particularly exciting fighter and all the attention being paid to his complaints takes attention away from those who could use it.
Jackson did a lot for the UFC and deserves to be recognized for that. His knockout of Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007, is one of the seminal moments in Zuffa history and won't soon been forgotten. His fight with Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92 was breathtaking.
He was one of the stalwarts of the PRIDE Fighting Championship and should be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame based upon his achievements in the two organizations.
That, though, is for the future. For the present, Jackson is complaining about his lot in life, which is particularly galling considering his recent performances.
It's time UFC president Dana White ended the circus and cut Jackson.
Maybe that will make him happy.
Jackson only wants guys who will engage him in a slugfest and he wants to be hailed as a conquering hero for doing it. So maybe nothing will make him happy, because that's not life in one of the hottest divisions in MMA.
Perhaps Jackson will be energized fighting for Bellator or some other promotion. Perhaps he'll get back to being the fighter he was when he was an absolute can't miss.
It's debatable, but there is one thing that absolutely, unequivocally not:
The time has come for the UFC to sever its ties with him.
Posted in: ufc, fight, time, jackson, wrestler
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsTime has come for UFC and Rampage Jackson to part ways (Yahoo! Sports)
(Updated with comment from UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta at 7:47:42 ET on March 13, 2012) There is a simple solution to the Quinton "Rampage" Jackson mess that, for some reason, is apparently being overlooked. Cut him. The UFC ought to … Continue reading →
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, owner
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsRampage Jackson's signature howl sounds more like pouting these days
There's hardly a fighter more charismatic than Quinton Jackson.
Ever since his days in PRIDE Fighting Championships (PRIDE), the Memphis-born fighter has been entertaining fans with his mouth as much as he has with his fists. His battles against longtime rival Wanderlei Silva are legendary and he entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as the only man to have an unavenged victory over Chuck Liddell.
In his second bout inside the Octagon, "Rampage" replicated the result against "The Iceman" and captured the light heavyweight championship of the world. Some months later, he defeated Dan Henderson and -- on top of winning the PRIDE title which eluded him for so many years -- became the undisputed 205-pound king of the world.
Then came Forrest Griffin with his razor-thin, controversial decision, and "Rampage" hasn't been the same since.
After losing to Ryan Bader last month at UFC 144 -- Jackson's second consecutive loss -- "Rampage" has been on a Twitter spree, claiming he is underpaid, undervalued and just plain under-appreciated. I'm not sure what world Jackson lives in but the reality is far, far from what he is claiming.
The former champion has openly expressed his desire to be released from his contract. I don't think that's the right move for Dana White and company. The UFC should absolutely not release Jackson.
They should let the contract run out, as long as it may be, and let "Rampage" sit on the sidelines.
We've suffered Jackson's foolishness since his loss to Griffin due to the goodwill he's stored up throughout his career.
When he backed out of a much ballyhooed fight against Rashad Evans -- a fight the company devoted an entire season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) to hype -- to star in a Hollywood action flick, we felt it was his due right to make as much money as he could outside the Octagon while the getting was good. Then when he decided to stop fighting altogether, we were peeved the grudge match wouldn't see the light of day, sure, but we understood.
"Rampage" has always been about money and he's never made it a secret.
He about-faced a couple months later and announced he would fulfill his contract and the fight with Evans was back on. He would end up losing decisively, even getting rocked early in the first round. Then, he signed a new six-fight contract, an odd action for someone who had retired only months previous. Jackson would go on to defeat Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill by split and unanimous decision, respectively. Two main events victories which netted him half a million dollars plus pay-per-view (PPV) revenue also earned him a second shot at the light heavyweight title.
He, like everyone else before him, fell to Jon Jones.
He netted another quarter-million dollars for the bout while also pocketing $75,000 thanks to a "Fight of the Night" bonus. Assuming his salary stayed the same for his UFC 144 co-main event against Bader, the fighter who has always claimed he's about the money has earned over a million dollars in the past 18 months.
But yet he tweets UFC should stand for "u fight cheap" and compares his salary and those of his contemporaries to those of Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a baby compared to boxing, barely two decades old with only five years of real momentum and growth behind it. Boxing has been established as the premier combat sport for over half a century, so you might as well compare and contrast apples with oranges instead of each sport's pay structure.
Much like the fit he threw in 2009, Jackson is claiming the UFC is mistreating and disrespecting him.
He's also critical of the match-ups he's been given, saying he's been facing too many wrestlers who are simply looking to "hump" him. As previously stated, Evans rocked "Rampage" in the opening moments of their UFC 114 bout and Jackson mostly stood with Machida, Hamill and Jones.
The 205-pound division has long been heavy on wrestlers, that's something that cannot be avoided. And the UFC would be stupid to simply book "Rampage" in what would amount to exhibition bouts against lower-tiered talent. For the amount of money they're paying him, Jackson is going to actually have to fight someone worth their mettle, not a glorified punching bag.
Still, "Rampage" has had what can be considered easy fights.
Hamill and Bader, while no scrubs, aren't exactly world-beaters either. Jackson went the distance with one and lost to the other while coming in six pounds overweight. That's the only disrespect I see in this situation.
So if "Rampage" has dreams of Hollywood -- even if The A-Team was a commercial and critical flop -- in his head, let him go. But don't release him from his contract. I'm sure the UFC is legal obligated to offer Jackson a fight by a certain date. Wait until that date and offer Phil Davis. I'm sure "Mr. Wonderful" will find a way to keep "Rampage" on his back for 15 minutes. I would also suggest booking the fight as a preliminary bout like the UFC did with Andrei Arlovski, but it wouldn't be fair to Davis.
At that point, Jackson will have one more fight left on his contract. Before he began barking for an immediate release, "Rampage" was claiming Dana White promised to nullify the agreement after his next bout. If that's the case, White should let Jackson out of his contract so he can make awful B-action movies to his heart's content.
Then at least one person will have been a man of his word.
Posted in: jackson, rampage, ufc, fight, contract
Read the full article at MMA Mania“Rampage” Jackson says respect at root of fallout with the UFC
UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson will be the first to tell you money is important to him as a father wanting to provide the best life possible for his family. However, it’s not the only key to maintaining his happiness and not necessarily even the most important thing in that regard. Like most people, “Rampage” simply wants to feel appreciated by his employers, so while a raise from the UFC would certainly be welcomed it’s not the money he’s after. It’s the respect.
Jackson feels that component has been lacking on the UFC’s part for years and has become the core issue causing his recent fallout with the world’s foremost MMA promotion.
“I’m gonna go to an organization that gives me a little clout…anywhere, as long as I’ve got a little clout and I can control it a little bit and the guys appreciate me for putting on a good show. Just say thank you at the end of the show. I don’t care if I make $500 again,” said the 33-year old in an interview with Inside MMA.
Citing the lackluster matchmaking he’s dealt with as of late, where he feels he’s being fed to wrestlers who are interested in earning decisions rather than entertaining fans, Jackson went off on his bosses, saying matchmaker Joe Silva should be “slapped” and then mentioning another situation that rubbed him the wrong way.
“After my fight with Jon Jones they told my manager that I was losing my appeal – that rappers don’t come and watch me fight no more, that the fans really don’t like me no more. Cause it was getting close to time for me to renegotiate and PRIDE did the same thing to me,” Jackson explained. “To me my respect is more than money so I’ll go fight for some other show for free and I’ll prove it to fans that I’m not all about money.”
Jackson Feels He is Underpromoted, Underpaid
Currently Jackson is still seeking to split with the UFC and hopes to do so as soon as possible even if it means being handed his immediate release.
Check out the full interview below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, money, world ’s, i ’ll
Read the full article at Fighters.comRampage Jackson Wants Out and UFC Should Grant His Wish
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson says it's not just about the money, that he feels disrespected by the UFC and their recent treatment of him, and that because of it, he wants out. To that I say, cut him loose.Jackson certainly has been one of the UFC's best performers during his five-year run. He's the fighter that crumbled the Chuck Liddell era, unified the UFC and PRIDE belts and smashed Wanderlei Silva. He's been featured in the main event in eight of his 11 UFC appearances. For all of that, he deserves his place among the greats. But he doesn't want to be in the UFC any longer, and the UFC frankly doesn't need him.
If you think otherwise, you are mistaken. Would it be beneficial to have Jackson around in a healthy business relationship? Of course it would. But do they need him? No. Despite his success, he's replaceable, as is nearly everyone in nearly every industry. Building blocks like Liddell and Couture fade off, and time marches on. It would be the same with Jackson. A divorce would be a win-win for both parties. UFC can move on and Jackson can call his own shots, knowing full well what he's getting himself into. He may say some outlandish things, but he's smart enough to know what's out there awaiting him, and there's not much. If that's the situation he'd rather face, things must be beyond redemption.It's not about money, he says. As recently as UFC 130 -- three fights ago -- Jackson was all smiles, saying "I'm making a lot of money for this fight." In the time since, his profile hasn't declined, as he's had a title match with Jon Jones and a co-main event with Ryan Bader at UFC 144, an event in which he was spotlighted just as much as the main event fighters.This latest episode started shortly after UFC 144, in a series of postings on Twitter, where Jackson insinuated that UFC stood for "u fight cheap," and that he would honor the last fight on his deal and then leave the organization.On Monday's edition of "Inside MMA," Jackson took things a step further, asking for his immediate release during an interview with Bas Rutten."In my opinion they're trying to make me lose my fan base, because they don't want me to be bigger than the UFC," he said. "Because the [A-Team] movie I did was bigger than the UFC. I know what's going on. I'm going to let them have the UFC. I don't want to be part of the UFC anymore. If Dana doesn't want me to be bigger than the UFC, let me go."This isn't his first blowup with the UFC, of course. Back in September 2009, he announced he was quitting due to conflicts with the promotion, mostly stemming from his decision to film The A-Team instead of facing Rashad Evans as had been planned. About two months later, he said he was coming back to "shut Rashad's mouth up and shut Dana's mouth up."That fight was the beginning of his current 2-3 skid. Jackson says he wants respect, but he is the same guy who said "I don't give a damn about the belt" when he was preparing to fight Liddell. Was that respectful to the organization promoting him in a championship match after only one win there? Of course, that doesn't prove anything about the way the UFC has handled him behind the scenes, only that everyone has a different definition of respect. We do know that back in 2008, White flew from Las Vegas to Orange County, California to post bail for Jackson after a hit-and-run accident that led to a police chase. So there is some history of the UFC going above and beyond the contracted relationship to look out for him. You'd be hard-pressed to find other instances of pro sports league owners doing the same for one of their athletes.Since that was over three years ago, it is possible that they've disrespected him in some real way that we don't know about. Although he didn't say it outright, Jackson seemed to suggest they were asking him to take a pay cut. While that isn't necessarily a disrespectful move -- financial decisions are often cruel in the sports world, just ask Peyton Manning -- it's easy to understand why he'd see it as such.But some of his tangentially related comments make it clear there is more to the situation. He told Inside MMA that the UFC matchmaker Joe Silva "needs to be slapped in the face." Why? "If you got a fighter like me who likes to go out and put on exciting fights, why are you going to keep giving me wrestlers who are going to take me down and hump me?" he asked, as if it was a rhetorical question.Arguing that your matchups aren't favorable to your style aren't going to win you any sympathy. Remember that as recently as February 2011, he was offered a rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, a striker who happened to be the division's light-heavyweight champion at the time. But Jackson had to turn down the short-notice but major opportunity because he was 250 pounds and felt he couldn't be ready by the necessary date. Is that missed chance for a matchup to his liking on him or the UFC?Beyond that, if you look at the last three fights he's lost, the majority of the bouts have been fought standing. Against Ryan Bader, he spent 8:30 of the 15 minutes on his feet and lost. Against Jon Jones, he spent 14:45 of the 16:14 on his feet and lost. Against Rashad Evans, he spent 11:06 of the 15 minutes on his feet and lost. Those matchups may not have excited him, but he had his opportunities. He's always had them, in the form of championship bouts, No. 1 contender fights, and main events.
But that's all just factual stuff, and this is about feelings. As Jackson admitted during a recent, extended interview with MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani, he's always been more sensitive than he lets on. Last week, Dana White spoke about this whole thing, saying that he thought Jackson was just taking the loss and corresponding criticism hard. But White had also talked to Jackson and thought the worst was behind them, and Jackson still feels the same way. Jackson has his mind made up, and it's not about money, it's about feelings. He wants out. It's time to say thanks for the UFC memories, and let him go.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, event, he
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage confirms TRT usage, issues another "let me go" request to the UFC
Speaking via HDNet's Inside MMA, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson continued his public confrontation with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, this time once and for all confirming he was put on a Testosterone Replacement Therapy by one of the UFC doctors in preparations for his UFC 144 bout with Ryan Bader. Rampage also related to his future in the UFC, once again announcing that he no longer wants to be part of the promotion, and just wants Dana White to let him go.
Jackson
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, hdnet, ufc doctors
Read the full article at Low KickQuinton Jackson: “I think Joe Silva needs to be slapped in the face…”
Disgruntled UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson finally addressed his anger at his employers in more detail than 140 characters per post on Twitter allows for, calling Inside MMA’s Bas Rutten to conduct a twenty minute interview where discussion ranged from his use of testosterone to his fight against Ryan Bader in Japan to, of course, his desire to depart the UFC as soon as possible.
According to Jackson, who said he is actively trying to get out of the remaining fight he’s contracted for, the issue he has with the UFC is partially based on money but more about respect. Tired of facing wrestlers, longing to instead take on opponents more inclined to put on entertaining fights, Jackson is apparently more than willing to take a hefty cut in pay so long as he feels appreciated.
“I think (matchmaker) Joe Silva needs to be slapped in the face, I’m sorry, but if you’ve got a fighter like me who likes to go out and put on exciting fights why are you gonna keep giving me wrestlers who are gonna take me down and hump me,” “Rampage” asked rhetorically. “I’m sorry. I’m just really tired of the UFC and their tactics.”
“After my fight with Jon Jones they told my manager that I was losing my appeal – that rappers don’t come and watch me fight no more, that the fans really don’t like me no more. Cause it was getting close to time for me to renegotiate and PRIDE did the same thing to me,” Jackson continued. “To me my respect is more than money so I’ll go fight for some other show for free and I’ll prove it to fans that I’m not all about money.”
While there’s no question any MMA promotion would love to have Jackson sign for such a minimal amount, the former champion said he has one requirement when it comes to inking a deal.
“I’m gonna go to an organization that gives me a little clout…anywhere, as long as I’ve got a little clout and I can control it a little bit and the guys appreciate me for putting on a good show. Just say thank you at the end of the show. I don’t care if I make $500 again,” the 33-year old stated. However, within minutes of his apparent attitude of altruism Jackson also mentioned he felt as though he should be making 4X his current salary as a headliner/co-headliner in the UFC.
Listen to the full interview below where either rage will be fueled or sympathy created (probably the former):
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, i ’m, ’m
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainEx-champ Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson plans split from UFC, addresses TRT
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's days in the UFC appear numbered.
Following a week-long series of Twitter posts in which the former
champion said he will leave the organization once he completes the one
remaining fight on his contract, Jackson on Monday confirmed he's
planning to continue his career elsewhere.
With HDNet's Bas Rutten, he also discussed his recent testosterone-replacement therapy.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, hes planning, contract jackson, twitter posts
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Jackson Talks Money, Respect, Matchmaking, Leaving The UFC & TRT
Inside MMA’s Bas Rutten landed the first interview with Rampage Jackson since he started sounding off on Twitter late last week about wanting out of the UFC. It’s a pretty lengthy interview so if you’d rather read than listen, USA Today has transcriptions of the highlights.
Posted in: jackson, usa today, rampage jackson, interview, ufc trt
Read the full article at MMA Convert
Rampage-Shogun II Expected in 2012
As reported on Fuel TV's UFC Tonight, UFC President Dana White has revealed that disgruntled former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will face another former champ, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. The stellar pairing will be a rematch of their 2005 PRIDE bout, which Rua won by knockout. The bout is the last of Jackson's UFC contract, and he and the UFC are expected to part ways after the fight, which doesn't have a site or date yet.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, bout, part ways, rampageshogun ii
Read the full article at UFCRampage Doesn’t Want to be a Part of the UFC
Rampage Jackson, in an extensive interview with Inside MMA's Bas Rutten, says that he is "done with the UFC," and talks at length about how he feels he's been treated poorly by the company.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rutten, company
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Doesn’t Want to be a Part of the UFC
Rampage Jackson, in an extensive interview with Inside MMA's Bas Rutten, says that he is "done with the UFC," and talks at length about how he feels he's been treated poorly by the company.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rutten, company
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Doesn’t Want to be a Part of the UFC
Rampage Jackson, in an extensive interview with Inside MMA's Bas Rutten, says that he is "done with the UFC," and talks at length about how he feels he's been treated poorly by the company.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rutten, company
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Doesn’t Want to be a Part of the UFC
Rampage Jackson, in an extensive interview with Inside MMA's Bas Rutten, says that he is "done with the UFC," and talks at length about how he feels he's been treated poorly by the company.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rutten, company
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Doesn’t Want to be a Part of the UFC
Rampage Jackson, in an extensive interview with Inside MMA's Bas Rutten, says that he is "done with the UFC," and talks at length about how he feels he's been treated poorly by the company.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rutten, company
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Jackson Raps In Tokyo, Hints At Possible Music Deal In Japan
So, um, what do you think of Rampage the rapper?
HT: MiddleEasy
@TeddyMatozzo black eyed Peas,just can't get enough OutKast so fresh so clean,feel good music,I'm gonna put out some of my own stuff soonabout 8 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
"@clarke_casm: @Rampage4real where can we get your tracks?" I'm about 2 do a deal n Japan,so after that ill let my best songs go,bad 1snowayabout 8 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
@chris_hayat I got a bunch of stuff I wanna try,I been turning down a lot of movies,ill just heal up real good,then find a showabout 7 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
Posted in: hour, rampage, jackson, ®replyretweetfavoriterampage, blackberry
Read the full article at MMA ConvertQuinton 'Rampage' Jackson Still Talking About Beef With UFC On Twitter - Bloody Elbow
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Posted in: rampage, jackson, twitter, muayguy link, beef
Read the full article at RedditQuinton Jackson continues his “rampage” against the UFC
If you thought popular light heavyweight Quinton Jackson was done taking the UFC to task on Twitter, you thought wrong. “Rampage” was back at it again this morning where he elaborated more on his displeasure with the world’s foremost MMA promotion and gave some insight into what he had planned next.
“Let me clear things up for my fans…I’m upset cause I’ve been fighting hurt for a few years now cause I have kids and for ya’ll,” wrote Jackson. “The UFC knew I was hurt and almost every fight I was hurt, but instead of saying thanks for not pulling out they talk sh*t about a poor job I did. I never missed weight, but when I do, nobody stops for a second to ask if I was hurt.”
Jackson spoke some about the financial side of things, changing his tune in terms of his problem with what he was being paid based on the hit his bank account will likely take by leaving.
“I’m not complaining about money cause I’m about to make a lot less money now, but at least the people I fight for will appreciate what I do for MMA,” said the former light heavyweight champion.
The upset 33-year old also added he hadn’t been happy with matchmaking either, seeking opponents who want to fight rather than score points.
“Why? So I can keep being under-promoted and given leg-humpers who just want to take me down all the time instead of havin a show,” Jackson asked a fan who plead for him to reconsider his stance. Jackson’s previous opponent, Ryan Bader, scored a decision victory in large part based on his high-level grappling rather than beating Jackson in any other phase of the fight.
As far as what he has planned next, Jackson said his immediate focus would be on getting healthy, possibly returning to Hollywood after his success with The A-Team, and then looking at his in-ring options in terms of a future match-up.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, cause, job i
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainVideo: Rampage Jackson rapping in Tokyo nightclub
No shirt, no shoes, no talent.
He may be one of the world's most dangerous light heavyweight mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, but Quinton Jackson is no rapper, as evidenced by the above video, which allegedly takes place at the Vanity Lounge in Tokyo, Japan.
"Rampage," who is clearly onstage to have a little fun and nurse his bottle of choice, was in "The Land of the Rising Sun" last month to do battle against the scale fellow 205-pound stalwart Ryan Bader at UFC 144. Despite one of his signature slams, Jackson lost to the former collegiate wrestler on points.
Now he wants out of the UFC.
He also hopes to continue his career in combat sports, just not under the ZUFFA banner, according to his latest outburst on Twitter. The good news is he can still draw, so that should keep his hip-hop career on hold for the time being.
We hope.
Posted in: jackson, quinton jackson, light heavyweight, vanity lounge, tokyo nightclub
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Hopes for UFC Release After Latest Fallout
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson's rage after his last loss in the UFC has continued via Twitter, with his latest rant asking for his release from the promotion.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, ufc release
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton “Rampage” Jackson Hopes to be Released from the UFC
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has had no problem voicing his discontent with the UFC recently.
Shortly following his UFC 144 loss to Ryan Bader, Jackson took to his Twitter to voice his displeasure with how things had been going lately with the UFC. Rampage stated his intention to make his next fight in the Octagon his last, before moving on to compete for other promotions.
Though UFC president Dana White seemed to think that Jackson was just reacting poorly to his upsetting defeat at UFC 144, Jackson is sticking to his guns. Last night, the 33-year-old expressed his desire to cut ties with the UFC now and not after making another appearance with the promotion.
@OldNickSuperchi the ufc makes billions off us all over the world,n pay us chump change! Boxers r boring but making buckets of money,THINK!
Well I’m hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive
@skanksideup y u care that its the ufc? I can fight better fights n a diff show!
A veteran of PRIDE and the UFC, Jackson sports a professional record of 32-10. He’s currently riding a two-fight losing streak, having dropped consecutive contest to current champion Jon Jones and Bader.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, ufc rampage
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyQuinton Jackson: “I’m hoping the UFC just lets me go…”
The past few weeks have been one of the more memorable periods for UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson, just not for the right reasons. The popular fighter’s strange run began in late February when he came in overweight for a bout against Ryan Bader at UFC 144. Not only did Jackson end up coming up short on the scorecards in the match-up but admittedly afterwards he’d opted to use testosterone injections as a means of helping him heal from an injured knee.
Were that not enough, Jackson came out last week to express his extreme frustration with the UFC, stating he felt he was underpaid and that the company as a whole was a negative environment. “Rampage” even went so far as to say his next fight inside the Octagon would be his final appearance inside the infamous eight-sided cage.
Jackson was back at it again last night on Twitter, this time seeking his immediate release rather than returning to compete under the promotion’s banner one more time.
“I’m hoping the UFC just lets me go so I can do my thang. They took my love of fighting after the Forrest fight,” an animated Jackson wrote on the social networking site. “The UFC makes billions off us all over the world and pay us chump change! Boxers are boring but making buckets of money. THINK!”
For the record, Jackson earned $250,000 in base salary for his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135 with a similar tag likely attached to his services against Bader (though no figures have been released for the event).
The 33-year old did not elaborate further on what had happened after his 2008 defeat to Forrest Griffin to taint his “love of fighting”. Less than two weeks after the match-up Jackson was arrested for a series of felonies stemming from a hit-and-run filled tear in California said to be the result of delirium brought on by a lack of sleep combined with energy drinks.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, jackson, week, “ love, matchup jackson
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton Jackson sounds off again on falling out with UFC
Popular light heavyweight Quinton Jackson caught the MMA community off-guard early last week when he not only said he was upset with the UFC but planned to exit the organization after his next fight inside the Octagon. Now, based on comments “Rampage” made last night on Twitter, he’s now looking to speed things up by seeking his outright release.
“I’m hoping the UFC just lets me go so I can do my thang,” Jackson wrote on the popular outlet. “They took my love of fighting after the Forrest fight!”
Jackson Says Next Fight in UFC Will Be His Last
While Jackson didn’t elaborate on what was done in particular after his loss to Forrest Griffin more than three years ago, the 33-year old’s issue appears to be related to money based on some follow-up remarks he made to fans on Twitter.
“The UFC makes billions off us all over the world and pay us chump change,” Jackson exclaimed. “Boxers are boring but making buckets of money. THINK!”
Though paydays were not disclosed for UFC 144 when Jackson last fought he is reported to have earned a $250,000 base salary for his losing performance against Jon Jones this past September.
The UFC has not issued an official stance on Jackson’s gripes. However, Dana White has gone on record as saying he simply thinks “Rampage” is taking his decision defeat to Ryan Bader hard and lashing out as a result.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Tweet
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, twitter “, official stance
Read the full article at Fighters.comRampage Jackson Twitter meltdown calls for UFC release ... again
I'd tell you to stop me if you've heard this before but let's be real, we all know you've heard this before and I'm not stopping.
That's because this is most definitely not the first time Quinton Jackson has taken to his personal Twitter account to have a meltdown regarding his employers, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
This time, the former light heavyweight champion is claiming the powers that be have told him he's "lost his appeal." That, combined with what he considers low pay, has led "Rampage" to once again call for his release.
I'm sure somewhere UFC President Dana White is shaking his head.
Here are a series of tweets from Jackson detailing his various issues:
@kingjamesmma dude I don't care about this loss! I'm upset with the lack of respect ... @OldNickSuperchi the ufc makes billions off us all over the world,n pay us chump change! Boxers r boring but making buckets of money,THINK! ... "@OUnab: @Rampage4real Go Rampage! You're one of the best personality/fighter in mma history, the sport needs u!" @ufc said I lost my appeal ... Well I'm hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive ... @CincyWG89 n this is y I don't wanna fight 4 them anymore,Pride did the same 2 me! ... @skanksideup y u care that its the ufc? I can fight better fights n a diff show! ... Goodnight 2 my real fans,I got mad love 4 ya,the rest of yall r sheep!! n u don't matter 2 me anyhow,cause u gonna buy my fights anyway Fact."
That's a lot of Twitter talk and lack of coherent writing so here's the short summary:
"Rampage" was apparently told by UFC that he's "lost his appeal" and because of this they want to pay him less money. That, of course, caused him to fly off the handle because, as we all know, Jackson is about nothing if not his bank account.
Hence the constant flirtation with boxing and a film career in Hollywood.
Jackson also feels as though his star power is still high enough that he could make a great deal of cash flow outside the Octagon and if the UFC just released him, he would move on to do just as well for himself.
Fat chance.
This all comes just a matter of days after his last Twitter meltdown, which Dana White responded to by simply shaking his head and giving his stock "we'll see what happens" answer.
His response to this latest incident would likely be the same. But the longer they do this little dance, the uglier the public battles will get. And now that "Rampage" has lost multiple fights in a row and hasn't looked anything like the killer former champion he once was, it looks like we're inching closer and closer to a UFC sans howling.
Stay tuned, Maniacs.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, twitter
Read the full article at MMA ManiaDisappointed Rampage Jackson Tweets Break Up with UFC on the Horizon (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has been busily tweeting his disappointment with the UFC's response to his loss to Ryan Bader in Japan at UFC 144. Tweets suggesting "lack of respect", "loss of appeal" and conversations about money appear to be at the...
Posted in: ufc, jackson, ryan bader, respect loss, ufcs response
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsQuinton "Rampage" Jackson asks to be released from UFC
Earlier this week Quinton “Rampage” Jackson took to twitter to vent. The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion said that he would only fight one more fight for the UFC. At the time it seemed as if perhaps it was Jackson taking his loss to Ryan Bader especially hard.
Well, time has not healed the wounds and Jackson again took to twitter to voice his displeasure with the UFC, asking for his outright release from the promotion.
What do you think LowKick'ers, should the UFC release
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, twitter, ryan bader
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson Cites ‘Lack of Respect’ & Money As Reasons Why He Wants Out Of The UFC
Thanks guys,I'm doing a lot better,I wasn't sleeping n eating much n it took its toll on me,I'm staying positive,n I got a massage coming4yaabout 20 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
Rampage Jackson was back at it again on Twitter yesterday tweeting about how he wants out of the UFC. He didn’t specifically state what happened between him and the UFC that set him off, but he did give some more clues about what it’s about. It all started off just fine as you can see above, but once fans start asking questions, Rampage didn’t hesitate to give answers. I don’t mean to be overly speculative here and you can judge for yourself below, but key words like “lack of respect”, “lost my appeal” and a curious retweet really make it sound like the UFC either wants Rampage to take a pay cut or perhaps not exercise an option in his contract that would result in more money for him. I’m not sure, but clearly Rampage suddenly has different ideas about what he’s worth than the UFC does following his loss to Ryan Bader.
@kingjamesmma dude I don't care about this loss! I'm upset with the lack of respectabout 19 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
@OldNickSuperchi the ufc makes billions off us all over the world,n pay us chump change! Boxers r boring but making buckets of money,THINK!about 19 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
"@OUnab: @Rampage4real Go Rampage! You're one of the best personality/fighter in mma history, the sport needs u!" @ufc said I lost my appealabout 9 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
He retweeted this one:
@Rampage4real @ufc lol lost your appeal? So is that a way to cheat u out of money? I'll always drop money down to watch u fight!about 9 hours ago via Twitter for iPhoneReplyRetweetFavorite@Tattoojosh00Josh Chambers
Well I'm hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositiveabout 8 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
@skanksideup y u care that its the ufc? I can fight better fights n a diff show!about 7 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
Goodnight 2 my real fans,I got mad love 4 ya,the rest of yall r sheep!! n u don't matter 2 me anyhow,cause u gonna buy my fights anyway Factabout 7 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson
Posted in: ufc, hour, rampage, jackson, twitter
Read the full article at MMA ConvertRampage Jackson Tweets That He Wants UFC To Release Him, Can Get Better Fights Elsewhere - Bloody Elbow
submitted by muayguy [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, tweet
Read the full article at RedditUFC Quick Quote: Rampage’s TRT prior to UFC 144 cancels out his 'injury' issue
"It's all done with and I got the victory, so for me, really, it doesn't matter. But, if he is going with the injury and stuff like that, ok, so I fought an injured Rampage, but I also fought a Rampage that was on testosterone also, so, it kind of goes both ways. But honestly, it was over and done with, and like I said, I got the victory so I wasn't really worried about anything else, just surprised that he kind of came out with it and told everybody, but it is what it is I guess. He used the whole injury deal, but it kind of cancels out a little bit if you come in all testosteroned up too."
-- Appearing on Pro MMA Radio, Ryan Bader says that since Quinton Jackson decided to come out and reveal that he was on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) prior to their collision at UFC 144 in Japan a few weeks ago, then the injury reasoning that "Rampage" used for his failure to make weight and performance in the Octagon is now a moot point. Rampage came in six pounds overweight at the weigh-ins; however, Bader accepted the bout, along with 20 percent of Jackson's fight purse, and went on to defeat the former 205-pound champion via unanimous decision. After the bout, Jackson cleared up his injury situation, which he suffered during training, and then a few days later he also revealed that he had gone on TRT treatment before the bout, too. Feeling that his win over one of the best Light Heavyweight's in the world was maybe being belittled because of injury, "Darth" says the fact that Jackson was on TRT, evens out the playing field. Anyone agree with Bader on this one?
Posted in: rampage, jackson, kind, injury, trt
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Tweets That He Wants UFC To Release Him, Can Get Better Fights Elsewhere
If you thought the saga of Quinton Jackson had ended with last week's Twitter barrage, think again.
The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion took to the popular social media tool Friday night and unleashed more newsworthy thoughts including how the UFC took away his love of fighting and that he wants the organization to release him.
It started Friday afternoon with Jackson answering fans and throwing this gem out there:
OldNickSuperchi Nick Superchi
@Rampage4real Don't leave UFC dude! We'll miss you too much! Been a fan since your pride days and will support you no matter what!
Mar 09 Favorite Retweet Reply
in reply to @OldNickSuperchi↑
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson @OldNickSuperchi the ufc makes billions off us all over the world,n pay us chump change! Boxers r boring but making buckets of money,THINK! Mar 09 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
It then continued with this Jackson claim:
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson "@OUnab: @Rampage4real Go Rampage! You're one of the best personality/fighter in mma history, the sport needs u!" @ufc said I lost my appeal Mar 10 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
Jackson then retweeted a fan that speculated that losing appeal means that he is being cheated out of money. Later, he would be a bit more straightforward in asking for his release.
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson Well I'm hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive Mar 10 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
Jackson then discussed his legacy in Pride and why he would want to leave the UFC.
Rampage4real Quinton Jackson
Well I'm hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive
Mar 10 Favorite Retweet Reply
CincyWG89 Wes Godfrey
@Rampage4real at the end of the day your legacy is what you want it to be. You've done too much for the sport of MMA to be treated like this
Mar 10 Favorite Retweet Reply
in reply to @CincyWG89↑
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson @CincyWG89 n this is y I don't wanna fight 4 them anymore,Pride did the same 2 me! Mar 10 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
The final noteworthy tweet was Jackson opining that he could get better fights somewhere else.
Rampage4real Quinton Jackson
Well I'm hoping the @ufc just let me go so I can do my thang,they took my love of fighting after the Forest fight! #bloodtypeBpositive
Mar 10 Favorite Retweet Reply
skanksideup Luke Williams
@Rampage4real you can't leave the UFC, you are a legend in this sport!!! would be sad to see you leave.
Mar 10 Favorite Retweet Reply
in reply to @skanksideup↑
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson @skanksideup y u care that its the ufc? I can fight better fights n a diff show! Mar 10 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
After some other non-related Tweets, Jackson called it a night but certainly woke up the UFC brass as he continue to accelerate his desire to leave the promotion sooner than later.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, reply, retweet
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowRampage’s exquisite timing in making his ‘final stand’ against #UFC
Rampage Jackson wants to get released by the UFC. So, give him what he wants.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rampage ’s, timing
Read the full article at Fight OpinionRyan Bader: “That’s why you’re in there; you get back up and get back after it.”
Entering UFC 144 many viewed Ryan Bader as little more than a high-level wrestler with one-punch power. However, exiting the event it became clear Bader is a fighter through and through.
Not only did the Ultimate Fighter winner accept a bout with Quinton Jackson despite “Rampage” coming in five pounds overweight but survived being brutally slammed on his head to hang on and pull out the decision win. Bader recently opened up on his mindset in the fight as well as where he feels the win over Jackson put him in the division.
“When something like that happens, your training goes into effect,” said Bader of the slam in an interview with MMAFrenzy. “We spar pretty hard during practice, so I have been hit rather hard before. You basically just go into survival mode for a little bit. You take about 10-20 seconds where you just have to survive, and then everything starts to come back to you. Then it came back to me and I gathered my senses, and I was able to take him down. He then got up and I was able to slam him down. That’s why you’re in there; you get back up and get back after it.”
Bader Admits to Being “Out of It” after Big Slam in Japan
As far as Jackson’s issue making weight, later tied to his decision to use testosterone to work through an injury, Bader made it clear the thought of pulling out never entered his mind.
“I would have accepted the fight even if he was 25 pounds overweight,” Bader explained candidly. “I went through a whole training camp, and I put a lot of work into this camp. I went over there to fight, and I was going to do that, regardless. Even if we knew all of that before the fight, we would have done the same thing.”
Now that he holds a win over a former light heavyweight champion Bader is ready to take on the upper echelon of the division to prove his losing performances against Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz were simply stumbles rather than a pattern of stumbling in significant scraps.
“I feel like I’m back in title contention. It’s a big win, winning over Jackson. Beating a guy who has held the title and just fought for the title is huge,” stated Bader before adding the victory over Jackson had made him far from complacent with his position, revealing, “I am always going to want more, and I am never satisfied.”
Bader improved his record to 14-2 with his triumph over Jackson. He also holds previous victories over Keith Jardine and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Tweet
Posted in: fight, jackson, “ i, bader, ” bader
Read the full article at Fighters.comAfter the Biggest Win of His Career, Ryan Bader Hopes It Is the First of Many
Ryan Bader had to travel quite a long way to earn the biggest win of his career. Bader traveled for over 15 hours to Japan at UFC 144 to fight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for 15 minutes, and in return, continue his comeback to light heavyweight title contention.
Bader was not on the radar amongst possible opponents listed for Jackson in his return to Japan. Names like “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin were brought up, but Bader was the one that ended up getting the call. Once he did, Bader knew he had the biggest opportunity of his career.
For Bader, who prior to UFC 126, was an up-and-coming prospect in the deep light heavyweight division, this was a way to really kick start his comeback. The downfall started when he suffered his first career loss to Jon Jones, and then was upset by Tito Ortiz at UFC 132 in July. He was able to halt the losing streak after defeating Jason Brilz at UFC 139. But there is a big step up in competition in regards to Brilz and Jackson, and Bader was well aware of that.
In order to defeat Jackson, a tactical gameplan needed to be created in order to take advantage of the former champion’s shortcomings. While Bader will always be known as a strong wrestler, other styles came into play like boxing and grappling. After utilizing that throughout the match, Bader now looks back with satisfaction in carrying out that gameplan.
“I didn’t want [Jackson] to get comfortable,” Bader said to MMAFrenzy.com. “I wanted to make it a fight he really didn’t want to be in, whether it be on the feet or on the ground, I really wanted to keep mixing things up. I made sure to test his cardio and test a little bit of everything. My coaches created a great gameplan, and I went out there and implemented it, so this is really a big win for all of us.”
That gameplan took quite a hit, as did Bader, after Jackson brought back his premier move with his patented “Rampage” slam of Bader in the second round. While Bader admits it certainly had an effect on him, he made sure to return the favor.
“I fell right on my head and neck, so I was out of it for a little bit,” explained Bader. “But when something like that happens, your training goes into effect. We spar pretty hard during practice, so I have been hit rather hard before. You basically just go into survival mode for a little bit. You take about 10-20 seconds where you just have to survive, and then everything starts to come back to you.”
“Then it came back to me and I gathered my senses, and I was able to take him down. He then got up and I was able to slam him down. That’s why you’re in there; you get back up and get back after it.”
Going into the fight, much attention was made of Jackson missing weight at the pre-fight weigh-ins. Having weighed 211 pounds, Jackson missed the weight limit by five pounds. Bader had no intentions of pulling out of the fight, and accepted the now-catchweight bout.
But following the event, even more attention was made of Jackson’s weight, as he admitted to using testosterone replacement therapy to nurse a knee injury suffered during pre-fight training.
Now aware of the situation and partially why Jackson missed weight, Bader still has no qualms about the decision.
“I would have accepted the fight even if he was 25 pounds overweight,” declared Bader. “I went through a whole training camp, and I put a lot of work into this camp. I went over there to fight, and I was going to do that, regardless. Even if we knew all of that before the fight, we would have done the same thing.”
Now coming off of the biggest win of his career over Jackson, Bader feels he has returned to contention, but still has a lot of work to put in to make it to where he wants to be.
“I feel like I’m back in title contention,” said Bader. “It’s a big win, winning over Jackson. Beating a guy who has held the title and just fought for the title is huge. But I am always going to want more, and I am never satisfied.”
For now, Bader is focused on life outside of the cage. He and his wife are expecting their first child, a boy, in April. Bader admits that it has been a whirlwind of emotions, with switching from training for a fight, to winning that fight, and then returning to home life and preparing for your firstborn.
“In training camp, you’re almost a different person,” explained Bader. “You’re basically just thinking about your opponent at all times. Now that the fight is over, I don’t have to be as selfish and can think more about everyone else. This will only put me in a better state of mind and in a better place in life.”
Aside from focusing on becoming a father within the next few weeks, Bader remains focused on becoming a true contender in the division. A win over Jackson feels like just the start for Bader, and he wants to continue on to the next chapter in his career.
“I just hope to fight another top guy like Rampage. I want to go out there and keep beating those top guys, so I can get closer to my goal, which is ultimately winning a title. So, whatever puts me closer to achieving that, that is what I want to do.”
Posted in: fight, jackson, career, training, bader
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyShowdown on MMA: Rampage's UFC future
Quinton (Rampage) Jackson may be focused on things other than his UFC career.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, showdown, career
Read the full article at sportsnet.caRampage Jackson Threatens UFC Exit, Dana White Unsure of Future
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Quinton "Rampge" Jackson let loose a stream of consciousness in Tweet form, eventually saying that he would be done fighting for the UFC after his next bout. Just a few hours prior to that, UFC president Dana White had spent about 90 minutes on the phone with Jackson, with whom he's had an up-and-down relationship over the years. According to White, the conversation didn't start well but seemed to get better as it went along. From his perspective, all was fine when he hung up, only to later discover what the rest of the world was seeing, that Jackson was unhappy with the promotion."I think that by the time we got off the phone, I thought that we were in a good place," White said on Tuesday afternoon. "I thought that we had worked it out. But you know, by his tweets [Tuesday], you just don’t know with him."Asked if he thought Jackson was serious in his promise to leave the UFC, White shrugged his shoulders.
"You never know," he said.The 33-year-old Jackson was a bit cryptic on his differences with the UFC, writing at one point that he has "other things" on his mind, but later more specifically writing that UFC stands for "u fight cheap." Of course, this isn't the first time he's railed against his own promotion, as back in September 2009, he briefly quit, citing a multitude of reasons for the decision before reversing course.He's also been notoriously hard on himself upon losing fights, and this latest outburst comes little more than a week after his most recent defeat in a decision loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144.It also came coupled with two other issues, one self-made, and the other stemming from his career. In the first, Jackson recently admitted in an interview with Fighters Only that he had been prescribed testosterone replacement therapy. In the second, he came under scrutiny from White for the way he's approached the most recent part of his career.In the recent Fighters Only interview, Jackson said after suffering a knee injury, he visited at least two doctors, and the second -- an "age-management doctor," prescribed him testosterone after diagnosing him with low levels. White called into question some of the veracity of the interview, recounting a negative experience in Australia with one of the publication's reporters, whom he felt was trying to bait him. To be fair, White's interview and the Jackson interview were done by two different journalists. On the other hand, Fighters Only did remove at least one of Jackson's quotes from the interview, and Jackson contradicted himself in at least one key area, namely where within a few sentences of each other, he first said that "my doctor works for the UFC," and then said he "told my doctor not to tell the UFC but he told them anyway."White did confirm that Jackson did recently begin undergoing the therapy, but didn't have any further details, saying that he found out about it while in Australia for the UFC on FX 2 show, and that UFC chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta took the lead on that situation. As for White's words towards Jackson, it was clear from his voice that there was no anger towards him but a sense of uncertainty over his current disposition and what is to come."I think Rampage takes his losses hard," he said. "And I think that’s what he’s going through. He’s not a big fan of criticism, either. I mean that in a serious way. He can’t handle criticism. He was pissed off at me because I said I don’t think he’s taking his career as serious as he has in the past, since the [Rashad] Evans fight. And he was f---ing pissed about that. And he’s like, ‘What you said about me...’ And I said, ‘I didn’t say you were a f---ing scumbag.’ And he said, ‘I’d rather you said that than what you did say.’ So he takes criticism hard, he takes his losses hard, and he’s going through what Rampages goes through after a loss."
Posted in: ufc, jackson, interview, doctor, hersquo
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseOne enemy too many: UFC testosterone narrative backfiring
Dana White said that Rampage Jackson told UFC that everything in the Fighters Only interview was false. The focus is not finished.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, testosterone, enemy
Read the full article at Fight OpinionQuinton Jackson seeking exit from UFC for personal reasons
If an average fan was asked to list the Top 5 moodiest fighters in Mixed Martial Arts it is likely popular UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson would be among them. Nicknamed “Rampage”, the 33-year can be in a jovial mood one day and downright nasty the next.
The 32-10 Jackson’s reputation for expressing his emotions recently came to light again when he revealed a surprising turn of events concerning his future in the organization he currently calls home. According to the PRIDE icon, his next fight for the UFC will likely be his last under their banner, citing displeasure with his salary and the desire to be employed in what he feels is a positive environment.
Labeling the UFC as standing for “U Fight Cheap”, Jackson went on Twitter this week where his desire to depart was made clear, adding he’d fight anyone the company put in front of him but that he expected it to be his final appearance inside the Octagon.
“Rampage” is coming off a decision loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144 where he said he fought hurt, missing weight based partially based on a decision to inject testosterone into his injured knee and being unable to shed the additional bulk.
Jackson Talks Testosterone Use Before Bader Bout
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Tweet
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, ryan bader, decision loss
Read the full article at Fighters.comDana White: I have no beef with Rampage Jackson, I just think he takes his losses hard
Quinton Jackson upset with UFC? So it's just another Tuesday in the neighborhood, right?
That's the vibe UFC President Dana White gave off in a recent interview with MMAFighting.com when asked to comment on "Rampage's" recent retirement threats:
"I talked to Rampage yesterday for about an hour and a half before all the tweets started and, you know, Rampage just lost and I think Rampage takes his losses hard. We'll see what happens. I'm always on again off again with him as it is anyway. But listen, I have no beef with Rampage. I don't dislike Rampage or anything like that. I just think he takes the losses really hard and he takes criticism really hard too."
The loss White is referring to, of course, is the unanimous decision defeat Jackson suffered at the hands of Ryan Bader this past Feb. 25, 2012, in Japan at UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson."
"Rampage" was hardly competitive in the bout but there are a variety of reasons for that, including a knee injury suffered during training camp. That's the same injury he aggravated during the course of the contest, greatly hampering his performance, which wasn't up to snuff to begin with.
On top of all that, he badly missed weight thanks to a combination of his health and a regiment of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Or at least that's what he claimed to Fighters Only. In the same interview with MMA Fighting, White revealed that Jackson told he and Lorenzo Fertitta it was all made up.
The plot thickens, Maniacs. Thoughts on all this?
Posted in: rampage, jackson, loss, ryan bader, that
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage suggests his time in UFC could be done
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson suggested his next fight will be his last in the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, champion, lightheavyweight
Read the full article at sportsnet.caDana White Talks UFC on FOX 3, Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey and 'Rampage' Jackson's Future
NEW YORK -- Watch below as UFC president Dana White talks about the UFC on FOX 3 event on May 5 in New Jersey, Friday night's judging debacle in Sydney, his relationship with Showtime, Ronda Rousey, Brandon Saling, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's future and Dakota Cochrane on TUF 15.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, fox, dakota cochrane, talks ufc
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseQuinton Jackson says next fight in the UFC will be his last under the company’s banner
Shortly after losing his bout to Ryan Bader at UFC 144, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson came forward to acknowledge he’d used testosterone to help heal an injured knee and discovered the treatment made him feel so good health-wise he expected to fight for a few more years. While his plan may not have changed since then it looks like his professional home will be.
Jackson went on Twitter last night to reveal he intended to leave the UFC after his next outing inside the Octagon based on personal reasons.
“I will fight who ever they put n front of me, I always have, but it will be my last fight in the UFC, I have other things on my mind,” wrote the 33-year old former champion. “I didn’t say I would be done fighting, I just said I’m not fighting for the UFC (u fight cheap).”
The outspoken light heavyweight also added he felt the UFC was a negative environment and he wanted to surround himself with positivity though he didn’t elaborate beyond those statements.
If “Rampage” is indeed done with the UFC, far from a given when considering the current MMA landscape and the ability to change his mind, he will exit the organization with a 7-4 record (not counting his next fight) and wins over Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, ufc i, mma landscape
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton “Rampage” Jackson States His Next UFC Fight Will Be His Last
A week after stating his fight at UFC 144 would not be his last career fight, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is now stating his next fight will actually be his last – for the UFC.
Jackson went to Twitter to declare that he will fight once more in the UFC, but will then leave the organization.
“I will fight whoever they put in front of me,” said Jackson. “I always have, but it will be my last fight in the UFC. I have other things on my mind.”
Following the announcement, fans began to respond with questions, including if Jackson is retiring, or just leaving the UFC. He responded, stating “I didn’t say I would be done fighting, I just said I’m not fighting for the UFC. I said I have other things on my mind.”
“Why should I stay? I don’t need them or anybody else negative dealing with my carrie [sic] (career).”
Jackson has a 7-4 record in the UFC, dating back to his organizational debut at UFC 67 against Marvin Eastman in February 2007. He defeated Chuck Liddell via knockout to earn the UFC light heavyweight title three months later. He would go on to lose the belt to Forrest Griffin via decision at UFC 86 in May 2008.
After fighting twice more over the next year, Jackson took over a year off from the UFC to begin his acting career. He starred in 20th Century Fox’s The A-Team, which was released in June 2010. Since that time off, Jackson is just 2-3, with losses to Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, and Ryan Bader. The loss to Jones, which took place at UFC 135 in September 2011, was for the UFC light heavyweight title. He lost via 4th round submission, his first submission loss since he lost to Kazushi Sakuraba in his first career Pride fight in July 2001.
After his loss to Bader at UFC 144 last month, Jackson spoke openly about his pre-fight training with Fighters Only magazine. In the interview, Jackson admitted to using testosterone replacement therapy after being prescribed it by a doctor due to a knee injury.
“I almost pulled out but then I went to see the doctor and he told me to talk to an age-management doctor,” explained Jackson. “So I went and talked to them and they tested me and said my testosterone was low; they prescribed me testosterone, to bring my testosterone levels back up to levels where I can be like… so that I am the same as young people, like when I was 25, and it would help build my knee up. I hurt my knee like a month ago and I only did three shots of testosterone but it put a lot of weight on me, a lot of muscle on me but it healed me knee up good enough to where I could fight.”
Jackson mentions the weight he put on caused him to weigh 211 pounds at the pre-fight weigh-ins, 5 pounds over the light heavyweight limit. He was fined 20% of his purse, and went on to lose to Bader via unanimous decision.
Regarding his future, Jackson did not mention an opponent he had in mind. However, after UFC 135, Jackson openly campaigned for a rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, who he fought in Pride. Another name that has been mentioned is a rematch with Dan Henderson, whom he defeated in September 2007 at UFC 75.
Regardless of who he fights, Jackson seems set on making this his last trip into the Octagon.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, knee, testosterone
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Says He’s One More and Done with the UFC
Is Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson's time with the UFC coming to a close?
Posted in: ufc, time, rampage, jackson, quinton
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Jackson Says His Next Fight Will Be His Last, Publicly Blasts the UFC | | Cagepotato
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Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, jimschrute, ufc cagepotato
Read the full article at RedditRampage Jackson: My next fight with the UFC will be my last
Stop me if you've heard this one before.
Longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran Quinton Jackson wants out of the UFC. In fact, he's wanted out for a long time. At first he was simply biding his time until he was offered his next big movie role, following his stint as B.A. Baracus in the 2010 A-Team movie.
The phone has yet to ring.
Then he decided he was going to junk his career as a cagefighter and enter the world of Boxing. "Rampage" doesn't have any experience as a pugilist, but all that mattered to him was putting butts in the seats, kind of like his old Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 buddy Kimbo Slice.
Now Jackson tweets that he's got one more fight planned for inside the Octagon, then it's time for him to call it quits. He's not leaving combat sports, mind you, just the UFC.
Those comments, after the jump.
I will fight who ever they put n front of me, I always have, but it will b my last fight n the ufc, I have other things on my mind. Y should I stay? I don't need them or anybody else negative dealing with my carrie. I didn't say I would b done fighting, I just said I'm not fighting 4 the UFC, (u fight cheap) I said I have other things on my mind (big head). MMA ok UFC no ok.
Rampage turned in a lackluster performance in a unanimous decision loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144 last month in Japan. He attributed his poor showing to a knee injury suffered in training camp, one severe enough that it prompted him to seek testosterone injections.
It was also the first time the Memphis native missed weight for a UFC fight.
The loss to "Darth" was his second in a row, having been choked out by division champion Jon Jones last September. He needed the judges to get past Matt Hamill and Lyoto Machida in recent wins, and hasn't finished an opponent since pasting Wanderlei Silva back in 2008.
Jackson claims he's ready to say goodbye to the UFC, but not MMA. Any fight fans out there want to try and make some sense of this? Or is this just another verbal "rampage" until he calms down and gets back to business?
Thoughts?
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, he
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson: I'll have one last fight in the UFC
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson went "Rampage" on Twitter about his future with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Jackson announced he will have one more fight in the UFC, before moving to "other things on his mind". Also referring to the UFC, Jackson tweeted he's not interested in having "anybody negative" in his career. The tirade continued with Rampage adding a controversial line about not getting paid enough as a fighter, despite leading the payroll for his most recent
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, championship jackson
Read the full article at Low Kick‘Rampage’ Jackson: Next Fight Could be My Last With the UFC
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson took to his Twitter account overnight to imply that his next fight might not be his last in MMA, but it would likely be his last in the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, twitter account
Read the full article at Heavy MMARampage Jackson Unhappy With UFC, Says He's Leaving After Next Fight
Quinton Jackson, who is coming off a loss to Ryan Bader in Japan, is currently vacationing in Pampanga, which is one of the provinces in the Philippines. During his stay in the country, Rampage has sent out a few interesting tweets. The former UFC champion, who has been known to get emotional about things, said that after his next fight, he plans on leaving the UFC, and fighting for other promotions:
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson I will fight who ever they put n front of me,I always have,but it will b my last fight n the ufc,I have other things on my mind Mar 06 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
@Rampage4realQuinton Jackson I didn't say I would b done fighting,I just said I'm not fighting 4 the UFC,(u fight cheap)I said I have other things on my mind (big head) Mar 06 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply
Jackson went on to explain why he isn't happy with the UFC, tweeting "Why should I stay? I don't need them or anybody else negative dealing with my (career)... MMA, okay. UFC, not okay after".
Related: Rampage Jackson Says He Used Prescribed Testosterone Replacement Before UFC 144 | Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Wants Rematch With Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Knowing how emotional Rampage can get at times, I expect that this will all just boil over once he speaks with the UFC brass and patches things up. Either way, even if he wants to push through with this a few months after, it won't be easy as there will be very limited options available for him outside of the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, thing
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowQuinton 'Rampage' Jackson suggests next octagon appearance will be his last
According to former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage"
Jackson, his UFC career is just about done.
Jackson on Tuesday wrote that his next UFC appearance will be his
last, though he said he'll continue to fight on in some other fashion.
"I feel sorry for my next opponent, no matter who or what it is,"
Jackson wrote via Twitter. "I will fight whoever they put in front of me
- I always have - but it will be my last fight in the UFC."
Posted in: ufc, jackson, ufc appearance, octagon appearance, twitter i
Read the full article at MMA Junkie
Rampage Jackson Says His Next Fight Will Be His Last With The UFC
For the first time in his long career, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is coming off consecutive loss. At UFC 135, in September, Jackson took Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones into the championship rounds before succumbing to a rear naked choke. After that, Rampage was scheduled to fight Ryan Bader at UFC 144, the promotion's return to Japan. Many thought the return to his former stomping grounds would reinvigorate Jackson. However, his training and conditioning was compromised by injury and a prescription for Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). Rampage lost a clear decision in an unimpressive performance. Since UFC 144, Rampage has been vacationing in Angeles City in the Philippines. Throughout this time, Jackson has been very active on Twitter, and early Tuesday morning he made this announcement:
This seems like a very heavy claim. Yet, without explaining why, Rampage states that this isn't a retirement announcement:
I find this particularly interesting considering how the notability of Quinton Jackson as a fighter. He's competing in the largest promotions in the sport's history throughout his career. This doesn't only make him one of the most well-known fighters in the sport, but also one of the highest paid. I'm not sure what promotion Jackson thinks can hire him to fight for the salary he's accustomed to receiving.
Now, it's up for debate whether or not Jackson will follow through with his plan to leave the UFC. I don't necessarily doubt the sincerity of his post, just that he may rethink this decision. But, if he does, it will be a big loss to the sport and the UFC. Regardless of some of his recent lackluster performances, Rampage Jackson is a fighter people are more than willing to pay to see. Personally, he's been one of my favorite fighters for years and I will be disappointed to see him leave.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, fighter, sport
Read the full article at Head Kick LegendFive questions the media should ask about #UFC testosterone story @TJQuinnESPN @markfwespn @boxinginsider
Too many people are focusing on the wrong aspects of Rampage Jackson's controversial interview with Fighter's Only. It's time to recalibrate the discussion and focus on what really matters.
Posted in: jackson, interview, rampage jacksons, story, testosterone
Read the full article at Fight OpinionIt's Time for the UFC to Put Its Foot Down on Testosterone Use
Gather ‘round, fight fans. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson would like to explain to you exactly why testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) should be banned from the UFC and MMA competition in general. Of course, he doesn’t know that’s what he’s about to do. He seems to think he’s simply extolling the virtues of TRT in an interview with Fighters Only. But look closely and see if you can’’t pinpoint the obvious problems with Jackson’s chosen course of treatment for a knee injury before his recent fight with Ryan Bader at UFC 144:"It was hard for me to train, it takes time to heal, I couldn’t do certain things, but this was my first time ever using testosterone. I took what the doctor prescribed to me and I went to the pharmacy… I gave myself small doses and that [expletive] immediately changed me, that’s why I am saying now I am not going to retire. ...I got stronger, lifting weights. I was never good at lifting weights but I was doing everything, pull ups and stuff, everything with my top half. I gained a lot of weight but I gained a lot of water as well, I never knew about testosterone putting weight on you like that. I had to cut weight [for the fight] and I cut 22 pounds out of the 30 I needed to cut, I just couldn’t make the rest."To recap: fighter injures his knee, fighter goes to the doctor, doctor suggests he see an "age-management doctor" rather than a knee specialist, "age-management doctor" gives him a prescription for testosterone, fighter quickly becomes stronger and physically better than he was before.Does that sound like doping to anyone else, or is it just me?
I don’t blame Jackson here. In his version of events, he went to the doctor for knee problems and came out with injectable doses of testosterone, which he was assured by his doctor (who he said "works for the UFC") that it was all perfectly fair and legal for poor gentlemen like himself with abnormally low testosterone. It’s worth noting here that Jackson is a 33-year-old professional athlete, and yet he’s supposedly suffering from such chronically low levels of testosterone that he needs to inject himself with the stuff just to get to the normal levels enjoyed by men everywhere. If you’d told me that the difference between me, a 32-year-old writer, and Jackson, a 33-year-old fighter, was that I had an unfair edge in natural testosterone production, I’d think you must be smoking something rather than injecting it. But, for the moment, let’s take them at their word.So Jackson, who isn’t a doctor, hears he needs testosterone. He takes the testosterone, and he feels great. He feels like he could fight for years on this stuff, and hey, everyone from his personal doctor to the UFC says it’s okay (although one wonders what his opponent might have thought, had he been told in advance), so why not?Interesting note about the UFC’s role in all this: Jackson claimed that he told his doctor not to tell the UFC about his knee injury, but his doctor (who, again, supposedly works for the UFC) violated his confidence and told them anyway. He also said that he talked to UFC officials about testosterone before he decided to use it, "and they were like ‘yeah, a lot of fighters are probably doing it but not telling anyone.'"(Or at least, that’s what Jackson was quoted as saying in early version of the interview I read online Wednesday evening. As of the time of this writing, that sentence has vanished from the interview.)UFC president Dana White took his usual stance on the issue when pressed about it in Sydney, Australia this week, saying, "If it's legal, if you can do it and the athletic commission allows you to do it and you come in at the right levels, what kind of stance am I going to take on it?"But then, athletic commissions don’t allow every fighter to do it. Fighters have to apply for a therapeutic-use exemption, go through testing and independent analysis, which, to hear Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer tell it, is as likely to result in a no as it is a yes. Did Jackson do all that? We don’t know, but it sure doesn’t sound like it from his description. It sounds more like he, his doctors, and the UFC all got together to take full advantage of the lack of a local athletic commission in Japan, and then Jackson -- in his innocence and perhaps willful naivete -- went and messed things up by telling the truth about it in an interview. Then White threw his hands up and insisted there was nothing his organization could do about fighters using testosterone, since athletic commissions back home allow it...for some of them.This is a ridiculous argument. It’s a dodge. It’s an excuse to allow fighters to engage in legal doping, and it’s got to stop.If you don’t think testosterone is a big deal because, as Jackson put it, "it’s what your body produces," you’re just plain wrong. According to Dr. Don Catlin -- the creator of the UCLA Olympic Sport Lab and a pioneer of anti-doping science -- testosterone is "the strongest anabolic agent we know." It is, in Catlin’s view, the "preferred" anabolic agent among pro athletes, the one you would take if you could take absolutely anything at all.I talked to Catlin for an article on drug testing a few weeks ago, and he literally laughed out loud about the notion of handing out therapeutic-use exemptions (TUEs) for testosterone to pro fighters. He knows a little something about it, too, since he sits on the Olympic committee responsible for approving them -- something they almost never do for Olympic athletes."Young, healthy men don’t get TUEs for having low testosterone," Catlin said. "It’s just not done."Unless you’re an MMA fighter, apparently. Although, logically, shouldn’t professional fighters be the last people you’d want to get legal testosterone injections? Shouldn’t the standards for them be tougher, rather than easier? After all, we’re not talking about hitting a baseball farther or running faster -- we’re talking about thumping another human being’s skull harder. If we give them testosterone to make them stronger and more capable in the cage, we’re just asking for trouble. MMA is still a sport on the bubble, and a sport that’s trying to make its case for regulation in states like New York. What do you think would happen if a fighter hopped up on testosterone injections seriously injured or killed an opponent? It's not safe, and it's not fair to the guy who has to fight an opponent who's been injecting testosterone for the last few weeks.And please, let’s stop this ‘as long as you come in at the right levels’ nonsense. That’s like giving fighters steroids and telling them to make sure it doesn’t show up in their urine sample. We all know that it’s not just what you have in your system on fight night that matters. As Jackson more or less told us, it’s what powers you through training and helps you get stronger in the weeks before the fight that makes all the difference. He can say he was never over a certain level, but how does he know? Did he get tested every day? Did he get tested on any day, aside from his visit to the "age-management doctor"?As Nate Marquardt can tell you, testosterone levels fluctuate wildly and quickly when you’re getting injections of the stuff. His levels were deemed too high to fight in Pennsylvania when he was tested before his planned bout with Rick Story last spring. According to his own team, if the test had been 24 hours later, his levels would have been fine.Testosterone is powerful stuff, as Jackson so helpfully explained. I can imagine why fighters would want to use it, just like I can imagine why middle-aged men everywhere might hear his description and decide that it sounds pretty great. Hell, I’m in my early 30s and my body doesn’t recover quite as well from workouts and injuries as it used to. I’d love to get stronger and faster and feel like a 21-year-old again, only this time not quite as dumb. The difference is, I don’t get paid to beat other people up. The stuff I put in my body doesn’t affect anyone but me. The same isn’t true for pro fighters, which is why we have drug-testing programs to begin with. It’s why we don’t let them drink Red Bull or pop perfectly legal painkillers in the locker room before a fight. Allowing some of them to use testosterone is a dangerous loophole, and one that’s bound to be exploited. It is within the UFC’s power to do something about it, and the fact that it’s abdicating this responsibility and pointing the finger at athletic commissions -- even in places where the commissions don’t exist -- is outrageous. It has to stop, and the UFC is the one with the power to stop it. White and the Fertitta’s have brought the sport this far. Now it’s time for them to take one more step toward fairness and fighter safety, and soon, while the worst-case scenarios are still hypothetical ones.
Posted in: jackson, fighter, doctor, testosterone, itrsquo
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseQuinton Jackson reveals he used testosterone leading up to Ryan Bader fight
Former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson may have found the modern day fountain of youth.
Jackson, who lost to Ryan Bader at UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson, recently admitted to having used testosterone injections prior to the fight in hopes of healing his injured knee quicker than normal. Not only did it assist him in that regard but “Rampage” believes that TRT has made him more likely to continue fighting past his previous retirement target of 35.
Several other fighters have used TRT and it can be legal if held under the right levels, something Jackson says he did in addition to informing his bosses at the UFC about it beforehand as well.
“I spoke to the UFC and they were like, ‘Yeah, a lot of fighters are probably doing it but not telling anyone.’ Me, I keep it real,” said Jackson, in a recent interview with Fighters Only Magazine. “It’s legal and I am not abusing it and I am not going over certain levels. From what I learned about it, when I got tested, my levels were really low and the doctor was telling me that athletes can burn testosterone.”
“I gave myself small doses and that (expletive) immediately changed me,” Jackson continued. “That’s why I am saying now I am not going to retire. It’s just unfortunate that I got this injury.”
Jackson injured his knee in training and was told by a doctor that he should not compete. However, for Jackson that was not an option based on his overwhelming desire to fight in Japan so he followed the advice of his physician who directed him to an “age-management” specialist.
“I really wanted to fight for the Japanese fans and so I went to see the doctor and he told me not to fight. I was like ‘Whoa.’ I bust out crying, because I had missed Japan and… you know, I don’t like to tell people that I cry but I am a human being, I cried. I woke up at like three o’clock in the morning and I cried. I couldn’t train and I didn’t know if it would be a career-ending injury.”
The only negative to his decision to use testosterone had to do with the weight it put on him, one of the factors causing him to come in heavy against Bader.
“I hurt my knee like a month ago and I only did three shots of testosterone but it put a lot of weight on me, a lot of muscle on me but it healed me knee up good enough to where I could fight.”
Numerous other fighters in the UFC have acknowledged using TRT as well including Chael Sonnen and Dan Henderson.
PHOTO CREDIT – LEXANI TIRES/UFC
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, knee, testosterone
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton Jackson admits to testosterone injections prior to UFC 144 fight
The sport of MMA can now add Quinton Jackson to the growing list of fighters who have used testosterone to improve in-ring performance.
Shortly after missing weight for his fight against Ryan Bader last weekend at UFC 144 “Rampage” came out to explain he’d suffered a serious injury while training for the bout and would have withdrawn from the card had it not been in his beloved Japan. However, according to Jackson, the only reason he was able to compete at all had to do with his decision to inject testosterone at the urging of his physician.
“I really wanted to fight for the Japanese fans and so I went to see the doctor and he told me not to fight. I was like ‘Whoa.’ I bust out crying, because I had missed Japan and… you know, I don’t like to tell people that I cry but I am a human being, I cried. I woke up at like three o’clock in the morning and I cried,” said Jackson in a recent interview with Fighters Only Magazine, adding, “I couldn’t train and I didn’t know if it would be a career-ending injury.”
Jackson Details Knee Injury Affecting UFC 144 Performance
On the cusp of calling the UFC to say he wouldn’t be able to fight Bader based on his health, Jackson explained he was referred to an “age-management” specialist by his own doctor.
“I went and talked to them and they tested me and said my testosterone was low; they prescribed me testosterone, to bring my testosterone levels back up to levels where I can be like… so that I am the same as young people, like when I was 25, and it would help build my knee up,” the 33-year revealed. “I hurt my knee like a month ago and I only did three shots of testosterone but it put a lot of weight on me, a lot of muscle on me but it healed me knee up good enough to where I could fight.”
The treatment apparently worked as both a blessing and a curse, improving his knee but also adding extra pounds to the point Jackson came in heavy at the weigh-ins. Still, the testosterone has given “Rampage” a new lease on life.
“In Japan I saw the change and so I decided I am not retiring no time soon, whether I fight for the UFC or not, I am gonna heal my knee up and get back on top. I feel young again. I’m happy I did the testosterone, I wish I had known about it sooner.”
Jackson also made it clear he informed the UFC brass of the testosterone use and was given the “okay” as long as he didn’t exceed a certain level in his body. Other notable fighters who have admitted to testosterone usage include Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, and Chael Sonnen.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Tweet
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, knee, testosterone
Read the full article at Fighters.comDan Henderson fires off shots at Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
Dan Henderson and Quinton Jackson met inside the Octagon several years ago when the two unified the PRIDE and UFC championships. Jackson claimed victory in the encounter. However, “Hendo” appears to be ahead on the scorecards in a recent war of words.
Henderson, who is sitting on the sidelines while waiting for a bout, sounded off on “Rampage” through Twitter regarding Jackson’s performance and overall appearance relating to the former champion missing weight and eventually being outpointed by Ryan Bader in the co-main event of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson.
“Might just be me but Rampage’s stomach is hanging out past his dicky do. Not really able to get aggressive,” Henderson posted. “Bader fought great. Nice job. Quinton looks like he just showed up to get paid.”
Jackson said that he didn’t want to disappoint his beloved Japanese fans by pulling out of the fight despite doctor’s orders. During the weigh-in special, Rich Franklin questioned Jackson’s desire as well, though “Rampage” later revealed he suffered a knee injury in training preventing him from reaching the required weight.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: rampage, jackson, quinton, henderson, job quinton
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton "Rampage" Jackson reveals he was on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for UFC 144
Testosterone replacement therapy is one of the hottest topics in MMA today. Many fighters, as they get older, rely on TRT to bring their testosterone levels to normal range for men their age. It’s a controversial topic, but with a doctor’s prescription it will remain legal even while some doubt the legitimacy of its use and possible abuse.
One fighter that recently underwent TRT was Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Jackson recently spoke about the injury he suffered in the
Posted in: jackson, testosterone, topic, mma today , testosterone levels
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson admits TRT usage, claims his doctor works for UFC
Rampage Jackson just blew open a can of worms about testosterone usage in MMA.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, testosterone usage, doctor works
Read the full article at Fight OpinionRampage Jackson used testosterone before his fight against Ryan Bader at UFC 144
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Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, ryan bader, testosterone, thed
Read the full article at RedditMauricio 'Shogun' Rua Wants Rematch With Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua recently spoke with Brazilian news source Tatame to give an update about his MMA career. The discussion covered his current management situation as Shogun recently split with long time manager Eduardo Alonso. The split caught many people off guard as Alonso had been with Shogun for much of his career and by all accounts the two had a great relationship. Though the reason for the split is still a bit of a mystery, an overwhelming factor was that Shogun would often have difficulty balancing training and dealing with media obligations.
The most interesting part of the interview with Tatame was Shogun's choice for his next opponent. Rua named Ryan Bader, Dan Henderson, and Rich Franklin as possibilities. However, the name that Shogun discussed the most was Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Rua and Jackson first fought in the 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix where Shogun finished Rampage midway through the first round with knees and soccer kicks to the face.
What's next? They've talked about Phil Davis and Rampage Jackson...
I guess it could be one of these guys. I don't discard Ryan Bader nor Rampage, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin... I guess there are many guys I could fight. Actually, soon I'll know more about it and I'll keep you posted. I'm sure I'll train focused on my opponent and he's going to be a hard one.
So, talking about the old days.... Would you like to rematch Rampage?
Absolutely. The fight against Rampage will happen eventually. It's inevitable and UFC knows it. He won't retire before fighting me and neither am I (laughs).
Were you surprised by his performance against Ryan Bader?
It's hard to tell because we don't know what happens to each and every fighter. I don't know if he got injured, if he was not feeling ok... It's hard to know, but Rampage is very professional and deserves to be respected.
Shogun's final answer is very telling. We know at this point that Rampage entered the fight with Bader with a knee injury that prevented him from training at 100%. As a fighter he is likely more sympathetic towards Rampage's poor performance as there are always extenuating circumstances that stop a fighter from performing at the highest level.
At this moment a rematch with Rampage makes sense for both fighters. It's apparent that Jackson's career is on a down swing while Shogun has battled knee injuries for the entirety of his UFC tenure. If the UFC was going to cash in on this obviously marketable fight, the time would be now. There is also a built in story since Rampage didn't enter their first fight with the most confidence after dropping two losses to Wanderlei Silva. Obviously nothing has been sign, but expect for the UFC to book a rematch between the two PRIDE veterans.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, shogun, bader
Read the full article at Bloody Elbow“Shogun” Rua seeking rematch with “Rampage” Jackson down the road
There has been one rematch in particular fans of PRIDE have wanted to see for quite some time – Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Back in 2005 the two met in the opening round of the PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix with Rua scoring a vicious knockout victory over Jackson.
After falling to Jon Jones in a bout for the light heavyweight title last year, Jackson asked to be matched up with Rua for the recently-completed UFC card in Japan, UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. The timing didn’t work out, and instead Jackson faced Ryan Bader and lost.
While Jackson’s stock may have taken a hit, “Shogun” doesn’t seem to mind in terms of another fight with Jackson. Rua, who was last seen falling to Dan Henderson in what many called the “Fight of the Year” this past November, still feels the need to step inside the Octagon with “Rampage” before the two retire from the sport.
“The fight against ‘Rampage’ will happen. It’s inevitable and (the) UFC knows it,” said Rua, in a recent interview with TATAME. “He won’t retire before fighting me and neither am I. I don’t know if he got injured (vs. Bader), if he was not feeling okay….it’s hard to know, but ‘Rampage’ is very professional and deserves to be respected.”
Rua added that he is expecting to find out his next opponent soon and will be back in training quickly to return to action. However, he offered no hint as to who the lucky party will be, only saying, “I don’t discard Ryan Bader nor ‘Rampage’, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin… I guess there are many guys I could fight,” said Rua.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/SUSUMU NAGAO
Posted in: rampage, jackson, ’t, rua, ryan bader
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainDan Henderson Calls Out Rampage Jackson For 'Just Showing Up To Get Paid'
Dan Henderson was tweeting during UFC 144 and a few days later a few of his tweets about Quinton Jackson during his fight with Ryan Bader have picked up a little steam. While Rampage was putting on one of the worst performances of his career, Henderson first poked a little fun at Rampage's stomach and then spoke to what many of us were thinking.
Here's the tweets:
@danhendoDan Henderson Might be just me but rampages stomach is hanging out past his dicky do. Not really ably to get aggressive. Feb 26 via TweetCaster for iOS Favorite Retweet Reply
@danhendoDan Henderson Bader fought great. Nice job. Quinton looks like he just showed up to get paid. Feb 26 via TweetCaster for iOS Favorite Retweet Reply
With Henderson sitting around waiting for a big name opponent, it's tempting to think about a rematch between Dan and Rampage. The problem, of course, is that Henderson is in line for a title shot and beating Rampage after a fight in which Jackson looked terrible isn't exactly going to increase his profile very much.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
Posted in: rampage, jackson, henderson, dan henderson, rampages stomach
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowShogun Rua: A rematch against Rampage Jackson is 'inevitable'
Part Deux, anyone?
Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson, two of PRIDE FC's biggest stars during the promotion's heyday, initially locked horns at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005 in Osaka, Japan. Rua had his way with Jackson from the opening bell, delivering strike after strike, which forced the referee to step in and stop the bout halfway through the opening frame.
Since then, both have reached the pinnacle of the mixed martial arts (MMA) world, capturing gold in the form of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) light heavyweight title. They have also competed against common opponents in Dan Henderson, Forrest Griffin, Lyoto Machida, Chuck Liddell and Jon Jones.
However, since that night in Japan, seven years ago, the two have yet to rematch.
With both former 205-pound champions coming off losses, the present, it seems, is as good a time as any to set up the rematch that fans have been longing for all these years.
Speaking to Brazilian MMA news outlet Tatame.com, "Shogun" gives his thoughts on Quinton Jackson's performance at UFC 144 against Ryan Bader this past weekend (Feb. 25, 2012) in Japan -- and also goes on to say that a second go-round against Jackson is "inevitable" before they retire.
Check it out:
"I don't discard Ryan Bader nor Rampage, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin... I guess there are many guys I could fight. Actually, soon I'll know more about it and I'll keep you posted. I'm sure I'll train focused on my opponent and he's going to be a hard one. The fight against Rampage will happen eventually. It's inevitable and UFC knows it. He won't retire before fighting me and neither am I (laughs). I don't know if he got injured, if he was not feeling ok... It's hard to know, but Rampage is very professional and deserves to be respected."
"Shogun," was much friendlier in his analysis of Jackson's performance than that of fellow light heavyweight and former PRIDE star, Dan Henderson.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt has not seen action since his epic battle with the aforementioned Henderson at UFC 139 over three months ago. Rua dropped a unanimous decision to "Hendo" in what has been dubbed one of the greatest fights in MMA history.
"Rampage" had previously lobbied for a fight against ‘Shogun" in Japan, but was only granted part of his wish, as he was matched up against Ryan Bader in Saitama, instead.
Anyone disagree that this is the most obvious match-up for the two former champions? Or is there someone else that would make for more of an intriguing fight for "Shogun's" return?
Posted in: rampage, jackson, japan, ryan bader, i dont
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC Quick Quote: Rampage Jackson 'just showed up to get paid' in Japan
"Bader fought great. Nice job. Quinton looks like he just showed up to get paid."
-- Oh, he went there. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Dan Henderson took to his official Twitter account to express his displeasure with Quinton Jackson's performance against Ryan Bader this past weekend (Feb. 25, 2012) at UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan. "Rampage" admitted that he wasn't surprised that he lost to Bader because of a knee injury he sustained during training camp and aggravated again during the fight. The injury, which prevented Jackson to cut anymore weight and come in six pounds over the required limit, was kept under wraps until after the fight was over. Bader, for the most part, dominated the three round affair and cruised to a unanimous decision victory. Perhaps "Hendo" was expecting the same "Rampage" that went to war with him for five rounds back in 2007 at UFC 75. The two went toe-to-toe in a PRIDE vs. UFC match that would unify the 205-pound titles from each mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. Jackson went on to best Henderson via unanimous decision, taking his PRIDE Middleweight title in the process. Is the spark the could possibly set up a rematch between the two former Light Heavyweight champions down the line? Hendo is still looking for a fight ... he might have just picked (another) one.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson States He Is Not Retiring After UFC 144 Loss
Quinton Jackson
Following his first fight in Japan in exactly six years, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was quick to declare that Saturday was not the last time you will see him in the Octagon.
In his return to Japan, Jackson was unable to get past Ryan Bader, who overpowered the former UFC champion. Jackson, 33, came into the fight with an undisclosed injury. After the fight, he announced it was a knee injury he suffered during training camp that caused him to come into the fight overweight. Weighing in at 211 pounds, Jackson missed weight for the first time in his illustrious career.
The extra weight and lack of conditioning was evident, as Jackson was unable to overcome the strength of Bader. Jackson stated he re-injured the knee during the fight, from a slam by Bader in the second round. The third round went much like the first two, and Bader was awarded the victory by unanimous decision.
But even with the loss, his second in a row, Jackson declared he is not going to retire. He took to his Twitter account, stating “”Just so you guys know I’m not going to retire, I’m gonna heal up then get back on top, thanks to all my fans that are still with me…I fight for you.”
It is not known how long Jackson will be out of action due to the injury and loss, or even how long Jackson will remain in mixed martial arts. Following his loss to Jon Jones in September, Jackson expressed interest in switching to boxing once his current contract with the UFC expires.
Posted in: fight, jackson, loss, injury, bader
Read the full article at MMA Frenzy
Knee injury to blame for meh Rampage performance
Aside from the 5 seconds of mega-slam, Rampage Jackson didn't look very Rampagey at UFC 144 against Ryan Bader. What was the deal? This isn't the first time he's looked flat and unresponsive. But this time he has an excuse:
"I almost didn't make it to the fight, but I didn't want to pull out for the Japanese fans," Jackson said. "I injured my knee pretty bad, and my doctor told me not to fight. But it wasn't real serious. I didn't need surgery or nothing, but he told me it wasn't a good idea to fight. I decided to fight anyway." ..."I re-injured the knee when Bader slammed me," Jackson said. "It was one of those things. I was worried about it. Before the slam, I wasn't doing a really good job. I was worried about it, and I had to lose a lot of weight since I couldn't really run and stuff. It was downhill from there."I hurt my knee, and I just wanted to put on an exciting fight, and I was just happy to make it here and try and put on a show for the Japanese fans."
At this point I think most fans are all like "Why U No Punch People Hard in the Face, Rampage???" Knee-injured or not, Quinton has gone from an aggressive sh*tkicker to a passive boxer who likes to counterstrike. That passivity has nearly cost him in fights against Keith Jardine and Matt Hamill, and now he has a loss against the gatekeeper-level Bader. Jackson says he still wants to fight, but sometimes in the cage it doesn't really look like it. Where's the old Rampage? Oh, 2003, you say? That was a pretty long time ago.
Posted in: fight, rampage, jackson, knee, didnt
Read the full article at FightlinkerRyan Bader admits to being “out of it” after big slam from “Rampage” Jackson
As a young fighter in PRIDE, former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson developed a reputation for dishing out damage with an arsenal of brutal slams, none more infamous than his power-bomb finish of Ricardo Arona. However, when it came to his bout against Ryan Bader this past weekend at UFC 144, few believed Jackson could channel the “Rampage” of old and wow the Japanese fans with another highlight reel slam given Bader’s accomplishments as an amateur wrestler.
Midway through the second round Jackson proved his critics wrong, scooping Bader up against the fence and slamming him down face-first to the mat. While Bader never lost consciousness the impact clearly injured him, something he openly admitted to in an interview with the UFC shortly after making his way backstage.
“I knew he was waiting for something because he was a little too relaxed right there with his head. He was just waiting for me to knee the head and he caught my leg,” explained Bader of the sequence resulting in Jackson’s biggest offense of the entire fight. “He’s a strong dude so he picked me up and slammed me right on my head, and I was out of it, honestly, for a little bit. But I recovered and that’s what it’s about, just staying in there and battling, and that’s what happened.”
While the 14-2 Bader has notched some notable victories since showing up in the UFC three years ago the 28-year old has no illusions when it comes to which of the lot is the most significant in his career.
“This is my favorite win of all time,” said Bader of his performance. “Coming in and winning the Ultimate Fighter, it’s not really in the UFC. You start over right when you get in the UFC. That’s what I learned, real quick. I had a couple of losses last year. Starting this year off right so getting a win over “Rampage”…he just fought for the title, Top 5 in the division…so I couldn’t have asked for more.”
No word has surfaced on what might be next for Bader though, if he has his way, it will involve a little time off rather than an immediate match-up.
Watch the full interview below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, jackson, right, ryan bader, bader
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton Jackson not eyeing retirement anytime soon
During the build up to Quinton Jackson’s bout with Ryan Bader a number of questions sprung up surrounding the former light heavyweight champion’s future in MMA based on some comments he’d made about retirement, saying he would have already hung his trademark chain up if he’d beaten Jon Jones last September to re-claim the UFC title. His performance against Bader did little to clear the matter up after “Rampage” missed weight and looked sloppy in general.
Jackson addressed the issue at the post-event press conference for UFC 144 where he said, surprisingly, he not only wants to fight until 35 but perhaps even a bit longer, health permitting.
“See, I know I’m getting to the end of my career, because I say I don’t want to fight past thirty-five, but, honestly, before I hurt my knee you guys should have seen how I was training,” explained Jackson. According to “Rampage”, the injury slowed his training down and resulted in him coming in heavy as well as lacking some mobility/stability inside the Octagon.
“I’ve got this really good wrestler named Tyson Jeffries that kicks my butt in wrestling and at the beginning of this camp, I was kicking his butt, I was taking him down and the wrestling got real competitive and that’s how I hurt my knee,” the 33-year old continued. “He’s one of the best wrestlers I know and I was dealing with him, I was handling him. I was sparring really good and I was looking like a superstar and then I hurt my knee. That made me think, ‘Oh man, I’ve got a lot more time to fight.’”
“It was unfortunate, but now, I know what I can do if I come in a hundred percent,” Jackson concluded on his status both present and future. “I think I’ve got a lot of years (left). I’m ready to put on more shows. I heal up fast, I’m like a werewolf. I wasn’t even supposed to fight here, so I’ll be back really soon.”
UFC President Dana White Questions “Rampage” Jackson’s Desire to Compete
The loss marked the first time Jackson had lost back-to-back bouts in his decade-plus career. “Rampage” is 7-4 under the UFC banner and 32-10 overall.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Tweet
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, knee ”
Read the full article at Fighters.comUFC 144 results: Is it the end of the line for Rampage Jackson?
On Feb. 25, 2012, Quinton Jackson lost a three round decision to fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan. "Rampage" had his moments, but overall, he looked a step slower and a mere shadow of the fighter that the Japanese fans were used to seeing during the PRIDE era.
But it isn't just that he lost. The best fighters in the world lose decisions and live to see another day. Often times, it makes them all the better for it. As much as "Rampage" doesn't want to hear people in the mixed martial arts (MMA) community question his motivation, it's hard not to these days.
He missed weight by six pounds, a misstep that didn't even really seem to bother him. But let's be real -- it affected him and his performance.
Now the big question: Should Jackson's appearance at UFC 144 be his last inside the Octagon?
Jackson has now lost two fights in a row, the performance against Bader being fairly unimpressive. His loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135 on Sept. 24, 2011 in Denver, Colorado, was an even more one-sided affair.
Sure, he stayed around with "Bones" for over three rounds, but he never threatened. There was never any point in that fight where it looked like Jones' victory was in question.
But that's just two consecutive losses, right? No big deal. The UFC typically gives fighters a leash of no less than three losses in a row before they cut the cord and say goodbye.
I have two problems with that line of thinking.
First off, it's really more than the two losses. It has more to do with the nature of his past five performances. Before losing his last two contests, he won two decisions over Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill, neither of them awe-inspiring.
"Rampage" got the job done, but barely.
Before that, he lost a decision to Rashad Evans that saw Jackson get dominated for three rounds by "Suga" at UFC 114 on May 29, 2010 in "Sin City."
The truth of the matter is that "Rampage" hasn't earned a big victory in the UFC since he knocked out Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92 all the way back on Dec. 27, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During that run, he's had multiple problems outside the cage, had his motivation questioned by pundits and fellow fighters alike, and just flat-out hasn't looked himself.
Here's my second problem with the "only two losses" argument: Is that really how you want to see a guy like "Rampage" go out? Losing three in a row before getting his pink slip?
It taints his legacy and mars his legend. I don't know if he's better than that these days, but he was.
My preference would be to see "Rampage" go out on his own terms. Quit before they can fire you or at least before you become Chuck Liddell.
Could Jackson have a "come to Jesus" moment in his life where he totally gets his life and fight game back in order and return to championship form? Maybe, but I've seen nothing out of him in four years that shows me this is a possibility.
It's been a good run. He's given us a ton of highlights and soundbytes. But it's time to move on now. Go make that "A-team" sequel. Maybe even shoot a "B.A. Barracus" spin-off project.
Just walk away while it's still your decision.
What say you, Maniacs? Am I way off, or do you agree that it's time for "Rampage" to walk off into the sunset?
Opinions, please.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, loss, decision
Read the full article at MMA Mania
UFC 144 by the numbers and inside the box score
-Benson Henderson joins Carlos Condit, Frank Shamrock, Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz as the only men to hold UFC and WEC championships.-Henderson has gone the distance in his last five fights-Four of the eight current UFC champions were former WEC fighters-Henderson has now won four in a row and 14 out of his last 15 fights-Henderson is 4-1 all time in UFC and WEC title fights-The fight and win for Henderson was his first versus a former UFC champion-Frankie Edgar's 687 day lightweight title reign is the second longest in UFC history, behind only B.J Penn -The loss snapped a seven fight unbeaten streak for Edgar-Both of Edgar's career losses have come via decision-All five of Edgar's UFC title fights have gone past the third round into the championship rounds-FightMetric Effectiveness score had the fight 388-285 in favor of Henderson. In the ten point must system FightMetric scored the fight 49-46 for Henderson-Per CompuStrike Edgar had a 7-2 edge in takedowns -After a two fight losing streak Ryan Bader has now won back to back fights-The win over Jackson was Bader's first over a UFC champion after previously losing to Tito Ortiz and Jon Jones-Bader moves to 7-2 in his UFC career-With the loss to Bader, Jackson is now 0-3 versus Ultimate Fighter reality show winners-Despite 10 career losses Jackson's defeat to Jon Jones and Bader was the first time he lost back to back fights-Three of Jackson's four UFC losses have come via decision-Per CompuStrike Bader had a 107-32 edge in total strikes over Jackson -The FightMetric Effectiveness score gave Bader the nod 202-80 -Betting favorites went 7-5 at UFC 144. Tim Boetsch's third round comeback versus Yushin Okami was the biggest paying underdog at +300
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, loss, bader
Read the full article at UltMMALefko on UFC 144: Rampage run down
Quinton (Rampage) Jackson made his return to Japan but as he fought Ryan Bader, he certainly didn't look like the fighter Japan once saw.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, japan, ryan bader, fighter japan
Read the full article at sportsnet.ca“Rampage” Jackson says knee injury stymied performance at UFC 144
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson didn’t seem like his usual self against Ryan Bader in the co-headliner of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson Saturday night. Following an entrance featuring the PRIDE theme and brought those in attendance at the Saitama Super Arena to their feet, Jackson never got on track, looking fairly sloppy throughout as Bader claimed a decision victory.
After missing weight, the former light heavyweight champion disclosed he suffered a knee injury in training likely keeping him out of the bout had it not been in Japan. “Rampage” made a name for himself while fighting in Japan before joining the UFC and had lobbied for a chance to compete on the card since the second it was announced.
“I almost didn’t make it to the fight, but I didn’t want to pull out for the Japanese fans,” said Jackson at the post-event press conference. “I injured my knee pretty bad, and my doctor told me not to fight. But it wasn’t real serious. I didn’t need surgery or nothing, but he told me it wasn’t a good idea to fight.”
Jackson went on to say he believes the injury came about while working with Tyson Jeffries on his wrestling. “Rampage” added his belief he was in as good of shape as ever before the knee problem sprung up and said he would be back fighting once again as soon as he’d healed up completely.
The loss was the second consecutive stumble for Jackson who also fell to title-holder Jon Jones in September.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: rampage, jackson, ’t, wasn ’t, knee
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC 144 results: Rampage Jackson not surprised he lost to Ryan Bader, has many years left inside the Octagon
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson received his long desired wish to return Far East last night (Sat., Feb. 25, 2012) when he climbed inside the cage in front of his adoring fans at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, at UFC 144 against Ryan Bader.
Unfortunately for "Rampage," his homecoming was not a successful one, as "Darth" largely dominated Japan's adopted son en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Coming in six pounds overweight, Jackson later revealed his excess baggage was due to the fact the he was suffering through an undisclosed injury during training camp. Not wanting to pull out of the fight, especially after lobbying so hard for it, Jackson kept his secret injury to himself and proceeded with his obligations.
After failing to make weight, fans, fellow fighters and media alike questioned whether Jackson's heart was still in the game and if his desire to compete inside the Octagon was still there. And even though "Rampage" isn't surprised he lost the fight, he assures everyone that his desire to compete is indeed still there and he has no plans on leaving the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) any time soon.
See what he had to say at the UFC 144 post-fight press conference in Japan:
"Well if I am going to be critically honest, I am not surprised I lost the fight because I tried to keep the secret that I almost didn't make it to the fight but I didn't want to pull out for the Japanese fans. I injured my knee pretty bad, my doctor told me not to fight. It wasn't real serious, I didn't need surgery or nothing, but he just told me it wasn't a good idea to fight. I decided to fight anyway and I re-injured my knee when Bader slammed me. It's ne of those things, I was worried about it, even before the slam, I wasn't really doing a good job, I was worried about it and I had to lose a lot of weight because I couldn't really run and stuff, so it was downhill from the day I hurt my knee in the gym. That's why I just wanted to put on an exciting fight and I'm just happy to even make it her and try to put on a show for the Japanese fans."
If you think "Rampage" just wasn't inspired due to the fact that many feel his MMA career might be coming to an end, think again:
"See, I know I'm getting to the end of my career because I said I didn't want to fight past the age of 35, but honestly, before I hurt my knee, you guys should have seen the way I was training. I got really good sparring partners and I got this really good wrestler, Tyson Jeffries, that kicks my butt in wrestling and at the beginning of this camp I was kicking his butt, I was taking him down and wrestling got real competitive and that is how I hurt my knee. He is one of the best wrestlers I know and I was dealing with him I was handling him I was sparring really good and I was looking like a superstar. Then I hurt me knew. When I got hurt, it was just unfortunate, but now, I know what I can do if I come at 100 percent, so I think I got a lot of years and I'm ready to put on more shows. I heal up fast, I'm like a werewolf, I wasn't even supposed to fight here. But I will be back real soon."
Now that the mysterious injury that hindered Jackson's ability to cut anymore weight and caused his poor performance at UFC 144 is out of the bag, fans can expect better once "Rampage" is healed up once again.
After losing two consecutive bouts, the first time he's done so in his entire MMA career, Jackson assures everyone that he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Treading uncharted waters, Rampage looks to get back on track sooner rather than later.
But in a stacked 205-pound division, that's easier said than done.
What's your take, Maniacs? Are you appreciative of Jackson's willingness to go through a tough fight with a lingering injury tagging along? Who should he face next time up inside the Octagon? Perhaps a rematch with fellow former PRIDE star, Mauricio Rua, who is also coming off a loss, may be in order.
Thoughts?
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, fan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144: Ryan Bader dominates Rampage Jackson in Japan
The Ultimate Fighter 8 winner, Ryan Bader, defeated Quinton Jackson in the co-main event of UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan, after dominating his opponent in every aspect of Mixed Martial Arts.
Bader's footwork and overall movement inside the Octagon prevented from Rampage Jackson to execute his gameplan. "Darth" scored points and did damage with short striking combinations, and leg kicks that forced Jackson look for a one-punch knockout. Jackson got Bader hurt with a vicious body slam, but was unable to get the
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, quinton jackson, bader, gameplan darth
Read the full article at Low KickUFC 144 results recap: Ryan Bader vs Quinton Jackson fight review and analysis
One of the most anticipated showdowns of UFC 144 last night (Feb. 25, 2012) was the light heavyweight battle between Ryan Bader and Quinton Jackson in Saitama, Japan.
"Rampage" Jackson was trying to channel his old school Pride self, coming out to the classic Pride music, howling and wearing his old school chain link necklace. But, other than a brief flash with a slam, that was about as much old school "Rampage" that the Japanese fans were witness to.
So what helped Bader score the upset victory? And where do both men go from here?
Follow me after the jump for our Ryan Bader vs. Quinton Jackson UFC 144 post-fight review and analysis:
Early on, it was all about speed, and Ryan Bader had it all. He perplexed Jackson by darting in and out, hitting him with his stand-up and keeping away from Jackson's power. "Rampage" tried to keep up, but he just looked a step slow in the striking department.
Perhaps it was the secret injury that forced the former champion to come in six pounds heavy at the weigh-ins, but Jackson looked like a completely different fighter last night.
After dropping the first round primarily because of the stand-up, Jackson showed a brief flash of his former self when he caught a knee, lifted Bader over his head and then proceeded to slam The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 winner directly on his head and right arm.
This stunned Bader and Jackson tried to capitalize, but he couldn't swarm him fast enough and "Darth" was able to recover. Bader didn't just recuperate, he turned the tide about a minute later, taking Jackson down and then slamming "Rampage" to the canvas in a bit of irony.
To put an exclamation point on the upset, Bader again took Jackson down and was active enough with punches to keep the fight on the canvas until the final horn. He got up to celebrate while a beaten and clearly dejected Jackson remained flat on the canvas, pondering what he had done wrong.
The judges were easily able to side with Bader, awarding him a unanimous decision with a 30-27 sweep of the scorecards.
For Jackson, this should have been a wake-up call. No matter how badly you want to fight in Japan, even turning down an opportunity to fight in front a significantly larger audience for the UFC on Fox show, you can't go into a fight with an injury like that. Not only did it cost him 20 percent of his fight purse (which likely was a tidy sum), it cost him a victory. He was hobbled, slow and completely ineffective against Bader. He needs to rest, let those injuries heal and try to come back 100 percent if he wants to ever make a big impact in the division again.
I'd like to see Jackson heal up his injuries and then fight Mauricio Rua in a classic rematch. At this point, he should be more about putting on exciting fights than winning the title again. Other interesting bouts would be Vladimir Matyushenko and perhaps Rich Franklin, who he called out after his weigh-in on Friday night.
For Bader, this was the type of performance he needed to put on to completely get back on track after such a disheartening two fight losing streak in 2011. He stepped up against a more experienced foe who was a former champion and he delivered exactly what he needed to do. He looked younger, faster and maybe even stronger than Jackson last night en route to earning a rather dominant decision victory. He beat Jackson in just about all the areas of the fight with superior speed and wrestling.
I'd like to see Bader fight Stephan Bonnar next, perhaps the winner of Thiago Silva vs. Igor Pokrajac or even Alexander Gustafsson if he can get past Antonio Rogerio Nogueira later this year. It seems that "Darth" Bader is back and ready to get back in the mix once more.
So what did you think, Maniacs?
How much of a factor was Jackson's injury in his performance last night? Were you impressed with what Bader was able to accomplish or is his victory tainted for you?
Sound off!
For complete UFC 144 results, including blow-by-blow, fight-by-fight coverage of the entire event as well as immediate post-fight reaction click here, here and here.
Posted in: ufc, fight, night, jackson, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144 Results: Rampage Jackson Goes Out Like A Lamb In Loss To Ryan Bader
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson first traveled to Japan for a fight 11 years ago. A young, unknown and inexperienced fighter, he was brought in to lose to Japanese superstar Kazushi Sakuraba and he did. But the young Rampage showed such fighting spirit in his underdog effort that he won the hearts of the Japanese fans and it was the start of a long and legendary run for Japan's Pride Fighting Championships.
Last night Jackson returned to Japan to face Ryan Bader at UFC 144. This time he came as the aging former UFC light heavyweight champ. The 33-year-old Jackson missed weight for the first time in his UFC career. He looked paunchy and old coming into the cage and even worse he showed a remarkable lack of fighting spirit in the cage.
While he did land a brutal and beautiful slam on Bader, it was the lone highlight of the fight for Jackson who was outpunched, outwrestled and plain outfought for 15 minutes in the Saitama Super Arena before a hushed Japanese crowd who was pulling for their old favorite in vain.
UFC president Dana White was open with his doubts about Jackson's level of interest in fighting, saying he's felt that Rampage had been disinterested in his fighting career since making the A-Team movie two years ago. That film's shooting infamously delayed the biggest UFC bout of Jackson's career, a The Ultimate Fighter season 10 capper against Rashad Evans. The Jackson-Evans fight finally took place at UFC 114 in May of 2010, but it was originally set to take place in Jackson's home town of Memphis, TN at UFC 107.
While Quinton Jackson may very well fight again in the UFC, don't hold your breath waiting for the old Rampage to return boys and girls. It seems we've seen the last of the young, hungry fighter who once gave Kazushi Sakuraba everything he could handle.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
UFC 144 Results: Ben Henderson And Anthony Pettis Ready For Rematch - Nate Wilcox
UFC 144: Edgar Vs. Henderson Results And Post-Fight Analysis - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 144 Results: Dana White Says Anthony Pettis Will 'Likely' Get Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot - Bloody Elbow
UFC 144 Post-Fight Press Conference Video
UFC Japan Video: Georges St. Pierre Gets Attacked By A Mob Of Kids With Samurai Foam Swords - Bloody Elbow
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 139: UFC 144 Results Review
UFC 144 Results: Ryan Bader Dominates Rampage Jackson To Decision - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Mark Hunt Knocks Out Cheick Kongo In The First Round - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Jake Shields Wins Hard Fought Decision Over Yoshihiro Akiyama - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Tim Boetsch Upsets Yushin Okami In The Third Round - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Post-Fight Press Conference Video
UFC 144 Results: Hatsu Hioki Defeats Bart Palaszewski By Unanimous Decision - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Anthony Pettis Knocks Out Joe Lauzon In The First Round - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Takanori Gomi Stops Eiji Mitsuoka In The Second - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Vaughan Lee Submits Kid Yamamoto With An Armbar - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Riki Fukuda Dominates Steve Cantwell To Decision - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Chris Cariaso Defeats Takeya Mizugaki By Unanimous Decision - Matthew Roth
UFC 144 Results: Issei Tamura Knocks Out Tiequan Zhang - Matthew Roth
Posted in: ufc, jackson, result, matthew, roth
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowUFC Quick Quote: Ryan Bader was out of it after Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson slam at UFC 144
"This is my favorite win of all time. Coming in winning the Ultimate Fighter, it's really not in the UFC, you start over right when you get into the UFC. That is what I learned real quick. You know I had a couple of losses last year and I'm starting this year off right. Getting a win over Rampage, he's up there, he just fought for the title, he's top five in the division so I couldn't ask for more. He got that good slam, you know , I knew he was waiting for something because he was a little to relaxed right there with his hands and he was just waiting for me to knee the head and he caught me, he's a strong dude, so he picked me up and slammed me right on my head and I was out of it honestly for a little bit. But, I just recovered and that's what it's about, just staying in there and battling and that's what happened."
-- Ryan Bader tells UFC.com that he was "out of it" for a little while after Quinton Jackson slammed him in the second round of their co-main event bout last night (Feb. 25, 2012) at UFC 144 from Saitama, Japan. "Rampage," who was known for power bombing opponents such as Kazushi Sakuraba and Ricardo Arona while fighting in Japan with Pride FC, had yet to show the stateside fans his incredible strength with his powerful slams that he was accustomed to doing in the Far East. Perhaps all it took a trip to "The Land of The Rising Sun" to inspire Jackson to do what he does best, and that's drop them on their heads. Bader, however, rattled after landing head first and awkwardly on his arm, shook of the split-second cobwebs to regain his composure and control the pace from that moment forward en route to a unanimous decision win. With "Darth" upsetting Jackson's large fan base in attendance, he propelled himself closer to the top of the mountain in the 205-pound division and handed Jackson his second consecutive loss. Impressed with Bader's composure after the slam from "Rampage" and his overall performance for that matter? It certainly looked like it could have been much worse -- the crunching slow motion replays were insane.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, head, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Still Has to Desire to Fight Following UFC 144 Loss
SAITAMA, Japan -- Watch below as Quinton Jackson talks about his loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144, how his injury affected his performance, whether he wants to keep fighting, what's next for him, and his return to Japan.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, japan, ryan bader
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage Jackson UFC 144 Post-FIght Interview
'Rampage' Jackson admits he expected UFC 144 loss but promises return
SAITAMA, Japan - Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage"
Jackson dreamed of a return to Japan, but the result ended up as more
of a nightmare in truth.
And following his decision loss to Ryan Bader at Sunday's UFC 144 event
in Saitama, Japan, Jackson admitted he wasn't terribly surprised at the
result.
"If I'm going to be critically honest, I'm not surprised that I lost the fight," Jackson told MMAjunkie.com.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, ryan bader, fight jackson
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Discloses Pre-Fight Injury (UFC 144 Post-fight Video)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson talked to the press after his loss to Ryan Bader at the UFC 144 post-fight press conference. Jackson talks about his pre-fight injury that almost sidelined his fight against Bader.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, ryan bader, prefight, prefight injury
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 144 results: 'Rampage' Jackson faces uncertain future after loss to Ryan Bader
The moment Quinton Jackson tapped out to the rear naked choke wrapped around his neck by UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, "Rampage" has been living on borrowed time.
Before the UFC 135 bout, I opined a loss for the Memphis native would spell the end for him as a title contender. At the time, Rashad Evans was on the brink of scoring a second title shot while former champions Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua were also looking to get back to the top of the 205-pound mountain. The upper echelon of the light heavyweight division has always been packed and one loss could derail a career for years. Ask Evans who the lost the title all the way back at UFC 98 and is only now getting another crack.
Despite clocking in at only 33 years old, Jackson has been in the fight game for over a decade and has spent most of it fighting only the best of the best. In addition to the wear and tear his body has accumulated over 41 fights, "Rampage" has made it no secret that training doesn't rank very high as a favorite pastime. I'm sure his disdain for it has only grown as he grows older.
So it didn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together when the PRIDE Fighting Championships (PRIDE) veteran openly campaigned for a slot at UFC 144 held in the defunct Japanese promotion's favorite haunt, Saitama Super Arena. The writing was on the wall. And after coming in six pounds overweight and suffering a demoralizing loss to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 winner Ryan Bader, many were left wondering the same thing.
Is the "Rampage" over?
It's fitting Jackson's career might end up coming to a close in the same building where it took off over a decade ago. "Rampage" showed up at the Saitama Super Arena at PRIDE 15 to take on company ace Kazushi Sakuraba. He was big, he was scary and he was American. He was the perfect villain to "Saku's" hero. With a giant chain around his neck and an inhuman howl coming from his mouth, "Rampage" became an instant star in Japan and would fight in country nearly 20 more times before making the jump to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
It was inside the Octagon Jackson would find the success that eluded him across the Pacific. Inside the PRIDE ring, he always played second fiddle to Wanderlei Silva. Stateside, he quickly deposed Chuck Liddell from the top of the light heavyweight mountain and became a champion. Less than four months later, he finally won the title he never could in Japan when he defeated Dan Henderson who had taken the title from "The Axe Murderer" at PRIDE's penultimate show.
Jackson's career following the unification bout was punctuated by joyous highs and desperate lows. He would lose his title and his number one ranking to Forrest Griffin in his next fight. Soon after, he fired his trainer and went on a -- no pun intended -- rampage fueled by energy drinks and a lack of sleep. His monster truck led police on a short chase and soon Jackson's photo was appearing more often on TMZ's website than the UFC's.
He put all the drama behind him by finally besting longtime rival Silva and putting the Brazilian to sleep with a vicious hook at UFC 92. He added a second consecutive win by defeating Keith Jardine which also secured a title shot for the Memphis wrestler. Injuries kept him from cashing it in however and Machida took his place.
Another season coaching TUF, an A-Team feature film and a retirement shorter than Joseph Benavidez followed. "Rampage" finally faced off against Evans at UFC 114 but the TUF 2 winner kept Jackson on his back and earned the unanimous decision. The former champion would have to beat "The Dragon" and Matt Hamill before having to re-earn the title shot he never should have lost in the first place..
Over three years of waiting was rendered fruitless after 16 minutes when "Bones" forced Jackson to submit. Now, after a lethargic showing against Bader, Jackson finds himself even further removed from the throne he was occupied. The former champion blamed his performance on a knee injury, one severe enough to consider pulling out of the fight. "Rampage" ignored medical advice and stepped inside the ring anyway.
At the post-fight press conference, Jackson claimed he was feeling as good as ever before the injury and hopes to continue fighting for a few more years. The rumors of an impending retirement were squashed right then and there. When the time finally comes for Jackson to call it a day, however, it will be a sad day in mixed martial arts (MMA). No one wants to see a fighter with the talent and personality Jackson has walk away from the sport.
Regardless, "Rampage" will have earned it.
Posted in: ufc, title shot, title, rampage, jackson
Read the full article at MMA ManiaDespite Injury and Loss, Rampage Not Quitting
Especially after missing weight, many fans and pundits were concluding that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson would call it quits after UFC 144. No way, says Rampage.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, loss, weight, loss rampage
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage Jackson Says He Won't Retire, Injury Affected Him in Loss
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson campaigned for a role at UFC 144, a wish that was granted by UFC president Dana White. But the voyage was ill fated. Jackson lost in a fairly lopsided unanimous decision to Ryan Bader, a defeat that he says was in part caused by a knee injury suffered in training camp.Jackson said he hurt himself wrestling during his preparation, but that he decided to stay in the fight because of his desire to fight in front of the Japanese fans again. He also added that the injury was re-aggravated during a Bader slam during the bout. "If I’m going to be critically honest, I’m not surprised I lost the fight," he said, acknowledging that his doctors told him not to compete.
Jackson didn't specify the exact injury he endured, but said that it would not require surgery.During fight week, speculation grew that Jackson would announce his retirement win or lose after the bout. Perhaps it was his wistful attitude or reflective state during the days leading up to UFC 144 that led to those assumptions, but Jackson shot them down, denying that he would hang up his gloves despite falling into the first two-fight losing streak of his career.The 33-year-old said that his performance in training prior to the knee injury proved to himself that he was still capable of performing at a world-class level, and implied that he'll rehabilitate his injury and rededicate himself to training."I know what I can do if I come in 100 percent, so I think I got a lot of years left," he said. I’m ready to put on more shows. I heal up fast. I’m like a werewolf. I wasn’t even supposed to fight here. I heal up fast, so I’ll be back real soon."According to FIghtMetric, Bader out-struck Jackson 109-30 during the course of the three-round bout, and he also scored four takedowns compared to one for Jackson.With the loss, Jackson fell to 32-10.
Posted in: fight, jackson, injury, knee injury, irsquom
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 144 Results: Ryan Bader Decisions Rampage Jackson in Japan
Ryan Bader scored a unanimous decision win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in their UFC 144 co-main event in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, decision, ryan
Read the full article at MMA Weekly
Bader vs. Jackson Official UFC Statistics
UFC 144 - Ryan Bader vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
Posted in: ufc, jackson, vs, official, bader
Read the full article at Fight MetricUFC 144 results: Ryan Bader upsets Rampage Jackson with a decision win
Quinton Jackson badly wanted to fight in Japan again before retiring and he got the chance to do so tonight (Sat., Feb. 25, 2012) at the famed Saitama Super Arena against Ryan Bader at the UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" pay-per-view event.
We even learned that "Rampage" had passed up fighting on the second UFC on Fox card to appear at this show to once again put on a show for the Japanese crowd that loves him so. And they wildly cheered for him as he howled his way to the cage to the Pride theme song, creating a hair raising environment one couldn't help but get emotionally caught up in.
It's just too bad Bader had to come in and spoil the homecoming.
"Darth" used a strong wrestling game to go along with improved striking to win a unanimous decision by scores of 30-27 across the board. A tired Jackson simply couldn't avoid getting taken down and never quite got his punches off the way he wanted to.
Hey, at least we got a sweet slam, right?
I'm not sure I've ever seen Jackson come out so fast and pressing forward so hard to start a fight. He even went Nick Diaz for a minute and stepped back to raise his hands to ask for Bader to engage him.
When he did, though, it was to clinch against the cage. Smart strategy, considering the weight issues and injury claims from his training camp that surely sapped his ability to push his cardio.
Bader then proceeded to find a home for the one punch he has that does a great deal of damage (the overhand right) while Jackson had little to offer as an answer to it. He ended the round with some solid punch combinations but none of them landed.
Score one for "Darth."
The second round saw a lot of the same action ... until Jackson went all "Slampage" and put Bader down on his skull with a sweet slam reminiscent of the old Pride days. The fans in Japan exploded with delight.
Unfortunately for them, it didn't last, as Bader got back to his feet, survived the ensuing onslaught of punches and took Jackson down, where he kept him until the round ended.
The final frame began with Jackson ready to head hunt in the hopes that he could score the knockout he surely wanted to give his fans in Japan. Sadly, depending on perspective, Bader used his wrestling to take "Rampage" back to the floor and worked top control.
And that was all there was to it.
Remember, too, to check out our ongoing live coverage of the UFC 144 main card action by clicking here.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, punch, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144 Results: Ryan Bader Dismantles Rampage Jackson
Rampage Jackson came in five pounds overweight and looked doughy at Friday's weigh-ins, and Saturday night he looked even worse: Ryan Bader easily beat Jackson by unanimous decision at UFC 144.
It was the worst Rampage has looked in a long, long time: He didn't get blown out the way he did in his last fight, a loss to Jon Jones, but at least in that fight he appeared to be in shape and ready to go. This time he just didn't have anything in him, and Bader dominated him.
All three judges scored it 30-27 for Bader.
Bader looked good in the first round, getting the better of the stand-up exchanges and controlling Jackson in the clinch. Jackson looked tentative and tired, and Bader looked confident.
At the start of the second Bader looked good as well, although Jackson turned things around with a big slam, picking Bader up and dropping him head-first on the ground. But Bader recovered nicely, took Jackson down and got on top of him on the ground. From there Bader dominated the rest of the round, and although Jackson's slam was the most dramatic thing that happened in the second round, it was another round for Bader.
In the third round Bader executed a beautiful takedown into side control and dominated the fight on the ground, grinding out an easy decision.
Posted in: fight, jackson, round, ground, bader
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 144 results: Ryan Bader shuts out 'Rampage' Jackson for signature win
It may not have pleased the Japanese audience, but light heavyweight Ryan Bader got the job done against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Avoiding the PRIDE veteran's power, Bader outworked Jackson on the feet and outwrestled him on the mat for a unanimous-decision victory.
The bout served as the co-main event of UFC 144, which took place at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It aired live on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, bader, saitama japan, unanimousdecision victory
Read the full article at MMA Junkie
Rampage misses weight, does it matter?
Quentin “Rampage” Jackson missed weight by 5 pounds last night at UFC 144 weigh-ins. Jackson claims that this was due to an unspecified injury and as a result he will forfeit 20% of his show money to his opponent, Ryan Bader.
Ryan Bader seemed nonplussed by the fact Jackson missed weight by a considerable amount.
Via Fuel TV:
Jackson told his side of the story and had a message for Rich Franklin who, as a Fuel TV analyst, was critical of Jackson missing weight.
Payout Perspective:
Unlike Anthony Johnson, Rampage will likely get a pass for failing to make weight. However, Jackson was one of the big attractions for this card and the weight issue could mean he’s not at 100% which could affect his performance. In the end, missing weight might not impact attendance or buy rates but will affect Jackson’s salary. It may also create a rivalry with Rich Franklin.
On another note, Fuel TV sent out the above interviews covering the situation. Its another way for Fox to promote its presence on Fuel TV.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, tv, weight, fuel
Read the full article at MMA PayoutRampage Jackson Explains Missing Weight for UFC 144 Fight Against Ryan Bader
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson explains why he missed weight, coming in at 211 pounds, for his UFC 144 co-main event against Ryan Bader in Japan.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, weight, ryan bader
Read the full article at Heavy MMARyan Bader Responds to Rampage Jackson Missing Weight for UFC 144
Ryan Bader responds to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson coming in at 211 pounds for their UFC 144 co-main event in Japan. Bader will get 20 percent of Jackson's purse.
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, ryan bader, bader, japan bader
Read the full article at Heavy MMAUFC 144 fight card: Quinton Jackson vs Ryan Bader prediction, preview and breakdown
A compelling UFC 144 co-main event will take place later tonight (Feb. 25, 2012) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, between two heavy-handed 205-pound fighters with relatively similar styles.
Quinton Jackson, for all his column-friendly quotables and self-parody, is an outstanding fighter with many tools. Don’t be fooled by his four-round domination at the hands of Jon Jones, as I’m not sure if anyone else is going to extend "Bones" that far in the next couple years ... at least not until the champ moves to Heavyweight.
Jackson’s blend of good takedown defense and potent hands, along with a big-time chin and tons of experience, make him a real live wire for an up-and-comer like Ryan Bader.
"Darth" is used to being the better takedown guy in a match up, and he’s not going to be that guy here. At best, it’s a scratch for him in terms of wrestling. Bader’s stand up is decent, however, and his thudding right hand is a great weapon to soften up Jackson for takedown attempts.
Follow me after the jump for a complete breakdown of the UFC 144 fight between Quinton Jackson vs Ryan Bader:
The Breakdown
What we’re likely to see is a great, ex-champ still likely in his prime against a rising prospect looking to capitalize on that opportunity. This isn’t the biggest fight of Jackson’s life by far, given his legendary battles in PRIDE and the title loss to Jones, but it’s definitely the biggest of Bader’s. And that kind of motivational disparity can leave the mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran coming into the bout with less than his best, even though he should win on paper.
The Pick
Jackson’s still one of the nastiest wrestler-slugger combos in the game, and his biggest weakness has been in junking his great takedowns and top game for a fists-of-fury approach. We’ve yet to see the epic slams and numbing top game he displayed in PRIDE -- his ground and pound of foes was epic during that run, but in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he only seems motivated to wrestle if forced to, as was the case in battles against Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans and Jones.
Bader’s got to pick his spots and get out while avoiding Jackson’s big counters, which he’ll fire after covering up and absorbing shots. Jackson also has a tendency to wait around for opponents and see what they will do, then react off it, which can backfire against a motivated overachiever with a specific game plan, which is precisely why he lost to Rashad Evans.
However, Bader may not have the wrestling chops to win this one, and Jackson remains a dangerous one-shot banger with a great chin. Jackson will probably be best served as soon as he gets nailed, or forced into a grinding, takedown-based fight, because it will wake him up and bring out his competitive nature. He’s the kind of guy who can lose or nearly lose a fight where he’s frustrated rather than hurt (such as the Evans and Keith Jardine bouts), but he comes alive when he feels threatened, like in the third match with Wanderlei Silva or the Chuck Liddell rematch.
Jackson’s hot and cold, but it’s hard to see Bader outpointing or outwrestling him over the distance. There will be some good exchanges, especially as Bader is great at shooting his massive right hand disguised as a takedown attempt. Expect Jackson to get rocked at some point and "Rampage" to take over, forcing heavy exchanges where he eventually gets the better of it, forcing Bader to back up and go defensive.
It’d be a stretch to say that Jackson might even score an effective takedown he’s ditched wrestling at this point, but those would certainly help. Either way, Jackson will prove too rugged and strong and gut out a close decision in a war.
Jackson via decision
Be sure to join MMAmania.com this evening for LIVE, detailed UFC 144 results of all the "Edgar vs. Henderson" pay-per-view (PPV) action. It will include blow-by-blow coverage of the Facebook video stream, FX "Prelims" bouts, and of course, the PPV broadcast. We'll start RIGHT HERE at around 7:30 p.m. ET and carry straight on through early Sunday morning.
See you later!
Jason Probst can be reached at www.twitter.com/jasonprobst and at jason@jasonprobst.com.
Posted in: ufc, takedown, jackson, bader, jacksonrsquo
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144 picks, Vegas-style: Who’s still betting Quinton Jackson? (Yahoo! Sports)
As if the travel, near-silent crowd and incredibly early start weren't enough to factor into betting UFC 144, along comes the weight snafu of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. The former UFC light heavyweight champ whiffed badly on making weight at 205 … Continue reading →
Posted in: ufc, jackson, quinton, weight, weight snafu
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC 144 fight card: Previews, predictions and a complete guide to 'Edgar vs Henderson' in Japan
For fans of mixed martial arts, this past week has been a slow crawl of steadily rising anticipation for tonight's "Edgar vs. Henderson" event, going down at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
UFC 144 will feature a lightweight championship bout pitting titleholder Frankie Edgar in his first defense of his belt against someone not named B.J. Penn or Gray Maynard when he takes on Ben Henderson.
In the co-main event, a bloated and apparently injured Quinton Jackson will square off against a fresh and raring to go Ryan Bader.
It's been a flurry of non-stop news, analysis, quotes, predictions and previews for the past week and it's certainly understandable if you missed out on a few stories.
But don't worry, Maniacs, we've got you covered.
In cased you missed any or all of it — or just want to keep the discussion alive — below are links to all the major storylines heading into tonight's broadcast.
In we go:
UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson"
Fight card and line up
Results and live fight coverage
UFC 144 predictions and previews:
Predictions from the myth himself, Nostradumbass
"Prelims" preview and predictions part one
"Prelims" preview and predictions part two
Fight preview: Antony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Fight preview: Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Fight preview: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Fight preview: Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
Fight preview: Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Fight preview: Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Fight preview: Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
UFC 144 press conferences:
Pre-fight press conference
Press conference video
Press conference staredown pics
Press conference photos gallery
UFC 144 weigh-ins:
Weigh-in results
Weigh-in video
Weigh-in staredown pics
Weigh-in photos gallery
Rampage Jackson misses weight for Ryan Bader fight, forfeits 20-percent of purse
UFC 144 news:
How to watch the event
Event poster
Special cartoon poster
Special Godzilla Rampage poster
Open media workout photos gallery
Latest odds and betting guide
Complete statistical analysis of Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
Exclusive interview with Chris Cariaso
UFC 144 pay-per-view main card to feature seven fights
UFC 144 editorials:
Ghosts of Saitama: Legends rise and fall while heavyweight titans collide at Final Conflict 2005
Ghosts of Saitama: ROMANEX, Hero's and DREAM all make their debut
Ghosts of Saitama: The Japanese New Year's Eve war starts with three blockbuster shows
Ghosts of Saitama: After nearly a decade, the traditional New Year's Eve MMA event in Japan comes to an end in 2011
Ghosts of Saitama: Pride FC wastes no time making its debut
Ghosts of Saitama: In 2004, the world's greatest heavyweights descended on Saitama Super Arena
History in the Making: Ben Henderson and Clay Guida prove they should have ushered the UFC onto network TV
History in the Making: Rampage Jackson makes his Pride debut against Kazushi Sakuraba
Ultimate Submissions: Jake Shields brings American jiu-jitsu to Japan
Dana White says UFC will likely return to Japan but not with a Pride show
Ben Henderson plans on cornering, cutting off the cage and getting his hands on Frankie Edgar
Ben Henderson ready to beat Frankie Edgar ... then Anderson Silva's win record
Rampage Jackson will fight you for two dollars worth of 7-Eleven fried chicken
Rampage Jackson: I'll powerbomb Ryan Bader if he's dumb enough to let me
Michael Bisping says Ryan Bader will be a good win for Rampage Jackson
Ryan Bader is confident and comfortable, plans to upset Rampage Jackson's return to Japan
Jake Shields looking to bounce back in 2012, hoping to meet Carlos Condit again
Jake Shields is ready to destroy Yoshihiro Akiyama
Mark Hunt is a better striker than Cheick Kongo
Anthony Pettis looking to unleash something new on Joe Lauzon in Japan
Melvin Guillard is praying Joe Lauzon loses to Anthony Pettis
UFC 144 videos:
Dana White video blog episode one
Dana White video blog episode two
Countdown to UFC 144
Japanese anime UFC 144 trailer
UFC 144 live from Japan
Extended video preview
Will Ferrell assists Bruce Buffer with UFC 144 fighter introductions
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson fight simulation
Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader fight simulation
Frankie Edgar: Ben Henderson is a tough guy but there's a reason I'm champion
Frankie Edgar fight will be a career defining moment for Ben Henderson
Rampage Jackson takes Tokyo and talks MMA career
Rampage Jackson training video featuring "giant sets" and PVC pipes
Rampage Jackson is a street fighter, not a martial artist
Ryan Bader isn't just going to trade punches with Rampage Jackson
Joe Lauzon video blog episode one
Joe Lauzon video blog episode two
Joe Lauzon video blog episode three
That, my friends, should be enough to keep you talking -- at least for the time being.
What has been the biggest story heading into this event? The seeming lack of hype for what looks to be a stacked card? "Rampage" looking down and out and failing to make weight? Something else?
Sound off, Maniacs.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, vs, preview
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Talks About Missing Weight At UFC 144, Responds To Rich Franklin
Rampage Jackson explains to FUEL TV’s Ariel Helwani why he missed weight by six pounds at the UFC 144 weigh-ins. He also has harsh words for Rich Franklin who questioned on the FUEL broadcast if Rampage had taken the fight seriously.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, weight, fuel, fuel broadcast
Read the full article at MMA ConvertUFC 144 video: Quinton Jackson explains missing weight, warns he'll smack Rich Franklin; Ryan Bader reacts
When Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White asked Quinton Jackson several days ago in his UFC 144 video blog what he weighed, "Rampage" joked back, "You don't want to know."
It's no longer a laughing matter.
Jackson missed weight yesterday at the UFC 144 weigh in (watch the video here), coming in at a startling six pounds over the 205-pound division limit. His opponent, Ryan Bader, hit his mark and agreed to fight Jackson in the co main event despite the extra baggage.
In exchange for his acceptance, Bader will receive 20 percent of Jackson's total fight purse.
It's certainly out of character for Jackson to miss weight, even though he self-admittedly hates to train and get in shape. However, it's a bit more strange that it happened prior to his return to Japan, where he made a name for himself in mixed martial arts (MMA) thanks to his success under the now-defunct Pride FC banner.
Shortly after the weigh in, Jackson explained that he was dealing with an undisclosed injury in training. One that was apparently so severe that his doctor advised him against fighting later tonight (Feb. 25, 2012) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
He pushed forward regardless against those orders because as he explains, it's his job to fight, whether he's healthy or not:
"I wasn't going to say anything because I thought I was going to make the weight. I got injured in my camp, which kind of hindered me from doing a lot of running, but I didn't want to miss this fight because it was so important to me and I fought so hard to get it. So I just said forget it, I'm just going to man up and still make the fight, keep training in other ways. I just couldn't get my roadwork. I healed up and then I got my roadwork in, but it was just a little bit too late. I had a lot of weight to cut -- I cut 21 pounds. I just couldn't get the last six. I tried my best. I cut everything I had."
On the FUEL TV post-UFC 144 weigh in show, special guest commentator Rich Franklin -- who is also a former Middleweight champion and current Light Heavyweight competitor -- talked with host Jon Anik about the scale-tipping mishap. And he hinted that perhaps a lack of motivation was behind Jackson's unprofessional incident.
Jackson didn't hold back:
"Rich Franklin better watch his mouth before I smack him the next time I see him. He's a fighter just like I'm a fighter. He should watch what he say. He don't question whether a fighter is taking a fight serious or not. I take all my fights serious. I'm tired of people saying that ... I'm tired of people questioning me. I haven't backed out yet of a fight due to injuries. I fight. If I win I win, if I lose I lose. I won some fights injured and I lost some fights injured.... It's my job to fight [injured or not]."
Be sure to check out Bader's reaction after the jump. He, too, is now a little suspicious of Jackson's motivation, but is ready to get busy inside the Octagon because that's what he came to "The Land of the Rising Sun" to do ... not worry about his overweight opponent.
"He came in pretty heavy, you know? It wasn't just a couple pounds. It is what it is, really. I'm not going to sit and dwell on it -- I didn't come all the way to Japan to collect some so show money, I came here to fight Rampage. So, that's what were going to do -- I took the fight and we're going to fight.... You kind of question whether he took [this fight] seriously.... It just kind of puts that in my mind like, I want this ... does he? I showed up. I'm ready to go. I don't really care that he didn't make weight. That's all on him."
For everything you need to know about the co main event between Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader be sure to check out our complete fight archive right here.
Posted in: fight, jackson, weight, bader, im
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144: Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Vs. Ryan Bader Dissection
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson returns to his old stomping grounds against Ryan Bader in the co-main event of tonight's UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson extravaganza.
Jackson rose up in Pride FC and immediately magnetized fans and amassed a strong following for his hemispheric personality. His thousand-yard stare and the oversized chain around his neck was gimmicky enough to draw attention, but his sincere humility and good-natured wisecracking made for an infectious contrast. Rampage also seemed to mature and evolve as a fighter throughout his tenure in Pride. It began with a submission loss to Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba in his debut, then, a few fights later, started to reflect A-level talent with a reputable wins over Igor Vovchanchyn and former UFC heavyweight champ Kevin Randleman before catching fire at the 2003 Grand Prix.
Rampage defeated another former UFC champion in Brazilian Top Team co-founder Murilo Bustamante, then added a third with a ruthless TKO over longstanding light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. Even though he spoiled the highly anticipated showdown between Liddell and Wanderlei Silva and ended up losing to "The Axe Murderer" in the finals, Rampage etched his name into the annals of MMA that night.
Jackson was among the early waves of Pride fighters who migrated to the UFC and wasted no time: he stopped Marvin Eastman with strikes in his Octagon debut, knocked "The Iceman" out cold in the rematch and then unified the titles by defeating Pride's last welterweight (183-pounds) and middleweight (205-pound) joint champion, Dan Henderson. Forrest Griffin would dethrone Jackson in his first title defense and, in his six remaining fights, Rampage would only falter twice against the top-two light-heavyweights in the world (Jon Jones, Rashad Evans).
More UFC 144 Dissections
Hioki-Palaszewski | Gomi-Mitsuoka | Yamamoto-Lee | Fukuda-Cantwell
Okami-Boetsch | Mizugaki-Cariaso | Zhang-Tamura
Ryan Bader emerged with the double-edged honor of being a TUF champion; a creditable accolade, but one that required further success in the Octagon to authenticate. Validation came in the form of four consecutive wins in which the two-time D1 All American wrestler tackled increasingly prestigious competition: Camelo Marrero, Eric Schafer, Keith Jardine and perennial top-tenner Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
His victories over Jardine (first round knockout) and Nogueira (unanimous decision) were highly definitive for such a young fighter, and Bader had maintained his perfect record while establishing himself as a legit contender. His first taste of defeat came against current champ Jon Jones, who was tearing his way toward a title shot and took another step in that direction with a commanding second round submission.
When Bader drew Tito Ortiz, the bout was assumed to be a step down in competition and the bon voyage affair for "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy." Defying the odds, Ortiz floored Bader with a punch and then sealed him off with a guillotine choke to make it two straight. Fast forwarding from contender to facing extinction with the risk of three consecutive defeats, Bader got back on track with a crushing first round knockout of Jason Brilz in his last.
Gifs and analysis in the full entry.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
I think it's obvious that Bader's chances are slim if he tries to either purely out-wrestle or out-strike Rampage, but promising if he conjoins those two strengths together as one. This leaves the blueprint Rashad Evans laid out, which is an agile in-and-out boxing routine complemented by timely double legs when Rampage is preoccupied with striking exchanges.
Bader does have the horsepower to replicate it as well. His stand up has definitely been forged into a sharp weapon and he's getting more comfortable feinting between wrestling and striking attacks.
Bader is a massive puncher and moves well for his size and strength, and he'll want use that movement to stay at angles while Rampage is walking him down.
The worst possible thing he could do is stand in front of Rampage, so I expect Bader to be in constant motion and only throwing short, straight punches like he did against Nogueira. That fight was also a good demonstration of how quick Bader's hands are and how he can take over by controlling distance with movement. The ace up his sleeve is faking takedowns, as Quinton will be forced to react, which usually results in lowering the defensive guard.
For Rampage, the mechanics of this match up closely resemble the Matt Hamill fight. Hamill is a strong and fairly agile wrestle-boxer with a similar skill set to Bader, and Rampage was on-point with his striking and takedown defense.
In fact, Rampage has spent most of his career polishing up a balanced release of his boxing to generate big power while maintaining the ability to sprawl. He immediately retracts his hips and controls Hamill's head in the front headlock position, switches to a right-side underhook for stability and then fires away.
As in the Hunt vs. Kongo Dissection, Rampage starts to rely more heavily on threatening with the uppercut when Hamill keeps dropping his head in the same spot. With a wide, low base, a simple uppercut from a power puncher can be an extremely effective deterrent against wrestlers.
Rampage has always had phenomenal takedown defense but is slightly more susceptible to quickly sprung shots from outside than trips and throws in the clinch. Dropping levels and rifling for doubles from the fringe is how Evans and Jones both grounded him.
I've grown to respect Bader quite a bit and I think he's still improving. His striking has developed a lot of power, but I don't think it's refined enough in the subtle details to wobble Rampage or land the greater amount of effective blows. If he's flawless in using angles and mixing his attacks, I could see him taking a close decision. I have a feeling that Rampage is going to make a strong statement, nullify the early takedown attempts and look for the finish.
My Prediction: Rampage by TKO.
Gifs via Zombie Prophet of IronForgesIron.com
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Rampage Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
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Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, vs, bader
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowQuinton Jackson misses weight badly for UFC 144 bout with Ryan Bader
In a recent video blog from UFC President Dana White, the outspoken executive was shown asking light heavyweight Quinton Jackson how where his weight was a few days out from tonight’s match-up with Ryan Bader at UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. Jackson’s reply was, “You don’t wanna know…”
Now that the fighters scheduled to compete at the show have all stepped on the scale it’s apparent why Jackson was so coy, as “Rampage” came in at 211 pounds for his fight – five pounds over the contracted light heavyweight limit. Fortunately for fans, Bader agreed to compete at a catch-weight and will receive 20% of Jackson’s purse as a result.
The Complete Vlog from White
Jackson later explained his problem hitting the necessary mark had to do with an injury he’d sustained in training, apologizing to fans and his employers for the embarrassing flub.
Make sure to catch tonight’s UFC 144 extravaganza when things start up on Facebook/FX at approximately 7:15 PM EST before heading over to PPV at 10:00 PM EST.
Here is a complete list of UFC 144 weigh-in results:
Tiequan Zhang (146 lbs) vs. Issei Tamura (145 lbs)
Takeya Mizugaki (135 lbs) vs. Chris Cariaso (136 lbs)
Riki Fukuda (185 lbs) vs. Steve Cantwell (185 lbs)
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (136 lbs) vs. Vaughan Lee (135 lbs)
Takanori Gomi (155 lbs) vs. Eiji Mitsuoka (154 lbs)
Anthony Pettis (155 lbs) vs. Joe Lauzon (156 lbs)
Hatsu Hioki (145 lbs) vs. Bart Palaszewski (146 lbs)
Yushin Okami (185 lbs) vs. Tim Boetsch (185 lbs)
Mark Hunt (254 lbs) vs. Cheick Kongo (229 lbs)
Yoshihiro Akiyama (169 lbs) vs. Jake Shields (170 lbs)
Quinton Jackson (211 lbs) vs. Ryan Bader (205 lbs)
Frankie Edgar (154 lbs) vs. Benson Henderson (154 lbs)
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, vs, lb, bader
Read the full article at Fighters.com“Rampage” Jackson blames missed weight on injury, says he’ll “slap” Rich Franklin next time he sees him
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson wasn’t in the best of moods following Friday’s weigh-ins for UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. Jackson, who will meet Ryan Bader in the co-main event, missed weight after tipping the scales at 211 pounds.
Bader agreed to the fight at a catchweight, with “Rampage” forking over 20 percent of his purse to “Darth.”
During an interview on Fuel TV’s weigh-in special, Jackson reported suffering an injury during training that kept him from doing his normal workouts. While he wouldn’t go into detail what the injury was, Jackson seemed quite upset.
Earlier in the show, guest analyst Rich Franklin said that missing weight by just a few pounds meant Jackson wasn’t taking the fight serious. Those were fighting words, as far as “Rampage” was concerned.
“Rich Franklin needs to watch his mouth before I smack him the next time I see him,” said Jackson, who reported on Twitter some four hours before the weigh-ins that he was still six pounds over. “He should watch what he says. You don’t question if a fighter is taking a fight seriously or not. I take all my fights seriously. I’m tired of people saying that.”
Jackson (32-9) will be trying to get back on track after a submission loss to Jon Jones in 2011 in a fight for the UFC light heavyweight title. Bader (13-2) is coming off a knockout victory over Jason Brilz.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/LEXANI
Posted in: fight, pound, rampage, jackson, ’t
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC 144 Video: Ryan Bader Responds To Rampage Jackson Missing Weight
Ryan Bader is facing Quinton Jackson tonight at UFC 144 in what was scheduled as a light heavyweight bout. Jackson missed weight by a pretty significant amount, coming in at 211 for the 205 pound bout. Ariel Helwani caught up with Bader after the weigh-ins to get his thoughts for Fuel TV:
Quotes after the jump but if you're wondering how to check out the evening's action, we've got you covered.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
On Jackson missing weight:
"You know, he came in pretty heavy. It wasn't just a few pounds, you know? So it is what it is really. I'm not going to sit and dwell about it. I came all the way to Japan, I didn't come to question somebody and go home. I came here to fight and to fight Rampage so that's what we're gonna do. I took the fight and we're gonna fight."
On i he ever debated backing out of the fight:
"No, you know? Like I said, I came all the way out here. I trained my butt off and went through a great camp. I feel ready now and now's the time to go out there and win. And you know? Just had to talk it over a little bit and we took the fight immediately. There was no time we were ever saying we weren't going to take it."
On if he is is questioning Rampage's motivation:
"Did he really take it that seriously? I'll look back and see if he ever missed weight before. I don't know if he has. But it kind of puts that in my mind. I want this. Does he?"
Posted in: fight, jackson, weight, i dont, question somebody
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowCan UFC 144 Revive Japanese MMA? Rampage Jackson Thinks So
The mixed martial arts scene isn't what it used to be back in the days of Pride, but UFC 144 co-main eventer Quinton "Rampage" Jackson believes it can be re-kindled.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, japanese, scene
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 144's 'Rampage' blames injury for missing weight, takes issue with Franklin
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson said an undisclosed injury contributed to his inability to make weight for tonight's UFC 144 event.
He also has a problem with FUEL TV guest analyst and fellow UFC fighter Rich Franklin, who questioned how seriously Jackson took his fight camp.
"Rich Franklin needs to watch his mouth before I smack him the next time I see him," Jackson said during a FUEL TV weigh-in special.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, time i, franklin, fight camp
Read the full article at MMA JunkieUFC 144 Video: Rampage Jackson Talks Missing Weight, Smacking Rich Franklin
Quinton Jackson missed weight last night for tonight's UFC 144 bout with Ryan Bader and he did so badly, coming in at 211 pounds for this light heavyweight (205 pounds) fight. Immediately there was speculation over if Jackson was taking the fight seriously or if he was starting to check out on his career a little bit. Jackson addressed that idea in a weigh-in with Ariel Helwani for Fuel TV:
Quotes after the jump...
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
On why he missed weight:
"I wasn't going to say anything. I thought I was going to make the weight but um, I got injured in my camp that kept me from doing a lot of running. But I didn't want to miss this fight because it's so important to me and I fought so hard to get it and I said 'forget it, I'm just gonna man up and make the fight.' And I kept training in other ways, I just couldn't get my road work in in a lot of ways. Then I healed up and could get my roadwork in but it was too late. I started cutting weight and it was a lot of weight to cut. I cut 21 pounds. I just couldn't get the last 6. I tried my best, it's kinda difficult you gotta weigh in earlier and I kinda underestimated the time. I woke up at three o'clock this morning cutting weight and I cut everything I had."
On Rich Franklin questioning his motivation in the Fuel booth after the missed weight:
"My friend already texted me what Rich Franklin said and Rich Franklin need to watch his mouth before I smack him the next time I see him. He a fighter the same way I'm a fighter, he should watch what he say. You don't question if a fighter is taking his fight serious or not. I'm a fighter, I take all my fights serious and I'm tired of people saying that. So what I get ups and downs in my fight career just like everyone else but I'm still here. I've been around eleven years but I'm still here. I take all my fights seirously and I'm tired of people questioning me. I'm one fighter that, I haven't backed out of a fight yet due to injury. I won some fights injured and I lost some fights injured. That's just me, I'm the one that gotta answer to it at the end of the day."
Posted in: fight, jackson, fighter, weight, im
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowUFC 144 weigh-in photos: An MMAjunkie.com image gallery
SAITAMA, Japan - MMAjunkie.com was on scene for
today's official UFC 144 weigh-ins, where 23
of 24 competitors successfully made weight for this weekend's
pay-per-view event, the company's first visit to Japan since 2000.
Unfortunately, the one who failed was former PRIDE superstar Quinton
"Rampage" Jackson, who registered 211 pounds for his light heavyweight
matchup with Ryan Bader.
Nevertheless, a crowd of a little more than 1,500 fans cheered Jackson
as he hit the scale, and this weekend's event will go on as planned.
Posted in: jackson, japan, ryan bader, mmajunkiecom, weekends event
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Jackson explains missed weight, hits back at Rich Franklin's comments on Fuel TV
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson came overweight at the official UFC 144 weigh-in, hitting the scale 211lbs (5lbs over). Rampage will have to forfeit 20% of his fighting purse to Ryan Bader, who will look to add insult to injury by defeating Jackson in tonight's co-main event.
Jackson revealed he had a number of injuries during his training camp for UFC 144, and was unable to cut the required amount of weight. Rampage refused to reveal his "walk around" weight, but still
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, weight, franklins comments
Read the full article at Low KickRampage misses weight, UFC 144 fight still a go
Quinton (Rampage) Jackson, desperate to fight in Japan again, weighed in at 211 pounds Friday for his UFC 144 co-main event vs. Ryan Bader.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, weight
Read the full article at sportsnet.caUFC 144 Weigh-In Results: Edgar-Henderson On Weight, Rampage Jackson Over
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson came in at 211 pounds for his light heavyweight co-main event against Ryan Bader at Friday's UFC 144 weigh-ins in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, ryan bader, weighin
Read the full article at Heavy MMAFrankie Edgar vs Ben Henderson staredown pic from UFC 144 weigh-ins
The UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" weigh-in event took place today (Fri., Feb. 24, 2012) in Japan and that means staredown pics from all the major players.
That includes the two headliners for tomorrow night's event at the Saitama Super Arena, Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson. Both came in one pound under the limit, just to ensure nothing gets in the way of their lightweight championship showdown.
Not so for Quinton Jackson, who badly missed weight for his co-main event bout against Ryan Bader. The fight will go on nonetheless, as "Rampage" has forfeited 20-percent of his purse to his opponent. For more on Jackson missing weight click here.
There are five more main card match-ups set for the pay-per-view tomorrow night and we've got staredowns from each of them after the jump.
For complete UFC 144 weigh-in results click here.
Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Posted in: jackson, vs, card matchups, edgar, staredown pics
Read the full article at MMA ManiaQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Says Training Injury Led to Missing Weight
UFC 144 in Japan was supposed to be Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson's coming home party, but it's been anything but smooth thus far.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, quinton, training injury, home party
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 144: Weigh-In Results - Quinton Jackson Over By Six Pounds
Tonight the UFC held the official weigh-ins for UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. Aside from the obligatory ogling of Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama, everything seemed to be normal until Quinton "Rampage" Jackson walked up to the stage. Jackson looked visibly softer than he usually does when weighing in and tipped the scales at a whopping 211 lbs - 6 pounds over the 205 lb. limit.
Following the weigh-in ceremony, Rich Franklin appeared on FuelTV as an analyst and questioned Rampage's professionalism and dedication. Apparently, Quinton saw the commentary and was not entertained saying, "Rich Franklin should watch his mouth." Jackson went on to explain that he suffered an injury during training and was unable to do the necessary work to continue his weight cut. Will the injury and failed weight cut even the odds or give Ryan Bader an advantage? We'll find out tomorrow night.
Main Card:
Frankie Edgar (154) vs. Ben Henderson (154)Ryan Bader (205) vs. Quinton Jackson (211)Cheick Kongo (229) vs. Mark Hunt (264)Yoshihiro Akiyama (169) vs. Jake Shields (170)Tim Boetsch (186) vs. Yushin Okami (185)Hatsu Hioki (145) vs. Bart Palaszewski (146)Joe Lauzon (156) vs. Anthony Pettis (155)
Preliminary Card:
Takanori Gomi (155) vs. Eiji Mitsuoka (154)Vaughan Lee (135) vs. Norifumi Yamamoto (136)Steve Cantwell (185) vs. Riki Fukuda (185)Chris Cariaso (136) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (135)Issei Tamura (145) vs. Tiequan Zhang (146)
Posted in: jackson, vs, quinton, tomorrow night, weighin
Read the full article at Head Kick LegendUFC 144: 'Rampage' Jackson misses weight for Ryan Bader fight, forfeits 20-percent of purse
Quinton Jackson just couldn't resist that two dollar fried chicken at the local 7-Eleven.
The UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" weigh-in event took place tonight (Fri., Feb. 24, 2012) in Japan, and "Rampage" broke the scale when he came in at 211-pounds for his light heavyweight bout against Ryan Bader, who was on point at 205-pounds.
Jackson was interviewed by UFC color commentator Joe Rogan after weighing in but, curiously enough, his weight didn't come up during the course of the brief conversation.
Maybe Rogan was playing it safe after they beefed in the media recently.
Later, though, Jackson spoke on FUEL TV and revealed he suffered through injuries during his training camp that didn't allow him to run and do the cardiovascular conditioning his used to. And while he wouldn't reveal the details of what exactly his injury was, he did say he cut as much as he possibly could.
Thankfully, the fight will go on, as Jackson will forfeit 20-percent of his purse to Bader, who accepted the bout at a catchweight. What's a few extra pounds amongst enemies, right?
For complete UFC 144 weigh-in results click here.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, fuel tv, ryan bader, weight didnt
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144 weigh-in: ‘Rampage’ Jackson misses weight badly, Ryan Bader fight still on (Yahoo! Sports)
The rumors of Quinton Jackson having a lousy training camp appeared to have been true based on his condition when he stepped on the scales tonight in Tokyo. The former UFC light heavyweight champion missed the 205 pound limit … Continue reading →
Posted in: ufc, jackson, quinton jackson, training camp, yahoo sports
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC 144 Weigh-In Results: Rampage Jackson Misses Weight
After twelve long years, the last hurdle to the UFC's return to Japan has been cleared.
Lightweight title challengers Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson both made weight during Friday's UFC 144 weigh-ins at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, rendering their championship tilt official.
Henderson, the former WEC titleholder, hit the crowded stage first, tipping the scales at 154 pounds. Edgar soon followed suit, measuring in at 154 pounds to a respectful round of applause from the Japanese audience.
Despite a tense staredown, both men remained gracious throughout the proceedings. "Ben's a tough dude. It was a good camp to prepare for him," said Edgar, the UFC's reigning champion. "Obviously a new face, a new name. Let's do it"
"Frankie's the man," Henderson replied. "He has a great chin, has a great heart. He has proved himself time and again. He's a great champion. It's going to be an honor for me to take a belt away from a champion like that."
Not surprisingly, light heavyweight co-headliner Quinton Jackson received the loudest ovation of the afternoon. A former star of PRIDE FC who doggedly lobbied to land on the card, "Rampage" somehow came in far overweight his first Japanese contest since 2006, hitting 211 pounds on the official scale. Jackson agreed to forfeit 20-percent of his purse to Ryan Bader.
Bader, meanwhile, found his mark at 205 pounds. The TUF 8 winner appeared unfazed at his opponent's warm reception as he looks to notch the biggest victory of his young career.
Full weigh-in results are below.
Main card (Pay-Per-View):Frankie Edgar (154) vs. Ben Henderson (154)Quinton Jackson (211)* vs. Ryan Bader (205)Mark Hunt (264) vs. Cheick Kongo (229)Yoshihiro Akiyama (169) vs. Jake Shields (170)Yushin Okami (185) vs. Tim Boetsch (186)Hatsu Hioki (145) vs. Bart Palaszewski (146)Anthony Pettis (155) vs. Joe Lauzon (156)
Preliminary card (FX):Takanori Gomi (155) vs. Eiji Mitsuoka (154)Norifumi Yamamoto (136) vs. Vaughan Lee (135)Riki Fukuda (185) vs. Steve Cantwell (185)Takeya Mizugaki (135) vs. Chris Cariaso (136)
Preliminary card (Facebook):Zhang Tiequan (146) vs. Issei Tamura (145)
*Has agreed to forfeit 20% of his purse.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, vs, henderson, card
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 144: Rampage Jackson Misses Weight By Five Pounds, Loses 20% Of Purse While Fight Goes On
The UFC 144 weigh ins took place late tonight with the fighters hitting the scales to make their bouts official. There were no snags anywhere on the card other than when Quinton Jackson missed weight badly for his bout with Ryan Bader. When Rampage hit the scales he was at 211 for the light heavyweight bout. While the light heavyweight limit is 205 pounds, a fighter can weigh 206 for non-title fights.
It was clear when Rampage was walking out that he was sluggish and when he stepped on the scales he clearly knew that he missed weight. When the weight of 211 pounds was announced, it was followed with an announcement that he would give Bader 20% of his fight purse and the bout would go ahead as scheduled.
This will, no doubt, be met with continued questioning of Rampage's motivation to continue to compete at a high level in this sport. Something that has been an ongoing story with Jackson for years now.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
Posted in: rampage, jackson, bout, weight, scale
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowQuinton Jackson gives fans a tour of his home on latest episode of UFC Ultimate Insider
UFC light heavyweight Quinton Jackson has done extremely well for himself over the years, racking up a good deal of money in Japan under the PRIDE banner before coming over to the United States where his stardom reached a new level including paydays from a handful of UFC headliners and a starring role in The A-Team.
Jackson has been quick to capitalize on his cash-flow after growing up in poverty as he recently displayed in a feature on last week’s episode of UFC Ultimate Insider where he showed Octagon girl Arianny Celeste around his house as well as his collection of cars.
“I put my name on a lot of things because growing up I never had nothing, I grew up really poor, and I can’t believe I’ve got sh*t,” Jackson exclaimed before joking about attempting to customize his dogs.
The 33-year old former champion will look to add to his bank account tomorrow night in Japan when he faces Ryan Bader at UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. The PPV card starts at 10:00 PM EST with prelims on Facebook/FX in the preceding hours.
“Rampage” on a Quest to Entertain Japanese Fans at UFC 144
Check out the full clip of Jackson’s tour below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, ryan bader, japanese fans, pride banner
Read the full article at Fighters.comOn the Rampage: Anxious to deliver a KO on Ryan Bader at UFC 144 for all his fans (Yahoo! Sports)
Quinton Jackson returns to Japan wanting to deliver a highlight-reel knockout on Ryan Bader.
Posted in: jackson, ryan, ryan bader, bader, highlightreel knockout
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsLefko on MMA: Upset on the mind
At UFC 144 Rampage Jackson is fighting in Japan for the first time in six years, but his opponent Ryan Bader plans on spoiling the party.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, year, party, lefko
Read the full article at sportsnet.caUFC 144 video: Quinton Jackson takes Tokyo, talks MMA career and more
Quinton Jackson and Ariel Helwani take a 40-minute leisurely stroll through Tokyo, Japan, on a recent evening prior to his 205-pound showdown with Ryan Bader in the UFC 144 co main event from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Sat., Feb. 25, 2012.
"Rampage" is rather candid throughout most of the video, talking about the energy drink-fueled, sleep-deprived incident that followed his unanimous decision loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" back in July 2008, among other topics.
His rise in mixed martial arts (MMA), which basically took place overseas under the Pride FC banner, as well as his career highs and lows from that point until today, also dominate much of the discussion. And "Rampage," who is likely winding down his professional MMA career, also talks about the legacy that will define him once he calls it quits.
All that and more in the comprehensive video above -- enjoy ... if this is your type of thing.
For more on the UFC 144 bout between Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader be sure to hit up our complete fight archive right here.
Posted in: ufc, mma, jackson, quinton, career
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 144 fight card: Quinton Jackson vs Ryan Bader preview
Two of the UFC's most talented light heavyweights will meet this Saturday night (February 25, 2012) as former champion Quinton Jackson battles Ultimate Fighter season eight winner Ryan Bader in the co-main event of UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan.
Jackson is fighting in his beloved Japan for the first time since 2006 at Pride 31. He's most recently coming off a failed shot at UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and is hoping to build back some momentum by channeling his older more virulent self.
Ryan Bader is on the comeback trail. He rebounded nicely with a quick first round knockout of Jason Brilz after suffering the first two losses of his career. The former top prospect in the promotion is hoping to defeat Jackson and score by far the biggest victory of his career.
Will Jackson be able to bring back his old slammy self for one more fight? Does Bader have what it takes to knock off "Rampage" in his home away from home? How does each man secure a victory on Saturday night?
Let's find out:
Quinton Jackson
Record: 32-8 overall, 7-2 in the UFC
Key Wins: Lyoto Machida (UFC 123), Dan Henderson (UFC 75), Chuck Liddell (UFC 71)
Key Losses: Jon Jones (UFC 135), Rashad Evans (UFC 114), Forrest Griffin (UFC 86)
How he got here: Jackson made the transition to MMA after a moderately successful high school and junior college wrestling career. He got off to a 10-1 start on the local circuit before he was scooped up by Pride Fighting Championships to compete over in Japan.
He would be thrown into the fire immediately against Japanese superstar Kazushi Sakuraba, losing via first round rear naked choke but creating many fans in the process. Jackson would go on to compete 17 times total in Pride, accumulating a 12-5 record over the course of five and a half years.
His contract would be purchased by the UFC and after avenging a loss to Marvin Eastman via knockout in his promotional debut, he was given a title shot against Chuck Liddell, the man he'd previously defeated in the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix.
Jackson destroyed Liddell, knocking him senseless in the first round to end the legend's era. He would go on to defend his belt in a five round thriller against Dan Henderson in one of the most watched MMA fights in history on cable TV.
"Rampage" lost his title to Forrest Griffin in a razor-close decision and would have a mini-meltdown afterwards. He avenged two prior losses to Wanderlei Silva with another vicious first round knockout and was geared up for a title shot before "retiring" to film the A-Team.
Since his return, he lost to Rashad Evans in a number one contender match but then defeated Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill to earn a shot at the belt against Jon Jones. Unfortunately for him, Jones had his way with Jackson en route to a dominant fourth round submission victory.
Jackson campaigned heavily to be included in this Japan show and he got his wish against Bader on Saturday night.
How he gets it done: "Rampage" isn't as quick as he used to be, but he does have his power and superior technique with his striking.
Jackson is almost a pure counter puncher. He loves to time his opponents and take advantage of those openings they leave while they're arms are extended in attack. If Ryan Bader does anything repetitive, Jackson will pick up on it and explode with some heavy strikes. He's got a nasty left hook and an absolutely brutal right uppercut that can end Bader's night if he can connect solidly.
Bader was dropped by Tito Ortiz in the stand-up just last summer, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that Jackson can clip him and finish the fight. In fact, that's almost certainly what "Rampage" will be trying to do from start to finish.
The former champion has a terrific chin and will be willing to take a shot to give one. Don't be surprised if he does something like leave his head exposed just so he can take advantage of an opening that Ryan Bader leaves when he tries to hit him.
If Bader tries to clinch and go for a takedown, "Rampage" has terrific interior strength and his instinctual hip movement is some of the best in MMA due to his experience. Don't be surprised to see him try to shrug off everything Bader throws at him in the grappling department.
Ryan Bader
Record: 13-2 overall, 6-2 in the UFC
Key Wins: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (UFC 119), Vinny Magalhaes (TUF 8 Finale), Keith Jardine (UFC 110)
Key Losses: Jon Jones (UFC 126)
How he got here: Ryan Bader started out as an All-American wrestler at Arizona State University. He got his big break on season eight of The Ultimate Fighter where he would dominate with his superior wrestling, ground and pound and top control.
Bader would cruise through the UFC, working his way up the ladder with big wins over Eric Schafer and an impressive knockout victory over Keith Jardine.
The victory over Jardine would earn him a shot against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 119 and "Darth" used his superior wrestling to squeak by with a decision victory. It was the largest win of his career and the UFC felt it was time to match two of it's top 205-pound prospects against each other.
Bader fought Jon Jones at UFC 126 but was dominated in every category and even forced to pull guard at points. Jones eventually secured a fight-ending modified guillotine choke to earn the win and a title shot. Things went from bad to worse for Bader when he was upset by former champion Tito Ortiz in his follow-up fight, getting submitted in the first round by "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy."
Thankfully, "Darth" Bader got back on track in his last bout, knocking off Jason Brilz in the first round. He's not getting any gimme's, though, as he again will be taking on a former UFC light heavyweight champion on Saturday night.
How he gets it done: Bader is very strong in two areas, wrestling and power. He's not the most technical guy, but he's got enough zip in his striking that he can potentially hold his own with Jackson. His biggest key is to not get too aggressive as Jackson is all about the counter hook or uppercut.
What Bader will likely try to do is wait for Jackson to throw something too heavy and then shoot and put the former champ on the canvas. Jackson has been put down on the ground by fighters like Rashad Evans with power double-legs and Bader is younger and potentially stronger so he could be able to succeed if he really commits to a takedown as well.
Once on the ground, Bader just needs to utilize his heavy hands and try to hurt Jackson, staying active enough to keep the fight on the ground and avoid Jackson's ability to pop back to his feet or sweep him.
Fight X-Factor: The biggest factor for this fight is this apparent new mentality for Quinton Jackson. He's repeatedly talked in interviews about wanting to put on exciting fights and putting on a show for the Japanese fans in his return to the Saitama Super Arena. Could this mean he takes more risks, potentially putting himself in danger against a young and dangerous opponent?
If Jackson comes out guns blazing, Bader could key on that and take advantage of the situation with big takedowns. While "Rampage" has some pretty solid takedown defense, who knows how much he's working on his wrestling heading into this fight now that he's almost completely erased from the title picture.
Bottom Line: There is a ton of excitement brewing with this bout. Jackson always brings it and there's always the threat that he could finish a fight with his heavy hands. Ryan Bader is also ripe for an upset as Jackson is coming off a frustrating loss at the hands of Jon Jones and you have to wonder what his motivation is right now. Does he want to still be one of the best light heavyweights in the world or is he just focused on having interesting, big-money fights for the remainder of his career? If so, there could be some serious fireworks in this fight. We should all have some high expectations heading in.
Who will come out on top at UFC 144? Tell us your predictions in the comments below!
Poll
Which top light heavyweight will be victorious in the co-main event of UFC 144 on Saturday night?
Quinton Jackson
Ryan Bader
2 votes | Results
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, ryan, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson & Ariel Helwani Tour Tokyo
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani and Rampage Jackson go on a nighttime tour of Tokyo in this 45-minute casual interview. It looks like Rampage is finally warming up to Ariel.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, ariel, tokyo
Read the full article at MMA ConvertQuinton Jackson: “I’ve got nothing against Ryan Bader at all (but) I’m still going to try to knock his head off.”
On a recent episode of UFC Tonight the program asked viewers to pick the UFC’s most talented trash-talker. When the results came in light heavyweight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was at the top of the list by a wide margin. However, during the build towards his bout against Ryan Bader at UFC 144 the typically outspoken Jackson has remained rather quiet in regards to his opponent.
The 33-year old Jackson explained why in a recent conference call with media, stating he has no hard feelings pertaining to Bader as he seemingly did against adversaries like Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, and Wanderlei Silva. Of course, that doesn’t mean he’ll treat him with any more respect than he would he worst enemy once the two get inside the Octagon.
“Honestly, I got nothing against Ryan Bader. He’s a cool guy. He never talked trash against me. When I fight guys like this, it’s never nothing personal. Most times anyway,” said Jackson. “But I’m just going out there like a guy putting on a great show for the fans. I’ve got nothing against Ryan Bader at all. I’m still going to try to knock his head off. But there ain’t going to be no hard feelings about it.”
While there’s no personal issue between Jackson and Bader the bout is as important to “Rampage” as any he’s ever fought in before based on it marking a return to his PRIDE stomping grounds.
“It’s very important to be personally,” replied Jackson on what the fight means to him. “My kids are from Japan, my kids’ grandparents are from there. They’ve never really watched me fight back in the day, and I’ve got a lot of experience in Japan. I really miss the fans; I’m not going to lie. I really miss fighting there, so it was something personal for me, so my two younger kids can come watch me fight and the in-laws can be in the crowd and watch me fight. I never had that before, so it is something that I want to do.”
See how Jackson fares when things fire up Saturday night on PPV at 10:00 PM EST. Other featured fights on the main card include Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields and Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson: Returning to Fight in Japan is ‘Important to Me’
Though Quinton Jackson is now one of MMA’s most popular personalities, when “Rampage” made his initial journey to Japan in 2001, he was a cash-strapped young fighter who had yet to make a name for himself.
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Read the full article at SherdogA night in Tokyo with Rampage Jackson
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Read the full article at RedditA Night in Tokyo With Rampage Jackson
TOKYO -- MMA Fighting spent Thursday night walking the streets of Tokyo with Quinton Jackson, just days before his first fight back in Japan in six years. Watch below as Jackson speaks candidly about why he loves Japan so much, his PRIDE debut, his legacy, the highs and lows of his MMA career, and much more.
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Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage Jackson vs Ryan Bader UFC 144 fight video simulation in PRIDE mode
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson returns to the Saitama Super Arena in Japan this Saturday night (Feb. 25) at UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" to take on Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Champion Ryan Bader.
While "Rampage" won't be fighting "Darth" inside a ring, that hasn't stopped the gang behind the UFC Undisputed 3 video game from running a "PRIDE mode" simulation. Over the span of 25 fights, Jackson stuffed 80-percent of the takedown attempts, won 14 times (with once soccer kick knockout) and scored 11 first round finishes.
To his credit, Bader recovered from being rocked almost 100 times.
When all was said and done, the video simulation had Jackson's hand raised in victory. But will life imitate art? We're just over 48 hours from finding out. See what the simulator said about the main event match-up of Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson by clicking here.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, event matchup, simulation, credit bader
Read the full article at MMA Mania"Rampage" Jackson - There’s No Place Like His Second Home
For the non-Japanese fighters competing on Saturday’s UFC 144 event in Saitama, having the opportunity to compete in a land with so much history and tradition when it comes to MMA (and martial arts in general) makes it more than just another fight. It’s a chance to soak in the culture, embrace the past, and then tuck the memories of the week in their own personal time capsule. That’s today. Back in 2001, when a 23-year old young man named Quinton Jackson was offered a fight in Japan’s PRIDE organization against superstar Kazushi Sakuraba, there were no thoughts of tradition, history, or the fighting culture in the Land of the Rising Sun. This was just another fight for the 10-1 Jackson.“When I was going into the Sakuraba fight, I was broke as hell,” laughed Jackson on a recent media teleconference. “I was just winging it. I didn't know anything about anything - I just wanted to make some money.”Bizarrely marketed as a homeless man living in a bus while talking to birds, Jackson nonetheless shed that erroneous image with a gutsy effort in defeat against Sakuraba, and Japanese fans soon embraced him for his fighting style and sense of humor. Jackson returned that affection, and over the next four and a half years, he became synonymous with the PRIDE organization, going 12-5 with wins over the likes of Igor Vovchanchyn, Murilo Bustamante, Chuck Liddell, Ricardo Arona, Murilo “Ninja” Rua, as well as memorable battles with Wanderlei Silva (twice) and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.So when it was announced that Jackson’s subsequent professional organization, the UFC, was going back to Japan for this Saturday’s event (ironically in the same Saitama Super Arena where he debuted against Sakuraba), it was a card he needed to be on, and when he wasn’t initially, he made enough noise that the organization placed him in the co-main event slot against Ryan Bader.“It's very important to be personally,” said Jackson. “My kids are from Japan, my kids’ grandparents are from there. They've never really watched me fight back in the day, and I've got a lot of experience in Japan. I really miss the fans; I'm not going to lie. I really miss fighting there, so it was something personal for me, so my two younger kids can come watch me fight and the in-laws can be in the crowd and watch me fight. I never had that before, so it is something that I want to do.”With Jackson coming off a championship bout defeat against Jon Jones last September, this is the perfect return bout for the former 205-pound titleholder, considering that he can avoid a post-loss letdown by getting ultra-motivated for his first bout in Japan since decision win over Yoon Dong-Sik at PRIDE 31 in 2006. He’s also hinted at a return to the all-out aggression that earned him the nickname “Rampage” all those years ago, even if just to please his longtime fans.“I think I was so popular in Japan because of my fight style,” he said. “I was young and I didn't care. I just wanted to put on fights for the crowd and they love that type of stuff. In America, everybody is always worried about who's going to win and who's winning. It isn't all about that (in Japan) – it’s entertainment at the end of the day. The fans want to see an entertaining fight and the fans got that. In America, I don't think we have that yet.” This is nothing new coming from the 33-year old Memphis native, who has always spoken in reverential tones about his time in Japan and about the people there. He’s traveled back to the country since his days fighting there, but as far as being mobbed by fans like he is in the States, that’s not the case.“Honestly, it's kind of weird to say this, but it's true,” he said. “When I'm over in Japan, they don't even recognize me. If I don't have my chain on or no camouflage, I could be anybody.”And frankly, that’s the way he likes it. While appreciative of the attention he gets, Jackson has also been overwhelmed at times since becoming a big star in his native land, and it’s even prompted him to move his training camp at times to the Wolfslair homebase in England. But for this camp, Jackson stayed close to home in his new gym, the Rampage Fitness Academy in Mission Viejo, California.“Honestly, I never thought that I would own a gym, because it's no secret that I never liked training, but I noticed that in between fights I always get out of shape,” he said. “I was going to my friend's gym in Huntington Beach. But you know, I live in Mission Viejo, and right down the street was my business partner Dave Roberts, who's the guy who started me in fighting and stuff. And he was at the gym, and we got a lot of students. It's kind of like a family place, and that's the type of atmosphere I like.”“It's good to have your own home-based gym,” Jackson continues. “Now I can go in there in my own gym and train like I want to and do whatever I want to without having to walk on eggshells at my friends’ gyms and stuff like that because everybody knows how rowdy I get sometimes. So when it's your own gym, you don't have to say sorry to anybody, so I kind of like it.”All that’s left is to beat Bader, a former Ultimate Fighter winner and college wrestling standout who rebounded from 2011 losses to Jones and Tito Ortiz with a 77 second knockout of Jason Brilz last November. And unlike Jackson’s bouts with Jones and Rashad Evans, there’s no bad blood here.“Honestly, I got nothing against Ryan Bader,” he said. “He's a cool guy. He never talked trash against me. When I fight guys like this, it's never nothing personal. Most times anyway. But I'm just going out there like a guy putting on a great show for the fans. I've got nothing against Ryan Bader at all. I'm still going to try to knock his head off. But there ain't going to be no hard feelings about it.”Ten years after he first set foot in Japan, “Rampage” Jackson returns. It still may not be about tradition and history for him, but there is certainly a sentimental feel to this bout, and for all that the experience in the country has given him, now he has the chance to give something back.“I remember back in the day, it (PRIDE) was the biggest show, but UFC surpassed them,” said Jackson. “I think if anybody has a chance (to revive the Japan MMA scene), it's the UFC. And if I have anything to do with it, I'm going to go there and fight my heart out and put on a big show. I'll try to put on the most exciting fights that the fans have ever seen so maybe they'll want to have the UFC come back.”
Posted in: fight, jackson, fan, japan, gym
Read the full article at UFCUFC 144: 'Confident and comfortable Ryan Bader plans to upset 'Rampage' Jackson's return to Japan
Once hailed as one of the most promising Light Heavyweight prospects in mixed martial arts (MMA), Ryan Bader seeks to get back to the top of the of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) 205-pound division when he takes on the always dangerous Quinton Jackson at UFC 144 this weekend (Feb, 25, 2012) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Coming up the ranks at the same time as current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, the two were destined to meet in the Octagon to see who would catapult into title contention and who would take a step back and have to start from scratch. The pair went toe-to-toe at UFC 126 last year at on Feb. 5, 2011, in a bout that saw Jones have his way with "Darth," finishing him in the second round.
The loss -- his first-ever -- was not one of Bader's most inspiring performances. Jones went on to receive his title shot much-deserved title shot. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Bader, on the other hand, was next matched up against Tito Ortiz, whose career, it appeared, would come to an end at any given time. Heading into the bout as the favorite, Bader once again tasted defeat as "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" blasted his chin with a well-placed left hand and then sunk in a fight-ending guillotine to give the dazed All American collegiate wrestler his second consecutive loss.
At a crossroads in his MMA career, Bader was given yet another opportunity to redeem himself inside the Octagon when he was matched up with Jason Brilz at UFC 139. Bader finally got back in the win column, defeating Brilz via first round knockout and earning a much-needed win and confidence boost.
Three months removed from his latest victory, Bader heads "Far East" to meet Japan's adopted son, "Rampage," in a fight that can either catapult him right back into the mix or send him tumbling all the way down to the bottom of the pecking order.
A recent guest on Pro MMA Radio, Bader talked about what it was like to lose two consecutive losses after starting his MMA career undefeated (12-0), and what he has done in preparations to upset "Rampage" in Japan.
Check it out:
"I'm a competitor, I come from a college wrestling background. And I mean, you lose, I didn't lose all that often, but I did lose in college, especially in freshman year and all that. I had a rough patch in my junior year and I had to work through that and get back to my senior year and make All American again. It's the same here in MMA, you go on a streak of wins, and I ended up having a loss to Jon Jones, who know has been running through people and all that, so after that loss, it took me a good week, where I thought nothing than about that loss, more so, because I did not fight to my potential. I felt flat out there, Jon Jones is that goo too, but I felt so flat and didn't lay it out on the line. You get over those, but then having two losses in a row, especially to one you're supposed to win, you just have to get back to the drawing board and make changes and that's what we did."
On losing to former UFC 205-pound champion Tito Ortiz, a fight he was favored to win going into:
"I don't make excuses, I went in there and he (Tito) hit me on the chin and I went down and I don't remember from then, I came to at the very end when I was getting choked and I was almost out, so it's just one of those things where you get hit, it's MMA, small glove and big men. If you get hit in the chin, it happens you know."
On Jackson's aggressive style and what he feels he has to do to get the job done at UFC 144:
"I hear a lot of people saying that Rampage will have the home field advantage and this and that, but I don't think that's true, we both gotta fly over there, we both have to deal with the jet lag, were both fighting in the morning. I don't really think it is like in the PRIDE days, where everyone knows him. If anything it puts more pressure on him to perform, to try and get back to his roots and perform like the PRIDE days and all that. In his last couple of fights, he comes out trying to box you and trying to knock you out, tying to walk you down, he's not really fast so, he slowly uses his head movement. He has got a great chin and he can take shots, so he knows that he can just walk through it to land his big shots. He wants to take one to give one you know? The keys to victory for us to mix it up, not let him get in his comfort zone, not just go out there and take him down all the time, we have to mix up our hands and kicks and take downs. I have so much confidence going through this camp, I feel comfortable, I know what I'm doing with my footwork and setup and my striking wrestling and I look forward to this fight make mine and my camps predictions come true. If you beat Rampage your right up there."
With Quinton looking to put on a show for his Japanese fans, Bader has a tall task at hand in trying to upset "Rampage" and the fans at Saitama Super Arena. Not lacking any confidence, the bout against Jackson could prove to be a career-changer, not just for Bader, but for Jackson, too.
Does "Darth" have what it takes to upset the heavy-hitter Jackson? Or will "Rampage" hand Bader his third loss in four bouts?
Opinions, please.
Posted in: ufc, mma, jackson, loss, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaOn the Rampage: Jackson ready to put on show against Ryan Bader at UFC 144 (Yahoo! Sports)
The fight is just days away and Rampage Jackson wants to please the Japanese fans
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, japanese, ryan bader
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC 144's Ryan Bader: 'Rampage' won't slam me
TOKYO - Quinton Jackson says the old 'Rampage' is coming out for UFC 144, and that means the kind of high-flying action that first made him a star.
Ryan Bader welcomes that when they meet Saturday in the co-main draw of the pay-per-view event, but he's not going to fall prey to Jackson's specialties.
And that means no getting slammed to the mat by the former PRIDE star.
Posted in: jackson, ryan, payperview event, jacksons specialties, fall prey
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRyan Bader relishing the role of an underdog
Outside of a fluky loss to Tito Ortiz and a stumble against the phenomenon that is light heavyweight champion Jon Jones it’s hard to find any flaws in Ryan Bader’s run since winning the Ultimate Fighter Season 8. He’s beaten seasoned veterans like Keith Jardine and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira while also showing he’s not completely reliant on his impressive wrestling ability, possessing knockout power and ever-improving stand-up.
However, when Bader enters the Octagon this weekend against Quinton Jackson at UFC 144 he’ll do so as a significant underdog. Even Jackson, whose experience and accomplishments outweigh Bader’s without question, hasn’t seemed particularly jazzed about the pairing so much as the fight taking place in his former stomping ground of Japan.
Of course, none of that fazes Bader. In fact he actually enjoys the lack of pressure created by so many people counting him out.
“He’s fought over there, he’s popular over there…but that doesn’t matter to me. I relish the role of the underdog, going in there and beating someone like ‘Rampage’,” said Bader in an interview with the UFC promoting Saturday night’s scrap. “So, if anything, that’s gonna give me more motivation.”
As far as achieving his goal and beating Jackson, Bader has no illusions about the difficulty in doing so but has a gameplan in mind that could very well be successful given some of Jackson’s past difficulties against accomplished grapplers.
“I’m gonna be smart about it,” explained Bader. “I’m not gonna just go out there and trade punches with ‘Rampage’. I’m not afraid to go out there and strike with him but I’m gonna mix every bit of my MMA training up. I’m gonna use my wrestling, I’m gonna use some kicks, I’m gonna use some boxing.”
“If I go in there just trying to take him down that’s not gonna work. I’ve gotta mix everything up,” he concluded on the topic.
Bader-Jackson serves as the co-headliner at UFC 144 with Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson filling the main event slot. Other featured bouts on PPV include Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Bart Palaszewski vs. Hatsu Hioki, and Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis.
Check out the full interview with Bader below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainFight Day: Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson UFC 144 Pre-Fight Video Interview
Former light heavyweight champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson talks to HeavyMMA's Megan Olivi in Tokyo about his return to Japan for the first time since his Pride days.
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Read the full article at Heavy MMARampage Jackson’s UFC 144 Poster
Pretty sweet UFC 144 poster the UFC released in honor of Rampage Jackson’s return to Japan.
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Read the full article at MMA Convert‘Rampage’ Jackson growing wearing of mixed martial arts (Yahoo! Sports)
This weekend is a dangerous spot for Quinton Jackson. "Rampage" sounds less than motivated to face Ryan Bader and he admits he's sick of facing light heavyweights with a wrestling base. "Sometimes it is hard to get motivated. Like when … Continue reading →
Posted in: rampage, jackson, heavyweight, light heavyweights, art
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsRampage Jackson says he still has a lot of weight to lose for the fight with Ryan Bader
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson spoke about his UFC 144 encounter with Ryan Bader, and the return to The Land of the Rising Sun. Jackson also revealed he still has a lot of weight to lose before the weigh-in on Friday, jokingly claiming that he's "Big in Japan".
Further Reading: UFC 144 picks are still
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, ryan bader, sun jackson
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson (UFC 144 Video) Tired of Fighting?
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson seems to be tired of mma as he told the press in Tokyo, Japan at the UFC 144 open workouts. He wants to fight strikers and try his hand at boxing.
Check out what Rampage Jackson had to say at the UFC 144 open workouts in Japan…
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Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, tokyo japan
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton Jackson: “I never claimed to be a martial artist…I’m a street fighter.”
Fan-favorite light heavyweight Quinton Jackson may compete as a professional Mixed Martial Artist but the 33-year old UFC star is quick to distance himself from the label based on his mental approach to the sport. While his peers continually look for competitive advantages by studying countless hours of tape and refining their abilities in every available discipline, Jackson prefers to maintain the same approach he has since his younger years in Memphis.
“I never claimed to be a martial artist or a guy who is good at everything. I’m a street fighter,” said Jackson in an interview with the UFC promoting his bout this weekend at UFC 144 against Ryan Bader. “There’s a lot of things I don’t care about – I don’t care to know what my opponent is doing, I don’t care to know his skills and stuff like that – cause I’m a brawler. In a street fight you walk up to the guy and you start fighting. You’ve got no tape on this guy.”
“I could give a rat’s ass if I can beat Ryan Bader or not,” said the former PRIDE/UFC champion. “I just want to put on the best show the world has ever seen.”
Jackson Says He’s Faced Better Wrestlers than All-American Bader
Jackson-Bader will serve as co-headliners on a card featuring six other scraps including a main event between lightweight title-holder Frankie Edgar and top contender Benson Henderson. Things start on PPV at 10:00 PM EST this Saturday with preliminary pairings airing on Facebook/FX in the preceding hours.
Check out the full interview with “Rampage” below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, guy, jackson, artist, ’t care
Read the full article at Fighters.comFight Day: Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson UFC 144 Video Interview
Former light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson talks with HeavyMMA's Megan Olivi about his UFC 144 co-main event fight against Ryan Bader in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, ryan bader
Read the full article at Heavy MMASet of Ariel Helwani UFC 144 Open Workout Interviews
Frankie Edgar Doesn't See Any Holes in Benson Henderson's Game Benson Henderson: Frankie Edgar Is Great Champ but Leaves 'Openings' 'Rampage' Jackson Talks UFC 144, Japan Glory Days and Joe Rogan Criticism Ryan Bader Hoping to Right 2011 Wrongs Against 'Rampage' Jackson Jake Shields Doesn't Regret Fighting Immediately Following Death of His Father Takanori Gomi Thinks UFC 144 Will Help Reignite Japanese MMA Cheick Kongo Wants Another Shot at Frank Mir submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: ufc, jackson, henderson, frankie, doesnt
Read the full article at RedditRampage Jackson UFC 144 Pre-Fight Interview
Ryan Bader Hoping to Right 2011 Wrongs Against 'Rampage' Jackson
TOKYO -- Watch below as Ryan Bader talks about his upcoming UFC 144 fight against Quinton Jackson, fighting in Japan for the first, his forgettable 2011 campaign, what he learned from the first losing streak of his career and much more.
Posted in: jackson, quinton jackson, ryan, ryan bader, bader
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse'Rampage' Jackson Talks UFC 144, Japan Glory Days and Joe Rogan Criticism
TOKYO -- Watch below as Quinton Jackson talks about his UFC 144 fight against Ryan Bader, fighting in Japan for the first in six times, the Japan glory days and his recent criticism of UFC analyst Joe Rogan.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, japan, ryan bader, criticism
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 144 Pre-Fight Interview: Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader takes on Rampage Jackson in a light heavyweight bout this Saturday, Feb. 25, at UFC 144.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, ryan, bader
Read the full article at MMA ConvertVideo: Ryan Bader isn't just going to trade punches with Quinton Jackson at UFC 144
On the contrary, "Darth" plans to put the "mix" in mixed martial arts (MMA) when he collides with "Rampage" in the UFC 144 co-main event this weekend (Sat., Feb. 25, 2012) at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
His plan (taken from the video above):
"I'm going to be smart about it. I'm not just going to go out there and trade punches with Rampage. I'm not afraid to go out there and strike with him, but I'm going to mix up every bit of my MMA training. I'm going to use some wrestling, I'm going to use some kicks, I'm going to use my boxing. If I go in there just trying to take him down, that's not going to work. I've got to mix up everything. "
Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader is an important match up for the future of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight division.
Bader, who was once one of the most promising 205-pound prospects on the promotion's roster, is looking to build off the momentum he created with a knockout of Jason Brilz in his most recent performance. Prior to the finish, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 7 winner dropped back-to-back fights, his spot in the pecking order taking a free-fall.
"Rampage" is returning to Japan -- a sacred place in modern combat sports history and one that is dear to him personally -- for the first time since 2006. One fight removed from unsuccessfully competing for the light heavyweight belt, Jackson has all the skill and motivation to send Bader back to the end of the line once again.
One fighter looks to reach his professional potential, while the other is in the twilight of a legendary career, looking to make one final push toward championship glory. One fighter will attempt to implement a well-rounded gameplan, while the other will most likely implement the same one-diminsional "knock-your-block-off" approach that has seemed to serve him so well for more than a full decade.
Who's it going to be?
For more on the bout between Jackson vs. Bader be sure to hit up our complete fight archive right here.
Posted in: jackson, fighter, bader, im, trade punches
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson returns to Japan for UFC 144
When Quinton (Rampage) Jackson steps into the Octagon at UFC 144, it will be six years to the day since the last time he competed in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, time, rampage, jackson, japan
Read the full article at sportsnet.caSpecial UFC 144 poster featuring Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
For the first time since 2006, Quinton Jackson is back in Japan for a fight.
He'll take on Ryan Bader at UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" this Sat., Feb. 25, 2012, at the Saitama Super Arena and to commemorate the occasion, the UFC has released a special poster dedicated solely to "Rampage."
How you digging it, Maniacs?
Jackson, of course, isn' the only one in action, as the world's largest fight promotion has brought a fairly stacked card to "The Land of the Rising Sun" in its first trip back in over a decade. In the main event, Frankie Edgar defends the lightweight title against Ben Henderson while Jake Shields welcomes Yoshihiro Akiyama to the welterweight division.
In addition, Joe Lauzon will battle Anthony Pettis in a lightweight bout with serious divisional ramifications. That's without mentioning Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch or Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt. Or even Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski.
All seven of those bouts will be broadcast on the main pay-per-view card, folks. It's a doozy.
To stay up to date on all the latest UFC 144 news and notes click here.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, vs, ben henderson, course isn
Read the full article at MMA ManiaJoe Rogan responds to Rampage Jackson: I can't protect someone's feelings at the expense of analysis
Quinton Jackson recently called out UFC color commentator Joe Rogan for "playing the rusty trombone for jiu-jitsu fighters." The argument "Rampage" made was essentially that Rogan is biased towards jiu-jitsu guys and it shows in his commentary.
And Jackson just wants him to shut the f*ck up sometimes.
Now, Rogan has taken the time to respond on his podcast and he's eager to clear up the confusion:
"Rampage Jackson's mad at me. I was watching and he was calling me fake ass. He was saying that all I want him to do his throw low kicks and the reason he doesn't throw low kicks is because he was fighting a wrestler 'you dumbass.' Look, man, I love Rampage. I don't mean to be rude when I assess things. I'm just trying to objectively figure out how this guy could be doing better than he's doing. ... When I'm doing commentary on a fight, all I'm trying to do is sort of objectively assess what I think someone could be doing differently to try to get themselves out of spot if they're not winning or... I'm just trying to commentate. I'm not like critiquing the guy's soul. I'm not like breaking down who he is as a person. I like the guy a lot. ... The last thing I want to do is add more pressure or add more stress. All I'm doing is trying to just... I'm analyzing the fight, that's all it is. I have to be objective. I can't protect someone's feelings at the expense of doing what I'm supposed to be doing, which is sort of analyzing what's going on."
It's a tightrope Rogan walks when calling shows. He has to objectively call the action while putting personal feelings aside and avoid letting outside factors influence how he analyzes fights.
Such as "Rampage" calling him out.
We'll get to see what affect, if any, this has on Rogan when he commentates Jackson's upcoming bout against Ryan Bader at UFC 144 this upcoming Sat., Feb. 25, 2012, in Japan. And the post-fight interview, should Jackson win, will be interesting to say the least.
Catch video of Rogan talking about the incident -- including what he thinks would happen if they ran into each other on the street -- after the jump.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rogan, im, someones feelings
Read the full article at MMA ManiaJoe Rogan's response to Rampage Jackson
submitted by mrm3x1can [link] [3 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, joe, mrm
Read the full article at RedditUFC 144 Pre-Fight Interview: Rampage Jackson
Rampage Jackson takes on Ryan Bader in a light heavyweight bout this Saturday, Feb. 25, at UFC 144.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, ryan bader, prefight
Read the full article at MMA ConvertUFC 144: Joe Rogan Responds To Rampage Jackson
Yesterday we posted an interview with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in which he bashed UFC commentator Joe Rogan for favoritism. Jackson was doing some media in advance of his UFC 144 co-main event against Ryan Bader this Saturday in Japan.
Rogan took the opportunity to respond to Jackson on his Joe Rogan Experience video podcast.
Some quotes:
"I love Rampage. I don't mean to be rude when I assess things. I'm just trying to look objectively and figure out how a dude could be doing better than he's doing."
"I like Rampage as a person. I enjoyed hanging out with him."
"All I'm trying to do is objectively assess what someone could be doing differently."
"I'm just trying to commentate. I'm not looking deep into someone's soul."
"I can't do what I'm supposed to be doing and try to protect someone's feelings."
"When I tell him to throw leg kicks, it's just because the guy has awesome leg kicks."
"The last thing I want to do is add more pressure, add more stress (to a fighter's job)."
They also speculate about why Jackson no longer slams opponents the way he did back in the Pride days, whether or not Joe should be worried the next time he runs into Rampage, and Joe names his all-time fighter.
SBN coverage of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, joe, im
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowMichael Bisping discusses “Rampage” Jackson-Ryan Bader contest
UFC middleweight Michael Bisping has trained with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for several years so “The Count” has plenty of insider information on the former light heavyweight champion.
Jackson will make his return to Japan this Saturday when he meets Ryan Bader in the co-main event of UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. The show takes place inside the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan and features seven scraps on PPV including headlining lightweights Frankie Edgar-Benson Henderson.
For Jackson this will not only be a homecoming of sorts but a chance to get back in the win column after being defeated by current title-holder Jon Jones last September. Bisping believes Bader, also a former victim of Jones’, is the perfect opponent for Jackson.
“I’d say so. That’s a very tough fight for Ryan Bader,” said Bisping, in a recent interview with ESPN. “Don’t get me wrong. Bader’s a tough guy and I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he came back from two tough losses impressively.”
“But Rampage is going to be excited to fight in Japan,” Bisping continued. “He’ll be excited to get back to winning ways…that’ll be a good win for Rampage.”
After falling to Jones and Tito Ortiz, Bader defeated Jason Brilz at UFC 139 to get back on track. Prior to the losses he’d won twelve in a row.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, bisping, bader
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainGreg Jackson Will Corner Jon Jones Against Rashad Evans At UFC 145
After months of speculation and denial, Greg Jackson will corner Jon Jones in his match against Rashad Evans at UFC 145, after all. Following Jones’ win at UFC 128, Jackson vowed he would not train or corner Jones for his matchup with Evans (if they were to be matched up against one another), due to being the head trainer for both over the two years prior.
However, Jones confirmed on Twitter that he will indeed have his head trainer in his corner for his championship fight against Evans at UFC 145in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21st.
Animosity began once Jones admitted he would be open to fighting (teammate at the time) Evans, if it was desired by UFC brass. Evans took offense to this, maintaining that teammates should not fight each other. This came to the forefront once Jones replaced Evans following Jones’ win at UFC 126. Evans sustained an injury, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled championship fight against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128. Jones went on to win the light heavyweight title against Rua.
This seemingly forced Greg Jackson’s hand, who was stuck in the middle of two fighters whom he both groomed into UFC champions. Following Jones’ win, Jackson repeatedly stated he would not train or corner Jones once a matchup with Evans was announced.
Evans eventually left Jackson’s MMA, choosing to instead train at Imperial Athletics in Boca Raton, Florida.
But this was all nearly a year ago, and Jackson has since changed his stance. Now he confirms that he will train Jones for the matchup in two months, along with cornering the champion during the fight at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
This was the beginning of a great news weekend for Jones, who was named the honorary race official of this weekend’s Daytona 500 in Daytona, Florida on Sunday.
UFC 145 takes place April 21st in Atlanta, Georgia. Other announced matchups include Rory MacDonald against Che Mills and Brendan Schaub taking on Ben Rothwell in a heavyweight showdown.
For complete coverage of UFC 145, stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, evan, matchup
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyGreg Jackson changes tune and will corner Jon Jones at UFC 145
Though it may be with a heavy heart, it appears renowned coach Greg Jackson will indeed be in the corner of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones when “Bones” faces Rashad Evans. Previously Jackson had stated he would only assist Jones with training for the April bout rather than work the fight from cage-side based on his past professional relationship with Evans.
Jones confirmed Jackson’s decision on Twitter over the weekend, adding he felt, “Fortunate to have him.”
Emotions Run High at UFC 145 Presser
As recently as last week Jones had stated he didn’t believe his longtime coach would be in his corner at UFC 145. However, Evans came forward in the same press conference to say he hadn’t spoken to Jackson in a year.
The April 21 bout will mark the culmination of a conflict dating to comments Jones made regarding his willingness to face then teammate Evans if required to do so by the UFC. While the words did not necessarily upset Evans, Jones’ lack of accountability on the topic rubbed him the wrong way and resulted in Evans departure from Jackson’s gym in New Mexico. The two have exchanged verbal barbs numerous times since with Evans even calling into question Jackson’s role in the matter, having originally been opposed to his mentor’s interest in bringing Jones on board based on the probability of an eventual fight between the two.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, evan, comments jones
Read the full article at Fighters.comUFC 144: Michael Bisping says Ryan Bader will be a 'good win' for Rampage
It's always fun to make predictions, especially when those "best guesses" are being made by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) professional fighters on behalf of their colleagues in combat.
This Saturday (Feb. 25, 2012), Quinton Jackson will return to familiar grounds when he takes on Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Saitama, Japan.
"Rampage's" former Wolfslair training partner, UFC Middleweight Michael Bisping, spoke to ESPN recently about the upcoming bout. He was asked if he thought Bader was being handed a death sentence in the way of his fight versus Jackson:
"I'd say so. That's a very tough fight for Ryan Bader. Don't get me wrong, Bader's a tough guy and I've got a lot of respect for him, he came back from two tough losses impressively."
Check out what else "The Count" had to say after the jump:
When "Rampage" enters the Octagon at UFC 144, it will mark six years to the very day since the last time he fought in the Saitama Super Arena when he faced Yoon Dong-Sik at PRIDE 31.
He'll be looking to redeem himself from his last performance, when he was submitted by a rear-naked choke by UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones in the fourth round of their match up at UFC 135 on Sept. 24, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.
Maybe a change of scenery will be just what Jackson needs. "Rampage" was a huge fan favorite during his six-year stint in the PRIDE organization in Japan.
Bisping feels this will be just the opportunity his former stablemate needs to get back on track:
"'Rampage' is going to be excited to fight in Japan, he'll be excited to get back to winning ways, that'll be a good win for 'Rampage.'"
Jackson's opponent, Bader, has something in common with him. His name can also be found on Jon Jones' wall of victims, finding himself choked out in the second round of their fight at UFC 126 on Feb. 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The loss was the first of Bader's career and was followed by his second when he was choked out again by Tito Ortiz at UFC 132 on July 2, 2011 in "Sin City."
"Darth" was able to get back on the "win wagon" with a very impressive knockout victory over Jason Brilz at UFC 139 on Nov. 19, 2011 in San Jose, Calif.
When push comes to shove, who will keep the positive momentum going?
Do you Maniacs agree with Bisping's analysis? Has Bader been handed a "death sentence," or is "Rampage" in for a tough night?
Opinions, please.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, ryan bader, bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaJones says Jackson will corner him at UFC 145
Jon (Bones) Jones says trainer Greg Jackson will be in his corner when he takes on Rashad Evans at UFC 145 in April.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, rashad evans, trainer
Read the full article at sportsnet.caQuinton "Rampage" Jackson: I'm back into my Pride state of mind
Former Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who will square off with Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan, discusses his opponent, as well as his long awaited return to "The Land of the Rising Sun." Jackson admits that he's not concerned with the outcome of the bout, and says that he is looking forward to putting on an exciting show for the Japanese fans.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, ryan bader, pride state, sun jackson
Read the full article at Low KickGreg Jackson Talks Criticism Of "Gameplanners" In MMA
Greg Jackson trained fighters have started to carry with them a bit of a stigma. To many fans, Jackson's ability to get some (but certainly not all) of his fighters to stick to strict gameplans that emphasize winning over excitement is more curse than blessing for the sport. In a recent interview with MMA Mania, Jackson discussed exactly that criticism:
I'm not sure. (why game plans are criticized) I will be honest, there have been fights that we have won, that I was like, "Oh man, this one is going to be all over the news." But no one says a word. The Carlos Condit fight was not that controversial. We out struck him, landed more power shots and way more strikes. We had complete Octagon control, we decided when and where the exchanges were going to happen and if we didn't like it, we got away and started again, so you can't really make a case for him (Diaz) doing more damage because we did more damage and you can't make a case for him controlling the fight because we controlled it. So that criticism doesn't bother me that much because It was just more of people's disappointment wanting to see two fighters stand there and swing and last man standing wins. But, you know, fighting is about hitting and not getting hit. We hit him a lot more and we didn't get hit. So I don't feel bad about that one. Listen, there have been times in my 18 years of doing this where I'm like, "How did we win that one?" And I'm like, "What, no one got mad?" No one says a word. A lot of people were just disappointed because a lot of people just wanted Nick to win and because of Nick's style. It is just part of the territory.
There's more in the interview at Mania, with Jackson talking about Nick Diaz's drug test, having fighters from his camp fight each other and the conflict in deciding if he can/should corner Jon Jones against Rashad Evans.
Posted in: fight, jackson, fighter, lot, i dont
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowTrainer Greg Jackson to corner champ Jon Jones at UFC 145
Greg Jackson apparently won't sit on the sidelines after all.
After the famed trainer said he would corner neither UFC 145 headliner because of his ties to both fighters, UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has confirmed via Twitter that Jackson will corner him at the show.
Initially, Jackson planned to sit out because he also formerly trained Jones' opponent, Rashad Evans.
Posted in: ufc, jon, jone, jackson, trainer
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Jackson interview with Fighters Only - some harsh words for Joe Rogan
submitted by red1392 [link] [2 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, fighter, joe rogan, rogan
Read the full article at RedditFighting at UFC 144 in Japan is Personal to Rampage Jackson
Fighting on the UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson fight card in Japan is personal to former Pride star Quinton "Ramapge" Jackson.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, rampage jackson, japan, ramapge
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton "Rampage" Jackson rips into UFC commentator Joe Rogan
If Quinton “Rampage” Jackson defeats Ryan Bader at UFC 144 the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan may prove to be a bit uncomfortable as Jackson does not to be too big of a fan of the UFC commentator.
Jackson recently spoke to Fighters Only about his upcoming fight against Ryan Bader on Saturday, February 25. Other topics Jackson discussed were his return to Japan and what would happen in a perfect world if he defeated Bader, which quickly led to Jackson offering his opinion on Joe
Posted in: ufc, jackson, ryan bader, bader, jackson offering
Read the full article at Low KickExclusive: Greg Jackson opens up about fight strategy, teammates fighting one another and cornering Jon Jones against Rashad Evans
When considering the top mixed martial arts (MMA) camps across the globe, one has to look no further than to Albuquerque, N.M., which is where the famed Jackson-WinkelJohn Mixed Martial Art's gym is located.
The facility that operates out of the 505 area code is home to today's top MMA stars such as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, interim UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit, Donald Cerrone, Brian Stann, Diego Sanchez and Shane Carwin, among others.
With no shortage of superstar power training at his gym, Greg Jackson finds himself at the helm of one of the -- if not the -- top MMA gyms on the planet, with the aid of striking Guru Mike Winkeljohn by his side.
However, with so much success coming out of his talent-laden camp, the day eventually comes when a few of his pupils may have to meet one another inside the Octagon. As is the case that led to the rift between former training partners, current 205-pound kingpin Jon Jones and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, who flourished under the tutelage of Jackson.
Currently, Jackson finds himself in the middle of another dilemma, as two of his top fighters, Carlos Condit and Georges St. Pierre, are currently the interim and reigning UFC welterweight champion, respectively, and are likely to meet down the road to unify the belts.
Something Jackson says is one of the hardest things he will have to endure.
Greg Jackson recently opened up the doors to his new Jackson's MMA Fitness Gym in Albuquerque to MMAmania.com, talking about the UFC 143 aftermath, his friendship with Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit's next fight and the criticism that often times accompanies his winning game plans.
Make the jump to hear from Greg Jackson himself:
"I'm not sure. (why game plans are criticized) I will be honest, there have been fights that we have won, that I was like, "Oh man, this one is going to be all over the news." But no one says a word. The Carlos Condit fight was not that controversial. We out struck him, landed more power shots and way more strikes. We had complete Octagon control, we decided when and where the exchanges were going to happen and if we didn't like it, we got away and started again, so you can't really make a case for him (Diaz) doing more damage because we did more damage and you can't make a case for him controlling the fight because we controlled it. So that criticism doesn't bother me that much because It was just more of people's disappointment wanting to see two fighters stand there and swing and last man standing wins. But, you know, fighting is about hitting and not getting hit. We hit him a lot more and we didn't get hit. So I don't feel bad about that one. Listen, there have been times in my 18 years of doing this where I'm like, "How did we win that one?" And I'm like, "What, no one got mad?" No one says a word. A lot of people were just disappointed because a lot of people just wanted Nick to win and because of Nick's style. It is just part of the territory."
On Nick Diaz' positive test for traces of marijuana that axed hopes of an immediate rematch between he and Carlos Condit and what is next for "The Natural Born Killer:"
"I can't really speak to that. I really actually like Nick Diaz a lot, he's a good friend of mine and I hope he gets himself in a position where he doesn't do those kinds of things so he can really advance his career. Carlos is a warrior he wanted the rematch right away way before he knew all this was going on, so it was disappointing. As far as who is next, I'm not his manager, but it's up to Carlos, if he wants Jake (Ellenberger) we will fight Jake, if he wants to wait for my other guy, GSP, we will wait."
On the instances where he will have two of his current fighters fighting each other:
"It's very hard, that is why I don not get involved. I can not pick sides, I just can't do it. It will be a tough night for me, I will probably just go hide somewhere and grab a cheeseburger."
On how hard it would be to corner Jones against Rashad Evans at UFC 145:
"It would be a nightmare to coach against Rashad (Evans) because I still consider him a really good friend. However, I might just have to put my personal feelings aside and do what is best for the team."
Jon Jones tweeted yesterday the Jackson will indeed corner him in the much anticipated Light Heavyweight championship showdown between he and Rashad Evans, which is scheduled to go down at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Ga., on April 21, 2012.
With the continued success of Jackson's MMA system, it will probably not be the last time he and his training staff will find themselves in this situation, and that can be either a good thing, or a bad thing, depending which side of the fence you stand.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, condit, rashad evans, carlo
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson Will Corner Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans
Greg Jackson, the MMA coach who has long sought to foster a team-first environment at his gym and claimed he would never participate if two of his students planned to fight against each other, has made a difficult decision: He has decided to corner Jon Jones at UFC 145, when Jones will defend the light heavyweight title against Rashad Evans, a longtime member of Team Jackson.
Evans left the Jackson team only after it became clear that he and Jones were on a collision course at the top of the light heavyweight division, and there's some lingering bitterness between Evans and Jones. Jackson's decision will do nothing to lessen that bitterness, and it will undoubtedly lead to some hard feelings for Evans toward Jackson as well.
But it's the right decision: Jackson is Jones's coach, and Jackson needs to do his job as Jones's coach and be there for Jones at UFC 145.
It's easy to see why Evans is unhappy. He came up under Jackson's wing and always subscribed to Jackson's teachings about teammates not fighting each other. For a long time, the question Evans faced wasn't whether he would fight Jones, but whether he would fight his friend and training partner Keith Jardine. Evans and Jardine always insisted they would never fight each other, and Jackson always insisted that was the right course of action.
Things started to change a year ago, when Evans suffered an injury while training at Jackson's gym for his planned fight with Shogun Rua, and Jones stepped in to take Evans' place. Jones became the champion, Evans remained the No. 1 contender, and although it's taken a year to get the timing right, the Jones-Evans title fight is now going to happen. In the mean time, Evans left Jackson's gym in large part because he wasn't happy about the way things transpired between himself and Jones.
Jackson never wanted Jones and Evans to be in a position where they were fighting each other, but the reality of the business is that the UFC needs its best fighters to be willing to fight. They may be friends or teammates or training partners, but if one is the champion and the other is the No. 1 contender, they need to fight. Jackson has long supported an ideal in which teammates never fight teammates, but that ideal just isn't realistic at the highest levels of the UFC. Sometimes the two best fighters in a weight class just have to suck it up and fight each other.
And when those times come up, a coach who has a relationship with both fighters will face a difficult decision. Jackson was faced with a difficult decision as soon as Jones and Evans were identified as likely future opponents, and now Jackson can't delay that decision any longer. He's made his decision about where he'll be at UFC 145, and he made the right decision. He'll be in Jones's corner, doing everything he can to help Jones beat Evans.
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, decision, evan
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 145: Jon Jones Confirms That Greg Jackson Will Corner Him Against Rashad Evans
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jone tweeted last night that his coach Greg Jackson will indeed corner him against former teammate Rashad Evans at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jones had said at last week's UFC 145 press conference that he didn't expect Jackson to corner him.
Evans trained at Jackson's MMA long before Jones and originally the two had vowed never to fight. That all fell apart when Evans had to bow out of a UFC 128 title shot against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Jones stepped up and took the title.
Evans and Jones quickly ceased being friends and Evans left Jackson's MMA as part of the fall out.
Jackson originally had said he would never corner one of the two against the other, but recently rethought his position. Essentially Jackson concluded that since Evans left the team that he owed it to the team to corner Jones.
ESPN Magazine recently did an in-depth feature on the Jones-Evans rivalry and how Dana White and other UFC officials egged it on.
Here's Jones' tweet:
@JonnybonesJon Bones Jones Greg Jackson confirmed today he will be in my corner for UFC 145 Feb 19 via TweetCaster for iOS Favorite Retweet Reply
More SBN coverage of UFC 145
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, evan, jacksons mma
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowGreg Jackson WILL be cornering Jones against Rashad
submitted by red1392 [link] [comment]
Posted in: jone, jackson, rashad, greg jackson, greg
Read the full article at RedditJon Jones: Greg Jackson will be in my corner for Rashad Evans fight at UFC 145
And the seesaw keeps going up and down, up and down, up and down.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones will take on former friend and training partner Rashad Evans at the UFC 145 event scheduled for April 21, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia. And just days after saying he didn't believe his coach, Greg Jackson, would be in his corner for the fight, Jones has made an announcement on Twitter to the contrary:
"Greg Jackson confirmed today he will be in my corner for UFC 145," Jones tweeted.
When the fight was first announced, Jackson initially washed his hands of it, claiming he was going to take a step back and let the two sort their differences out without his involvement.
He did this, of course, because he helped coach Evans to a title, no different than he did for Jones. Feeling as though it would be disloyal to both men to corner either of them in a fight against one another, Jackson simply stepped aside and said he would wait for the storm to pass.
Oh how quickly things change.
Apparently, Rashad has now made enough negative comments about his former gym to soothe Jackson's conscience, or enough at least that he'll be in Jones' corner on April 21 at the Philips Arena. Considering how well Jones and Evans know each other from their countless times training together, this could be what tips the fight in "Bones'" favor.
Then again, it could just add that little extra motivation to give "Suga" the push to take down the light heavyweight king. Which side are you on, Maniacs?
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, corner
Read the full article at MMA ManiaQuinton Jackson: “I plan on knocking his ass out in front of my Japanese fans.”
When Quinton Jackson steps into the Octagon at UFC 144 he’ll do so in front of a Japanese audience almost six years to the day since he last entertained a crowd in the fight-friendly nation. While that bout may have involved a forgettable outpointing of Dong Sik Yoon, this time around “Rampage” has designs on a highlight reel knockout win to leave a favorable impression on the fans who cheered him on during his formative years in the sport.
Jackson, who understands it will also likely be the final time he competes in Japan, shared his expectations with the world in a recent online enty where he discussed opponent Ryan Bader as well as why the fight is so personal to him.
“Nothin’ is promised to no one. I should beat Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan next Saturday – and I plan on knocking his ass out in front of my Japanese fans – but I’ve put in the work in the gym to make sure I do that,” explained Jackson on his Yahoo Sports blog.
“Some haters have said now that I didn’t get my belt back after three years of waiting for my shot, I’m not going to be motivated in my fighting career,” Jackson continued. “That is what my English friends call “bollocks”. I am very motivated to kick Bader’s ass. I was a little pissed off and disappointed that I didn’t get my belt back and I was upset with my performance. I’m going to take that out on Ryan Bader and – in front of the Japanese fight fans – put on a great fight.”
“Rampage” Thinks Japanese Fans are Light Years Ahead of American Fans
Jackson and Bader will serve as co-headliners on a card featuring lightweight champion Frankie Edgar putting his title on the line against Benson Henderson in the main event. Seven fights are scheduled for the PPV portion of the card.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: fight, jackson, japanese, fan, bader
Read the full article at Fighters.comGreg Jackson Says He Will Corner Jon Jones Against Rashad Evans at UFC 145
Renowned trainer Greg Jackson will corner light heavyweight champion Jon Jones against Rashad Evans at UFC 145.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, jon jones, rashad evans, greg jackson
Read the full article at SherdogGreg Jackson thinks Diego Sanchez 'got some fans' at UFC on Fuel
Yes, the main event at UFC on Fuel should have been a five-round fight. You know it, we know it, Greg Jackson knows it, and even Dana White admits he “blew it.” Instead, what we got was a rawesome three round fight that could have yielded dramatically different results had the Nebraska State Athletic Commission decided to call an audible and run two more rounds. It’s times like these I wish MMA was more like football or a made up backyard game where the rules get made up as you go. Either way, Greg Jackson is proud of Diego’s performance and hopes to get him back in the octagon soon. He even thinks that despite picking up a loss on Wednesday, his definitely 'got some fans' – which, as you know, is the most pressing phrase on Jackson’s mind these days.
Posted in: jackson, diego sanchez, greg jackson, round fight, backyard game
Read the full article at Middle EasyRampage Jackson: I'll powerbomb Ryan Bader if he's dumb enough to let me
SLAM! duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh ...
Former PRIDE Fighting Championship superstar Quinton Jackson, who was able to transition to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) back in 2007 and win light heavyweight gold, returns to the "Land of the Rising Sun" for a 205-pound showdown against former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Champion Ryan Bader.
"Rampage" will throw hands with "Darth" on the main card of the UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" pay-per-view (PPV), which goes down on Feb. 25, 2012, from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
What's the gameplan for Jackson?
Well, aside from putting on a "great fight," he plans on taking out his anger, which came from losing a title shot to Jon Jones at UFC 135 last September, on his unsuspecting foe, even promising to "powerbomb him" if the opportunity presents itself.
Or if Bader is dumb enough to let him.
From his UFC 144 blog (via Yahoo! Sports):
"I get to fight in Japan for the first time in six years. It's no secret I love Japan. Japan is where I became a MMA fighter, it is where I made a name for myself and learned how to kick ass. The fans there are so respectful, I can't wait to perform for them again. I really, really want a sick knockout for them, and maybe even I'll do my powerbomb if Bader is dumb enough to give me the chance. Some haters have said now that I didn't get my belt back after three years of waiting for my shot, I'm not going to be motivated in my fighting career. That is what my English friends call 'bollocks.' I am very motivated to kick Bader's ass. I was a little pissed off and disappointed that I didn't get my belt back and I was upset with my performance [at UFC 135]. I'm going to take that out on Ryan Bader and - in front of the Japanese fight fans - put on a great fight."
Jackson made the highlight reel hall-of-fame by driving Ricardo Arona through the canvas at PRIDE: "Critical Countdown" in June of 2004. He also slammed his way to victory over Masaaki Satake at PRIDE: "Armed and Ready" way back in April of 2002.
Is Bader next?
Hard to imagine the former collegiate wrestling stud being on his back looking for a submission, but stranger things have happened. Expect this thing to play out on its feet or turn into wrestlemania if Bader can't go blow-for-blow.
Early predictions on this 205-pound slugfest?
Posted in: ufc, jackson, japan, bader, i didnt
Read the full article at MMA ManiaQuinton Jackson: “I will always think of that belt as mine, even when I’m an old, bald wrinkled ass man.”
Former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson has made no secret of his overwhelming urge to hold the title one final time before retiring in the next year or two. While Jackson understands doing so is easier said than done, the 33-year old is confident he can achieve his goal even if it means facing current divisional king Jon Jones a second time.
Jackson, who hopes to make Ryan Bader the next victim of his obsession when the two lock horns later this month at UFC 144, spoke some on the subject of the strap in his latest blog for Yahoo Sports where, among other things, “Rampage” mentioned why winning gold again is personal to him.
“I still think I can win my title back, and I still think I can even win it back from Jon Jones, but I would have to execute the game plan. Jones was very good on the night; he did what he had to with style and stopped me doing what I needed to do. Respect to him,” Jackson wrote. “But I still want my belt back before I retire. I will always think of that belt as mine, even when I’m an old, bald wrinkled ass man. I’m very, very proud of unifying that UFC belt with the PRIDE belt and for that reason a little bit of me will always think of that belt as belonging to me.”
“I was a little pissed off and disappointed that I didn’t get my belt back and I was upset with my performance. I’m going to take that out on Ryan Bader and – in front of the Japanese fight fans – put on a great fight,” said Jackson, putting a stamp on things.
While Jackson has never been known as a gym rat, the motivation created by his quest for championship redemption has him staying in top shape.
“I’m not going to lie, I still don’t like training too much. Getting sweaty with other dudes? Not really my thing. There’s other things I can think of which are a lot more fun to do,” Jackson joked before adding, “But I train a lot harder than I used to, and a lot smarter.
Jackson-Bader serves as the co-headliner on the February 25 card. UFC 144 is headlined by lightweight title-holder Frankie Edgar taking on former WEC champ Benson Henderson with a stack PPV card featuring seven total fights.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, jackson, belt, thing, ’m
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainHistory in the Making: Quinton Jackson makes his Pride FC debut vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Next weekend (Feb. 25, 2012), Quinton Jackson makes his return to the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
It was on this hollowed ground where "Rampage" first gained worldwide recognition and evolved into the champion he would one day become. Battles with Ricardo Arona and Wanderlei Silva are etched in the minds of mixed martial arts (MMA) fans across the globe with Jackson being on both sides of a beating.
At UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson," the Memphis native returns to Japan to take on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 winner Ryan Bader. More than 10 years since he first stepped inside a Pride Fighting Championships (Pride) ring, Jackson returns a much different fighter than he was in 2001.
He is a former champion and was once recognized as the best 205-pounder on the planet, two credentials that eluded him during his tenure with Pride. The main reason for this was Wanderlei Slva who put the American to sleep twice in Japan. "Rampage" has since gotten his revenge as well.
Indeed, Jackson has changed, adapted and evolved beyond the man who stepped inside the ring against Kazushi Sakuraba at Pride 15. Before his UFC 144 tilt, we'll take a closer look at that fight ... the "birth of Rampage" as it were.
Let's dive in:
The bell sounds and "Rampage" makes his way to the center of the cage, unloading a huge hook with deadly intentions. Sakuraba ducks under and grabs onto a leg, working toward a single-leg takedown. They circle, the Japanese fighter trying to get his opponent onto the mat while the American does all he can to avoid ending up on his back. The veteran wins out and quickly ends up in Jackson's half-guard.
Even though "Rampage" is a few less years into the game than "Saku," he's not by any means green. With an amateur wrestling background and a host of fights under his belt in California, Jackson is more than ready to go toe-to-toe with Sakuraba. He uses the corner post to wall walk his way back to his feet, while also threatening with a guillotine choke.
With both fighters once again vertical, they clinch up and the Japanese legend attempts to jump into Jackson's guard. The Memphis native responds the only way he knows how: He slams him. Sakuraba's body is barreled into the canvas, but he continues to work. A triangle choke is attempted, but Jackson lifts his opponent again for a second slam. They jockey for position on the mat and "The Gracie Hunter" once again attempts the triangle choke submission.
A third slam. And then a fourth!
But, Sakuraba doesn't relent and nearly has the submission cinched up. Jackson lifts Sakuraba up again, but instead uses his newfound leverage to wiggle out of the move rather than punish his opponent with yet another slam. Back on the mat, "Rampage" appears to be breathing heavily as lifting a 190-pound man over and over is -- even for an athlete on the level of Jackson -- an exhausting task.
The Japanese fighter quickly transitions into an armbar attempt, which Jackson defends how else, but with another slam. He picks up his opponent again and nearly tosses him over the ropes and to the outside while the Saitama crowd gasps in disbelief.
"Saku" is spared the tumble, while Jackson is able to avoid yet another submission.
Both fighters are back on their feet and you can almost literally see the energy seeping out of Jackson's body. A weak combination is thrown with little to no power and when Sakuraba dives in for a takedown, "Rampage" offers no defense whatsoever. From half-guard, "Saku" easily slips in sidemount with Jackson offering only a few knees as offense. The Japanese fighter begins to work toward a kimura and nearly has it locked in, but Jackson offers an impressive defense by sitting up straight forcing Sakuraba to lose the leverage needs to torque his opponent's shoulder back.
Jackson tries to explode out from under his opponent, but ever the savvy grappler, "Saku" scrambles and ends up taking the American's back. Jackson avoids danger and they wind up on their feet with "Rampage" having hold of one of his opponent's legs. He attempts to lift Sakuraba up but the Pride veteran is once again working towards a kimura and when they collapse to the mat, it's the Japanese fighter who ends up on top.
"Saku" teases a leglock, but then quickly gets behind Jackson before just as quickly sinking in a rear naked choke, which forces "Rampage" to tap.
Jackson will return to Japan six years to the day he defeated Dong-Sik Yoon in what would be the American's final appearance for Pride. When he steps inside the arena next week, he'll take on an opponent in Bader who is still smarting from the sting of two straight losses. Both of Jackson's opponents were heralded as prospects -- Yoon for accomplishments in judo competitions, Bader for collegiate wrestling credentials -- and while "Rampage" handled Yoon fairly easily, he now carries the weight of an additional six years of wear-and-tear on his shoulders.
It's more so when taking into account the level of competition Jackson has faced since leaving Japan.
Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Jon Jones. A murderder's row of elite light heavyweights have left the 33-year old Memphis native with a fight age much older than his actual age.
Can "Rampage" put down the young lion at UFC 144? Or will "Darth" ruin Jackson's Saitama return?
Posted in: rampage, jackson, fighter, opponent, sakuraba
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 145 press conference recap: Jon Jones not expecting to be cornered by Greg Jackson
Ultimate Fighting Championship held a public press conference today (Feb. 16, 2012) to officially announce UFC 145: "Jones vs. Evans," which will take place this Saturday (April 21, 2012).
The press conference which began at 1 p.m. ET and took place the Luckie Marietta District of downtown Atlanta, the home city of the event. Attending were the headlining fighters of the evening, Jon Jones and Rashad Evans as well as UFC President Dana White.
Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion, and Evans, the former champ, are former teammates and have been having a war of words for the past year ever since a dispute led to Evans leaving Greg Jackson's gym and moving to Imperial Athletics in Florida. Coach Jackson, one of the best trainers and cornermen in the business, was one of the first topics discussed during the presser.
We've got Jon Jones' response about Jackson and much, much more after the jump:
Jones on Greg Jackson cornering him:
I don't expect [Greg Jackson] to be in my corner. Greg has taught me this whole thing about being an artist and being a great artist and he said, 'In order to be a great artist, you need a great coach and a great teacher. You need someone who's always giving you new paintbrushes.' That's what he'll do leading up to this fight. He's gonna give me lots of new tactics, lots of new ways of thinking and approaching the sport and then I'm gonna have the canvas on April 21st to paint a new masterpiece."
This is an emotionally charged fight, as Evans has had a post-fight staredown with "Bones" twice now after his victories only to see their bout scrapped due to injuries. With both men fully healthy and a date finally set, it appears that Jones is expecting to use his emotions as fuel in preparing for Evans.
"I think my opponent will be in my head for this fight and I want him in my head. I think my opponent getting in my head, that really brings out the best in me."
Evans, on the other hand, feels he needs to keep his emotions in check. In doing so, he'll get back to the same old rhythm he used to have when him and Jones were training together.
"There's always emotions in each fight. I am gonna have to be a little conscious of it, not get carried away with it. Me and Jon, we competed against each other before and we always bring it every time we competed even in practice. It was always like we've always been there before. I'm thinking we're gonna find our rhythm like we always do, like when he wouldn't want me to take him down and I wouldn't want him to take me down. We'd just go at it back and forth. It's gonna be the same."
As one reporter pointed out, Jones was very confident in himself during his big network analyst gig at the second UFC on FOX event following Evans' victory in a five round battle over Phil Davis. He explained why he felt confident, admitting that he can't help being honest about what he saw.
"There was this whole Rashad 2.0 thing that was getting started and in his first fight in a new camp, his body looked better, I saw some differences in his game and in the last fight, I didn't see any progression whatsoever. It inspired me. It made me really happy with what I saw. It made me think, 'Wow! If that athlete shows up on April 21st, it's gonna be an interesting night.' ... It's like you're competitor reporter is not doing his job well and you're just like, 'Oh, this is gonna be great.'"
Evans, though, got the last laugh, mocking Jones' appearance on national television and poking fun at his erratic movement and inability to sit still, even comparing him to a famous musician.
"I read body language a little bit and I studied psychology and if you see Jon and the way he was swiveling that chair, he couldn't keep still. It was like he was Stevie Wonder for a minute. He couldn't keep still. I don't know. He can say what he wants to, but he already knows what time it was. He knows it won't be an easy fight. He knows it's gonna be the hardest fight of his career. He already knows that coming into this fight because he competed against me before. He already felt what I have. He can say whatever he wants to about how I competed against somebody else. He already knows what time it is when we go together."
All in all, it was a pretty tame presser as Jones did his best to put out any fires that Evans tried to start between them. It even finished with the (we thought he was past this) no-eye contact staredown.
Who do you think is winning the war of words thus far, Maniacs?
Will it matter come April 21st?
Sound off!
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, evan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson still not likely to corner Jon Jones against Rashad Evans
Even though it’s been a year since the falling out between former teammates, current rivals, Jon Jones and Rashad Evans it appears Greg Jackson is living up to his word and won’t be in the champ’s corner when he defends his title against Evans in Atlanta this spring. Evans was under Jackson’s tutelage when “Bones” first joined the team and split from the group in New Mexico as a result of his issue with Jones.
“I don’t expect him to be in my corner,” said Jones earlier today during a press conference promoting the event.
However, though Jackson may not physically be there that doesn’t mean the renowned instructor won’t be on Jones’ mind throughout the fight.
“Greg has taught me this whole thing about being a great artist,” explained Jones. “And he said, ‘In order to be a great artist you need a great coach, a great teacher. You need someone who is always giving you new paint, new paintbrushes.’ That’s what he’ll do leading up to this fight. He’s gonna give me lots of new tactics, lots of new ways of thinking and approaching this sport. And then I’m gonna have the canvas on April 21 to paint a new masterpiece.”
Jones Thinks Evans is “Coming Down the Other Side of the Hill”
Then again, while he may not have said so specifically, it apparently wouldn’t bother Evans if Jackson did corner Jones based on the damage that’s already been done. When asked what his relationship with Jackson was like at the moment, Evans replied, “We don’t have a relationship. We don’t get to talk no more. I haven’t talked to Greg in probably a little over a year.”
Jones-Evans will serve as the headliner at UFC 145 with other match-ups including Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills and Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell.
Check out the entire press conference below:
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: jone, jackson, ’t, evan, greg
Read the full article at Fighters.comOn the Rampage: Still motivated despite loss to Jones (Yahoo! Sports)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson talks about losing to light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and his motivation for fighting Ryan Bader.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, loss, motivation
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC Japan: Has Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Evolved Too Far?
In the sport of mixed martial arts we are constantly told that combatants are ever evolving, and in many cases this is far from true as grapplers continue to throw looping, straight armed swings at each other until one succumbs. In the case of Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson however, evolution has been a real process through his career and is recently costing him fights and fans. Beginning as a man obsessed with picking up his opponent and slamming him to the mat as many times as possible, Quinton then evolved a ground game like few others once he had slammed his opponents - led by brutal knees and elbows to the body, on top of this he added a dirty boxing game, then a devastating boxing skill set. Unfortunately in recent years, every single one of these abilities has decayed away from his game plan except for his boxing, and it is becoming tedious to watch, and predictable to fight against.
Since Quinton burst onto the major MMA scene against Kazushi Sakuraba in PRIDE FC he has attracted unparalleled media attention. An engaging personality with a self deprecating sense of humor, Rampage made no promises to grind out a win but simply came to put on a show. In his losing effort against the Sakuraba, Jackson slammed the Japanese legend from above the top rope to the mat multiple times before succumbing to the Gracie Hunter's superior submission game, but he had already found a fan following in this performance. Quinton followed this win up with several wins on the PRIDE promotion's undercard against less than stellar fighters, before being matched against the declining but still frightening knockout artist, Igor Vovchanchyn. Vovchanchyn is a legend of the early era of MMA and despite being built for middleweight, spent the majority of his career fighting heavyweights and still having the power to knock them out while going backwards. In this match Quinton used his trademark slams, interspersed with great clinch work and a brutal body attack on the ground to stop the Ice Cold Ukrainian. Though the match provided some fantastic slams, it was Quinton's ground and pound that really took it's toll on Vovchanchyn.
Quinton's defining performances in PRIDE came against the powerful wrestler, Kevin Randleman, and the UFC representative in the PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix, Chuck Liddell. Randleman was supposed to be a far superior wrestler, but Rampage stuffed his shots and from the clinch brutalized his opponent with punches and knees, knocking him down with a body shot and finishing him, once again, with his brutal ground and pound. Against Liddell, Quinton exposed the Ice Man's inability to deal with well rounded fighters (having spent the past few years fighting almost exclusively grapplers), Quinton mixed in big punches on the feet to make Liddell raise his hands, thwarting the Ice Man's legendary takedown defence. Once again this fight was stopped by a brutal and relentless ground assault as Quinton bored the Ice Man down with knees and elbows to the body before Liddell's corner conceded defeat. 4 years later, when he came to the UFC, Jackson was nowhere near the dynamic all-arounder that he had been in his PRIDE hayday, relying almost entirely on punching and punching alone.
Since moving to the UFC however, Jackson has looked less rounded with every appearance. It is not that Jackson can't wrestle anymore, as proven by his stuffing almost every take-down attempted against him by wrestling greats Dan Henderson and Matt Hamill, it's that he flat out refuses to use it offensively. Since his teaming with Juanito Ibarra, a boxing coach, Rampage has been more and more moving towards a one dimensional boxing offense. It is a testimony to the raw talent of Rampage that he can still win fights by walking forward and throwing either a left hook, right straight or a right straight, left hook as his corner directs him loud enough so that everyone in the arena knows what he is going to do. Even when he was getting thoroughly out-struck by Forest Griffin, a man whose weak punches and mediocre wrestling should never have given him trouble, Quinton refused to attempt any takedowns - instead remaining on the feet and swinging hooks when Forrest was almost never in range.
Formerly a ferocious ground and pounder who bored his opponents down, Quinton's UFC striking percentage reveals that only 13% of his strikes have come on the ground through recent years. This is a far cry from the man who knocked out Ikuhisa Minowa with a knee to the face from mount. Jackon's most recent performance, a title shot against Jon Jones, was suspected by most sensible critics to be a "gimme" match for the young champion. Rampage's modus operandi is to walk forward and throw hooks with his 73 inch reach, whereas Jon Jones is a powerful kicker with an 84 inch reach. Anyone who knew anything about the fight game knew that Rampage wouldn't be able to even touch Jones with his hooks unless he had some incredibly inventive gameplan to do so - and as was expected by this time, he did not. The match played out exactly as expected, with Rampage being ground down with long, biting kicks and punches, before being stopped for the first time since 2005, and choked out for the first time since his big break against Kazushi Sakuraba.
Quinton Jackson had gone full circle - from a one dimensional wrestler, to a brilliant clinch fighter, to one of the most devastating ground and pounders in the game, to fully rounded fighter, to one dimensional boxer. All that remains to be seen is if a) Ryan Bader is inexperienced enough to fall for the same two punches that Rampage has used since 2007, and b) if Rampage, at this stage in his career - seeming unmotivated and distracted - can change the rut his technique has been stuck in for almost 5 years.
Jack Slack now blogs at his brand new website www.fightsgoneby.com
He can also be found on Twitter @JackSlackMMA
Posted in: rampage, jackson, quinton, ground, game
Read the full article at Head Kick LegendRampage Jackson Reflective of Pride Days, 'Excited' to Return to Japan
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Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, mattyblayze, pride days
Read the full article at RedditEx-PRIDE star 'Rampage' Jackson: UFC 144 booking was 'no-brainer'
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson said it was a "no-brainer" to request a fight at UFC 144, the promotion's first trip to Japan since it ventured out under new ownership.
As a former star in the now-defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships, Jackson fought much of his career in Japan and met his wife there. He grew to love not only the culture, but the spirit of professional fighting.
"I think PRIDE had better matchmaking," Jackson today told MMAjunkie.com. "They made exciting fights."
Posted in: jackson, japan, championships jackson, nowdefunct pride, ownership nbsp
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Jackson Reflective of Pride Days, 'Excited' to Return to Japan
In 2001, a 23-year-old junior college wrestler from Memphis, Tennessee by the name of Quinton Jackson travelled overseas to serve as an easy foil for Japanese folk hero Kazushi Sakuraba. Few could have predicted the chain of events that would follow.
Six years and 17 fights later, Quinton had become "Rampage," a Japanese folk hero in his own right, adored by a nation for his powerhouse style and violent victories over the best Pride Fighting Championships had to offer.
Now, over a decade since he first voyaged to the Land of the Rising Sun, Jackson returns with a new task in mind. Sure he would like to emerge triumphant over Ryan Bader at UFC 144's co-main event, but next weekend is also about something larger.
Jackson hopes to reignite the once-vibrant flame of Japanese mixed martial arts that was doused by the death of Pride.
"I think if anybody has a chance, it's the UFC," Rampage conceded during Tuesday's UFC 144 conference call. "The UFC is the biggest show on the planet right now. I remember back in the days when Pride was the biggest show, but the UFC has surpassed them. I think if anybody has a chance, it's the UFC, and if I have anything to do with it, I'm going to go there and fight my heart out. Put on a big show and try to put on the most exciting fight the Japanese fans have ever seen, to maybe want them to have the UFC come back."
That desire for excitement is the exact trait which endeared Rampage to Japanese audiences back in the old days. Between the iron chains, the howling, and ruthless performances personified by his slam of Ricardo Arona, Jackson cultivated an image by appealing to the eastern culture of showmanship.
"I was young, I didn't care. I just wanted to fight and put on the types of fights for the crowd," Jackson explained. "They love that type of stuff because pro wrestling is real popular there, and I kind of brought that type of factor to MMA."
It was inevitable the legend of Rampage would sprout quickly in a land where entertainment is at a premium. In retrospect, Pride's slew of squash matches and circus fights may not have been very sporting, but they produced an undeniable backlog of moments. And if you ask Rampage, those moments have mostly gone missing since he headed back west.
"Honestly, if I gave my thoughts on the match-making in the UFC, Joe Silva probably wouldn't even talk to me anymore, so I'm going to keep quiet on that," Jackson admitted, somewhat surprisingly. "Just to be honest, I think Pride had their match-makers make exciting fights.
"I don't think people understand, in America everybody is worried about who's going to win, and this and that. Who's winning and who's winning. Like, it ain't all about that. It's entertainment at the end of the day. The fans, they want to see entertaining fights, and fans got that. I don't think America has that yet."
If Jackson's remarks sound bitter, they surely aren't meant to be. Rather than digs at the UFC brass, his words hang in the air as wistful reminiscences of an era that exists only in memories of those that lived it.
"I really miss the fans, I'm not going to lie. I really miss fighting there," Jackson revealed. "It's something personal for me.
"My kids are from Japan. My kids grandparents are from there, and they never really watched me fight back in the day ... My two younger kids can come and watch me fight, and the in-laws can be in the crowd and watch me fight. I've never had that before, so it's just something I want to do."
To say Jackson is looking forward to Japan more than he is to Bader may not be that bold of an assumption. But just because the usual trash-talk has subdued into a starker form of reflection, it would still be unwise to think Rampage has gone soft.
"I've got nothing against Ryan Bader at all," the fighter coolly concluded. "I'm still going to try to knock his head off, but there ain't going to be no hard feelings about it."
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, pride
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse"Rampage" Jackson would have retired a "very happy man" had he defeated Jon Jones
To anyone paying attention, Rampage Jackson's love-hate relationship with the sport of mixed martial arts comes as no surprise. What may, however, is how close the former Light Heavyweight champ was to calling it quits in 2011 - very close...
Posted in: rampage, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, lovehate
Read the full article at Low KickHopes of a title-win only thing keeping Quinton Jackson from retiring
Light heavyweight star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has never shied away expressing his desire to hang up his trademark chain and call it a career by the time he’s 35. However, had he defeated divisional king Jon Jones in September it turns out the 33-year old would have seriously considered speeding up his plan, retiring with the belt rather than making any real attempt at defending it.
Jackson’s admission came in a recent interview with Fighters Only where he said, “If I had won that Jon Jones fight and if the Japan show wasn’t next, then there would have been a very good chance I would have retired already. It would have been a great time to bow out,” adding he would have ducked out after putting the gold up for grabs in Japan at UFC 144. Jackson has professed his love for the Land of the Rising Sun numerous times before, lobbying hard to fight on the show and entertain some of his most loyal fans at the historic show.
Without the title in tow, the former UFC/PRIDE champ will use the next eighteen months of his life to attempt to earn one final crack at the strap.
“I still want to retire as champion. I want to hold the belt once more,” Jackson revealed.
The next step in that process will come in two weeks when he rumbles with Ryan Bader at the very event that could have marked his last had things played out differently (UFC 144). Jackson had won back-to-back bouts entering the title-fight with Jones and holds an overall record of 32-9 including past victories over Lyoto Machida, Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, and Dan Henderson.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Posted in: ufc, time, jone, jackson, ufcpride champ
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC Quick Quote: Rampage Jackson wants to retire as champion
"To retire as UFC champion and to have defended the belt in Japan? Oh man, that would have been perfect. Believe me, I still want to retire as champion. I want to hold the belt once more. I guess if I had won that Jon Jones fight and if the Japan show wasn't next then there would have been a very good chance I would have retired already. It would have been a great time to bow out. But I almost certainly would have stayed around to fight in Japan anyway, to defend the belt. Then if I would have successfully defended it on this [UFC 144] show, I definitely would be retiring - and retiring a very happy man too!"
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson tells Fighters Only that had he defeated current 205-pound champion Jon Jones at UFC 135 last September, he probably would have walked away from the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). Unfortunately for "Rampage," he came up short in regaining the title, and was offered a fight against Ryan Bader scheduled for UFC 144 as the promotion heads Far East to Japan on Feb. 26, 2012. Jackson, who has found success outside the Octagon as a movie star and appeared in movies such as the A-Team, has had quite a career in his 14-year tenure but truly rose to fame in "The Land of the Rising Sun" during his stint with PRIDE FC. After defeating Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 to earn the UFC Light Heavyweight title, Jackson lost his strap to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 a year later, and has been on a quest to get it back ever since. With Brock Lesnar and Nick Diaz announcing their retirements after losses, "Rampage," for one, does not want to go out like that. Can we expect Jackson to vie for the title after a few more wins in the stacked 205-pound division? Or will Ryan Bader derail his goals to retire as champ?
Posted in: ufc, jackson, champion, japan, ryan bader
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson Discusses Carlos Condit's Win Over Nick Diaz and Rustam Khabilov's Fight For ONE FC
Love him or hate him there is no denying that Greg Jackson knows a good fighter when he sees one and he is extremely excited about the potential or Rustam Khabilov. The Russian is a Combat Sambo World Champion with an outstanding professional record of 12-1 and has been training in Albuquerque for over a year.
New Mexico is a long way from Dagestan but, according to Jackson, the 25 year old has settled in quickly and instantly won the respect of his team mates and trainers,
"A friend of mine contacted me about working with him and when he flew down to Albuquerque we started working together, we clicked right away and hes been there ever since. The first time I saw him training I was really impressed. he sparred and did really well with all the top level fighters that we have."
Khabilov still speaks only rudimentary English and moving to the United States would have been a traumatic transition for most young men but according to his coach he hit the ground running,
"He's smart and he's brave, those are the two things you need when you are in a new place and nobody speaks his language. I don't know how similar it was to what he was doing back home but he picked up on our training methods right away."
Both Jackson and Khabilov are in Jakarta as the Russian prepares for the biggest fight of his life at ONE Fighting Championship 'Battle of Heroes'. It is taking place at the biggest indoor arena in Indonesia and is being broadcast all over Asia be ESPN Star Sports.
His opponent Rodrigo Ribeiro is a highly experienced BJJ black belt and has a skill set which is a little different from what Khabilov will have been used to dealing with in Russia but Jackson feels the time has come for him to test himself against this sort of level of opposition,
"He has never fought an opponent with as strong a BJJ game as Rodrigo, he has got good leg locks and good jiu jitsu so it will be a challenge. If we were looking to bring him into bigger show he has to be comfortable being offensive with people's guards even if they have a good guard like Rodrigo"
Although he feels Khabilov, whose only career loss was a split decision, is well rounded Jackson had no hesitation in naming his greatest asset,"His wrestling is top notch, the best wrestlers in the world come from Dagestan and he's defintiely one of them. He compares pretty well with the NCAA Division One Guys we have, Americans have a more jerky, pace based style and the Russian style is the style I prefer because it is a little smoother and more calm."
Rustam Khabilov vs Akin Duran (via JpZa420)
However Jackson says that Khabilov is far from one dimensional and has much more to his game then merely wrestling,
"He had a lot of fights already so he had a good mix of styles, not just wrestling. He has trained with me full time for over a year and he has improved a lot during that time technically. Dealing with the calibre of training partner here has has brought him to a new level."
Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Jon Jones, Carlos Condit and Brian Stann will not do Khabilov's development any harm at all and in his first fight since joining Jackson's Submission Fighting he secured the first stoppage thorough strikes of his career.
Khabilov's only previous TKO or KO win had been the brutal slam of Akin Duran (see video above) and according to Jackson he has been working on finding ways for the Russian to finish more fights,
"We try to always work for finishes so hopefully we have improved his striking game and his ground and pound and Jiu Jitsu. It's unlikely he will finish a guy of Rodrigo Ribeiro's stature with a submission but after damage anything is possible."
Khabilov will be taking on an opponent who has won numerous BJJ competitions, both at a regional and national level ans is moving down from middleweight. Jackson says that long term his future is at lightweight but that he is confident his student has the skills to win this fight,
"He's a 155 lber but because we don't have any rehydration materiasl out here we are going 170, in future he wil be dropping down to 155 lbs. For this fight e want to mix it up on the feet and on the ground, we have a lot of Brazilian fighters and very good Jiu Jitsu people who can emulate ribeiros style, he has definitely done his hiomework and he will be looking to defend the angle locks."
Khabib Nurmagomedov, a Combat Sambo champion and close friend of Khabilov's recently dominated Kamal Shalorus on his UFC debut. Apparently that win gave Khabilov a great deal of confidence that he could compete at a UFC level but Jackson feels there is no rush,
"We would like to get him in the UFC one day but One FC is a great organization, I heard very good thigns about the first show and I am excited about the second one. tehre ar some great fighters that the americans don;t know about and it will be nice to see soem fo the best fighters fro outside the world and not just from Brazil and the US."
I had hoped to interview Khabilov himself, who was sitting next to Jackson throughout the interview, but his English is minimal, so I decided an interview with Jackson would be the next best thing. Seeing as I had the attention of the controversial coach it seemed a waste not to ask him about the controversy surrounding Carlos Condit's fight with Nick Diaz.
Condit clearly executed his gameplan perfectly and Jackson says he is a little confused by the negativity surrounding his tactics and the question marks over the actual decision,
"It's a little weird to deal with that I'll be honest but what you have to remember is a lot of people don't know martial arts, they only know fighting. It's about expectations, when you have an expectation that two guys are going to stand in front of each other and bang it out and that doesn't happen everybody gets mad and disappointed.
He can understand why some people felt Diaz had done enough to win but feels that they might be letting their hearts rule their heads,
"I think it's more of an emotional argument, it's not a logical argument because if you talk about cage control then Carlos completely dominated where the exchanges happened and what time they happened , the numbers have him outstriking Diaz by 50 more significant shots. You don't really have a logical argument but I think sometimes people make emotional arguments and try and disguise them logically."
Jackson was delighted by how well Condit stuck to the game plan but will have a new puzzle on his hands at ONE FC this weekend. Khabilov's opponent trains at Evolve MMA, a camp widely regarded as being the best in Asia which is renowned for meticulous attention to detail when it comes to fight preparation, and it is exactly this sort of challenge which motivates the 2010 trainer of the year,
"That's why I coach, it's why I do what I do. It's a lot of fun to play the game of chess and see how it comes out but I don't think this fight will really come down to gameplans because I am just learning about Rustam. It's only my second fight with him and I'm just learning about what he does well, what he doesn't do well. You can watch tape on that but you really need to see it in person so I'm getting to know more and I'm just giving him ideas of what I want him to do and what I don't want him to do."
ONE Fighting Championship ‘Battle of Heroes’ is scheduled to get underway at 7:30pm local time (GMT + 7:00). MMA fans can catch the action online via live streaming on the following websites;
www.ONEFC.com
www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA
www.UStream.tv/onefc
Under card is available for viewing free of charge.
Main card is available for pay-per-view at just US$9.99
Main card
Ole Laursen vs Felipe Enomoto
Honorio "The Rock" Banario vs Bae Young Kwon
Rustam Khabilov vs Rodrigo "Ximbica" Ribeiro
Gustavo Falciroli vs Soo Chul Kim
Rolles Gracie vs Bob Sapp
Undercard
Victorio Senduk vs. Raymond Tiew
Alex Silva vs. Geje Eustaquio
Irshaad Sayed vs. Jessie Rafols
Ngabdi Mulyadi vs. Peter Davis
Zuli Silawanto vs. Agus Nanang
Posted in: fight, jackson, vs, dont, khabilov
Read the full article at MMA ManiaThe MMA Hour - Episode No. 117 - Greg Jackson
Greg Jackson likely cornering Jon Jones for Rashad Evans fight at UFC 145
In this latest edition of Ultimate High School Championship, famed MMA trainer Greg Jackson is now thinking he should be in Jon Jones' corner when he defends his light heavyweight title against Rashad Evans at UFC 145 on April 21 in Atlanta.
He had previously stated he was going to wash his hands of the entire ordeal because the two fighters are former training partners and friends, a bond broken by the lust for gold and the promise of dreams realized.
Oh how quickly things can change.
Now, Jackson is going back and forth on whether or not to corner Jones because it would be an official show of support for him over Evans, a man Jackson still considers a friend. Because, you see, these are the important issues in MMA. Here's the explanation given to the Savage Dog Show:
"I'm going back and forth now because I have to think about what it means to be on a team. Are we just a collection of friends that train together? For me, it's much more than that. It means something to be on this team and it means something to have teammates. Rashad kind of left that. I don't know, I'm leaning toward cornering Jon right now. Just because, am I selfish, am I going to make this about me? Or am I gonna make this about the team? I can't be self-centered. Even though it's something that I don't want to do, it might end up that way."
This story is a long one with many twists and turns but here's a short refresher course:
After Jones accepted a light heavyweight title fight against Mauricio Rua in the place of Evans, he was asked by Ariel Helwani about a potential fight against his then teammate.
And he said he would do it. He wouldn't like it but he would do it if that's what UFC President Dana White wanted.
Caught off guard by this, Evans felt the need to respond in kind, letting the world know that he "ain't no punk" and if Jones were to win the title and he was given the first crack then it would be on like Donkey Kong.
That's exactly what happened and it wasn't long before words were exchanged, a heated confrontation took place at a night club, and the media had a field day going back and forth between the two.
However, through injuries, bad timing and even worse luck, it's taken over a year to put the fight together. Jones went on to defend his belt twice in two dominant performances and Evans took care of business in his two bouts to get back to where we started at.
Jones vs. Evans for the light heavyweight crown and all the bragging rights in the world.
Where Jackson comes in is that he was caught in the middle during this entire ordeal. After all, he's the man who helped train Evans to become a champion in 2008 with Evans in turn helping make Jackson's gym in New Mexico a hotbed for budding mixed martial artists to train.
Men like "Bones" Jones.
When Jackson helped the young phenom win a title, it was reminiscent of how he did the same with Rashad. So when the two were matched up, Jackson, like a parent being asked to choose between two children, didn't know what to do.
Evans, it seems, has made his decision easier by leaving camp and saying nothing positive since he left while Jones has remained as loyal as can be. Hence, Jackson leaning towards cornering Jones on April 21 in Atlanta.
Got all that?
Now let's hear your opinion on whether or not it's right for Jackson to corner Jones.
Posted in: jone, jackson, rashad, evan, i dont
Read the full article at MMA ManiaMMAWeekly Radio Tuesday: Greg Jackson and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson
Coach Greg Jackson and UFC 143 'Knockout of the Night' winner Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson highlight Tuesday's edition of MMAWeekly Radio.
Posted in: jackson, radio, mmaweekly, tuesday, tuesdays edition
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 145: Greg Jackson Considering Cornering Jon Jones Vs. Rashad Evans
The UFC officially confirmed today that light heavyweight champ Jon Jones will defend his title against former teammate Rashad Evans at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21, 2012. This puts Jones' coach Greg Jackson in a somewhat awkward position as Evans was a long-time member of Jackson's MMA team and Jackson has often promised he would corner neither Jones nor Evans against each other.
Jackson is now indicating that he might be a little more flexible on the matter now based on his appearance on the Savage Dog Show:
"I've got to sit down and make my decision and see what I feel is best for the team. Not for me, because I have my own personal feelings where I never want to ever do that," Jackson said. "I'm going back and forth now because I have to think about what it means to be on a team. Are we just a collection of friends that train together? For me, it's much more than that. It means something to be on this team and it means something to have teammates.
"Rashad kind of left that. I don't know, I'm leaning toward cornering Jon right now," he added. "Just because, am I selfish, am I going to make this about me? Or am I gonna make this about the team? I can't be self-centered. Even though it's something that I don't want to do, it might end up that way.
"I still consider him a friend. Right now he's really angry, and he's saying a lot of negative things. I don't want much to do with that, so I'm just kind of keeping my distance, so that's where we're at."
The complete UFC 145 card after the jump.
More SBN coverage of UFC 145
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans, LHW TitleRory MacDonald vs. Che Mills Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman Travis Browne vs. Chad Griggs John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements Maximo Blanco vs. Marcus BrimageMiguel Torres vs. Michael McDonaldMark Hominick vs Eddie Yagin
Poll
Is Greg Jackson right to corner Jones against Evans?
Yes, Evans burned his bridges
No, this is BS
Jackson's going to do what's best for Greg, nothing wrong with that
72 votes | Results
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, vs, evan
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowJon Jones vs. Rashad Evans Official for UFC 145
The Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans showdown on Monday became official for UFC 145 on April 21 in Atlanta.UFC president Dana White has confirmed the bout and tickets will go on sale Feb. 17.Evans won the light heavyweight title shot by beating Phil Davis two weeks ago at UFC on FOX 2, setting up the much-delayed meeting with his rival, the UFC champion Jones.
Jones will be returning from a brief vacation after defeating Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in December. Evans won his fourth straight fight with his victory over Davis at UFC on FOX 2.On Monday, Jones' coach Greg Jackson said he was still unsure if he would corner Jones against Evans due to Jackson's personal connection with Evans. Evans made his rise in MMA through Jackson's gym, but eventually left when it became clear he and Jones would inevitably meet inside the UFC cage.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, phil davis, evan
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseCesar Gracie Blames Diaz-Condit Decision On Biased Nevada Judges
“I don’t think the judges like Nick. He comes off, he talks in the ring… Carlos was running at one point, and Nick slapped him in the face said, ‘Quit running.’ We were there for a dogfight. Carlos said he’d provide for the fans a dogfight, a great fight where they were going to go at it. That was not a dogfight. It takes two to make a dogfight. One guy running away is not a dogfight… I don’t know what the judges were looking at. They’ve never liked Nick in Vegas. They’ve never voted for him in a decision. The only one was the BJ Penn fight, and he almost had to kill BJ to get that one. I don’t think they like his attitude, a guy that’s going to go out there and talk. I think they think he’s disrespectful. They’re going to find a reason to judge against him. I don’t think he can get fair judging in that state at all.”
— Cesar Gracie on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani claiming judges are biased against Nick Diaz in Nevada
First and foremost, let me say that Diaz did not get robbed. This wasn’t Shogun-Machida I. It was a close fight and I think you could make an argument for either fighter. That said, there is certainly incompetent judging in MMA. It happens all the time. But biased judging? I don’t know. I’ve never seen any evidence of that, but I’ve never been in a position to either. It wouldn’t surprise me, but to suggest Nick can’t win a decision in Vegas because the judges don’t like him without providing any evidence to support such a theory is kind of like throwing around baseless steroid and greasing accusations. They’re pointless without proof.
Moving on, Gracie also took aim at Greg Jackson and their fight strategies during the interview.
“It’s one thing to avoid standing in the pocket, it’s one thing to know how to dodge punches and kicks, and be somewhat elusive and have great defense,” he said. “It’s another thing to turn your back and run from a fighter. That’s completely different. You shouldn’t be telling your fighter to fight like that. I think it’s a disgrace and a shame. I’ve said this before: I don’t like that camp. I’m not going to take that back.”
Greg Jackson joined the show right after Gracie hung up. He didn’t specifically respond to Gracie’s comments, but he did defend the game plan they employed to beat Nick Diaz.
“It’s not like we reinvented the wheel here with this game plan,” Jackson said. “A stick-and-move game plan against a guy that’s such an amazing fighter and such a tough guy as Diaz, for me is a no-brainer. If you look at the numbers, we hit him many more times than he hit us.”
“The criticism I guess I heard this morning was that Carlos was running,” Jackson said. “He was running back to the middle of the Octagon and hitting him. You can’t really say he’s running, because he hit him more times. So that argument doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
“He’s amazing when he gets you up against the fence,” Jackson said of Diaz. “He’s amazing when he starts rolling on those combinations. So we left the party when that happened and then we started the party again and were able to land a lot more shots than he was. It’s pretty cut and dry to me. …If you sit there and go toe-to-toe with him, man, he’s just so tough. His combinations flow so beautifully. He switches from the body to the head so well. There’s no reason for us to play that game.”
Jackson also made it clear that if GSP and Condit do fight next, he will not be cornering either fighter. Interestingly enough though, for Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans, he might be changing his mind about cornering Jones. He still considers Rashad a friend, but since he’s not coming back to their camp, he feels he needs to be loyal to his team too.
Image via Esther Lin for MMA Fighting
Posted in: fight, jackson, nick, fighter, judge
Read the full article at MMA ConvertUFC 143: Can Carlos Condit Defeat GSP Without Greg Jackson?
At UFC 143, Carlos Condit became the UFC Interim Welterweight champion by defeating the toughest opponent of his career. Nick Diaz was on a powerful winning streak and seemed destined for a fight with Georges St. Pierre, but Condit got in the way. The result of that fight is not without controversy. Many think Diaz should have won, and many think Condit only got the win by running away in a boring performance. Yet the results speak for themselves – in the end, it was Carlos Condit who had his hand raised, Carlos Condit who became the new champion, Carlos Condit who now moves on to face GSP. But when he does face St. Pierre, he’ll be doing so without one of the best tools in his arsenal.
Greg Jackson, the long-time coach to Condit and occasional trainer for St. Pierre, is in all likelihood going to sit this fight out, choosing to corner neither man. In the lead-up to UFC 137, during the period when it looked like GSP vs. Condit would headline that show, Jackson addressed this issue with MMA Fighting:
Ariel Helwani: Greg, two of your star fighters are going to fight each other in October. What will do you?
Greg Jackson: Teammate protocols are pretty clear in this situation so everybody knows what happening. I step out, the other coaches -- John [Danaher], Phil [Nurse] and Firas [Zahabi] -- will take care of GSP and probably [Mike] Winkeljohn and some of the other guys here will take care of Carlos. But I step out of it, so I won't be cornering either guy. They'll fight each other. Those are the new teammate protocols. We knew this would be coming -- it will probably be coming again --but this time we are very well prepared.
Carlos trains in Albuquerque full-time, while GSP's home base is in Montreal, so how will you not offer advice when you see him in the gym?
Carlos is still training with a team. I am just not going to do game plans and private lessons and everything that I normally do for the guys because usually it's a pretty intense process -- I give them private lessons all the time -- heavy on the game planning, heavy on the personal growth plan, and for this, I'll just let the other coaches do that for both Georges and Carlos. So I'll just step out. They're all amazing coaches. Geez, I'm the worst coach on the team. They'll all do their thing.
Though he has not yet spoken about this in the aftermath of UFC 143, it seems likely that Jackson’s stance will be the same, and that Condit will find himself without his head trainer’s services during the fight. And that is a serious blow to the new champion.
In his defeat of Diaz, Condit’s greatest strength was his game planning, led by Jackson. Jackson and Condit figured out how to deal with Diaz’s unorthodox striking and successfully nullified the high-volume puncher over the course of 25 minutes. It was clear they studied tapes and formulated a plan that would lead to victory. Without that gameplan, expect a very different result from Condit vs. Diaz.
Against GSP, Condit will need an even greater emphasis on strategy. St. Pierre is one of the most cerebral fighters in the game, a champion who always forces his opponents into their areas of weakness, while never showing any weaknesses himself. Unlike some champions, and some great fighters, GSP doesn’t have an obvious hole in his game. That’s not to see he is unbeatable – no one is – but finding the path to victory against him will be difficult. Greg Jackson is the kind of master strategist and coach who perhaps can find that path – but he won’t.
This past weekend, Carlos Condit took the biggest step up in competition of his career, and he succeeded largely on the strength of his strategic approach. Against GSP, he’ll take an even greater step up, and his key partner in that strategic planning will be taken away from him. I said after the Diaz win that I was finished underrating Condit, and I am not going to go back on that now. But the loss of Jackson will make an already difficult mountain to climb just that much harder. This will be the true test of what Carlos Condit is made of. Can he pass?
For more on this issue, check out "Carlos Condit and Greg Jackson Solved Nick Diaz" by Kid Nate.
SBN coverage of UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit
Posted in: diaz, jackson, gsp, condit, carlo
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowJackson ‘Leaning Toward’ Cornering Jones Against Evans
The success of Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts is well documented, as the Albuquerque, N.M.-based gym boasts as impressive a track record as any camp in the sport today.
Posted in: jackson, track record, art, jackson ’s, jackson ‘
Read the full article at SherdogGreg Jackson: Stick-and-Move Game Plan Was 'No-Brainer' Against Nick Diaz
MMA trainer Greg Jackson might be, by his own admission, "completely and utterly biased," but he still thought the judges got it right when they handed Carlos Condit a unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 143 this past Saturday night, he told MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani.Saying there was "no doubt" in his mind that the decision would go Condit's way, Jackson defended his fighter’s strategy on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, and fired back at critics who accused Condit of running away from Diaz."It’s not like we reinvented the wheel here with this game plan," Jackson said. "A stick-and-move game plan against a guy that’s such an amazing fighter and such a tough guy as Diaz, for me is a no-brainer. If you look at the numbers, we hit him many more times than he hit us."
But then, just because it worked, that doesn’t make it popular. Jackson hasn’t remained deaf to the criticism of his fighter, but that doesn’t mean he agrees with any of it, either."The criticism I guess I heard this morning was that Carlos was running," Jackson said. "He was running back to the middle of the Octagon and hitting him. You can’t really say he’s running, because he hit him more times. So that argument doesn’t make a lot of sense."According to Jackson, the plan for Condit was to "attack Nick’s safety zones," and stay away from situations where Diaz excels."He’s amazing when he gets you up against the fence," Jackson said of Diaz. "He’s amazing when he starts rolling on those combinations. So we left the party when that happened and then we started the party again and were able to land a lot more shots than he was. It’s pretty cut and dry to me. ...If you sit there and go toe-to-toe with him, man, he’s just so tough. His combinations flow so beautifully. He switches from the body to the head so well. There’s no reason for us to play that game."And yet, despite Condit’s success in the fight, the strategy was met with criticism from many fight fans and from Diaz’s trainer, Cesar Gracie, who lambasted Condit’s game plan earlier on in Monday’s show. That reaction didn’t surprise Jackson, he said, "because Nick was supposed to win that fight. Georges [St-Pierre] was flown in and they were going to have this grudge match and everybody was excited about it."Condit’s victory scuttled those plans, Jackson admitted, but it also provoked the ire of fans who complained that his fighter spent too much time on the retreat. The fans who want fighters to stand and slug it out is an "element that has always existed in MMA," Jackson said, but it doesn’t mean fighters have to adopt that mentality."A lot of people think that you can win a fight by just walking forward, and that’s actually not how you win a fight," said Jackson. "Because if that was the only way you win a fight, you’re talking about Toughman [boxing contests]."Since fighting is "so subtle and so hard," according to Jackson, some fans might not always understand what they see, he said. Although, the Albuquerque-based trainer did admit to being a little surprised at how some people reacted to the decision even after the statistics showed that his fighter had thrown more strikes and landed more strikes than Diaz."This one is odd a little bit, because it’s really a no-brainer. If you look at the significant strikes, that’s got to count for something. All strikes, we outstruck him. Significant strikes, we outstruck him. So if you’re looking at numbers, that was all us. If you’re hitting him, not getting hit, and moving, I’m not really sure how you can score [the fight for Diaz]."Of course, Condit’s win means that he’ll likely meet another Jackson-trained fighter -- UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre -- to unify the titles once GSP is finally healthy enough to fight again. That’s one he plans to stay out of, Jackson said, since "Georges is my guy as much as Carlos is my guy."While Jackson admitted that he’s still trying to decide whether he’ll train and corner UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones in his fight with former Jackson’s MMA team member Rashad Evans, he has no such doubt about a potential Condit-St-Pierre bout."When the fight happens," he said, "I’ll be eating a cheeseburger somewhere."
Posted in: fight, mma, jackson, fighter, plan
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseGreg Jackson: We didn't want to get into a face-punching contest with Nick Diaz
Greg Jackson shared his point of view on Carlos Condit's performance against Nick Diaz, claiming that the gameplan was not to get into a face-punching contest with the former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion. Jackson stated that "hitting while not getting hit" was the key to victory for Carlos Condit, who will now face another Jackson's MMA representative, Georges "Rush" St. Pierre, for the Undisputed UFC Welterweight title
Props:
Posted in: nick diaz, jackson, carlos condit, greg jackson, facepunching contest
Read the full article at Low KickRampage enters phone app market
Rampage Jackson has signed a three app deal to develop mobile games. His deal with Fountain Valley, California’s MEDL Mobile includes an executive position with the company.
Via MEDL press release:
Jackson, an active gaming enthusiast, has been appointed to the role of Creative Game Development Executive at MEDL and will work closely with its team of creative executives and programmers to develop three games based on his ideas. The first app is slated for launch in Spring 2012.
The three-app deal signifies a continuing trend of celebrities who are marketing their own mobile apps to connect with their fans and extend their brands into the fast-growing mobile apps market. Jackson is known for being exceptionally engaged with his fans, which is partly why his role in creating the apps will be much more in-depth and hands-on than what is typical of a celebrity-branded app. While the apps will bear Jackson’s name, they will not necessarily reflect his UFC or acting endeavors; rather, they will be based on his original ideas as a gamer.
“Rampage is a long-time avid gamer with great ideas that he’s been interested in developing for some time,” said Todd Jacobs of William Morris Endeavor. “This isn’t a case of a celebrity stamping his or her name or brand on a trendy product, but of a serious creative talent who is looking to chart new territory for himself and for his fans who share his passion for gaming.”
“With Rampage’s acting career taking off and his UFC achievements well established, now is a perfect time for him to expand into mobile and connect with his fans in a new way,” said Dave Swartz, MEDL Mobile co-founder and chief creative officer. “In his case, it’s going to not only provide another avenue for his brand, but an opportunity for him to validate yet another one of his talents – creative development.”
Payout Perspective:
Its nice to see UFC fighters expanding their business ventures and the phone app market seems to be a growing industry. We’ve seen from the UFC Countdown shows that Rampage is an avid gamer. We’ll have to wait and see what Rampage develops and at what price point. His name alone should be able to garner his fans to get the app.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, fan, app, medl
Read the full article at MMA PayoutGreg Jackson talks Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans, Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz
Renowned mixed martial arts trainer, Greg Jackson, discusses the upcoming match-ups of former and current Jackson's MMA fighters Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, and Carlos Condit...
Posted in: jone, jackson, vs, condit, evan
Read the full article at Low KickJon Jones Heavy Favorite Over Rashad Evans in Early Odds
Filed under: UFC, NewsRashad Evans has only lost one match in his MMA career, but oddsmakers strongly believe that when he and Jon Jones face off in Atlanta on April 21, Jones will hand him his second defeat.
According to the earliest line released on the fight, Jones (15-1) is a massive 6-to-1 favorite to successfully defend his belt for the third straight time.
Evans will only have 12 weeks to recover and prepare following his five-round unanimous decision win over Phil Davis at last Saturday's UFC on FOX 2 event.
Evans (17-1-1) has been the No. 1 contender in waiting since beating Quinton Jackson back in May 2010, but a series of circumstances including injuries and timing have left him unable to cash that chip in until now.
The two were quite infamously training partners at Team Greg Jackson in New Mexico before a Jones interview in which he said he would fight Evans if ordered to by UFC president Dana White fractured the pairing.
Jones captured the belt last March with a TKO destruction of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and subsequently defended it with wins over Jackson and Lyoto Machida.
Evans admitted it was difficult to prepare for the Davis match with the title bout possibility hanging in the background. Now he finally gets it, but if odds are to be believed, he also faces a major uphill battle.
The fight takes place as the main event of UFC 145 at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
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Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, evan, philips arena
Read the full article at AOL FanhousePyle: I’m a Late Bloomer
Mike Pyle fought Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in 1999.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, ’m, mike, pyle
Read the full article at SherdogJon Jones picks Rashad Evans to best Phil Davis, says 'Suga' is antagonist of his career
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and former training partner-turned bitter rival Rashad Evans, absolutely do not like each other.
The pair have engaged in a well-publicized war of words over the last year and a half that caused former UFC light heavyweight champion Evans to split from long time training camp, Jackson's MMA, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "Suga" packed his bags and headed east to sunny Florida to become a member of the "The Blackzillians" alongside mixed martial arts (MMA) stars Jorge Santiago and Antonio Silva just to name a few.
Jones, meanwhile, stayed with Jackson's and has since been coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn's prized pupil.
So it makes you wonder, in a rivalry that seems to be "as real as it gets," why would "Bones" be rooting for Rashad to best Phil Davis when the two tangle next week (Jan, 28, 2012) at UFC on Fox 2?
The 205-pound champion explains in his comments at the "UFC on FUEL TV: Post-Fight Show" after the jump"
"I'm picking Rashad Evans. I'm in his corner. I want to fight Rashad. He's the antagonist of my career. There's no just pumping up pay per views when it comes to me and Rashad. Everything about us disliking each other is true. After we fight each other it'll all be clear and he can go have a seat somewhere."
No playing for cameras going on around here.
Jones is coming off of one of the most impressive years in MMA history, defeating Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida, three of the best light heavyweights in the world, in brutal fashion. He also pulled it off in a span of nine months.
Evans, on the other hand, is riding a three win streak himself, defeating Thiago Silva, Tito Ortiz and the aforementioned "Rampage" Jackson in his last three outings.
The much anticipated bout between two of the best light heavyweights in the world has been canceled on more than one occasion due to injuries from both parties. However, if all cards fall into place and Evans can get past the wrestling powerhouse that is "Mr. Wonderful" in Chicago, Ill., the fight just may finally go down and both Jones and Evans will finally have the chance to cash those hefty checks that their mouths have written over the last year.
What say you Maniacs, will this fight finally go down later this year? Or will Davis play the role of spoiler in "Chi-Town?"
Sound off!
Posted in: jone, jackson, rashad, light heavyweights, evan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Responds To 'King Mo' Lawal's Failed Steroid Test
When "King Mo" Muhammed Lawal tested positive for steroids after his fight against Lorenz Larkin, it didn't take long for fans to wonder what Quinton Jackson would have to say about it. Jackson and Lawal have been taking shots back and forth for some time and have become not-so-friendly rivals.
Jackson spoke to Karyn Bryant about Mo's positive test (among other things), here's the video:
From the video (via MMA Mania):
He talk a big game, he say all this stuff, he's calling people bums and everything and it's just karma. Look at him. He's a very cocky individual. I feel like any fighter that has to use steroids to go in a cage and fight somebody is not a true fighter. Some people have problems, like okay, go to the doctor and get it sorted out. There are some fighters out there who are of age and they're doing the right things to stay healthy and stay competitive but somebody blatantly taking anabolic steroids to get in the cage, it's a sad case. It's a sad case.
SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, fight somebody, mma mania, things heres
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowRampage Jackson reacts to King Mo's failed drug test, Bisping vs. Sonnen
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson spoke about the recent developments in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, such as King Mo's failed drug test and the upcoming scrap between Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen. Jackson himself will return to action at UFC 143, facing Ryan "Darth" Bader in the co-main event of the night. The card will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Further Reading: King Mo says he's not a
Posted in: jackson, drug test, mo, king, king mos
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson on 'King Mo' Lawal's steroids drug test failure: It's just karma
You just knew when Muhammed Lawal failed a drug test for anabolic steroids, someone would seek out his arch nemesis, Quinton Jackson, to get his opinion.
Sure enough, Karyn Bryant took up the cause and got this quote from "Rampage:"
"He talk a big game, he say all this stuff, he's calling people bums and everything and it's just karma. Look at him. He's a very cocky individual. I feel like any fighter that has to use steroids to go in a cage and fight somebody is not a true fighter. Some people have problems, like okay, go to the doctor and get it sorted out. There are some fighters out there who are of age and they're doing the right things to stay healthy and stay competitive but somebody blatantly taking anabolic steroids to get in the cage, it's a sad case. It's a sad case."
What do you think, Maniacs? Agree with Jackson here?
Posted in: jackson, fighter, muhammed lawal, steroid, right things
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson ‘Happy’ Guillard is Comfortable with New Camp
When Melvin Guillard became of a member of Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts prior to facing Ronys Torres at UFC 109, his career took off.
Posted in: jackson, melvin guillard, jackson ’s, ronys torres, ’ guillard
Read the full article at SherdogGuillard leaves Jackson to become a Blackzilian
submitted by mitchard [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: jackson, guillard, mitchard, blackzilian
Read the full article at RedditUFC Quick Quote: Melvin Guillard leaves Greg Jackson to become a Blackzilian
"Both camps are great, both sets of coaches are awesome. It's just a decision I had to make for myself professionally. Did I want to split the time? Yeah, I did, but it's kind of like trying to work for Exxon and work for Shell. You won't be able to split your time between both. Cause both of those companies wouldn't allow it. So it came to one of those points in my life where I had to make a grown-up decision. Kind of an executive decision, and this is the decision I made. I didn't leave Jackson's in a bad way. I love those coaches to death, love that team, and if anything every occurs and I have to go back to Jackson's, I hope I'm still welcome, because I didn't leave in the wrong way. As fighters we have to make the decision who’s going to get us ready to take us to that next level. At the end of the day, all this hype about which coach is better than who, at the end of the day we’re the ones in there doing the job. We’re the ones that have to get in there and bust our butts. All they can do is give direction and make things go from there."
UFC lightweight contender Melvin Guillard, who fights Jim Miller at UFC on FX this Friday night (Jan. 20, 2012) at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, is hoping to work his way back into the 155-pound title hunt after "falling in love with his punching power" in a shocking loss to Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 last October. To help prepare for his trip to "Music City," Guillard tells MMA Weekly he officially parted ways with Greg Jackson's MMA and hooked up with the Blackzilians alongside friend and former training partner Rashad Evans. Knee-jerk reaction? Or smart career move? See more of "The Young Assassin's" reasons for switching camps right here.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, decision, way, decision i
Read the full article at MMA ManiaTito Ortiz talks fighting Rampage Jackson: Only for a world title
If, for some reason, you are holding out hope that Tito Ortiz will fight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson prior to his retirement, well, odds are that the fight is not going to take place.
Ortiz and Jackson are friends and Ortiz recently had the following to say to FightHubTV about the possibility of fighting the man he first met in the late nighties when Jackson was working at a bar that he frequented, “Of course, if there was the opportunity for us to fight for a world title and we’ve
Posted in: jackson, ortiz, tito ortiz, world title, place ortiz
Read the full article at Low KickTitle Writing: Numbers For Nerds 6 'Jackson's MMA: Myth or Legend?'
Numbers for Nerds is a weekly series that uses statistics to test various parts of the mixed martial arts gospel. Last weeks installment can be found here.
Yesterday on Head Kick chris81203 wrote a very good article challenging the reputation of Greg Jackson as a master strategist. This reputation was built on the shoulders of Georges St. Pierre, who has become synonymous with fighting safe and smart. Chris used Leonard Garcia, who fights neither safe nor smart, and the lack of on-the-fly adjustments in Donald Cerrone's recent fight with Nate Diaz as examples to show that Jackson may not be all he is cracked up to be as a game planner.
Chris' article led me to look at Jackson's win/loss record. As of September 2007, according to Sherdog's database of team records, Jackson's fighters were winning 81% of the time. Today, his fight team has a lifetime winning percentage of 71%. The 10% drop was all I needed to convince me that this subject merited some in-depth research.
After the jump I take a closer look at the results of Jackson fighters in the past two years.
In order to evaluate Jackson's abilities as a game planner, I think there are a few important statistics to take into account. As mentioned, I started with his win/loss record. The Sherdog numbers are lifetime and also include smaller shows that I don't see as fully relevant, so I narrowed it down to just his UFC and WEC wins and losses.
Second, I looked at the camp's finishing rates as compared to the rest of the UFC. If Jackson advocates doing the bare minimum to get the decision, you would expect to see his fighter's go to decision more often than everyone else in the UFC. You might also expect that they would lose more often by decision than by finish, since fighting safe promotes going to a decision.
Finally, I looked at the record of his fighters in the fights that went to decision. All things being equal having the superior strategy should get you the nod, should the fight go to the judges. I didn't compare this to the rest of the camps out there but I did think it would be interesting to see what was happening to his fighters when the fight went the distance.
I chose to limit my research to 2010 and 2011 in an attempt to keep it focused on his current roster of fighters and also because his reputation has only come under scrutiny in the past few years. Here are the results:
1. Win/Loss %
Jackson's camp is finding it harder and harder to maintain their sublime winning percentage from back in the day. In the past two years Jackson's gym has won 62% of the time out, with a record of 52-30-2. If you took away Jon Jones and Georges St. Pierre they would be a very pedestrian 51%.
2. Finish % vs the rest of the UFC
Of all the fights involving a Jackson's fighter, 58% of the time the fight was finished inside the distance. During the same stretch, 52% of all UFC fights were finished inside the distance. Of those fights that were stopped, Jackson's was on the winning side 67% of the time (33-16). This leads us to the final statistic:
3. Win/Loss % in Decisions
The camp had a 57% victory percentage in fights that went to decision over the past two years, (19-14).
************
So what to make of these numbers? First of all it should be stated right away that the rest of the MMA world has caught up to Greg Jackson and his team. The days when a Jackson's fighter entered the cage almost assured of a win are long gone. The idea that he favors a safe fighting style? The evidence does not support this, at least not over the past two years. Jackson's fighters not only finish fights more often than the average UFC fighter, they lose more often by finish than they do by decision. As for the notion that Jackson is a master game planner? There isn't much there to support that either. His fighters are winning decisions more often than they are losing them, but certainly not by much.
Is it possible that Jackson has changed his ways in the past few years in an effort to produce more finishes and those changes are responsible for the drop in overall winning percentage? It could very well be the case. What about the notion that he is the Phil Jackson (a good coach made great by the talent that he has to work with) of the MMA world? When I look at the 9-0 record that Jon Jones and GSP have compiled over the past two years, I tend to think that might be the case.
Whatever the explanation may be, what Chris suggested through anecdotal evidence seems to be borne out by the scientific evidence I gathered. Greg Jackson is not the master of all things MMA that he is made out to be. He might once have been, but he certainly is not anymore.
Thanks for reading. Comments are welcomed below!
Posted in: fight, jackson, fighter, decision, year
Read the full article at Head Kick LegendRumor of the Day: Georges St. Pierre has officially left Greg Jackson's camp
So maybe Georges St. Pierre is staying in Team Jackson -- and maybe Georges St. Pierre is leaving Team Jackson. This article is published as a rumor because we're not entirely sure, yet we have a slight inclination to believe that it's true. If this rumor is indeed correct, let me fire up my flux capacitor, hop in my Delorean and travel to November 2012 when people on the UG will be creating threads entitled 'Dude, [the winner of Diaz/Condit] only beat GSP because he didn't have Greg Jackson.' Yes, I know if I traveled into the future I would know the winner of Diaz vs. Condit. I would also know if this rumor is true. The flux capacitor is broken today. Sometimes these things happen in MMA.
Karim Zidan of 'The Flying Knee' is reporting that Georges St. Pierre has ceased affiliation with Greg Jackson in order to credit his Tristar coach, Firas Zahabi, for the success in his career.
Since GSP completes most of his training at Tristar MMA in Montreal, he believed that it was the correct decision to make for his gym. It became clear that people affiliated GSP with Jackson’s MMA and not with his head coach Firas Zahabi, who should take 95% of the credit for building and developing GSP.
Although this is now the case, the contractual arrangements may see Jackson in St. Pierre’s next few fights, despite the switch in affiliation. This will only be temporary and soon Jackson’s MMA will have to focus on the stars they have instead of GSP.
Since GSP could potentially be facing Carlos Condit on his return, this actually solves the probable issue of dividing camps etc between the two athletes.
Team Jackson still has one of the most dominant light heavyweights in UFC history, so I think they're doing alright over there in New Mexico. Breaking Bad. Segue of the year.
Posted in: mma, jackson, gsp, pierre, st
Read the full article at Middle EasyGSP reportedly ceasing affiliation with Jackson’s MMA
submitted by madetoday [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: mma, jackson, gsp, affiliation, madetoday
Read the full article at RedditRampage Jackson: Fighting "King Mo" Lawal in Strikeforce is a step down from where I'm sitting
While making an appearance on HDNet's "Inside MMA," former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, responds to a recent challenge extended by Strikeforce 205'er, Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal. Jackson says that he finds Lawal's suggestion that he move to Strikeforce humorous, insisting that, from where he's sitting, that would be a "step down" in his MMA career.
Posted in: strikeforce, jackson, rampage jackson, lawal, lawals suggestion
Read the full article at Low KickThis is one of the most interesting opinion pieces I've read recently: Greg Jackson, the Overrated Strategist
submitted by Like_Wild_Potato [link] [3 comments]
Posted in: jackson, greg jackson, greg, ive, likewildpotato
Read the full article at RedditGreg Jackson: The Overrated Strategist
For some time now, Greg Jackson and his gym have had a reputation of being the very elite of strategic fighting. For the most part, this stemmed from the ever-increasing risk-averse style of Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Since UFC 94, where GSP completely broke BJ Penn, St. Pierre has fought more and more to his opponents weaknesses; content to take decisions instead of striving to finish. Specifically, in GSP's title defense against Dan Hardy, between rounds Jackson told the champion not to pass guard. This was seen by many as irrefutable proof that Greg Jackson encouraged his fighters to take the easiest way to victory. Yet, there's much more evidence to the contrary.
The problem with the stigma Jackson's gym carries, is that the logic just doesn't follow it. If Jackson was such an amazing strategist, we'd see drastic style changes in the gym's fighters fight-to-fight. Granted, we've seen this from GSP before, but rarely from any other of Jackson's fighters. In fact, thinking over the last couple of years, I'm inclined to think Jackson is highly overrated as a strategist.
via a.espncdn.com
Despite the reputation of Jackson as a strategist that encourages his fighters to play it safe, he has several fighters under his banner that never adhere to that. First is the oft-mocked Leonard Garcia. Garcia is well reputed to win fights on heart and missed arm punches alone. His first bout against TUF vet Nam Phan is a prime example. Despite his detractors, Garcia wins fights by relentlessly pressuring his opponent swinging for the fences. Despite being battered by fighters like Nam Phan and Chan Sung Jung, no one seems to be able to slow down Garcia's propensity for engagement. However, despite his advantage in resiliency and cardio, Garcia's fighting style is never tempered to exploit his opponent. There's never any doubt that when Leonard Garcia steps into the cage that he'll march forward winging looping punches hoping to out work his opponent.
The same can be said for long time Jackson-fighter Keith Jardine. Any time the Dean of Mean steps into the cage, the audience is treated to rhetoric concerning Jardine's "unorthodox striking". In this case, "unorthodox" means sloppy. Jardine is a long armed fighter with unconventional movement. This served Keith well earlier in his career and, at his peak, he was able to defeat two former Light Heavyweight champions in Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell. However, it didn't take long before his opponents realized that, by not succumbing to Jardine's off beat tempo, they could defeat him with technical striking.
Now, by no means, am I trying to discredit either Garcia or Jardine, who have both enjoyed success at the highest levels of MMA. However, in both cases, the fighters seem to lack progression in making their offense reach its most effective. This seems especially peculiar since both train at a gym where strategy is reputed to be the main focus. In this case of both fighters, we've yet to see Garcia refine his relentlessness with straight punches to pressure his opposition, or Jardine improve his footwork and lateral movement to make his herky-jerky style more effective.
This problem was never more apparent than the Fight of the Night between Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz at UFC 141. Throughout the first round, Cerrone was barraged by Diaz throwing a multitude of quick, straight punches. For those 5 minutes, Cerrone made the mistake of planting his feet waiting to land his own strikes while Diaz overwhelmed him. Going in to the fight, this may have been part of Cerrone's game plan - to counter the Stockton Slap with power punches. However, after 5 minutes it was clear that wasn't going to be the case. My problem here isn't with Cerrone's performance, it's with Jackson's inability to recognize the problem.
via www.blogcdn.com
In between rounds 1 and 2, Jackson never once mentioned distance or movement to Cerrone. He didn't tell him to counter or circle away. He observed Diaz's overwhelming style and told Donald to "end your leg kick with punches and look for the takedowns." This is by no means bad advice, but in the second round Cerrone repeatedly showed that he was not willing to follow Nate to the ground. He found some success sweeping Diaz's leg with low kick sweeps, but never followed him to the mat. Again, late in the round he was eating punches at the the end of Nate's reach. Between rounds 2 and 3, the only thing heard from Jackson is for Cerrone to "give [him] five minutes of Hell!" Despite the rousing pep-talk, from the start of the round we see Donald making the same mistake he made in the first two rounds in standing right at the end of Diaz's punches.
Now, I'm not here today to negate the achievements of Greg Jackson's fighters opponents. However, to me, there is a problem when so many fighters under the banner of an elite strategist are unable to evolve. For Cerrone, Jackson was impotent in his attempt to adjust his fighter's strategy to gain the advantage. For both Garcia and Jardine, Greg Jackson has been completely unable to develop these fighters in a way that maximizes their strengths and negates their weaknesses.
As an analyst this pattern makes me very skeptical of how Carlos Condit will be able to handle Nick Diaz when the two fight for the Interim Welterweight Championship at UFC 143. Condit is known as a powerful and creative striker and grappler. Nick is a relentless volume puncher and elite grappler, known for overwhelming his competition. Condit, with out a doubt, is up to the challenge, but I question how helpful his corner will be if he's troubled by Diaz's unrelenting attack.
Posted in: jackson, fighter, round, cerrone, garcia
Read the full article at Head Kick LegendUFCs Quinton Jackson doesn't like King Mo, refuses to 'step down' to Strikeforce
submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [comment]
Posted in: strikeforce, jackson, king mo, king, mattyblayze link
Read the full article at RedditStrikeforce's Lawal rips on 'Kermit' Mousasi, sub-par actor Jackson, bad ref Winslow [Spoilers]
submitted by MattyBlayze [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: jackson, mousasi, mattyblayze, kermit mousasi, actor jackson
Read the full article at Reddit"King Mo" Lawal wants to boycott "boring" Gegard Mousasi, says Quinton Jackson is a "bum"
Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Lawal, who defeated rising prospect Lorenz Larkin at last night's Jardine vs. Rockhold event, reflects on his victory, and discusses fellow 205'ers Gegard Mousasi and, UFC star, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Lawal insists that Mousasi is "boring," and suggests that fans boycott "The Dreamcatcher," and when asked about a potential bout with Jackson, "King Mo" says he's ready and willing to fight the "bum."
Posted in: jackson, quinton jackson, mousasi, lawal, fans boycott
Read the full article at Low KickVideo Proof Rampage Jackson Will Dry Hump Anything
If you thought Rampage only humped hot reporters, you thought wrong. Here’s proof that Rampage will hump just about anything.
HT: MMA Mania
Posted in: rampage, jackson, anything, hump anything, proof
Read the full article at MMA ConvertQuinton Jackson humps a tiger
Now that humping sports reporters is verboten in the new politically correct MMA world, Quinton Jackson is having to get creative. Here he is giving a tiger some Rampage lovin'. I don't care how 'tame' that thing is, it can't be a good idea to get up behind it like that. Dana White would probably rate it five Donald Cerrone bullridings worth of danger. Even with the loss of another UFC superstar, it would have almost been worth an incident to read the headline: "UFC Fighter Mauled While Simulating Sex on Tiger." You can't buy that kind of publicity!
Posted in: ufc, jackson, tiger, simulating sex, ufc superstar
Read the full article at FightlinkerRampage Jackson dry humps a tiger (Video)
Not sure what to even say about this one Maniacs, but here we have former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson dry humping a tiger for reasons only he can explain. Maybe it's a super-secret training method in advance of his UFC 144 fight against Ryan Bader on Feb. 25 in Japan?
No word yet on whether or not Karyn Bryant felt slighted.
Posted in: jackson, rampage jackson, karyn bryant, ryan bader, tiger video
Read the full article at MMA ManiaTIL Anderson Silva, Georges St Pierre, BJ Penn, Rampage Jackson, Heath Herring all starred together in a movie called "Never Surrender"
submitted by red1392 [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, silva, movie, surrender
Read the full article at RedditGreg Jackson expects Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz to be "a huge five-round war" at UFC 143
Renowned mixed martial arts trainer, Greg Jackson, discusses the likelihood of Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre making a speedy return from injury, and shares his thoughts on the upcoming 170-pound interim title bout between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz. Jackson insists that if anyone is capable of making an early return from an ACL injury, it would be GSP, and says he's expecting a "huge five-round war" between Condit and Diaz.
Posted in: diaz, jackson, condit, fiveround war, acl injury
Read the full article at Low KickCarlos Condit vs Nick Diaz is 'going to be a big five-round war'
That's not my opinion, necessarily, though I don't exactly disagree. That's what mixed martial arts (MMA) trainer to the stars, Greg Jackson, told Inside MMA last night.
Jackson, who trains Carlos Condit and is getting him ready for his interim welterweight championship bout at UFC 143 on Feb. 4, 2012, in Las Vegas, had this to say about the match-up:
"It really is (going to be an interesting fight). You know, Diaz is so tough, and he's really turned it on this last year or two. He's looked amazing. Carlos has too, so I think it's going to be a real barnburner with those two guys. They're both tough as nails and I'm expecting a huge five round war. I'd like it to go short in our favor but Nick's so tough, it's going to be a big five round war."
Not exactly going out on a limb with a prediction like that but what did we expect, right?
Really, Condit and Diaz will have reason to get inside the cage with an extra zest to tear the other's head off. That's because they've both been on a veritable rollercoaster these past few months, especially Condit.
They both had title shots against Georges St. Pierre ripped away, by insubordination and injury, and Diaz had to fight a friend (B.J. Penn) while "The Natural Born Killer" has been left sitting on the sidelines twiddling his thumbs.
Sounds like a recipe for a "big five-round war."
Hear more from Jackson in the full entry, including his thoughts on his stable of fighters, which includes such elite fighters as the previously mentioned St. Pierre, Condit and Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.
Posted in: diaz, jackson, condit, war, carlo
Read the full article at MMA ManiaGreg Jackson and Chatri Sityodtong Named Among Best Coaches of 2011 by MSN Sports
MSN Sports yesterday named the top 'head coaches' of 2011 and the normal suspects were all there, Man Utd manager Alex Ferguson, Real Madrid head honcho Jose Mourinho, Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and a couple of names which will be more familiar to American fans in Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks and Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
There were also a couple of surprises as the Asian website named two mixed martial arts masterminds, Greg Jackson and Chatri Sityodtong. Seeing two names from the MMA world on such a prestigious list goes to show just how rapidly the sport is developing as well as the extent to which tactics and preparation are increasingly recognized as being essential to a fighter's success.
Fighters from Jackson's Submission Fighting enjoyed a stellar year in 2011. Under Jackson's astute guidance Donald Cerrone cemented his status as a top lightweight contender with four straight wins, Carlos Condit moved into title contention with a knock out of the night over Dong Hyun Kim and Jon Jones (below) became UFC middleweight champion while Georges St Pierre retained his welterweight strap.
The Evolve MMA team enjoyed similar success albeit on the other side of the world, most notably at ONE Fighting Championship which is increasingly regarded as the Asian equivalent of the UFC. DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki posted three wins out of three, all with neck cranks while up and coming fighters like Eddie Ng, Zorobabel Moreira and Leandro Issa all contributed to a 90% plus win rate.
Evolve MMA fighters won five out of six fights at ONE Fighting Championship and four out of four at DARE Championship. Rafael Dos Anjos also made a triumphant return to the UFC and showed off some new found Muay Thai skills to stop Georges Sotiropolous on his comeback, thanking Chatri specifically in his post fight interview.
TUF featherweight winner Diego Brandao is another Jackson protegee and now that he has secured a UFC contract by winning the show big things are expected of him in 2012. There is also much expected of former WBA Super Featherweight champion Yodsanan Sityodtong (below) who Chatri took to Evolve MMA from Thailand and has turned from a world class boxer into an explosive and exciting mixed martial artist.
It is interesting to note that neither Chatri nor Jackson have any professional MMA experience. Jackson founded his own martial art, Gaidojutsu, which combines rudimentary techniques from wrestling and kickboxing with basic Judo locks and then added techniques from other styles such as Wrestling, Grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing.
Chatri is an Thai entrepreneur and businessman who has an MBA from Harvard. He is also a blue belt under Renzo Gracie and a veteran of 20+ Muay Thai fights who trained under the legendary Kru Yodtong Senanan who appointed him as one of of only four students in the world designated as conservators of Sityodtong Muay Thai.
Having founded a highly successful martial arts school in Singapore, which is home to a number of Thai trainers from the Sityodtong camp, Chatri has become an expert MMA tactician who spends hours studying footage on opponents and developing effective fight strategies.
The Singapore based camp is eight years younger than Jackson's Submission Fighting and does not have as many established champions yet but the next few years will be interesting as Asian MMA continues to develop and some of the up and coming young Evolve MMA fighters start to realize their potential and showcase their abilities on high profile shows like ONE FC.
All the other head coaches on the MSN list are in charge of teams and face the challenge of organizing a large group of individuals. In MMA, unlike basketball or soccer, competitors are completely alone once they step inside the cage but it is good to see a mainstream sporting website recognizing the work which goes on behind the scenes and the success that top tacticians Chatri Sityodtong and Greg Jackson have enjoyed in 2011.
Posted in: mma, jackson, thai, chatri, sityodtong
Read the full article at MMA ManiaBittersweet: Greg Jackson Sad for GSP, Elated For Condit’s Title Shot
Greg Jackson had a rollercoaster day first hearing that GSP was injured and out of UFC 143, but his replacement would be Carlos Condit, who now faces Nick Diaz for the interim title.
Posted in: nick diaz, jackson, carlos condit, greg jackson, rollercoaster day
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyMMAWeekly Radio Tuesday: Greg Jackson and KJ Noons
Tuesday's edition of MMAWeekly Radio welcomes coach Greg Jackson and Strikeforce fighter KJ Noons to the show.
Posted in: jackson, mmaweekly radio, mmaweekly, tuesday, kj
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyGreg Jackson admits that telling Jon Jones to 'go get some fans' was a 'dumb thing to say'
If I was a commentator on MiddleEasy, I would rip into all of you that claimed Greg Jackson said 'Against the fence' instead of the so obvious 'Go get some fans' after Jones' demolition of Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. However, I'm not. I'm just a guy that has rewatched the entire series of 'The Wire' to make the accurate statement that while it was a great show, 'Breaking Bad' is still better.
We all have to admit that if Greg Jackson yelled 'Go get some fans, Donald Cerrooonee!' then we wouldn't even be having this controversy. Instead, we would proclaim it was the coolest thing ever to be said inside the octagon since Nick Diaz's 'Train all day, Joe Rogan podcast by night -- all day!' Unfortunately, that wasn't the case and on today's MMA Hour, Greg Jackson admitted that it was indeed a 'dumb thing to say.'
"Fighters get into this place when they're fighting -- Jon choked him out but he was in this zone," Jackson said. "So I said to Jon, 'Go check on Machida and get yourself some fans,' which was a dumb thing to say. What I was trying to convey to him was, You're a professional athlete and there's ring decorum, and I should have said 'Remember the fans' because everyone is watching what you do. I misspoke."
I woke up this morning with the undying urge to eat a soft cookie with frosting on top, but I knew that if I were to consume this edible paradise -- I would not be getting fans. I ate it anyway. Take that 'Article Conclusion Nazi.' [Source]
Posted in: jackson, fan, thing, greg jackson, greg
Read the full article at Middle EasyGreg Jackson Intended Something Different with ‘Get Some Fans’ Comment
Choose your words wisely because somebody is always listening. It's a lesson that MMA coaching guru Greg Jackson took to heart after comments he made on Saturday night following his fighter Jon Jones' win over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140.
Posted in: saturday night, jackson, greg jackson, lyoto machida, fans ’
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyTrainer Jackson clarifies 'get some fans' comments following Jones' UFC 140 win
Just as Jon Jones was caught up in the moment following his submission win over Lyoto Machida, so too was trainer Greg Jackson when he told his fighter to "go check on Lyoto - get some fans."
"I shouldn't have spoken in that way, but that wasn't my intention," Jackson today told MMAjunkie.com. "It sounded bad, but moronic [expletive] comes out of my mouth sometimes."
The intention, he said, wasn't to be political but to remind Jones to conduct himself honorably inside the cage.
Posted in: jone, jackson, lyoto machida, moronic expletive, fans comments
Read the full article at MMA JunkieGreg Jackson says his post-fight remarks to Jon Jones were "Boneheaded"
Last Saturday night, MMA's 2011 Coach of the Year, Greg Jackson, came under fire following Jon Jones' impressive victory over Lyoto Machida when he was heard advising "Bones" to check on his downed opponent in order to "get some fans." Though some took the remarks as an insincere display of concern for Machida's well-being, Jackson assures that this is not the case. Acknowledging that his words may have "come out wrong," Jackson says that they were meant only as a reminder to Jones, who he says was...
Posted in: jackson, jon jones, greg jackson, lyoto machida, postfight remarks
Read the full article at Low KickGreg Jackson Calls Comment to Jon Jones 'a Dumb Thing to Say'
Filed under: UFC, NewsAfter Jon Jones choked out Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, Jones's coach Greg Jackson stepped into the Octagon and urged Jones to check on Machida and see if he was OK. Jackson's comment was picked up by microphones and broadcast to fans watching on UFC.tv, and Jackson's phrasing was interpreted by some fans as an attempt to stage manage Jones and perhaps show a false concern for his fallen opponent.
But on Monday, Jackson said the whole thing was misunderstood.
After the fight, as Machida was on the ground getting medical attention, Jackson shouted to Jones, "Jon! Jon! Go check on him! Go check on Lyoto, get some fans!"
To MMA fans who think Jones comes across as a phony, that "get some fans" line was seen in a negative light, as though Jones and Jackson weren't really concerned about Machida, but Jackson thought it would be good PR for Jones to pretend to be concerned. But Jackson appeared on The MMA Hour on Monday and said he was kicking himself for the way he phrased his comment to Jones, because he hated the way it was interpreted.
"Fighters get into this place when they're fighting -- Jon choked him out but he was in this zone," Jackson said. "So I said to Jon, 'Go check on Machida and get yourself some fans,' which was a dumb thing to say. What I was trying to convey to him was, You're a profesional athlete and there's ring decorum, and I should have said 'Remember the fans' because everyone is watching what you do. I misspoke."
Jackson said he wasn't trying to suggest that Jones should only be concerned about Machida because that might make fans like him. He said he was pointing out that Jones is a role model and that fans would want to see how Jones reacted to choking Machida out.
"'Go check on him and the fans will appreciate it' was what I meant, but I'm a bonehead sometimes and it came out wrong, which wasn't my intention at all," Jackson said.
Jackson said he's disappointed that some fans are picking up his comment to Jones and beginning to believe that Jones's nice-guy image is an act that Jackson is trying to craft.
"I don't feel it's fair because it wasn't my intention," Jackson said. "I wasn't trying to manipulate Jon."
As for the fight itself, Jackson said he thought Machida's style, as a southpaw with an unusual counter-striking approach, gave Jones some trouble in the early going. But he said he was proud of the way Jones responded.
"Jon took some hard shots and really showed his jaw," Jackson said. "Machida's a true warrior, and what a smart guy. I was very impressed." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, fan, machida
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseGreg Jackson's advice during the fight
Greg Jackson said Machida was coming in with a straight left every time Jones would throw a kick. Jones asked him what stance and Greg said any. I'm not sure if he was referring to what stance he should be in or what stance the punch was coming in on. Greg Jackson tells Jones to fake the kick and get him at that point. Fast forward to the end of the fight. Jones fakes the left kick, sure enough Machida reacts with the left, leaves himself exposed on the right and that's where Jones' punch was already coming in to meet Machida's face coming toward it. submitted by ulees [link] [5 comments]
Posted in: jone, jackson, greg jackson, kick, greg
Read the full article at RedditUFC 140 results: Greg Jackson tells Jon Jones to check on Lyoto Machida after choking him out to 'get some fans' (Video)
Here's an interesting video making the rounds following the UFC 140: "Jones vs. Machida" pay-per-view event last night (Dec. 10, 2011) in Toronto.
In it, Greg Jackson, lead trainer and cornerman for Jon Jones, tells his fighter to go check on his fallen foe, Lyoto Machida, after Jones choked him unconscious in the main event. What makes it interesting, though, is that Jackson tells him to do this to "get some fans."
Any Maniacs have a problem with Jackson instructing his pupil to check on his opponent just to look good for the fans instead of genuine concern for Machida's well being?
For a full recap of the fight click here. For all the analysis and a detailed breakdown click here. To watch the highlights click here and for complete UFC 140 results and coverage of all the night's action click here.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, click, machida
Read the full article at MMA ManiaIs Rashad Evans or Dan Henderson The One to Beat Jon Jones?
Filed under: UFCWith his second-round TKO win at UFC 140 on Saturday night, Jon Jones might well be off to the greatest career start in MMA history.
Through 16 pro fights, he has only lost once, in a fight he thoroughly dominated before making a mistake by throwing illegal downward elbows and getting disqualified. Since then he has been nearly flawless in the cage. He has defeated three former UFC champions in a nine-month span. He has finished each of his last seven wins in what has historically been MMA's most competitive division.
But there are still challenges waiting ahead of him. The two biggest threats? No. 1 contender Rashad Evans, who will risk his position to face Phil Davis in January, and sledgehammer-fisted Dan Henderson, who is fresh off his instant classic win over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
After fighting four times in 2011, Jones has a well-deserved vacation coming to him. In the post-fight press conference, he said he would like to take 4-5 months off. But when he comes back, he'll likely have one of those two lined up to face him.
More Coverage: UFC 140 Results | UFC 140 Post-Fight Press Conference Video
From a business perspective, the Evans-Jones fight makes more sense as a gate attraction. The two have a built-in rivalry based on their time together as teammates at the Greg Jackson camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico and eventual split after Jones acknowledged that he would fight Evans if the UFC requested it. Since then, there's been plenty of trash talk between them, and as Jones' star grows, the possibility of a serious grudge match could sell big. After all, Evans rivalry with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson did over 1 million pay-per-view buys, so why not one with Jones?
From a style matchup, it is intriguing. Jones has yet to face an opponent who offers seamless transitions from striking to wrestling, yet that's exactly what Evans brings to the table. While the Lyoto Machida matchup puzzle is mostly based on timing, feints and distance, Evans is a legitimate threat with power striking, takedowns and work against the cage, offering a triple threat to contemplate.
But some of the same old, same old would apply. Namely, Evans would be at a massive disadvantage in reach and height, giving up 9.5 inches in the former and 5 inches in the latter, so his challenge like many would be to find a way to get into striking range without taking damage on the way in. That might be a bit tricky for Evans, who often likes to sit back and let his opponent come to him. That particular approach is never going to be the best one against Jones, who is long enough to hit you as you're simply trying to gauge distance.
Machida, for instance, had his best moments when he was aggressive and flurried while coming forward. When he sat back and countered, Jones fired off kicks to keep him on the defensive. The fight-ending sequence in fact began when Machida patiently waited with his back near the fence, waiting for Jones to fire. When he did, Machida's counter left hand was quite literally beaten to the punch by Jones' own left by virtue of his reach. The strike dropped Machida and led to the fight-ending guillotine choke.
Because Evans and Jones trained together for a time, they each have an insight into the other. But I would argue that it benefits Jones. Let's face it, Evans was much further along in his career at the time and a more fully formed fighter, while Jones was still in the neophyte stages of the game. Which one do you think is more different now? If your answer is Jones, Evans' memories from their time together are mostly useless.
The interesting thing about Evans is that he doesn't do any one thing exceptionally. He's very good at several things, and melds them all together well in a way that makes him hard to prepare for, and harder to beat. That's what he'd bring to the table against Jones.
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The other option is Henderson, the 41-year-old Californian who some consider the greatest American mixed martial artist in history. A winner of seven of his last eight fights, Henderson has smashed his way through other studs in the past, and his massive right hand can end anyone's night. Because of that, he might pose the biggest one-punch knockout threat of anyone Jones has ever.
While Jones' chin was once thought to be a question mark, after having gone through Rua, Machida and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, it's safe to assume it's just fine.
Like Evans, Henderson would have to navigate some serious distance to land his punches, as his 74-inch reach puts him at a full 10.5 inches less than Jones.
Stylistically though, a Henderson fight for Jones would be quite similar to his recent fight over Jackson. Henderson certainly has a much more decorated wrestling pedigree than Jackson, but in terms of functional MMA, Jackson is better statistically. According to FightMetric, Henderson successfully defends 58 percent of takedowns against him while Jackson defends 80 percent.
Striking-wise, both Henderson and Jackson are both reliant on their boxing first and foremost, trusting their hands to power them to victory. Obviously, most of the time it works out fine for them. Just because Jackson lost to Jones doesn't mean Henderson will, but the style and approach would not seem unfamiliar to him, and that's an edge in his favor.
Both men have legitimate routes to victory. Evans would need to keep Jones off-balance by changing his attacks minute by minute. Jones showed in the Machida fight that he can adjust if you continue the same attack, so variability is a key. And Henderson offers a pure power threat that is probably unmatched right now at 205.
When you look objectively though, Jones' overall package will continue to make him a favorite to win going forward. He has length and uses it smartly. He is generous with his kicks, keeping his opponent at bay. He switches stances. He throws unorthodox strikes. He is insanely strong in the clinch and has powered every one of his opponents down from the position. He is murder on the ground, particularly with his elbows. He is analytical, processing information and adjusting on the fly. And finally, he has a killer instinct that can not be taught.
Whether it's Evans or Henderson next -- or even Davis, who could crash the party by upsetting Evans -- Jones' next challenger will have his work cut out for him. And if the champion wins and defends the belt again, he will continue what is probably the best start to an MMA career we've ever seen. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: jone, jackson, henderson, evan, machida
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseGreg Jackson advises Jones (Video & SPOILERS)
submitted by red1392 [link] [16 comments]
Posted in: jackson, video, greg jackson, spoiler, greg
Read the full article at RedditJackson Hopes to Hone Brandao’s Technical Skills
Greg Jackson was a happy man Saturday after “The Ultimate Fighter 14” Finale in Las Vegas.
Posted in: jackson, la, finale, man saturday, brandao ’s
Read the full article at SherdogMarcus Brimage Meets Hero 'Rampage' Jackson After TUF 14 Finale Win
Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, MMA Fighting Exclusive, VideosLAS VEGAS -- Watch below as Marcus Brimage talks about his win over Stephen Bass at TUF 14 Finale, and then meets his hero Quinton Jackson. Hilarity then ensues.
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Posted in: jackson, marcus brimage, brimage, stephen bass, videoslas vegas
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseWith or Without Awards, MMA Trainer Greg Jackson Is Just as Happy
LAS VEGAS -- Ask Greg Jackson's wife, Stephanie, if she minds all the Saturday nights her husband spends away from the family, calmly instructing grown men in the art of fighting other people for money, and you'll get a slight shrug and a deadpan response.
"He just sits around," she says with a straight face. "I don't know why everybody thinks he's some big deal."
She doesn't have to say she's joking, and he doesn't have to admit that he finds it funny. You know that line about how "love means never having to say you're sorry"? Somehow this seems better.
Jackson is here because, once again, he's nominated for the Coach of the Year honor at this year's World MMA Awards. It's the same award he won last year. And the year before that. It's the award that's meant to honor not only the success of his enormous stable of high-level fighters, but also all the hours he puts in on the road at events and back home in Albuquerque in the gym.
But don't expect Jackson to get too fired up about awards and honors, even now. It's "nice to be appreciated," he admits, but once you get him talking about it you get the sense that he might rather be holding pads than dressing up for an awards show.
Maybe that's because, if given a choice, he would.
"I think it was [Henry Wadsworth] Longfellow who said -- and I'm going to totally mess up the quote and say it not nearly so eloquently -- that the fame should be a natural consequence of the talent. You shouldn't wake up in the morning for the fame, you should wake up in the morning for the talent. For me, my talent is helping my guys."
And sure, I know what you're thinking: did Greg Jackson just quote a 19th-century poet to answer a question about awards within the world of professional prizefighting? The answer is yes, but anyone who knows Jackson already knows that this isn't particularly unusual behavior for him.
To Jackson, it seems as if the weird thing is not so much that he's been so successful as a coach and trainer, but that this is even a job at all.
"It was on my mind today," he says. "Just look at all this talent, all this. You have stuff like the award shows. You know, I was happy teaching in a shack."
That's not a euphemism, by the way. When Jackson met his wife he was "teaching in a 1,000-square-foot shack and living in 400 of them," he says. Stephanie walked into his gym one day learn some grappling after previously dabbling in karate and was struck by how young this new instructor was.
"He was 23 at the time," she says. "You just didn't walk into dojos or martial arts studios and see someone so young."
She was the only woman in Jackson's grappling classes at the time, she notes, but she "dropped karate like a hot potato because it was just so fun."
Fourteen years later, the two of them are still together, Jackson's shack has grown into a martial arts empire, and MMA has gone from bizarre curiosity to mainstream sport. It's been a strange ride for Jackson, and one that still surprises him at times.
Take this morning, for example, when he was working with another group of fighters, including the ones he refers to simply as "my Russians." It was one of those strange moments where he looked around the room and found himself thinking about the all the twists and turns it took to get to this place, without any of them really knowing where they'd end up.
"And we had a blast today," he says. "We were all united by this love of MMA. So when I'm there teaching moves, it was like being surrounded by this hunger to learn. You have so many different cultures and different personalities and different stories, and they're all unified by this one unique thing. So I'm thinking, I'm just a kid from the south valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico. All the fighting I did was on the banks of the Rio Grande River, and no one knows where that is. How did I get here?"
Maybe the better question is, what if he hadn't? What if the sport hadn't taken off? What if his students hadn't harassed him into being a part of it? What if he was still teaching in that shack in Albuquerque, with no awards or magazine clippings to put on the wall, and no famous students to spread his gospel?
"Then I think I'd be just as happy," he says. "I really would." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: jackson, year, award, shack, teaching
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage Wants Exciting Fight For UFC Japan
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson discusses his return to Japan against Ryan Bader and how his new fighting style compares to the old one.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, japan, ryan bader, style
Read the full article at Heavy MMARampage Jackson: Japanese fans are my favorite -- and American fans are jealous when I say that
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson had to "bitch" to his manager and "upset a few UFC representatives," but "Rampage" is finally heading back to the "Land of the Rising Sun."
Jackson will now face Ryan Bader in a 205-pound affair on the main card of UFC 144: "Edgar vs. Henderson" on Feb. 26, 2012, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
PRIDE fans were first introduced to the Memphis native in memorable match-ups against International superstars like Kazushi Sakuraba, Mauricio Rua and Wanderlei Silva.
And there was that much-talked about win over UFC poster boy Chuck Liddell back in 2003.
Since leaving Japan, Jackson has failed to "evolve in a good way," according to statements made in today's UFC 144 pre-fight press conference (via Daniel Herbertson).
In addition, he's been longing to perform in front of his "favorite fans" who unlike stateside fans, support him whether he wins or loses:
"Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy. I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give. In America, you're under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk shit to you if you lose even if it's a good, exciting fight. In Japan, it's just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I'll take more chances and not care because it's all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don't care about the people watching on TV ... In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don't feel the same energy in the US. So, I can't honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan. I'm all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don't care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That's why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time."
Jackson (32-9) is fresh off a fourth-round submission loss to Jon Jones in their UFC 135 main event title fight. It was the first defeat for "Rampage" since he dropped a close unanimous decision to Rashad Evans at UFC 114 in May 2010.
Bader, meanwhile, competed at UFC 139 back on Nov. 19, scoring a first round knockout victory over Jason Brilz. The fact that he barely broke a sweat made it possible for him to have such a quick turnaround to fight in February.
That win was "Darth's" first in three fights. But if he can get past Jackson, he'll be right back at the top of the contender line. And if Jackson loses?
Well, at least he'll have the support of his "favorite" fans.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, fan, japan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaWin or lose, “Rampage” Jackson only out to entertain at UFC 144
Quinton Jackson’s reaction to originally being left off the lineup for UFC 144 was one of anger and disappointment. However, his behavior was not based on an overwhelming desire to earn a paycheck or to numb the sting of having been beaten in his last bout. Rather, Jackson’s passion was based on his hunger to entertain an audience he has an immense amount of respect for due to the time he spent in PRIDE.
After taking his cause public and continuing to push things behind the scenes the UFC finally relented on their stance and booked him to face Ryan Bader on February 26 at the company’s upcoming return to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The news came as a great relief to Jackson who spoke some about the differences between fighting in Japan when compared to the United States at a recent press conference promoting the event.
“Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy. I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give,” Jackson explained. “In America, you’re under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk sh*t to you if you lose even if it’s a good, exciting fight. In Japan, it’s just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take more chances and not care because it’s all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don’t care about the people watching on TV.”
Jackson continued on to say the change in environment actually had a negative effect on his in-ring style, stating, “Actually my standup has evolved a lot since I last fought here, but at the same time that’s what’s gotten me in trouble a lot lately. Everyone sees me boxing a lot more, so they’re creating great game plans to counter my boxing. In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don’t feel the same energy in the US. So, I can’t honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan.”
Though the actual impact the surroundings will have on the former UFC light heavyweight champ remains to be seen, Jackson made it clear he hopes Bader shares his enthusiasm for attempting to wow those in attendance.
“The only thing that matters when he steps in the cage in Japan is that he comes in to put on an exciting show. I’m all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don’t care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That’s why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time.”
UFC 144 will mark the first fight in Japan for “Rampage” in six years after making a name for himself in PRIDE from 2001-2006. His many memorable performances in Japan include those coming in match-ups with Chuck Liddell, Kevin Randleman, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio Rua, and Ricardo Arona.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC/FEG
Posted in: ufc, jackson, fan, japan, energy
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC 144's 'Rampage' advises champ Edgar ahead of Japanese main event
TOKYO - Consider former PRIDE superstar Quinton "Rampage" Jackson the tour guide for his fellow American fighters heading to Japan for February's UFC 144 event.
Jackson, who co-headlines UFC 144, knows the lay of the land, and he could write a travel guide about competing in the fight-crazy country.
But Jackson admits some of his advice doesn't apply to UFC 144 headliner Frankie Edgar.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, tour guide, event tokyo, fightcrazy country
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRampage Jackson plans to put on an exciting show for his "Favorite Fans" in Japan
Japanese fans are Rampage Jackson's favorite, and he doesn't care if that makes his American fanbase jealous. Why? Because, according to Jackson, win or lose, Japanese fans admire his "Samurai Spirit." Once a major star in the Japanese based organization, PRIDE FC, "Rampage" slammed and brutalized opponents en-route to international success. After multiple wars with Wanderlei Silva and high-profile victories over such opponents as Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, Jackson made his UFC debut in 2007...
Posted in: rampage, jackson, fan, doesnt care, japanese fans
Read the full article at Low KickRampage Jackson Excited to Perform In Front of 'Favorite' Fans in Japan at UFC 144
Filed under: UFC, NewsQuinton "Rampage" Jackson is very, very excited to to fight in Japan. All you have to do is ask him.
In a Monday morning press conference in the Land of the Rising Sun, Jackson told the Japanese media that it took some effort on his part to ensure his place on the UFC 144 card, and that he finally had his request granted after a non-stop, one-man campaign.
"I had to fight and complain and b---- to my manager," he said. "Now I think the representatives of UFC are upset with me a little bit ... But ask me, do I care?"
For Jackson, any amount of trouble was worth it because of his love of Japanese audiences, who in his opinion value effort above results, a seismic shift from American audiences.
Jackson, who will face Ryan Bader in the co-main event on February 26 in Saitama, Japan, is no stranger to Nipponese culture. From 2001 to 2006, he fought there 18 times while under the PRIDE promotion.
"Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy," he said. "I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give. In America, you're under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk s--- to you if you lose even if it's a good, exciting fight. In Japan, it's just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I'll take more chances and not care because it's all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don't care about the people watching on TV."
It was in Japan where he authored some of his most memorable career moments, including the often-replayed powerbomb knockout win over Ricardo Arona in June 2004. That fight holds particular significance to Jackson because it took place on his 26th birthday.
It was also in Japan where Jackson became renowned for his slams, a particular favorite of the Japanese crowds who enjoyed his improvisational style. In a rare bit of public introspection, Jackson noted that since signing with the UFC though, his game has gotten standup-heavy at times.
"Actually my standup has evolved a lot since I last fought here, but at the same time that's what's gotten me in trouble a lot lately," he said. "Everyone sees me boxing a lot more, so they're creating great game plans to counter my boxing. In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don't feel the same energy in the US. So, I can't honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan."
But in some ways, that doesn't matter to Jackson right now, because he's only concerned about entertainment value. One new wrinkle the fighters will have to prepare for is fighting early in the morning. While most fights take place late Saturday night, this event will occur in the morning in Japan in order to sync up with American TV viewing habits.
Jackson noted that as a youth, he was in plenty of fights that came unexpectedly, and he has the time to plan for an early morning peak. He also said that the hardest part of fight day is usually the anticipation of what is to come, and that competing early in the day would cancel out much of that nervous energy.
Beyond that, he said that the biggest obstacle in his way is Bader, and more specifically, making sure he and his opponent understand the collective mind set of Japanese fans.
The only thing that matters when he steps in the cage in Japan is that he comes in to put on an exciting show," he said. "I'm all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don't care if I win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That's why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: fight, jackson, fan, japan, energy
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse
Rampage: "Japanese fans are my favourite"
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson won’t have earned himself any new American fans with comments he made at a press conference in Japan today....
Posted in: jackson, press conference, conference, fan, american fans
Read the full article at Fighters Only"Rampage" Jackson heading back to Japan for bout with Ryan Bader
It appears that Quinton Jackson will get his wish after all.
Days after voicing his displeasure about being left off the UFC 144 card, “Rampage” will step into the Octagon against Ryan Bader in Japan on February 26 where he’ll return to his old stomping grounds at Saitama Super Arena.
Jackson Upset After Apparently Being Left Off UFC 144
News of the match-up was first reported by ESPN citing a discussion with UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.
Jackson, an seventeen-time PRIDE veteran and poster child for many of the their signature moments will fight in the Far East for the first time since 2006, when he meets Bader who is riding high after a quick and dominant victory over Jason Brilz at UFC 139. He will be entering his nineteenth pro fight in Japan and has won ten of his last thirteen contests. However, the 33-year old has rarely exhibited the explosive finishes he showcased in his early days in PRIDE. He has just one knockout victory in the last four years and may be hoping this second homecoming of sorts will bring out the “Old Rampage” as he has alluded to in the past.
Bader, on the other hand, couldn’t be doing much better on a personal level with his first child on the way and an opportunity to climb back into the division’s elite with a win in Japan.
UFC 144 will feature lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in headlining action against top contender Ben Henderson and also involve match-ups like Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis and Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields.
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, japan, ryan bader, bader
Read the full article at Fighters.comQuinton “Rampage” Jackson Faces Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will fight in Japan after all, as the former UFC light heavyweight champion will face Ryan Bader at UFC 144 on February 26 at the Saitama Super Arena, ESPN reported Thursday.
Jackson (32-9), a veteran of PRIDE in Japan, suffered a fourth-round submission to light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the “Fight of the Night” at UFC 135 in September after earning another title shot with wins over Matt Hamill and Lyoto Machida. Bader (13-2) recovered from back-to-back losses to Jones and Tito Ortiz with a 77-second knockout of Jason Brilz this past Saturday at UFC 139.
UFC 144, which airs as a regular UFC pay-per-view on Feb. 25 in the U.S., is headlined by UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson, while the latest UFC 144 fight card features:
Frankie Edgar (c) vs. Ben Henderson
UFC Lightweight Championship
Quitnon “Rampage” Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Bart Palaszewski
For complete coverage of UFC 144, stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, vs, ryan bader, bader
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyReport: Jackson to fight Bader at UFC 144
According to a report, Rampage Jackson will fight Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, ryan bader, fight bader, report jackson
Read the full article at sportsnet.caRampage Jackson vs. Ryan Bader Targeted for UFC 144 in Japan
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has a spot on UFC 144, after all. He'll face Ryan Bader in February in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, ryan, bader
Read the full article at Heavy MMARyan Bader vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson set for UFC 144 in Japan
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Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, vs, ryan
Read the full article at RedditQuinton 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Ryan Bader Set for UFC 144 in Japan
I guess Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's tweet about not fighting in Japan was a little premature. It turns out the former Pride star will indeed be headed back to the Saitama Super Arena one more time, and he will face Ryan Bader at UFC 144. Brett Okamoto of ESPN has the confirmation:
The UFC has granted Quinton Jackson's request to fight in Japan in February.
The former light heavyweight champion will meet Ryan Bader at UFC 144. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed the matchup to ESPN.com.
Rampage is coming off a fourth-round submission loss to Jon Jones in a UFC light heavyweight title fight at UFC 135. He had recently been called out by Stephan Bonnar after UFC 139, but the UFC opted to go in another direction and match Jackson up with a different UFC 139 winner. Bader knocked out Jason Brilz in 77 seconds on the card.
The bout is likely to be the co-main event of the UFC 144 card, with the main event being a UFC lightweight title matchup between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Ben Henderson.
More SBN coverage of UFC 144
Posted in: ufc, jackson, ryan bader, stephan bonnar, bader
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowQuinton Jackson fighting Ryan Bader at UFC 144
After a good deal of public lobbying, plus some vocal displeasure in being left out of the lineup, it appears Quinton Jackson will get his wish after all and fight on February 26 when the UFC returns to the Land of the Rising Sun after a decade-long absence for UFC 144.
Though “Rampage” had originally requested Mauricio Rua or Forrest Griffin, and Stephan Bonnar made it a point to mention a possible match-up with Jackson at the event, the 33-year old will instead face Ultimate Fighter Season 8 winner Ryan Bader inside the familiar confines of Saitama Super Arena.
News of the bout was first reported by ESPN who cited UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta as the source.
Bader is fresh off an opening round knockout of Jason Brilz from UFC 139 and holds an overall record of 13-2 including past wins over Keith Jardine and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Though an accomplished amateur wrestler, “Darth” Bader often turns to the darkside in terms of finishing opponents off with nine of his victories involving some form of stoppage.
The 32-9 Jackson wasn’t quite as fortunate in his last outing, tapping to divisional champion Jon Jones’ Rear-Naked Choke in their title-fight at UFC 135. “Rampage” made a name for himself in MMA during an earlier run in Japan as part of the PRIDE organization before transitioning to the UFC where he’s found success in bouts against Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson.
UFC 144 is headlined by Frankie Edgar putting his lightweight belt on the line against Ben Henderson with other expected pairings including Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch, Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon, and Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields.
PHOTO CREDIT – FEG/UFC
Posted in: ufc, jackson, quinton jackson, bader, arena news
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC 144: Rampage Jackson vs Ryan Bader booked for Feb. 26 in Japan
Just days after complaining on Twitter that he wouldn't be fighting in Japan when the UFC returns to the country on Feb. 26 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Quinton Jackson has been booked for exactly that.
"Rampage" will take on Ryan Bader in a light heavyweight contest on the main card of UFC 144, which is scheduled to air stateside on Feb. 25 on pay-per-view, according to ESPN.com.
This leaves Stephan Bonnar, who had been campaigning for a bout against the former champion, out in the cold.
Jackson gets his wish to fight in his beloved "Land of the Rising Sun" after saying he was "not happy at all" about not fighting in Japan thinking it was "a big mistake by the UFC."
All is forgiven now, I'm sure.
"Rampage" will be attempting to rebound from his failed bid to win back the light heavyweight championship against Jon Jones this past Sept. 24 in Denver.
In that fight, Jackson was outclassed, outgunned, out-everything-you-can-think-of-ed. When all was said and done, he was tapping to a rear-naked choke in the fourth round, just the second time he's done so in his career.
Bader, meanwhile, competed just this past weekend at UFC 139, scoring a first round knockout victory over Jason Brilz. The fact that he barely broke a sweat made it possible for him to have such a quick turnaround to fight in February.
That win was "Darth's" first in three fights. But if he can get past Jackson, he'll be right back at the top of the contender line.
UFC 144 is expected to be headlined by a 155-pound title fight featuring Ben Henderson, fresh off his unanimous decision win over Clay Guida, taking on reigning lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. In addition, Jake Shields returns to action against Yoshihiro Akiyama, while Yushin Okami battles Tim Boetsch in a manly middleweight match up.
For the latest UFC 144 news and notes be sure to check out our complete archive right here.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, yoshihiro akiyama, jackson hell
Read the full article at MMA ManiaReport: 'Rampage' Jackson Meets Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan
Filed under: UFC, NewsQuinton Jackson is headed back to Japan.
After campaigning for a spot on the UFC 144 card immediately after his loss to Jon Jones in September, the UFC has granted Jackson's wish of fighting in the Land of the Rising Sun. Jackson (32-9) has agreed to meet Ryan Bader (13-2) on the Feb. 26 card at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed the news with ESPN.com on Thursday.
Amazingly, when Jackson meets Bader at UFC 144, it will mark exactly six years since his last fight in Japan. On Feb. 26, 2006, "Rampage" defeated Yoon Dong-Sik via unanimous decision. In total, the former PRIDE star competed in 20 MMA/kickboxing fights in Japan.
The 33-year-old Jackson is 2-2 in his last four fights. He had won two in a row before losing to Jones in a UFC light heavyweight title fight at UFC 135.
Bader, 28, snapped his two-fight losing streak last weekend at UFC 139 when he knocked out Jason Brilz in the first round. Prior to that win, Bader had lost to Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz in 2011.
UFC 144 will mark the organization's first event in Japan since Dec. 2000. The main event will feature Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson for the UFC lightweight title. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, jackson, jon jones, japan, bader
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage Jackson vs Ryan Bader set for UFC 144
A few days after he thought he was not going to get a chance to fight in Japan, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was given a fight on the UFC 144 fight card. ESPN is reporting that Jackson will not face Stephan Bonnar, as was rumored, he will instead meet Ryan Bader on February 25 in Saitama, Japan.
Jackson made it clear to the UFC that he wanted to fight on the card when the UFC returned to Japan, immediately requesting a spot on the card after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135. Jackson had previously
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, jon jones, ryan bader
Read the full article at Low KickMcVeigh hoping for calm start, quick finish
Staying calm is the key for top British bantamweight Paul McVeigh as he heads into a clash with Greg Jackson product Erik Perez on the upcoming BAMMA 8...
Posted in: jackson, head, clash, bamma, mcveigh
Read the full article at Fighters OnlyRampage gets his wish, added to UFC Japan card
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has got what he wants.He will be appearing on the UFC Japan card after all, despite earlier this week posting a heartfelt...
Posted in: ufc, jackson, week, card, japan
Read the full article at Fighters OnlyRampage Jackson: I'm not fighting in Japan and that's a 'big mistake' by the UFC
FanPost edited and promoted by MMAmania.com.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson is not happy that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is heading back to Japan without him.
UFC 144 (sans Jackson) is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2012, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
"Rampage" (32-9) cut his teeth in PRIDE, developing a huge fan base in blockbuster fights against Kazushi Sakuraba, Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva.
And he thinks it's a mistake to not bring him back, according to a Tweet from Jackson earlier today.
"It don't look like I'm fighting n Japan which I'm not happy about at all,I think its a big mistake by the UFC... Fuck it."
The Memphis native was rumored to be in negotiations with former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) pioneer Stephan Bonnar, who was pining for a "Rampage" fight following his UFC 139 win over Kyle Kingsbury.
I personally think a rematch between Jackson and Mauricio Rua is ideal right now.
Both fighters are coming off losses (Jackson to Jon Jones at UFC 135 and Rua to Dan Henderson at UFC 139) and are out of the title picture right now. And this match-up would certainly draw. It could either be a co-main event or even a five round headliner on a smaller pay-per-view card.
Either way, another fight with "Shogun" would be highly anticipated.
Do you agree that Rampage should be included on the UFC 144 card? Or does he need to put nostalgia aside and focus on his stateside obligations?
Thoughts?
For more on UFC 44 click here.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, jon jones, japan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaCould Rampage Jackson Be Next for Stephan Bonnar?
Stpehan Bonnar, fresh off a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139, tells HeavyMMA that he wants Rampage Jackson in the cage.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, kyle kingsbury, bonnar
Read the full article at Heavy MMARampage Jackson's next fight to be against Stephan Bonnar?
It just may be.
That's because the two have already verbally agreed to throw down following Stephan Bonnar's win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139 this past Saturday night (Nov. 19) in San Jose.
Here's what "The American Psycho" said when asked who he would like to fight next:
"I've always wanted to fight 'Rampage.' You know, I've got a few wins now and maybe (I can) get a big name (next)."
Quinton Jackson, never one to back down from a challenge, quickly responded with a text to UFC President Dana White, who relayed the message (via MMAWeekly):
"Rampage texted me tonight and said he wants to fight him too. I don't know. We'll see."
But is this a fight that would make sense?
It very well could, considering where each fighter is in his career. "Rampage" is coming off a crushing championship loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135 this past Sept. 24, while Bonnar is currently riding a three-fight win streak and performing better than he ever has.
If there was ever a time to put the two together, it's now. And if they both want it, why not?
Jackson has been campaigning for a spot on the upcoming UFC 144 fight card that will take place on Feb. 26 in Japan. That would be just a three month turnaround for Bonnar but staying active has its advantages.
Especially after he went nearly a year without a fight before defeating Kingsbury this past Saturday night.
Anyone think Joe Silva and Dana White decide this is the fight to make for both men? And do you care to see it? Who wins?
Sound off, Maniacs.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, bonnar
Read the full article at MMA ManiaIs Rampage Jackson vs. Stephan Bonnar On Deck?
Following UFC 139, it appears that Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Stephan Bonnar are trying to do Joe Silva's job for him.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, stephan bonnar, bonnar, stephan
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton "Rampage" Jackson talks about a terrifying illness - Bad Gift Disorder.HT: Boost Mobile
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson talks about a terrifying illness - Bad Gift Disorder.
HT: Boost Mobile
Posted in: rampage, jackson, gift, illness, ht
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowA PSA from Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
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Posted in: rampage, jackson, quinton, mattyblayze, psa
Read the full article at RedditHistory in the Making: Wanderlei Silva crushes Rampage Jackson at Pride 28
I've made it no secret that I was a huge fan of Pride Fighting Championships (Pride) during their too-short lifetime. There was just so much to enjoy about the Japanese fight promotion. The giant arenas they packed to the brim, the larger than life presentation in which the shows were produced, the roster of fighters that, at its peak, rivaled what the UFC claims today.
In its prime, Pride simply wasn't a mixed martial arts (MMA) company, it was the MMA company.
A major reason a ton of mystique surrounded the promotion was none other than "The Axe Murderer," Wanderlei Silva. The fearsome Brazilian striker ruled the 203-pound division for years, never relenting, never yielding, and always looking to put his opponent to sleep in the most brutal way possible.
He knocked out the likes of Kazushi Sakuraba, Yuki Kondo, and Ikuhisa Minowa. But no single knockout is more (in)famous than the one he delivered to Quinton Jackson in the their second bout. "Rampage" had fallen victim to Silva's brutality once before and couldn't stop himself from getting put to sleep once again in the rematch.
Silva's career has been less than stellar of late but he hopes to turn it around this Saturday night (Nov. 19) at UFC 139 when he takes on fellow striker Cung Le. With only two wins in his last eight fights, another loss could spell the end of the Brazilian's storied career. If he performs anything like he did at Pride 28, that should be no concern.
Here's why:
The fight opens up with Jackson immediately walking Silva down. He clinches up with the Brazilian, putting the champion along the ropes. He attempts to wear Silva down but soon "The Axe Murderer" is able to reverse position on "Rampage." It isn't for long, however, as Jackson gets the Brazilian's back against the corner as he works towards a takedown. A low blow causes a short break in the action and the two are restarted in the center of the ring.
They begin exchanging like mad men and Jackson looks better for it. He blocks well and delivers a nice counter straight that catches Silva flush. They wrap up again and the champion tries to secure a Thai clinch to deliver some of those knees "Rampage" is all too familiar with. Silva throws a big one but ends up missing wildly and they end up in the corner before another referee stoppage puts them back in the center.
"The Axe Murderer" immediately begins attacking with his trademark looping hooks, putting together a string of powerful punches before immediately latching onto Jackson's head once again and putting his Muay Thai training to good use. He bullies "Rampage" into the corner, delivering short punches, one of which opens a cut under Jackson's eye. The American, sensing the danger, gets Silva in a headlock and drags the Brazilian to the mat. The fight is paused yet again to check on Jackson's cut before they're restarted in the same position they were in when interrupted.
From his back, the champ offers a couple of different submission threats, nearly securing a triangle choke on one occasion and teasing a kimura on another. Jackson, for his part, batters his opponent with the type of ground and pound wrestlers have built their MMA reputation on.
Less than three minutes remaining in the 10-minute opening round and Silva scores nicely with an upkick that forces "Rampage" to close the distance. Only willing to score short elbows from the guard, a lull in the action forces the referee to admonish both fighters with yellow cards, penalizing them a portion of their purse.
Silva scores with a leg kick and then again with a nasty kick to the body. A second body kick is countered perfectly by Jackson who tags "The Axe Murderer" right on the chin, forcing the Brazilian to stagger to the mat. The American immediately pounces in the final minute, landing potentially fight-ending ground and pound to his greatest rival.
A triangle attempt is shrugged off by the wrestler who answers back with a devastating punch. He continues the onslaught -- for much longer than the timer displayed it seems -- and for a brief moment, it appeared as if Pride would finally have a new 203-pound champion.
The second stanza begins and again, the two trade punches like featherweights. A takedown attempt from Silva is reversed by Jackson but the champion soon ends up on top. Fortunately for his opponent, "The Axe Murderer" does little from the position aside. It isn't until two minutes in the round that he finally makes his move. He stands up and begins delivering deadly stomps as is the Chute Boxe Academy way. None connect but it offers "Rampage" the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Both vertical, Silva begins to pepper his opponent's legs with kicks. An exchange leads to a beautiful right by Silva that causes Jackson's left eye to swell up. Seconds later, another exchange produces an even more devastating result.
"The Axe Murder's" right fist connects with Jackson's skull with a sickening thud. In the slo-motion replay, you can see the shockwaves coursing through the American's body. "Rampage" is staggered, hurt and unable to defend himself. In short, he's ripe for Silva's picking.
The champion wraps his opponent up in another Thai clinch -- much like the one that led to the end of their first bout -- and began landing knee after knee with Jackson nearly powerless to stop him. One knee connects flush with skull and "Rampage" collapses face first like a giant redwood through the middle and bottom rope.
The referee immediately stops the assault and lifts Jackson to turn him on his back. When he does, the camera catches a glimpse of the pool of blood that has collected underneath the fallen fighter's face.
It is single-handedly the most beautifully violent display of destruction I have ever seen in the sport.
Will we see a similar display on Saturday?
As a longtime "Axe Murderer" fan, I can only hope so.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, silva, pride, axe
Read the full article at MMA ManiaULTMMA Podcast Episode 5: A interview with Ultimate Fighter 14 star John Dodson of Jackson’s MMA
A introspective conversation with 135 pound fighter and coach from Jackson's MMA, John Dodson. We learned about Dodson's upbringing and how that motivates him today, dealing with fame, life in the house, his role at Jackson's, athletic exploits outside the cage, and how pressure has little to no affect him on the constantly smiling fighter. Podcast Powered By Podbean Topics covered in this episode-Dodson's high school football career-Dodson's role of mole in the TUF 14 house-Sports Psychology at Jackson's MMA-Flyweight division in the UFC in 2012
Posted in: jackson, dodson, fighternbsp podcast, fame life, dodsons upbringing
Read the full article at UltMMAChuck Liddell vs Rampage Jackson in UFC 3...in PRIDE Mode
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Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, pride mode, kaploop
Read the full article at RedditKing Mo on Rampage: 'I Don't Like Him, He Don't Like Me'
Filed under: UFC, NewsDespite their penchant for professional wrestling, the animosity between Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is real, according to Lawal.
"I don't like him, he don't like me!" the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Lawal stated Monday on The MMA Hour.
Lawal hasn't taken too kindly to being called "Queen Mo" in various interviews by Jackson and named two specific incidents where he was left with a poor impression by the former UFC light heavyweight titleholder.
Lawal recalled an early meeting when they met through Antonio McKee while attending an August 2008 fight card in Santa Monica, Calif. Lawal claims Jackson played up his personality when a camera was around and in the process tried to "punk" him.
Another incident involved Jackson doing an appearance for a MMA card in Oklahoma City. At the time Lawal's friend Gerald Harris was accompanying Jackson and asked Lawal as a favor to find women for Jackson. Lawal agreed, but when the two parties met up at a club after the fights, Lawal's friendly gesture apparently went unappreciated.
More Coverage: Watch UFC 137 Live Online | UFC 137 Fight Card | UFC 137 Results
"[Rampage] had audacity to kick out my homeboys out of a V.I.P. spot. I wasn't having that," said Lawal.
Coming off a first-round knockout over Roger Gracie at the Sept. 10 Strikeforce event, Lawal (8-1) has been training at the American Kickboxing Academy as he awaits his next fight. The December Strikeforce card is a possibility only if Lawal is offered a big name opponent. A rematch with Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante would have been a suitable opponent for Lawal, but Cavalcante is unavailable due to injury. Lawal's contract with Strikeforce comes to an end in February.
The next fight that makes the most sense then would be against his rival Jackson. While Lawal admits he wants to fight Jackson on a UFC card, he also insists Jackson is the one doing the provoking.
"People saying I'm calling him out, [but] anytime you take somebody's name and give them a female name, that's calling them out," Lawal said. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, card, lawal
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseMo Lawal issues open challenge to Quinton Jackson
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has made it known over the past few weeks that he will be calling out his next opponent in the near future. The obvious choice for Lawal to make his target was Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, as the two have had verbal wars in the past and have made it clear they dislike each other on a personal level.
Now, not only does it appear Jackson is definitely the object of the 30 year old’s in-ring desire, but he’s even willing to spend the fight striking with him if need be to facilitate the match-up
Lawal’s statements came in a recent conversation with Full Contact Fighter where he also offered up a bit of trash-talk on top of the proposed challenge.
Currently, Lawal is a member of Strikeforce, but that doesn’t seem to be a huge issue as UFC President Dana White has been gobbling up talent from the promotion for major bouts in his company.
“Enough of the talk, let’s do the action. Let’s bang then, dawg. You’re talkin’ about you wanna box, you can box me! I won’t take you down, you know what I’m sayin’,” Lawal animatedly explained in the interview. “Or you can holla at my boy James Toney and be a sparring partner for him. Pick your poison. You can getcha ass whipped in boxing by James Toney, or you can getcha ass whipped by me in MMA. I’ll stand and box with you.”
Lawal and Jackson have made quite the verbal warfare, tossing jabs at one another for over 15 years, according to “King Mo.” Jackson has said a number of times in the past he is looking for a fight at the UFC’s show in Japan this upcoming February, and Lawal has said he would be fine with taking on “Rampage” in the Land of the Rising Sun if need be.
Lawal, a college wrestling standout, rebounded from his first professional loss and an extended layoff from injury to come back and defeat previously undefeated grappler Roger Gracie earlier this year via knockout. Jackson, a former 205-pound champ, was defeated by Jon Jones in a bout for the light heavyweight belt last month at UFC 135.
PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE/UFC
Posted in: jackson, contact fighter, lawal, getcha ass, james toney
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainCarlos Condit thankful for Greg Jackson, but undeterred by his absence at UFC 137
When news broke that Carlos Condit would be stepping in to challenge fellow Jackson's MMA associate Georges St. Pierre for the Welterweight title, head coach Greg Jackson responded by immediately removing himself from the equation. Having worked extensively with each competitor over the years, Jackson cited "teammate protocols" for his unwillingness to choose sides. Now training primarily under Chris Luttrell, it appears Condit is not only comfortable with the current structure of his camp, but he says...
Posted in: jackson, condit, carlos condit, chris luttrell, teammate protocols
Read the full article at Low KickGreg Jackson's reaction to UFC 136 loses.
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, greg jackson, reaction, darkh
Read the full article at RedditJackson: Guillard Learned Valuable Lesson
Greg Jackson may be the best trainer in MMA, but even he has bad nights and UFC 136 was certainly one of them.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, greg jackson, greg, trainer
Read the full article at SherdogMo Lawal a free agent in February
Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Muhammed Lawal is in an interesting position. While he wants to fight again as soon as possible after knocking previously undefeated grappler Roger Gracie out in the opening round of a September bout under the Strikeforce banner, Lawal has also been extremely critical of the way his bosses have handled business and even compared the promotion’s future to that of a terminally ill cancer patient.
Compounding things, Lawal’s contract expire in a few months leaving him in limbo with Strikeforce’s December card already filling up and the possibility of the promotion folding shortly thereafter.
“King Mo” discussed his status recently in a conversation with MMAFighting where he offered his thoughts on what’s next for him including his desire to eventually settle his quarrel with Quinton Jackson one-on-one in the Octagon.
“Who knows,” Lawal responded when asked when or where his next match-up will take place. “We’ll see. My contract is up in February,” he added while also expressing an interest in fighting sooner than later.
Lawal Wants to See Strikeforce vs. UFC Card
As far as Jackson, Lawal stated he hadn’t initiated the conflict between the two but was tired of hearing his name come out of the former UFC title-holder’s mouth.
“This fool ‘Rampage’ calls me out, and then people get mad when I respond? He’s a bitch in my eyes because he didn’t respond. Maybe he’ll respond later, but the word is he wants to fight (Mauricio Rua). That’s whatever. But he called me out, so I’m going to respond.”
“He wasn’t even on my radar,” Lawal continued. “But now he wants to say something about me, he’s on my radar now. We’re going to bang eventually.”
Lawal, only three years younger than Jackson, holds an 8-1 professional record in comparison to the PRIDE icon’s 32-9 mark. In terms of styles, both are wrestlers with above-average boxing though Lawal is the more-decorated of the two in terms of grappling while Jackson arguably packs more power in his punches.
PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE
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Posted in: strikeforce, jackson, mauricio rua, lawal, september bout
Read the full article at Fighters.com'King' Mo Lawal Talks 'Rampage' Jackson: We're Going to Fight Eventually
Filed under: UFCNow that "King" Mo Lawal is just a few months away from the end of his Strikeforce contract, he's begun to eye a future in the UFC and a potential opponent to start things off against.
Not surprisingly, that opponent is Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who enjoys poking fun at the man he calls "King Ho" in interviews, recently telling our own Ariel Helwani, "I'll fight that chump."
Lawal had it out with Jackson in a heated conversation captured on video two years ago, and the two have chipped away at each other several times since in interviews and over Twitter. Now Lawal says he'd like to meet Jackson at the UFC's event in Japan this February, when his Strikeforce contract is conveniently set to expire, but Jackson seems less thrilled about the prospect, according to Lawal.
"This fool Rampage calls me out, and then people get mad when I respond? He's a b---h in my eyes, because he didn't respond. Maybe he'll respond later, but the word is he wants to fight [Mauricio] 'Shogun' [Rua]. That's whatever. But he called me out, so I'm going to respond," Lawal told MMA Fighting.
As Lawal pointed out, Rua already has a fight scheduled with Dan Henderson for November. If Jackson really wants to fight in front of the Japanese fans when the UFC heads to Tokyo, he could do a lot worse than to take on Lawal, who also has a strong following across the Pacific.
But, Lawal insisted, he wouldn't even be setting his sights on Jackson if the former UFC champ hadn't taken a shot at him in a recent interview.
"When's the last time you heard me mention Rampage's name before he mentioned mine?" said Lawal. "I don't care about him. He wasn't even on my radar. But now, he wants to say something about me, he's on my radar now. We're going to bang eventually."
As for whether it will happen in Japan, and whether Lawal's next fight will really be in the UFC rather than Strikeforce, he admitted he had "no idea."
"Who knows? We'll see. My contract is up in February. ...I'd like to fight, but I have no idea." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, lawal
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseDana White: The grass won't be greener for 'Rampage' Jackson in boxing
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson has been on a "Rampage" about opponents who "fight scared" or "turn and run" every time he tries to engage.
That's why he's headed to boxing, or so he says.
Unfortunately he failed to clear it with his current boss, UFC President Dana White, who was surprised to learn about Jackson's future plans in the sweet science, telling MMA Weekly the grass isn't always greener on the other side:
"I had seen somewhere that he said it. I don't care. He's under contract. He's not boxing until ... I mean, if he wants to box when his contract is up, that's up to him. You hear [boxing promoter] Bob [Arum] out there: 'Yeah, they don't pay their guys anything.' Rampage got paid for his last fight, trust me. A lot of money. Bob Arum pays guys $600 on his cards. We've never paid a guy that, ever. We've only been around ten years, Bob's been promoting fights for 120 years ... He'll find out when he starts boxing that [running from opponents is] pretty much the game these days. The game is: Let's step in there and do everything we can do avoid a fight, so we can get on to the next payday. No matter where you are, no matter what you do, you're always going to have guys chirping about something. Rampage thought the movie business was the answer to all his fucking dreams and that didn't work out too good. The pay over there wasn't what he thought it was, the pay over here was a lot better. A lot better. The grass is always greener until it's not there any more, and then you realize you made a lot of mistakes and you should have done things differently."
Hear more from White on Jackson's pugilistic aspirations after the jump.
Though he didn't have any luck in the stand-up game back at UFC 135 in his title fight against Jon Jones, "Rampage" has always preferred to "stand and bang" throughout his mixed martial arts career, knocking out MMA stars such as Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva and Kevin Randleman.
He definitely has the power, but does he posses the finesse -- and can he put it all together to make it as a pro boxer? If so, does boxing have any big name boxers in his weight class to make it interesting enough to watch and sell pay-per-views?
And what would his value be to a boxing promoter?
Thoughts?
Posted in: fight, guy, rampage, jackson, boxing
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 136: Melvin Guillard Training With Imperial Athletics Ahead of Joe Lauzon Bout
Melvin Guillard is set to face off with Joe Lauzon at this weekend's UFC 136 event. Guillard is riding a five fight win streak and appears to be on his way to a title shot in the near future, provided he continues his winning ways. The need to grow from fight to fight is a part of becoming championship material, and that's why Melvin is training with Rashad Evans at Imperial Athletics, despite Evans' feud with Melvin's usual training grounds at Jackson's Mixed Martial Arts.
Guillard explained the situation to Sherdog:
"I know a lot of people look at it like, ‘How are you at Jackson's and you train with Rashad?' Well, Rashad's been like a brother to me since Season 2," Guillard told Sherodg.com. "Jon ... he's my boy, he's my teammate. I stay out of their beef, and I keep myself neutral to everything. For everybody that don't know, that's what it is. I still love Rashad like a brother, and I love Jon like a teammate. There are gonna be other times when I'm gonna go to Imperial, and I'm probably gonna train there again."
While Mike Winkeljohn, Guillard's striking coach at Jackson's MMA, was not necessarily pleased with the manner in which the 28-year-old was lured to Imperial Athletics, he supports his fighter's journey as it relates to learning new skills.
"You always care about them wanting to wheel and deal their way into your fighter's heart through offers or different things to make [him] work out with them," Winkeljohn said. "I just told Melvin, ‘You know what, go learn some new stuff.' I got no problem with it as long as he learns something, and he comes back and shows you what he learned -- because we don't know it all."
Guillard has the right approach with his "the coaches work for me" attitude. Allowing yourself to get tangled up in the "my camp thinks" and "my teammate says" nonsense and putting camp before self is a very strange epidemic in MMA. I'm glad to see Melvin take the right path and worry about himself before caring what Jon Jones, Rashad Evans and the Jackson's trainers think about each other.
Posted in: jackson, rashad, rashad evans, guillard, melvin
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowGuillard Trained with Evans, Imperial Athletics Prior to UFC 136
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts representative Melvin Guillard broke from routine ahead of UFC 136
Posted in: ufc, jackson, guillard, jackson ’s, n.m
Read the full article at SherdogRashad may have screwed himself with all his talk about Greg Jackson (Jones comments in this short interview clip)
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Posted in: jackson, greg jackson, jones comments, interview clip, clip
Read the full article at RedditDon't Worry, 'Rampage' Jackson Isn't Going Anywhere Just Yet
Filed under: UFCQuinton "Rampage" Jackson is, yet again, fed up with MMA. I guess that means it's time to rotate the tires on my Toyota and change the air filter in my furnace. Who needs a calendar or a planner for that stuff when you've got Jackson, whose frustration with this sport is the most reliable natural phenomenon outside of Yellowstone National Park?
This time, Jackson told an ESPN UK podcast that, after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135, he's tired of "fighting people who are scared."
"That's why I'm going to go to boxing," said Jackson. "I'm going to try boxing because they've got to stand with you. If I get knocked out I don't care, because at least it's a fight."
Right. Because that was his big problem with Jones. The champ was "scared" to stand up and fight him. That must be how Jackson ended up getting kicked around the cage like a hacky sack at an Ani DiFranco concert.
Not that any of us should be surprised to hear Jackson threatening to take his talents elsewhere. As recently as May he proclaimed that "as soon as movies start paying me more than I make to fight, I'm gone."
A year and a half before that, when the UFC gave him a hard time for taking the A-Team role rather than fighting Rashad Evans right away, he declared he was "done fighting" and "hanging it up."
His movie career must not be panning out like he'd hoped, because now boxing is his new frontier. Six months from now he may decide wants to be a male model instead, or maybe an astronaut. In other words, anything but MMA, the one thing he's made a reliable living at for the last decade or so.
It's not that I don't understand the motivation behind comments like these. We've all romanticized the notion of a different career in our minds. No matter how good you have it in your current job, other people seem to have it better. Especially when you've never actually tried that line of work, the way Jackson has never tried to be a full-time professional boxer. Then it exists solely as an idea, wholly perfect and unmolested by reality.
How else could Jackson have convinced himself that boxing is a sport where he won't have to worry about supposedly scared fighters running from him? Has he not heard that boxing has its share of "elusive" fighters? That even if opponents aren't shooting for takedowns or tenderizing his legs and ribs with kicks, there are still plenty of ways for them to avoid slugging exchanges in the ring?
If he thinks boxing is a sport where men stand directly in front of each other and trade haymakers, he's about a hundred years late to the party. These days, boxing has its share of runners. It also has its share of skyscraper heavyweights who could jab him from across the street and give him the same distance problems that Jones did. That is, unless he thinks he can drop down to cruiserweight (quick: name your favorite cruiserweight, and no, Chris Jericho doesn't count), where there'll be less money on the table than he seems to think.
I don't blame Jackson for feeling like he wants to do something else after the loss to Jones. That fight was so thoroughly one-sided that he has to know he'll never get his belt back as long as Jones is breathing air in the light heavyweight division. That leaves him with limited options. He could rematch "Shogun" Rua or Forrest Griffin, both of which he seems open to. But what then?
And of course, there's always the need to find some excuse for a loss, a pastime that even Jackson will admit he's an old pro at. Jones dominated every second of the fight? So what. It's only because he was running scared. Things will be different in the faraway land of boxing, where the streets are paved with gold and there's not a college wrestling All-American in sight.
Sure, it doesn't really make sense, but it doesn't have to. A few months from now the UFC will have given Jackson another fight, another guaranteed payday, and he'll have forgotten all about it. He'll be back to doing the one thing he knows and kind of hates, and all be well again.
At least until the next time. And you know there will be a next time. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: fight, time, jone, jackson, boxing
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseQuinton 'Rampage' Jackson Considering a Move to Boxing
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is coming off a loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135 and has long been known to complain about MMA, and this might be no different than that. But he did tell ESPN UK on a podcast that he would consider a switch over to boxing after his UFC contract runs out. Here's why:
"I hate fighting people who are scared," Jackson told the ESPN UFC Podcast. "When you fight somebody who is scared you never know what they're going to do. They turn and run.
"That's why I'm gonna go to boxing. I'm gonna try boxing because they've got to stand with you. If I get knocked out I don't care because at least it's a fight.
"I've tried a lot of boxing, I'm falling in love with boxing and I know I can put butts on seats over there."
Scott Christ over at Bad Left Hook shares his thoughts on the subject:
Jackson, 33, has been a star in mixed martial arts for years, and is without a question one of its most charismatic fighters in the short history of the sport. I have to assume his move to boxing would, indeed, draw legitimate attention, but as we know, coming into pro boxing isn't just a "hey, I'm here, give me a fight with a top guy" sort of deal.
Also, Jackson is a 205-pound fighter in mixed martial arts, and given his age it would be unlikely he'd be able to cut down to cruiserweight, where there's no U.S. market, and that means he'd have to fight as a heavyweight. At 6'1" with a 73" reach, he'd be undersized and probably underpowered.
I think Rampage would actually consider it if there was big money in it somewhere, but my skepticism comes from the fact that he's got an unfortunate physical build to become a boxing star, even if he were actually good at it.
First Badr Hari, now Rampage? While I highly doubt this will ever come to fruition, it would definitely be an interesting sight to see Jackson in a boxing ring.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jackson, boxing
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowRampage Jackson Wants To Box
“I hate fighting people who are scared. When you fight somebody who is scared you never know what they’re going to do. They turn and run. That’s why I’m gonna go to boxing. I’m gonna try boxing because they’ve got to stand with you. If I get knocked out I don’t care because at least it’s a fight. I’ve tried a lot of boxing, I’m falling in love with boxing and I know I can put butts on seats over there.”
— Rampage Jackson on an ESPN UFC Podcast declaring his desire to leave mixed martial arts for boxing
The grass is always greener on the other side for a lot of these guys. *Sigh*
Looking at it on the bright side, he can always fight Kimbo! Woo hoo!
Image via CombatLifestyle.com
Posted in: fight, jackson, rampage jackson, boxing, fight somebody
Read the full article at MMA ConvertRampage Jackson: 'I'm gonna go to boxing ... I know I can put butts in seats over there'
Mixed martial artist, actor, professional boxer?
That might very well be the latest venture for Quinton Jackson, as he discusses his future plans after he hanging up his UFC gloves for good.
So why the "sweet science?"
Jackson tells ESPN he has a distaste for fighting people who fight scared and specifically talked about trading in his 4 oz. gloves (MMA) for a 16 oz. pair (boxing).
"I hate fighting people who are scared. When you fight somebody who is scared you never know what they're going to do. They turn and run, that's why I'm gonna go to boxing. I'm gonna try boxing because they've got to stand with you. If I get knocked out I don't care because at least it's a fight. I've tried a lot of boxing, I'm falling in love with boxing and I know I can put butts in seats over there."
In the meantime, Jackson is eying a return to the Octagon in early 2012 when the UFC plans a trip to the "Land of the Rising Sun," a place where "Rampage" has a very strong fan base due to his time spent competing in PRIDE FC.
Jackson pleaded for a fight against Mauricio Rua in hopes to try and avenge a loss to "Shogun," which he suffered in 2005 at "PRIDE Total Elimination 2005."
The Brazilian is currently slated to do battle with Dan Henderson at UFC 139 but after that ... anything is possible.
Though he didn't have any luck in the stand-up game this past weekend at UFC 135 in his title fight against Jon Jones, "Rampage" definitely has always preferred to "stand and bang" throughout his mixed martial arts career, knocking out MMA stars such as Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva and Kevin Randleman.
He definitely has the power, but does he posses the finesse -- and can he put it all together to make it as a pro boxer? If so, does boxing have any big name boxers in his weight class to make it interesting enough to watch and sell pay-per-views?
I hear James "Lights Out" Toney is always looking for a fight.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, boxing, boxer
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 135: Jon Jones fight journal preparing for Rampage Jackson (Video)
Get a first hand look at UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones' preparation to defend his title at UFC 135 this past Sat., Sept. 24, 2011, in Denver, Colorado, against Quinton Jackson. "Bones" would go on to win the fight via fourth round submission after peppering his foe with leg kicks and unorthodox striking.
It's truly fascinating, especially in hindsight, to hear Greg Jackson devise a game plan for "Rampage."
Posted in: ufc, jackson, ., sept, greg jackson, game plan
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRashad Speaks in depth about Jon Jones & Greg Jackson Camp
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Posted in: jackson, jon jones, camp, greg, depth
Read the full article at RedditFight Journal: Jon Jones Pre-UFC 135 Edition
Filed under: UFC, MMA Fighting Exclusive, VideosMMAFighting.com's E. Casey Leydon was granted exclusive behind-the-scenes access as Jon Jones was training in New Mexico for his UFC 135 title fight against Quinton Jackson, which he won on Saturday night.
Watch below as Jones and trainer Greg Jackson devise a game plan to defeat Jackson, which, as you will see. included a hefty dose of leg kicks. In the end, Jones landed 35 leg strikes en route to his fourth-round submission victory, according to FightMetric.
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Posted in: jone, jackson, quinton jackson, fight journal, defeat jackson
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRashad Evans: 'Jon Jones thinks he's God's gift to the fight game'
There's no love lost between current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and number one contender Rashad Evans.
Last night (Sept. 26, 2011), Evans appeared on Pro MMA Radio with Larry Pepe. The two talked about Jones' recent victory over Quinton Jackson at UFC 135 on Sept. 24, in Denver, Colo., as well as the upcoming match (date yet to be scheduled) between "Bones" and "Suga."
Though not completely uncomplimentary of Jones in the interview, it was only a matter of time before Evans began to sling mud:
"Right now, this dude's on cloud nine. He thinks that he's God's gift to the fight game. I think he's gonna think that he can just walk right through me. Now that he's beat ‘Rampage,' he's gonna think that there's nothing I could do. He's seen my style and he's gonna think there's nothing I can do. He's gonna go out there and just try and embarrass me. He thinks it's gonna be an easy fight, but he's gonna find out different."
He was apparently just getting started.
During the interview, the gloves came off and no one was safe from Evans' sharp tongue. Apparently, he doesn't much care for Jones' manager, the often controversial Malki Kawa. Here's what he had to say about the Miami-based "super agent:"
"One thing about him (Kawa), I didn't like him, because ... he talks too fast. When people try to talk too fast, they're trying to hide something. He talks down on people, like he's better than them. I had to get away from that dude, or I probably woulda caught a case."
In addition to the spat between Evans and Jones, it's also no secret that top trainer Greg Jackson has been removed from Evans' Christmas card list.
Evans had a few interesting things to say about Jackson, even going so far as to infer that he (Jackson) possibly gets credit that he doesn't deserve:
"You know, if we're speaking honestly, Mike Winklejohn does about 85 percent of the coaching at Jackson's. That's just keepin' it real. Greg (Jackson) is always traveling. Winklejohn is the one who picks up most of the slack. I worked with Mike Winklejohn more than I worked with Greg Jackson, in my last four fights that I was there."
Evans said that he believes he would have left the Jackson camp, even if the rift between he and Jones had never occurred. People evolve and eventually move on. Nothing lasts forever.
He elaborates:
"I don't need Greg Jackson. I don't need him. He was great for me at the time, but I don't think there's anything I could have learned being at that camp. I've reached the top level that I could reach with that camp. I knew I had to leave a while ago. Things just kinda got stagnant. Jon (Jones) will feel the same way. He won't be there forever."
After Jones' UFC 135 successful title defense, he claimed that Evans had "ruined his special night." Evans weighed in on those comments, too:
"Think about how stupid that sounds. Like it's my idea to get in the cage. Like I'm jumping into the cage and security's after me and I'm going in there and challenging him. Don't say I ruined your night! Say the UFC and Dana White ruined your night! We're selling a fight...stupid! Just shut up!"
To cap off the interview, Evans closed things out by saying that he believes Jones faked an injury to get out of their last scheduled bout and that he believes he'll do it again:
"Do you think Jon pulled out of the first fight because he was confident? No! He was afraid! Watch him try to pull out of this fight too! Watch him be like, ‘Oh! My foot's hurt!' or something like that, so he can get out of this fight too. When it comes down to it, he doesn't really want it."
Interesting theory.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the recent news of Jones' six month medical suspension will affect the future match up of the two.
What do you Maniacs think? Will we ever finally see a Jones-Evans throwdown session? Who will have the advantage?
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, evan, nothing i
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRashad Evans 'doesn't respect' what Greg Jackson did in rift with Jon Jones
Been there, done that.
UFC light heavyweight number one contender, Rashad Evans, is moving on after a highly-publicized fallout with his long time trainers at Jackson's Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Specifically, head trainer Greg Jackson.
Evans, who now trains at Imperial Athletics in Boca Raton, Florida, alongside Strikeforce fighters Antonio Silva and Gesias Cavalcante, previously called Jackson's camp home for almost five years. The initial fallout began when Jon Jones stated he would willingly fight his teammate if Dana White told him to, sour news to "Suga's" ears.
One would assume that water would flow under the bridge and Evans would eventually return to the place that helped him claim the 205-pound strap back in 2008, but the Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 champion has revealed that even after he battles it out with "Bones," who is now Jackson's new prized pupil, he will never return to the famed camp.
Evans elaborates to MMA Weekly:
"No, I don't think I'm ever going to train back at the Jackson camp, I will go back to Albuquerque (N.M.) at Mean 1, at Keith (Jardine's) gym, but the things at Jackson's camp, they're just different now. It's not the same no more. Back in the day, it was like we were all family. We were really tight with each other. But now it's gotten so commercial, Greg is always gone all over the place, and it's just not family no more. It's too transient. You can pay a certain amount of money and you can come and live at the Jackson camp and it just got so transient, you'd see so many different faces come and go. It's just not the same place as before. Like before, I could leave my mitts on the mat and then come back, and I know they'll still be there. Now I leave my mitts on the mat for five minutes, I'm like, who got my mitts? It's beyond a blame, Greg knew what he was doing, what was up with it when he brought him into camp, and that's why I don't have too much to say to Greg anymore. Because it's like you knew I told you about this before it even happened, and you sat up there and said ‘if you can't trust your friends, who can you trust,' but then when it goes down you want to wash your hands and walk away and so ‘oh, I had nothing to do with this,' but you brought it to make it happen. So I don't like that, and I don't respect that."
It seems this is the norm now for Jackson's camp nowadays as two of his other pupils in George St. Pierre (part-time) and Carlos Condit, will also face each other when they square off for the Canadian's title on Oct. 29 at UFC 137 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jackson has already stated that he is going to wash his hands from that dilemma and not corner either fighter. It makes you wonder why the Jones and Evans situation couldn't be handled as smoothly as this.
What do you think Maniacs, should Rashad just let it go and move on, or does he have a legitimate beef here with Team Jackson?
Posted in: jackson, rashad evans, camp, evan, greg
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRashad Evans Won't Return To Jackson's, Even After Jon Jones Fight
Rashad Evans' rivalry with Jon Jones involves a lot of animosity toward former trainer Greg Jackson. Rashad feels that the spirit of "family" that comes along with being a part of Jackson's was tainted when Jones won the UFC light heavyweight championship following an Evans injury and then said publicly that he would be willing to fight Evans when the two were currently training together. This led to Rashad leaving Jackson's, a camp where Jones continues to train.
Now, Evans is making it clear that he has no intention of going back to Jackson's, even after the fight with Jones. Via MMA Weekly:
"No, I don't think I'm ever going to train back at the Jackson camp," Evans said recently. "I will go back to Albuquerque (N.M.) at Mean 1, at Keith (Jardine's) gym, but the things at Jackson's camp, they're just different now. It's not the same no more."
...
"Back in the day, it was like we were all family. We were really tight with each other. But now it's gotten so commercial, Greg is always gone all over the place, and it's just not family no more. It's too transient. You can pay a certain amount of money and you can come and live at the Jackson camp and it just got so transient, you'd see so many different faces come and go. It's just not the same place as before," Evans stated.
But if there's one thing we know about the fight game, it's never say never.
It wouldn't shock me to see Jackson in Rashad's corner somewhere down the road should he decide that Jackson's guidance gives him the best chance to win.
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, rashad, evan
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowThe Forward Roll: UFC 135 Edition
Filed under: UFCWhat lessons can we take away from UFC 135? First, Jon Jones is beginning to run away with the UFC's light-heavyweight division. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson admitted several times before and after the fight that he had worked himself into his best shape in years. The man is a former undisputed world champion, and he could barely lay a finger on Jones.
As Jones continues to progress, he learns how to better utilize his numerous gifts and establish his built-in advantages. Jackson loves to throw his hands, so Jones never let him, lengthening his already ridiculous reach with a steady diet of kicks. How do you punch someone you can't reach? Answer: you can't.
MMA math is an inexact science, but you can project how Jones will perform against Rashad Evans. While Evans has a more varied game than Jackson and boasts more speed, he'll have to navigate the same problem with distance (Evans' reach is 75 inches, just two inches more than Jackson's).
At least Evans has had plenty of time to prepare. He's known he was facing the possibility of fighting Jones since August, and he probably thought about the fight long before that. He also has some feeling for things that make Jones uncomfortable, stemming from their brief history of training together.
Still, it's hard to shake the image of Jones completely outworking two all-time legends back to back. MMA analysis website FightMetric.com independently scores fights based on offensive striking and grappling. Against Rua, Jones won with an effectiveness score of 345-57. Against Jackson, it was 244-28. Even if you don't know exactly know what those numbers represent, the scores make it clear he's routing world-class fighters. Can Evans do any better? Well, we've never seen Jones fight a real grudge match, and that element can change a fight dynamic for better or worse. Whatever the answer, it's going to be fun to find out.
Jon Jones
The best kind of fight booking is when one fight leads seamlessly into the next. That's what we have here. We know Jones will next face Evans, we simply don't know when. He'll probably take a least a month or two off, and then the UFC can begin selling one of MMA's most genuine rivalries.
Prediction: Jones faces Evans in February.
Quinton Jackson
Regardless of the outcome, it was nice to see Jackson enter a fight in great shape and give himself the best chance of winning possible. Hopefully the trend continues. There are still several interesting matchups for him, but Jackson has his eye on one or two fights in particular.
Prediction: Jackson faces Forrest Griffin in the UFC's Japan event, expected for February 2012.
Matt Hughes
The two-time welterweight champion turns 38 years old in just a few weeks, and coming off two straight knockout losses, his time is running short. Hughes said he would ask the UFC to put him "on the shelf" while he considers his future, but we already know that his wife doesn't want him to fight any longer, and Saturday night's result will only reinforce her opinion. As anyone who's married knows, you might able to put your wife off for a while, but only for so long. This is probably the end for Mr. Hughes. Happy trails to the legend.
Prediction: Hughes calls it quits and stays involved with the UFC in an ambassador type role.
Josh Koscheck
It was a fantastic night for Koscheck after taking the fight on short notice. Now, he faces a bit of an issue. He's already faced division champion Georges St-Pierre twice, so as long as GSP holds the belt, Koscheck has no chance to get another title match. So his options are either to stay at 170 and continue winning while hoping that someone upsets St-Pierre, or moving up to 185, where he'll be at a serious size disadvantage.
Prediction: Koscheck loves making money, and the bigger, better matchups for him are still at 170. If Diego Sanchez heals in a timely fashion, he's the pick for a rematch, but if not, how about we send him to the UK to fight Dan Hardy? That sounds fun.
Mark Hunt
With all the hoopla following the Jones-Rampage-Rashad triangle and Matt Hughes' possible retirement, Mark Hunt's story got sort of lost. But once upon a time, the UFC tried to pay Hunt to stay home and cut ties. It would have been the easiest payday of his career, but he chose to make his money the old fashioned way. Now a surprising 2-1 in the UFC after beating heavily favored Ben Rothwell, Hunt adds future paydays, all well earned.
Prediction: In a battle of kickboxing specialists, Hunt faces Pat Barry in January.
Ben Rothwell
After more than a year on the sidelines, Rothwell has to be terribly disappointed at losing his return bout, but at least he fought through incredible exhaustion and refused to be finished. He'll certainly get another crack in the octagon, but he needs to make this one count.
Prediction: He faces the loser of next month's Joey Beltran-Stipe Miocic fight early next year.
Travis Browne
Browne didn't put on the showcase some expected against the durable Brit Rob Broughton, but in the fight game, you have to shrug off an ugly win every now and again. It should still be onward and upward for Browne, who has yet to face defeat in the cage. This time, let's forget booking the heavyweights in elevation and put him on flat land.
Prediction: Browne faces Brendan Schaub.
Nate Diaz
Diaz looks alternately spectacular (striking and jiu-jitsu) and ordinary (wrestling) depending on the opponent in front of him. Until he proves he can stop a takedown though, it's going to be difficult to project how far he can go. The talent is there, but that one hole needs to be shut, and in the lightweight division, wrestlers are around every corner.
Prediction: Diaz faces Jim Miller, a fight that would be off the charts on the intensity scale.
Takanori Gomi
Since coming over to the UFC, Gomi's had only one flash of his old brilliance when he knocked out Tyson Griffin in April 2010. After losing three of four, the UFC has to be wondering what exactly they have on their hands. Gomi may be a historical great, but right now he's not bringing the goods. I still think he'll get one more chance at a winnable fight when the UFC brings the show to Japan.
Prediction: Gomi faces Thiago Tavares.
Tim Boetsch
In his second fight since moving down to middleweight, The "Barbarian" again looked strong, giving Nick Ring his first loss. The middleweight division is among the weakest in the UFC, so Boetsch has a chance to make himself a player in short order. Next up should be another fighter riding a win streak.
Prediction: Boetsch faces Rousimar Palhares. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, prediction
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseNobody In The UFC Will Beat Jon Jones
Current champ different than his predecessors
I understand why people want to hold off on declaring this “The Jon Jones Era.”
After all, the last time someone deemed a period in the light heavyweight division an era, Mauricio Rua went and leg-kicked the hell out of it the very next fight. Regardless of the verdict in the first fight, Rua showed that Lyoto Machida’s place atop the division wasn’t as solid as originally believed.
If that wasn’t reason enough to put a hold on sculpting a statue to immortalize Jon Jones, the fact that he’s in possession of the championship version of a hot potato sure does the trick.
In beating Quinton Jackson on Saturday night, Jones has equaled “Rampage” and Machida for the most defenses of the light heavyweight championship in the last four years; one. The 205 pound strap has moved around a lot since Jackson successfully defended the title against Dan Henderson, with each subsequent champion looking poised to enjoy a lasting reign the night they claimed the belt.
Those are both very valid reasons for taking a breath before proclaiming Jones on the verge of an extended stay at the top of the most tumultuous division in the sport.
Personally, they don’t worry me in the least.
Through 15 fights, Jones has shown us no reason to doubt him; quite the opposite in fact. Each trip to the Octagon has been better than the last, his dominance even greater despite the level of competition increasing as well.
In his last two fights, Jones has systematically destroyed a pair of decorated superstars, fighters who excelled in both Pride and the UFC and stand as two of the best the light heavyweight division has ever produced.
Rua and Jackson were both thoroughly over-matched and completely outclassed, supreme talents made to look inferior by the young star who is quickly proving to be the next evolution in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Prior to picking apart and submitting Jackson at UFC 135, I wrote that Jones had “Greatest of All-Time Potential.” Saturday’s showing made me want to offer a revision: Jon Jones is going to end up being the greatest fighter of all-time.
I don’t see anyone beating Jones any time soon, and I’m usually the guy who can make a case for anyone getting beat.
His abilities inside the cage are second-to-none, and even if he stopped developing new weapons and honing new skills right now, he’d still be an absolute handful for everyone in the division. But that isn’t going to happen.
Jones isn’t going to suddenly switch off that drive to be great—stop training, stop studying footage of his opponents, and become predictable in the cage. He will continue to grow, literally and figuratively, sharpening his already impressive collection of tools and added new ones to his arsenal at the same time.
And it’s not like he’s been squeaking out wins and battling through great adversity to emerge victorious so far either.
Jones has thoroughly dominated everyone he’s faced, beginning with Andre Gusmao and continuing through Jackson Saturday night. He’s actually taking less damage now than he was in his early UFC fights, utilizing his length effectively and avoiding punishment.
Each of his last five wins have been finishes, something that stands in stark contrast to Machida during his climb to the top of the division. There haven’t been any “near miss” moments for Jones either.
He’s completely smashing guys, fighters who are going out and putting it on people the next time out most of the time. Vladimir Matyushenko has collected two wins in less than three minutes combined since losing to Jones, and “Shogun” just crushed Forrest Griffin in Rio. Neither came close to testing Jones; no one has.
Rashad Evans is next in line and viewed as the toughest test to date for the young champion, but each of his last several opponents have been as well, and we’ve seen how those fights turned out.
The rule in mixed martial arts is that everybody loses somewhere along the line, but there are exceptions to every rule.
While most are hedging their bets and waiting for the loss they feel is inevitably going to come, I think Jon Jones is the exception.
We’re bearing witness to greatness, even if most are not quite ready to believe it completely just yet.
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Read the full article at Heavy MMAJon Jones shares laugh with Quinton Jackson at post-fight presser
History has provided countless examples of how two individuals slugging it out can solve a personal problem between the two. Mixed Martial Arts is no different with intense rivalries often crumbling into shared sportsmanship and mutual respect after the actual fight has concluded. In certain cases the conflict may be manufactured but in others it is very, very real.
The latest example of this being the case took place last weekend at UFC 135 when light heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defended his belt against former title-holder Quinton Jackson. Though they may have feuded with each other during the build up to the bout with Jackson accusing Jones of spying on his camp being a prime example, in the end it appears they may have settled their differences and come away with a mutual admiration of each other.
“Rampage” Says He Has No Respect for Jones
“Jones, what the hell (were) you doing in the beginning of the first round,” Jackson asked with a smile on his face during a post-event press conference. “I thought you were trying to suck my toes or something.”
Among the people laughing from the query was Jones, who chuckled while responding, “I didn’t want to get hit with one of your bombs, man! I know you hit haaard. So I was like, ‘Lemme stay low.’ It was kind of like James Toney vs. Randy Couture how Randy shot in low. I was like, ‘This is our James Toney. I’m not about to get left hooked.’”
“And I was like, ‘What the hell is this kid doing,” Jackson chipped in. “I tried to knock his head off a couple of times.”
“Speaking of funk, I thought I could smell your feet,” Jones playfully retorted.
“Yeah, you had better watch out for that left foot. It’s got that fungus on there. I don’t know where it came from,” said Jackson with the entire room still laughing from the exchange.
“Do not hit me with that gangrene,” Jones exclaimed.
“Were you surprised by my wrestling though,” the Memphis native inquired.
“It wasn’t bad. I shot one shot and you stuffed me nice. I was like whoa,” Jones answered.
“That’s what she said,” Jackson quickly replied in homage to Michael Scott from The Office.
It’s impossible to tell if Jones and Jackson will ever become more than simply professional acquaintances but if they do, at least based on the friendly-fallout from UFC 135, fans may want to keep a lookout for them opening for Joe Rogan’s act shortly thereafter.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Read the full article at Fighters.comJon Jones: Rashad Evans “Not Even Close” to Having My Number
Moments after defending the UFC light heavyweight title for the first time over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 135, champion Jon Jones reluctantly turned his attention to his next challenger: former teammate-turned-rival Rashad Evans.
“I will say this about Rashad: He does not have my number,” Jones said (via MMAjunkie). “He’s not even close to having my number. We sparred a few times, and every time we sparred, I know what could have happened. He talks about one day at practice where he held me down, and he lives that day in his head everyday. So we’ll see.”
“Rampage,” who tapped to a rear naked choke early in the fourth-round after struggling to overcome Jones’ reach, praised Jones’ performance despite his pre-fight criticism, but sees Evans as the only contender with a chance to dethrone the 24-year-old.
“Straight up – I’m keeping it real – I thought he was all hype,” Jackson said (via MMAjunkie). “The kid is tough. He’s very talented. I thought I had his number, but I take my hat off to this guy. He’s good.
“I think Rashad is basically the only one that has a chance of beating [Jones] because Rashad trained with him before, so Rashad knows,” Jackson said when asked to evaluate Jones’ future as champ. “I don’t see anybody that can beat Jones, honestly. Rashad said he’s got his number though. That’s what he say. I don’t know. I’m looking forward to seeing that fight now.”
It is not yet known when Jones and Evans will square off, as Jones will likely need some time off to let his legs heal from his numerous kicks targeted at Jackson and Evans is recovering from a hand injury.
Check out MMAFrenzy’s complete coverage of UFC 135 by clicking here.
Pictured: Jon Jones
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Read the full article at MMA FrenzyReaction from the Action: “UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage”
UFC 135 saw the UFC finally return to where it all began. The UFC has grown leaps and bounds since the first UFC event in Denver back in November of 1993. There were probably as many UFC employees and media covering UFC 135 as there were in total attendance for UFC 1.
But not only has the popularity of the sport grown immensely, the talent is just as noticeable of a change. That was no more obvious than the main event, as Jon Jones defended his Light Heavyweight Championship against Rampage Jackson.
Few athletes define a generation, and Jones is doing just that as I type this. With just four years of mixed martial arts training, Jones has reached the pinnacle of his craft. What takes other fighters years and years of work, he has achieved in months. Eight months ago, Jones was not even the number one contender in his weight class. Three fights later, he is seen as one of the top fighters in the world, regardless of weight class.
To put it simply, he outclassed Jackson in every facet of the fight. No, it was not as physically dominant of a performance as his championship winning performance against Shogun Rua in March at UFC 128. But Jones did not have to be as dominant. He knew going in he held every advantage over Rampage. Most specifically, an enormous 11.5 inch reach advantage. That negated Rampage’s one glaring strength over Jones, his boxing.
From the opening bell, Jones looked calm and confident, as if he knew the outcome of the fight before he even stepped into the octagon.
That is not to take anything away from Rampage. His defense was the best it has ever been since joining the UFC. He moved very well, and defended nearly all of Jones’ unpredictable strikes and positions. He was even able to reverse Jones while he was in full mount.
Yet even with the months of training and, according to Rampage himself, the “best Rampage we’ve ever seen”, it was still not enough.
Much like Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre and their dominance in their respective weight classes, the question that will be asked most frequently will be who CAN, not who will defeat Jones. This has been a question that has never been uttered before at the most competitive division in UFC history.
Biggest Winner: Nate Diaz
Yes, I know winning his first title defense is huge for Jones. But don’t let that take anything away from Diaz and his dominating performance against Takanori Gomi in his return to the lightweight division. The welterweight division contains guys that are much bigger than Diaz. That much was obvious in bouts against Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald. But Diaz can hold his own against anyone that is willing to stand with him. Even if it is taken to the ground, Diaz has a strong submission game that is always a threat. He holds wins over top contenders at 155, including Melvin Guillard. He also defeated Gray Maynard while on The Ultimate Fighter season five, and it could be argued he defeated Maynard in their rematch in January 2010. Diaz’ striking accuracy against Gomi was one of the best performances of the year.
Biggest Loser: Ben Rothwell
Wow, that was ugly. No, I’m not talking about the cut on Rothwell’s forehead. I understand it his first fight in over a year, but Rothwell looked dead after the second round. He had to be carried to his corner by his cornermen. That is never a good sign after the end of the third round, let alone a fight that isn’t even finished.
Rothwell held a distinct advantage over Mark Hunt on the ground, yet he never threatened him there. In fact, it was Hunt that was doing the most damage there, attempting an armbar at the end of the first round. Some of the fatigue can be attributed to the attitude of Denver, along with his long layoff, but those excuses will not be valid in consecutive fights.
Biggest Question: Will Matt Hughes Retire?
The answer to this should be yes. Yes to will he, and yes to should he. Hughes is a legend of the sport; a two time welterweight champion holding wins over both Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn (both finishes), and he is a UFC Hall of Fame inductee.
With that, at 37 years old, there just is not much left for Hughes to do. It is obvious he still enjoys the build up to the fight, the training, and the fight itself. But there is a point where you have to say enough is enough. Can he still fight? Absolutely. He displayed crisp striking against Koscheck for the better part of the first round. But he is nowhere near an opportunity for the title, and he is now on a two fight loss streak.
Continuing a distinguished career at his age, especially with his wife admitting she no longer wants him to continue, does not seem to be the best option for him and his family.
Future Matchups:
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Perhaps we will actually see this one take place. We have gone through the drama of both training at Jackson’s camp in New Mexico. We have gone through the drama of whether Jones lied about a hand injury that forced him to withdraw from a bout that had not yet been scheduled. Now hopefully we can get on to what is important. Ya know, the fight.
Rampage Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin II: UFC 86 brought us one of the best fights in UFC history, as Griffin narrowly outpointed Jackson to become the Light Heavyweight Champion. Jackson hated the decision then and he hates the decision now. Both are coming off a loss, and are nearing the end of their esteemed careers. Jackson mentioned a rematch with Shogun Rua when the UFC returns to Japan in February. However, Rua has a scheduled fight with Dan Henderson in November at UFC 139. That bout is currently scheduled as a number one contender bout. Jackson is best served by getting back into training as soon as he can, as opposed to long layoffs like he endured prior to fighting Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin
Josh Koscheck vs. Jake Ellenberger: Ellenberger looked great in the brief time he was in the octagon against Jake Shields earlier this month. He is arguably one or two fights away from an opportunity to fight for the title. Koscheck will not get another chance against Georges St. Pierre as long as he holds the title. He’s hinted at fighting at 185, but that does not seem to be the right move there, since he would be too small for the bigger middleweights. Koscheck can still prove as a test for the true contenders at 170, and he can still get plenty of big name fights at welterweight.
Mark Hunt vs. Brendan Schaub: Hunt was quite impressive against Rothwell, even though he was not able to knock out the exhausted Wisconsin native. Dana White praised Hunt multiple times after the performance. He clearly wants to continue fighting, and always shows up with a great chance to win with power he possesses. Schaub is coming off a loss to Minotauro Nogueira at UFC 134. He still has time to return to a top prospect, and Hunt would be more than willing to test Schaub, and continue Schaub’s Legends tour, having already fought Mirko Cro Cop, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Nogueira.
Nate Diaz vs. Anthony Pettis/Jeremy Stephens winner: Diaz can feasibly contend at lightweight. It seems as long as he stays away from wrestlers, he has enough tools to defeat anyone who is put in front of him. Well, there is a problem with that. The division is dominated by top wrestlers like Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. But at 155, he certainly holds a better chance at contending than at 170. Both Pettis and Stephens would provide the aggression and entertainment that Diaz always wants in an opponent.
Check out MMAFrenzy’s complete coverage of UFC 135 by clicking here.
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Read the full article at MMA FrenzyThe Scorecard – UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage
The Scorecard hits the highs and lows of the latest big event offering in MMA. Points are assigned completely at random but stay between ten and negative ten because I hate math.
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage is in the books. I’d like to thank God for today’s column and how great it is. Now, lets go to the scorecards:
*Was I the only person whose ears were blown out at the start of the Facebook prelims due to a loud, long beep? MINUS THREE.
*James Te-Huna using the uppercut to defend the takedowns. It’s really not used enough in MMA. PLUS SEVEN.
*Ricardo Romero not setting up his takedowns and offering nothing up on the feet. It’s 2011 son. Get with the program. MINUS FIVE.
*Romero moaning like he was in an adult film was not a good look. Especially since Tori Black wasn’t under him or anything. MINUS THREE.
*Cole Escovedo using “Won’t Back Down” by Eminem as his walk-out song. Anytime someone walks out to a Eminem song, I automatically become a fan of them. PLUS TWO.
*The Japanese guy in Takeya Mizugaki’s corner. I’m not sure if Keith Florian learned how to speak Japanese, but man that dude was loud. MINUS ONE.
*A nice try by Escovedo with the jumping triangle. It didn’t work, but I give him credit for going for it. PLUS THREE.
*Mizugaki’s striking, mainly the left hook to the body. He was swinging and connecting with almost everything he threw. PLUS SIX.
*Just let go of the plum clinch Escovedo. If you have the plum but you’re eating more strikes than you’re throwing, it’s probably not working out too well for you. MINUS FOUR.
*Eddie Yagin coming out with a Denver Broncos jersey. You’re in the Pepsi Center fool, bring out a Colorado Avalanche or Denver Nuggets jersey. The Broncos play at the Stadium Formerly Known as Mile High. MINUS ONE.
*Tim Tebow is more active on Sunday than Yagin was in his fight. MINUS TWO for Yagin. PLUS THREE for my joke.
*Junior Assuncao, emulating the stance of some of the best Brazilian fighters ever is cool if you’re actually doing something on your feet. MINUS ONE.
*Every new title fight seems to be, “The biggest fight in division history” to Mike Goldberg. You wanna know the biggest fight in light heavyweight history? Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz 2. That’s it. That’s the list. MINUS ONE.
*”The Promise” Ring. Every time Nick Ring fights, I’m docking the card points just for his nickname. MINUS ONE.
*Tim Boetsch finally has a new highlight to add to his reel. They always show his throw and finish from UFC 81, now he has the throw from the third round against Ring to put in video packages. PLUS EIGHT.
*I love it when Joe Rogan throws out random techniques. I’d never heard of “the baby arm” until Rogan mentioned it during Boetsch vs. Ring, but it sounds like a pretty sweet move. PLUS FOUR.
*Aaron Riley is a tough guy, but he’s becoming the Ultimate Fighter whipping boy. First Ross Pearson, now Tony Ferguson. MINUS TWO.
*Ferguson’s power is outstanding. He’s in a very tough weight class, but if his takedown defense is where it needs to be, he can stand with anyone. PLUS FIVE.
*Can we get Goldberg a book of adjectives to describe the ring girls? Chandella is lovely, Arianny is beautiful. Get a dictionary Goldie. MINUS FOUR.
*On the subject of ring girls, I’m docking UFC points until they hire a blonde ring girl. And I’m going to implore them to bring back Chrissy Blair, the guest ring girl from UFC 133. MINUS FOUR.
*YELL DANA AND JOE! YELL AT ME! PLUS FIVE.
*I guess they still don’t have any highlights of Ben Rothwell because he failed to make the “Into Pieces” intro. PLUS TWO.
*”He throws punches like he’s throwing a fastball.” That was a shout out to Samer Kadi from Rogan. PLUS THREE.
*Hey Takanori Gomi, it would have been nice if you showed up. MINUS THREE.
*Nate Diaz used his reach effectively and stayed out of a wild brawl with Gomi. Smart move. PLUS FIVE.
*I love how active Diaz is off his back. PLUS FIVE.
*Nate finished off Gomi quicker than his brother. PLUS THREE.
*Extra points for Diaz because he wished Jake Shields and his family well. PLUS TWO.
*I have to dock points for Diaz saying that his brother is the best fighter in the world though. MINUS ONE.
*I’m not even going to talk about Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton. The fight was boring. MINUS FIVE
*And seriously, they put that fight on PPV over Mizugaki vs. Escovedo. Shame on you UFC. MINUS TWO.
*Mark Hunt coming out to “I Need A Doctor” by Eminem and Dr. Dre. Awesome. PLUS TWO.
*Ben Rothwell coming out to that song by Nickelback that WWE Raw uses as their theme. Lame. MINUS TWO.
*HUNT WENT FOR AN ARMBAR! PLUS TEN.
*Shame on that referee for standing up Hunt when he had side control. MINUS FOUR.
*Good on Rogan for calling that ref out for the stand up. PLUS SIX.
*The Rothwell vs. Hunt fight was terrible, but because Hunt won, I have to say it was a pretty great fight. PLUS FIVE.
*Extra points just for Rothwell losing. PLUS THREE.
*UFC should never put heavyweights on an event taking place in high altitude. MINUS TWO.
*And again, this fight was on the PPV card over Mizugaki vs. Escovedo. MINUS TWO.
*You would think Goldberg would know the show that Rob Dyrdek is on, but I guess not. MINUS ONE.
*I think there was only one mid-fight small corner promo for this Saturday’s UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson event. You would think UFC would promote the card a bit seeing as there’s a title fight and everything. MINUS THREE.
*COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE! Still the best walk out music in MMA. PLUS TEN.
*Seeing Pat Miletich back in the corner of Matt Hughes was pretty awesome. PLUS FIVE.
*We’ll call it cage rust for Josh Koscheck, who got hit way more times than he should have been hit by Hughes and was way too tentative to start the fight. MINUS ONE.
*A shame Hughes couldn’t survive until the end of the round. He was doing fairly well but Koscheck just had too much power for him. EVEN.
*Who really though Hughes could stuff the takedown of Koscheck? Of course you didn’t. PLUS EIGHT.
*Koscheck’s killer instinct is really underrated. When he has a guy hurt, he finishes them. PLUS FIVE.
*I hope Hughes calls it a career but wasn’t shocked that he didn’t make the decision in the cage right after the fight. EVEN.
*Any time they show Liddell on PPV, you know I’m giving them points. PLUS THREE.
*Goldberg tried to plug Gears of War 3, but Gears or War 3 plugs itself. PLUS TWO.
*Goldberg and Rogan were verbally blowing Liddell during Quinton Jackson’s walk out. I was fine with this. PLUS FOUR.
*Of course Rogan had to ruin that by giving a shout out like he was calling into Shade45 or something. MINUS TWO.
*Jon Jones might have the worst walk-out mash up of all-time. Ok, that honor still belongs to Lyoto Machida, but Jones’ 50 Cent to P. Diddy song is pretty bad. MINUS TWO.
*So Jones would look Quinton in the eyes during the weigh-in staredown but not during the fight staredown? Make up your mind. MINUS ONE.
*It took someone five years, but Jones finally took the advice Rich Franklin gave to Matt Serra on The Ultimate Fighter 4 and started the fight from his knees. More or less. PLUS FOUR.
*I absolutely hate the front kick to the knee. It’s going to hyperextend someone’s knee sooner or later and then it’ll be banned. Just go ahead and ban it now. MINUS SEVEN.
*I’m sure Jackson was in great shape. He didn’t seem all that gassed out despite taking a beating. But being in great shape and actually bringing something new to the table are two different things. Jackson can be ready to fight for 100 rounds, but if he’s not going to change things up in the slightest, it doesn’t really matter. MINUS FIVE.
*And seriously, after what Forrest Griffin did to you, you still aren’t checking kicks? MINUS THREE.
*Pretty lame move by Jones to dump Jackson off of him after the bell. MINUS THREE.
*Jones is starting to use his reach with his legs. When this kid develops a jab, he’s going to be even tougher to beat. PLUS FOUR.
*Jones wanted to show off his power in this fight. So he submitted Jackson. MINUS TWO.
*To Jones’ credit though, his submission game improves in every fight. He not only threatened with the guillotine a number of times to stifle Jackson, he became the first man to submit Jackson since Kazushi Sakuraba over ten years ago. PLUS SIX.
*More points just because of how dominant Jones was. PLUS SIX.
*Classy post-fight speech from Jackson. No excuses, put Jones over huge. For the all crap Jackson gets for his pre-fight banter, he’s always humble in his post-fight interviews. PLUS FIVE.
*Really Jon, Rashad Evans ruined your moment again? You know what ruined your moment? You even bringing that up. And lets be honest, it was UFC’s call to allow Evans into the cage. So blame them, not Rashad, for ruining your moment. MINUS FIVE.
*Extra points based on my enjoyment of the event. PLUS FIVE.
Final Score: 68
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC 135 bonuses: Koscheck, Diaz, Jones and Jackson earn $75K fighter awards (MMAJunkie.com)
DENVER – Josh Koscheck, Nate Diaz, Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson each earned $75,000...
Posted in: diaz, jone, jackson, jon jones, nate diaz
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsFalling Action: Best and Worst of UFC 135
Filed under: UFCIn the UFC 135 pre-fight press conference UFC president Dana White said he could tell the Jones-Jackson main event was a "breakthrough fight" because of all the celebrities who were willing to fly to Denver -- Denver, of all places! -- just to see it.
I'm not saying that's not true, but I am saying that maybe you don't want to spit out the name of the host city like you can't believe any famous people would be willing to go there. Denver's actually a pretty great city -- one with pro sports teams and all that jazz. Maybe the nightclubs don't stay open as long as the David Spade types would like, but the fact that they might be willing to make the flight anyway is maybe not as important to John Q. Fight Fan as it is to White. Like any main event, it's a big deal because it's a good fight, not the other way around.
But now that another UFC event is in the books and the dust has settled on the tiny, godforsaken hamlet of Denver, it's time again to sort through the biggest winners, losers, and everything in between.
Biggest Winner: Jon Jones
No surprise here. The champ defended his belt in dominant fashion, showing that he could do just about anything he felt like to 'Rampage' Jackson. Crawling around on all fours? Sure. Tossing Jackson over his back after the end of a round? Why not. Jackson could hardly lay a glove on Jones until he went to pat him on the shoulder and give him his respect after it was all over. The scary thing is he's only 24 years old. If I were a light heavyweight in the UFC, I'd either want to fight him right away, before he has a chance to get any better, or else much further in the future, after stardom may have taken its toll on him. If you get him somewhere in the middle, as Rashad Evans probably will, it could be big trouble. Now that the mere mention of Evans' name seems to upset Jones, psychological warfare could be "Suga's" best hope against the champ.
Biggest Loser: Takanori Gomi
Not only did he lose his second straight fight and his third in four UFC attempts, but he got absolutely throttled by Nate Diaz. In a lot of ways it was reminiscent of his loss to Nick Diaz, only without the brief period of effective offense in the beginning (or, hopefully, the eye-popping drug test results later). It's hard not to wonder where this leaves the 33-year-old Gomi. His UFC run has been a disappointment and it's starting to look like his Pride glory days were as good as it's ever going to get for him. The UFC may or may not keep him around just long enough to fight in the Tokyo event, but he doesn't seem to have much of a long-term future in the UFC. It's a shame, but it's not terribly surprising. The game has changed a lot since 2005, and very few fighters have managed to successfully change with it all the way into the present.
Most Improved: Mark Hunt
I'm not sure when Hunt learned to wrestle, but it must have been very, very recently. He didn't just escape the mount and stuff a couple of Ben Rothwell's takedowns, he even got a couple double-legs of his own. Who saw that coming? I've heard some people grumbling about his cardio down the stretch, but after hitting Rothwell with everything but a paternity suit, I don't blame him for being tired. I'm a little amazed that Rothwell took so many bombs from the heavy-handed Hunt, but I'm even more amazed at Hunt's overall improvement as a fighter in the last year. You factor in the feel-good story about him turning down a UFC payoff for a chance to earn a spot on the roster, and you've got a heavyweight who's very quietly earned the admiration and respect of his peers.
Best Worst Use of Ambiguous Phrasing: Matt Hughes
He's not retiring. No way. He just wants to be put on the shelf, whatever that means for a nearly 38-year-old ex-champion. Dana White's known Hughes for a long time, so I'm inclined to go with his translation: Hughes just can't bring himself to say the word 'retirement,' even after his second straight first-round knockout loss. You don't ask to be put on the shelf if you're dying to fight soon. And if you're not trying to squeeze a couple more fights in before Father Time does even more of a number on you, doesn't that mean you're basically easing into retirement like a senior citizen into a water aerobics class? Probably, yeah. And that's okay. If Hughes doesn't want to say the words, he doesn't have to. Not right now, anyway. But six months from now when he dozes off in a recliner while watching a fishing show in the middle of the day, that's when it's going to hit him: my God, this is what retired people do. Maybe by then it won't seem so bad.
Most Impressive in Defeat: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
It might have been hard to tell while he was standing in the cage with Jones, but Jackson hasn't looked that good for a couple years. We've seen many different versions of 'Rampage' over the course of his career, from the hungry, driven one to the plodding, barely interested variety. This time he moved well, was in excellent shape, and stayed in attack mode even when Jones was sticking him at will. It's just a shame that it took a huge title fight to bring out that level of interest in him, and that it did him little good against an opponent as talented as Jones. But look on the bright side: maybe this will show Jackson how good he can be when he puts forth the effort. He says he wants 'Shogun' Rua in Japan, even though Rua already has a date with Dan Henderson coming up. But the mere fact that he's asking for specific names and locations for his next fight at least tells us that he's interested in MMA again. Let's hope that lasts.
Least Impressive in Victory: Travis Browne
By the third round of his heavyweight tilt with Rob Broughton, Browne was content to get the top position and move only as much as was absolutely necessary in order to stay there. He already had the decision locked up, plus he was pretty tuckered out, so there was some logic to it all. That's cool -- and, hey, it's better to win a fight like that than lose it -- but it doesn't exactly propel you up the heavyweight ranks. Browne's knockout wins over Stefan Struve and James McSweeney have established his bona fides as an action fighter, so what gives? Maybe he ran out of gas or simply felt like he had to play it safe against Broughton, but either way this wasn't exactly one for the highlight reel.
Most Surprising: Takeya Mizugaki
Judging by pre and post-fight appearances alone, I don't know if anyone at UFC 135 enjoyed themselves as much as Mizugaki. I guess it helps when you win your fight, especially via dominating second-round TKO. Oddsmakers gave Mizugaki the slight edge coming into the fight, but he had Escovedo's number early and managed to strike a perfect balance between recklessness and strategic aggression. Good thing too, since Mizugaki needed that win. It was the first time he's finished a fight since 2008 and his most impressive performance yet in the UFC. Plus he just seemed to be having so much fun, and who doesn't like to see that?
Biggest Matchmaking Headache: Josh Koscheck
Koscheck may very well be the second-best welterweight in the UFC, but there is absolutely zero interest in seeing him fight Georges St-Pierre a third time, so what now? He's open to a temporary move to middleweight for the sake of a just-for-the-hell-of-it fight with Chris Leben, and maybe that's the best thing the UFC can do with him. But once that's over you still have a guy who's probably too small to make a run at middleweight, but will only knock off potential contenders if you leave him at welterweight. The good news is that, with his abrasive personality and willingness to alienate people, Koscheck can always talk himself into new rivalries. And who knows, maybe he can tread water that way until GSP eventually moves up to middleweight and it's open season in the UFC's 170-pound class again. You know he can't be the only fighter waiting for that day to come. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
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Read the full article at AOL FanhouseDana White Says He Will Work To Get 'Rampage' Jackson On Japan Card
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Read the full article at RedditUFC 135: Payout Perspective
Welcome to another edition of Payout Perspective. In the main event, Jon Jones defeated Quentin “Rampage” Jackson to retain the Light Heavyweight title.
Jones stops Rampage
Jon Jones handled Rampage Jackson to retain his Light Heavyweight title. Its becoming apparent that Jones’ length is his greatest attribute. Jackson looked motivated, in shape and had the correct game plan to deal with Jones. However, Jones was ready for Jackson and it was apparent that Jones could do whatever he wanted with Jackson. The 3rd round after the bell throw of Jackson and eventual choke served as notice that Jones is hear to stay.
As for Jackson, it was weird for a loser of a bout to call out someone else. But, Rampage vs. Shogun Rua would help a UFC Japan card that has its share of skeptics.
Kos KOs Hughes
The fight was entertaining until the last few seconds of the first round when Koscheck poured it on and KO’d Hughes. For Hughes, the KO is the second of its kind as BJ Penn did the same to him last year. Its hard to say if Hughes will or should retire, but for a Hall of Famer to be knocked unconscious like that is not good for a legacy. For Koscheck, it was a nice return from December’s injury. The win should put him back into the middleweight title picture.
Attendance and Gate
Although not verified by the Colorado state athletic commission, Dana White announced the attendance at the Pepsi Center as 16,344 for a gate of $2 million. (h/t MMA Junkie)
Bonuses
MMA Junkie reports that the following fighters were awarded $75,000 each for their fights.
Fight of the Night – Jones vs. Jackson
KO of the Night – Koscheck
Submission of the Night – Nate Diaz
Diaz displayed his jiu jitsu proficiency in submitting Takanori Gomi. It was a textbook transition. Hopefully, in a push for an exciting fight, the UFC does not stray from its roots.
Promotion of the Fight
UFC Fight Night 25 featured a Jones-Rampage head to head debate. The same was done on ESPN. I have to say I am not a fan of these head to head debates. I know its supposed to draw heat but it seems forced.
More and more, UFC fighters are getting their chance on late night television. Jones and Rampage on Jimmy Kimmel to sell the fight.
It was a little weird to see the two sitting so comfortably close to each other and sharing their couch with Dr. Phil.
Press Conference
The Jones-Rampage press conference had its share of funny moments. The best being the picture of Rampage clowning Jon Jones’ “stare into the distance” when they both did the staredown at the initial press conference.
The drama of the alleged “spy” in Rampage’s camp brought some intrigue to the matchup. But, most people were interested in the matchup regardless of the “spy”.
Sponsorships
MMA Elite, Harley Davidson, MMA Authentics, Edge, Musclepharm, Xyience, Toyo Tires were all in the Octagon with Bud Light taking the center again. Video game Gears of War3 (for XBox 360) signage was also present in the Octagon. It also was the presenting sponsor for UFC 135. Noticeably a lot of different sponsors in the Octagon this time around.
Musclepharm – Not only did it announce its new partnership with the UFC earlier in the week, but its gym was featured during the UFC Countdown show as Rampage trained for the fight there. It also was the spot where Rampage discovered the “spy” from the Jones camp. Notwithstanding the implication that a MP exec was a spy, it was a good week of activation for MP. The MP gym was adorned with its memorable logo.
The US Marines maintained its Keys to Victory segment featuring Koscheck and Hughes.
FighterxFashion has a good rundown of the walk out wear from UFC 135 including Rampage “chains”. Just in time for Halloween…or your next street fight (j/k, I hope).
Interesting that Jon Jones did not have any special brand activation with any of his sponsors. If I missed it, let me know.
Odds and ends
- The high altitude coupled with the Heavyweight match-ups lead to two matches that slowed down considerably as the match progressed. Maybe some booking info to learn from in the future.
- Whenever Rashard Evans steps into the Octagon with a suit, he receives boos. It reminds me a little of Ric Flair. The pinstripes did add to the “heel” status he received last night. Notwithstanding, it was a little awkward for Evans after the stare-down with Jones since it looked like he wanted to leave but Rampage was still in the Octagon. It was like he was trapped a bit. It was a good spot but
- Don’t mean to talk about pro wrestling too much, but did Ben Rothwell come out to the Monday Night Raw theme?
- Did anyone notice Rampage’s corner-man whisper in his ear prior to his Rogan post-fight interview. It was like he reminded him to challenge Shogun in Japan.
Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jone, jackson
Read the full article at MMA PayoutWith his dominant submission win over Quinton Jackson at UFC 135, light heavyweight champion Jon...
With his dominant submission win over Quinton Jackson at UFC 135, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, 24, is arguably the best fighter in the sport today. Agree or disagree? Read one of those arguments here.
Posted in: jackson, submission, champion, quinton jackson, sport today
Read the full article at MMA ManiaQuinton Jackson thinks Rashad Evans is Jon Jones’ only real obstacle
If Quinton Jackson didn’t respect UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones before they met in the Octagon Saturday night he most certainly does now. “Rampage” became the dynamic 24-year old’s latest victim after struggling to handle his reach for most of their headlining bout at UFC 135 before finally getting submitted in the fourth round.
Jackson discussed the fight at the post-event press conference where he said he got “desperate” at times and explained that the only real challenge Jones will face at 205-pounds is former teammate Rashad Evans.
“I was very confident (but) a couple of times I was getting kind of desperate,” the former PRIDE fighter began. “I wasn’t sticking to my gameplan like I trained to do. It was frustrating me…Jon’s presence, his reach and stuff, was really hard to deal with. I had guys taller than Jon doing the same thing, sparring with them, but I guess it’s different when you’re sparring and in an actual real fight. So I was getting kind of desperate in there.”
“Rampage” Discusses Strategy Entering Bout with Jones
When the subject turned to what Jones’ future may hold in terms of potential roadblocks on his path to all-time great status, Jackson pointed towards the next scrap scheduled for the 14-1 title-holder.
“I think Rashad is the only person, basically, who has a chance to beat him since Rashad trained with him before,” said Jackson. “So other than Rashad I don’t see anybody beating this kid, straight up. I thought he was all hype. I’m keeping it real here. The kid is tough. He’s very talented.”
“I take my hat off to (Jones). He’s good,” he concluded.
No date has been set for Jones vs. Evans. “Suga” ‘Shad is 16-1-1 and solidified his shot at UFC gold with three consecutive wins over Jackson, Thiago Silva, and most recently Tito Ortiz at UFC 133. Though both used to call Greg Jackson’s gym in New Mexico home, the Ultimate Fighter 2 winner left the camp after Jones openly stated a willingness to fight him and their red-hot rivalry was thereby born.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, quinton jackson, rashad
Read the full article at Fighters.comThe Pick ‘Em Showdown – 5 OZ vs. Fightlinker Fallout
Astute readers and avid followers may have picked up on this past weekend’s bet between Five Ounces of Pain and Fightlinker, our brothers from the Rebellion Media mother, involving UFC 135 picks.
Now that the event has come and gone the points have been tallied up and the punishment for losing “The Pick ‘Em Showdown” has been dished out. Though a valiant battle, in the end it was Fightlinker who emerged with the brass ring and 5 OZ’s Jeremy Lambert who walked away with a glass bottle.
Though Fightlinker nearly ran away with the contest based on a plethora of pick-based pushes and their decision to select Nate Diaz over Takanori Gomi, Mark Hunt’s upset outing over Ben Rothwell evened the score up late bringing things down to the evening’s title tilt. The crucial moment in the match-up came with Fightlinker’s pick of Jon Jones submitting Quinton “Rampage” Jackson rather than stopping him with strikes. As a result of the manner of his success rather than the actual performance itself, the orange-and-black took the prize in a photo-finish win.
Five Ounces of Pain would like to point out that a freshly released 5 OZ writer who was recently seen at a club with Fightlinker’s editor was rumored to be texting with Jones moments before the champ headed to the Octagon to defend his belt. Clearly, some sort of impropriety has occurred and we’ll say it – there was a spy in our camp. As such, the bet has been called off and Jeremy will not have to pour a beer on his head as a result of losing.
In retrospect, we probably should have told him that before writing this post. Oops?
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Posted in: jone, jackson, showdown, oz, fightlinker
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainShowdown on UFC: Legend in the making
With his win over Rampage Jackson, Jon Jones solidified his place as one of the best in the UFC.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson
Read the full article at sportsnet.caThis week on UFC Connected
We look back at UFC 135 from Denver, Colorado where light heavyweight champion Jon (Bones) Jones dominated former champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, week, champion, champion quinton
Read the full article at sportsnet.caOn this week's UFC Connected
We look back at UFC 135 from Denver, Colorado where light heavyweight champion Jon (Bones) Jones dominated former champion Quinton (Rampage) Jackson.
Posted in: ufc, jackson, week, champion, champion quinton
Read the full article at sportsnet.caUFC 135 results recap: Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson fight review and analysis
Well they say you aren't truly a champion until you defend your title.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones did more than that last night (September 24, 2011) in an absolute four round destruction of former titleholder Quinton Jackson in the main event of UFC 135.
This wasn't the out of shape movie star "Rampage" either. This was Jackson at his absolute best after training for two-plus months exclusively in elevation.
And he didn't stand a chance.
So how did Jones mystify the heavy-hitting UFC and Pride veteran and stop Jackson for the first time in his UFC career? The answer lies inside.
Jones baffled Jackson early, pressing him against the fence and pounding on him with short knees. After they separated, he really utilized his range to absolute perfection, blasting the former champion with jabs, front kicks and side kicks.
"Bones" particularly attacked Jackson's legs, nailing him with leg kicks and kicks to the front of the knee, which may have put some fear into "Rampage." Jackson repeatedly looked frustrated, even voicing his displeasure to the referee and losing his focus on the task at hand.
Because the Greg Jackson-trained champion was able to utilize his reach so well, it made nearly all of Jackson's attacks look sloppy and wild.
Notice here in the third round how Jackson is so far away that his huge looping hook completely falls short and out of frustration he dives forward with a 1-2 hook combination that is so wild and aggressive that he crashes into the fence.
Jones' distance gave him more than enough notice to duck and spin out of the way of an incredibly heavy attack that may have hurt someone with a lesser reach.
If the Wolfslair fighter did anything well, it was his takedown defense. He was able to pummel under and sprawl very effectively in the first three rounds and the one time he was taken down, he scrambled free from a dangerous position in which Jones had him in full mount.
Even Jackson's vaunted takedown defense betrayed him in round four when Jones wrapped up his neck and basically leveraged him to the canvas with brute force.
When Jackson attempted to scramble to his feet, Jones took his back and baited him badly with his right arm. Watch how he keeps his right arm threaded under Jackson's right armpit. As "Rampage's" attention is focused on that arm, Jones stealthily slips his left arm under Jackson's exposed neck.
Jones quickly puts his second hook in and rolls Jackson over.
When he tightens the choke with the palm-to-palm grip, Jackson is forced to tap or risk going unconcious in front of millions of people.
For Quinton Jackson, there's not much to say about this performance. He showed up in terrific shape but he could never get comfortable against Jones. He had to worry about takedowns with every strike he threw all-the-while getting punched and kicked in the face as well as absorbing leg and knee kicks. He never once got in the proper range to land his powerful counter left hook and the story of the fight could be told on Jon Jones' unblemished face.
"Rampage" called out Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, the former UFC champion and a man who had previously been the last fighter to stop Jackson back in Pride. That would be an interesting fight, but Rua has to face Dan Henderson first. The only way that fight gets made is if Rua loses to Henderson.
If the UFC really hates Forrest Griffin right now, that's another fight that could be a possibility. Jackson has campaigned for a rematch with Griffin in the past. If Joe Silva wants to get creative with his matchmaking and if Strikeforce is dead at the beginning of 2012, perhaps they could book a fight against another hated rival, Muhammed Lawal.
For Jon Jones, that was a performance that was near perfection. He utilized his range perhaps better than any fighter has ever done. He kept Jackson at bay with a vast array of kicks and his tremendously long jab. Even when he came inside with aggressive power strikes or elbow attacks, "Bones" would immediately clinch to avoid staying inside Jackson's range. He never gave the former champion an opportunity to be effective.
Up next for the champion will be his former teammate and current rival "Suga" Rashad Evans, who has twice now stared Jones down after his title victories. Evans earned his title shot with a dominant stoppage of Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 this past August and Jones is not happy with him, stating he's "ruined his night" on both occasions that he's celebrated his title fight victories.
The build-up to that fight should be incredible.
So what do you think Maniacs?
Were you impressed by the clinic Jon Jones put on the former UFC light heavyweight champion? Was there anything "Rampage" could have done differently to create a different outcome?
Sound off!
All gifs by Zombie Prophet via IronForgesIron.com.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, champion
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 135 video: Rampage Jackson has no excuses, admits Jon Jones kicked his ass
Quinton Jackson talks about what went wrong in his fight against Jon Jones in the UFC 135 main event that took place last night at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. "Rampage" admits that he was hesitant and unable to get to "Bones" the way he had anticipated in training. He offers no excuses, however, even saying that Jones is the Anderson Silva of the 205-pound division. For a detailed recap of the fight between Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson click here.
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, jon jones, pepsi center
Read the full article at MMA ManiaHumble in UFC 135 defeat, 'Rampage' Jackson hopes for 'Shogun' Rua in Japan
DENVER - For former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, there are no excuses.
He admits that he was as ready as ever for a UFC 135 contest with UFC
champ Jon Jones, but "Bones" simply proved the better man with a
fourth-round submission victory.
So now, it's time to move on. Well, at least past Jones. For his next
move, Jackson would like to meet an old friend in a familiar setting.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jone, jackson, move
Read the full article at MMA JunkieUFC 135 results recap from last night for 'Jones vs Rampage' in Denver
Back on Nov. 12, 1993, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was born with its inaugural event, aptly-named "The Beginning," which emanated from the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Tonight, the promotion returned to the "Mile High City" with UFC 135: "Jones vs. Rampage," which took place from the Pepsi Center.
And the pay-per-view (PPV), appropriately, marked another new "beginning."
Ladies and gentleman, meet UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. He is here to stay, whether you like it or not, for a very long time. Get used to it. He is indeed the real deal.
Just ask Quinton Jackson.
Jones, 24, and Jackson, 33, collided on the main event of the evening, pitting the present against the past. New guard vs. the Old. Speed vs. Power. Youth vs. Experience. Whatever it was branded prior to the 205-pound championship showdown now doesn't mean zip because Jones completely outclassed Jackson, a well-respected, formidable former champion, for more than three rounds.
And he looked amazing in the process.
Jones pulled out all the stops, including hyper-extedning knee sidekicks, spinning back elbows and leg kicks, head kicks, front kicks, switch kicks, flying knees, jabs, upper cuts, hooks and even a few other flashy things that would make Steven Seagal sit up and spit.
Jackson, who even after the fight was over via fourth round submission (rear naked choke) maintained that he was in the best shape ever, had absolutely zero answers to derail the "Bones" hype train. In fact, he played a dangerous game of chicken all night long, refusing to get off the tracks, and paid the ultimate price.
His corner pleaded with Jackson to find his range and close the distance, but it just seemed impossible given the ridiculous reach and superior skills of the incumbent champion. Jones basically fought Jackson's stand up game, hitting the floor only a handful of times.
Midway through the third round, in fact, Jones scored a takedown and was immediately able to secure full mount, scooting Jackson up against the cage and landing a skin-splitting elbow to the eye that appeared to signal the beginning of the end.
In the opening moments of the fourth round, the championship rounds and deep water that Jackson promised to drag Jones into, "Bones" stunned "Rampage" with a quick strike and scored a takedown shortly thereafter. Just a few seconds later, Jones took his back, sunk in a deep choke and did what no man (emphasis on man) had been able to do in the UFC up until this point:
Finish Quinton Jackson early.
Jon Jones aced his true test tonight. Passed it with flying colors. Crushed it. In doing so, he put the MMA world, as well as the rest of the division, specifically Rashad Evans, on high alert that he really is as good as he looks. And with just about three years of professional experience to date, it's absurd to think just how good he will get moving forward.
One thing is certain: It will sure be fun to watch.
In the co main event of the evening, former nine-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes was looking to bounce back from a first round knockout loss in his last outing when he collided with Josh Koscheck.
Meanwhile, Koscheck, who was cordial at just about every turn in the 19 days that led up to this showdown, which was nearly three years in the making (he filled in as a late replacement for the injured Diego Sanchez), was coming off a 12-month layoff to recover from a broken face.
Koscheck stopped being so nice about four minutes into their 170-pound battle. It was at this point where he began to turn the tide -- Hughes had found early success with surprising stand up that appeared to catch the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) star off guard.
He landed a strike that sent Hughes to the canvas, forcing him to fish for an ankle or other Koscheck body part to weather the storm. All he found, however, were several Koscheck knuckle sandwiches and hammerfists, the latter of which forced him to retire early for the EVENING.
Hughes was indeed completely out just as the buzzer blared to end round one. It took his corner, which included old friend Pat Miletich and Robbie Lawler, several minutes to peel him off the canvas and explain to him what had just transpired.
To his credit, Hughes, who could barely stand straight much less be expected to formulate coherent thoughts, refused to announce that he would retire from the sport. On the contrary, he requested that the promotion "put him on the shelf" until a collective decision can be made about his future.
Take your time.
That's enough from us -- now it's your turn to discuss "Jones vs. Rampage" in the comments section below. It was a solid night of fights, which was underscored with a career-defining win for on the the sport's most promising, and electrifying, talents.
There is much to talk about -- highs, lows, finishes and long-lasting legacies. How will you remember UFC 135?
For complete UFC 135 results and detailed blow-by-blow commentary of the televised main card fights click here.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, round, vs
Read the full article at MMA ManiaQuinton Jackson disappointed in loss to Jon Jones, says sometimes "Rampage" doesn't show up
Top Light Heavyweight contender Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who was defeated by division Champion Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 135, discusses the match-up, as well as his fighting future. Jackson expresses disappointment with Saturday's loss, but says whoever he fights next is going to be "in for it."
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, jon jones, quinton jackson
Read the full article at Low KickUFC 135 Video: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Now a Jon Jones Believer
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was one of those that had some reservations about Jon Jones, but after losing to him at UFC 135, count Rampage among the believers.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jone, jackson, jon jones
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyJones' title defense likely first of many (Yahoo! Sports)
The way Jon Jones ran through Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, it's hard to see anyone stopping him soon.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, way, title defense
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC 135 Video: Jon Jones Happy to Accept the Torch from Rampage Jackson
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was among the Jon Jones doubters, but after the fight, he may have passed the torch on to Jones, who was more than happy to accept it.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, torch
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 135 Video Highlights: Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson, Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck
Video highlights of Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson and Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck at UFC 135 via ESPN.
Posted in: jackson, josh koscheck, rampage jackson, vs, matt
Read the full article at MMA ConvertUFC 135 Results: Jon Jones vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Post-Fight Recap and Analysis
Jon Jones didn't run through Quinton Jackson like he ran through Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko and Mauricio Rua. This performance was more measured. He stifled Jackson through the first three rounds before taking him down and calmly working for a rear naked choke in the fourth.
Jones confused Jackson with his reach and distance, the challenger reduced to lunging in for one- and two-punch combinations. Jackson had his moments, his takedown defense looked particularly good considering the ease of Jones to bring down past opposition, but those moments never added up to effective offense.
Whatever questions remained about Jones' abilities -- and, really, only the most ardent Jones hater still questioned Jones' skills in the cage -- dissipated after tonight's performance. He didn't look near as fluid and confident as Anderson Silva -- though Mike Goldberg will try to sell you that narrative, but his demeanor was calm, relaxed, and patient. I won't revert to cliches about looking wise beyond his years, but Jones' fight maturity is more than noticeable when compared to his UFC debut against Andre Gusmao.
It's difficult to imagine Rashad Evans being the man to defeat Jones. As well as he has put together his MMA game, Evans is a small light heavyweight, probably capable of making middleweight if he chose to do so. He'll need to put in a perfect performance -- mixing up strikes, changing levels, getting inside, making Jones react to him instead of the inverse -- to overcome the size, length, and skill of his former stablemate.
This loss probably ends Quinton Jackson's chances of another UFC title reign. It'll take Jackson two years or so to get back in line for a shot, if everything goes correctly, and that will put him at 35 years of age. He's refused to evolve over the last few years, and there's no reason to expect that to change going forward.
UFC cameras caught trainers wrapping up both of Jones' feet, and the champion seemed to be nursing his elbow as well. With Evans already dealing with a broken thumb, I don't expect to see the long-awaited grudge match until late spring or early summer.
Josh Koscheck may have ended the career of Matt Hughes. Despite the narrative woven by Goldberg and Rogan (who were especially awful tonight), Hughes did not threaten Koscheck. Once Koscheck opened up his striking, Hughes crumbled. It's been a brilliant career for Hughes. He talked about the UFC putting him "on a shelf," which I imagine means he has a couple of fights in mind, and he'll retire if the UFC refuses to put them together.
Midway through Ben Rothwell and Mark Hunt's fight, I heard my buddy flick on his iPhone. I laughed. He laughed. We laughed. Rothwell vs. Hunt and Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton proved how bad low-level heavyweight MMA is, even at the UFC level. Both fights dragged...and dragged...and dragged. The lone high spot was Hunt working an armbar from mount, sullied by Joe Rogan screaming, "YES! YES! YES!" into his headset.
So, there's no way that Takanori Gomi trained for this fight, right?
FIGHTER OF THE NIGHT
Photo by UFC.com
Jones flummoxed another elite fighter, even if that elite fighter is past his prime. It'll only take another couple of similar performances until fans clamor for him to jump up to heavyweight.
MOMENT OF THE NIGHT
Photo by UFC.com
We may have seen the last of Matt Hughes in the Octagon, and his interview with Joe Rogan post-fight walked a fine line of emotion. Hughes choked up at times, and he seems resigned to possible retirement if it comes to that.
GOLDBERG LINE OF THE NIGHT
Photo Stephen Martinez for Sherdog.com
"Mark Hunt dominated Fedor Emelianenko for eight minutes."
Probably best to refrain from commenting on fights you've never seen, Mikey.
ENTRANCE SONG OF THE NIGHT
"Higher Ground" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Josh Koscheck)
No surprise that this is a cover. Also not a surprise that it's a Stevie Wonder original.
CHOPPING BLOCK
Despite Dana White's assurance that Zuffa needs more fighters, there's no margin for error in the UFC. It only takes one loss to find a pink slip waiting for you on Monday morning. Who's on the Chopping Block?
Ricardo RomeroCole EscovedoAaron RileyTakanori GomiRob Broughton
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, hughe
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowUFC 135 Recap: Jon Jones dominates Rampage Jackson next up Rashad Evans
Heading into UFC 135, many MMA fans fell into one of two camps. The first camp saying that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones was the real deal, while the second claimed he hadn’t yet defeated anyone of substance. After tonight’s performance, the first group most likely grew a bit.
Jones showed that he has the skill to take a fighter like Jackson, who has been there and done that, and put him off his game. As Jackson said after the fight, the kid’s not hype, he is for
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, mma fans, ’s performance
Read the full article at Low KickJon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson: Exclusive Photo Gallery
Check out this exclusive photo gallery from the main event of UFC 135: Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, photo, photo gallery
Read the full article at Heavy MMAUFC 135 by the numbers and inside the box score
-Jon Jones made his professional MMA debut in April 2008. In April 200,8 Quinton Jackson held a pro MMA record of 28-6-After beginning his UFC career with two decisions wins, other than his DQ loss to Matt Hamill, Jones has finished his last six opponents. -With 18:46 spent in the cage his win over Jackson was Jones' longest fight of his career -Jones is now 2-0 versus fighters who competed in Pride -Per Compustrike Jones connected with 48 total leg strikes during the fight-The rear naked choke from Jones was the first of his career with his three previous career submissions coming via guillotine choke -Jackson had not been submitted since a July 2001loss to legend Kazushi Sakuraba;a span of 29 fights between submission losses-Jackson drops to 2-2 in UFC title fights. Jackson was 0-2 in Pride title fights-Jackson's record in the UFC is 7-3 -Jackson is 3-2 in his last five fights-According to FightMetric Jones outpaced Jackson with 244-28 effectiveness score advantage -In 21 career fights Josh Koscheck has never lost back to back fights- Koscheck's win over Matt Hughes was his first victory of 2011. -Koscheck is now 2-2 in his career versus former UFC champions-The knockout of Hughes was Koscheck's third KO win of his career and his first since December 2008. -With back to back losses to Koscheck and BJ Penn its marks the third time in Matt Hughes 13 year career that he lost consecutive fights. -The match-up with Koscheck was the first time Hughes has faced a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter -With the knockout defeat Hughes has only been cleanly KO'd a total of three times in his career -Per Compustrike Koscheck out landed Hughes 26-16 in total strikes -Betting favorites went 8-1 at UFC 135. Mark Hunt was the only betting underdog at +260 to pick up a win. -The UFC returned to Denver, Colorado for the first time since March 1994. UFC 135 was the promotion's third trip to Denver.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, koscheck, career
Read the full article at UltMMAUFC 135: Jon Jones vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Post-Fight Recap and Analysis
Jon Jones didn't run through Quinton Jackson like he ran through Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko and Mauricio Rua. This performance was more measured. He stifled Jackson through the first three rounds before taking him down and calmly working for a rear naked choke in the fourth.
Jones confused Jackson with his reach and distance, the challenger reduced to lunging in for one- and two-punch combinations. Jackson had his moments, his takedown defense looked particularly good considering the ease of Jones to bring down past opposition, but those moments never added up to effective offense.
Whatever questions remained about Jones' abilities -- and, really, only the most ardent Jones hater still questioned Jones' skills in the cage -- dissipated after tonight's performance. He didn't look near as fluid and confident as Anderson Silva -- though Mike Goldberg will try to sell you that narrative, but his demeanor was calm, relaxed, and patient. I won't revert to cliches about looking wise beyond his years, but Jones' fight maturity is more than noticeable when compared to his UFC debut against Andre Gusmao.
It's difficult to imagine Rashad Evans being the man to defeat Jones. As well as he has put together his MMA game, Evans is a small light heavyweight, probably capable of making middleweight if he chose to do so. He'll need to put in a perfect performance -- mixing up strikes, changing levels, getting inside, making Jones react to him instead of the inverse -- to overcome the size, length, and skill of his former stablemate.
This loss probably ends Quinton Jackson's chances of another UFC title reign. It'll take Jackson two years or so to get back in line for a shot, if everything goes correctly, and that will put him at 35 years of age. He's refused to evolve over the last few years, and there's no reason to expect that to change going forward.
UFC cameras caught trainers wrapping up both of Jones' feet, and the champion seemed to be nursing his elbow as well. With Evans already dealing with a broken thumb, I don't expect to see the long-awaited grudge match until late spring or early summer.
Josh Koscheck may have ended the career of Matt Hughes. Despite the narrative woven by Goldberg and Rogan (who were especially awful tonight), Hughes did not threaten Koscheck. Once Koscheck opened up his striking, Hughes crumbled. It's been a brilliant career for Hughes. He talked about the UFC putting him "on a shelf," which I imagine means he has a couple of fights in mind, and he'll retire if the UFC refuses to put them together.
Midway through Ben Rothwell and Mark Hunt's fight, I heard my buddy flick on his iPhone. I laughed. He laughed. We laughed. Rothwell vs. Hunt and Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton proved how bad low-level heavyweight MMA is, even at the UFC level. Both fights dragged...and dragged...and dragged. The lone high spot was Hunt working an armbar from mount, sullied by Joe Rogan screaming, "YES! YES! YES!" into his headset.
So, there's no way that Takanori Gomi trained for this fight, right?
FIGHTER OF THE NIGHT
Photo by UFC.com
Jones flummoxed another elite fighter, even if that elite fighter is past his prime. It'll only take another couple of similar performances until fans clamor for him to jump up to heavyweight.
MOMENT OF THE NIGHT
Photo by UFC.com
We may have seen the last of Matt Hughes in the Octagon, and his interview with Joe Rogan post-fight walked a fine line of emotion. Hughes choked up at times, and he seems resigned to possible retirement if it comes to that.
GOLDBERG LINE OF THE NIGHT
Photo Stephen Martinez for Sherdog.com
"Mark Hunt dominated Fedor Emelianenko for eight minutes."
Probably best to refrain from commenting on fights you've never seen, Mikey.
ENTRANCE SONG OF THE NIGHT
"Higher Ground" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Josh Koscheck)
No surprise that this is a cover. Also not a surprise that it's a Stevie Wonder original.
CHOPPING BLOCK
Despite Dana White's assurance that Zuffa needs more fighters, there's no margin for error in the UFC. It only takes one loss to find a pink slip waiting for you on Monday morning. Who's on the Chopping Block?
Ricardo RomeroCole EscovedoAaron RileyTakanori GomiRob Broughton
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, hughe
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowJon Jones lives up to hype with opening round submission of Quinton Jackson
UFC 135 met the public’s “Mile High” expectations by delivering some extremely exciting affairs including, of course, Jon Jones’ successful title-defense against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
“Fight of the Night” and $75,000 each went to the headliners after Jones locked in a Rear-Naked Choke in the fourth frame of his bout with Jackson. Jones improved his record to 14-1 with the victory though his only loss was the result of dominating an opponent too badly with a DQ defeat after landing an illegal elbow to an already-rocked Matt Hamill. The finish of “Rampage” was the first in more than five years.
Headliner aside, Nate Diaz won “Submission of the Night” and the attached cash after tapping out Takanori Gomi with less than a minute remaining in the opening round of the bout. The win was Diaz’s tenth by way of submission.
Finally, “Knockout of the Night” was awarded to Josh Koscheck after stopping Matt Hughes with strikes a tick from the end of the first frame. It was Hughes’ second consecutive finish by way of strikes and may mark the end of his storied career.
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Posted in: night, jone, jackson, quinton jackson, night ”
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainNo Doubt: UFC 135 results-Jones cruises and chokes out Jackson early in the fourth
UFC 135 resultsDenver, COJon Jones def. Quinton Jackson via submission rear naked choke 1:14 R4Josh Koscheck def. Matt Hughes via KO (punches) 4:59 R1Mark Hunt def. Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)Travis Browne def. Rob Broughton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Nate Diaz def. Takanori Gomi via submission armbar 4:27 R1Tony Ferguson def. Aaron Riley via TKO (doctor's stoppage) 5:00 R1Tim Boetsch def. Nick Ring via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)Junior Assuncao def. Eddie Yagin via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)Takeya Mizugaki def. Cole Escovedo via TKO (punches) 4:30 R2James Te Huna def. Ricardo Romero via KO (punches) 0:47 R1 Attendance: 16,344Live Gate: 2 millionOf The Night Bonuses 75KFight: Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson KO: Josh KoscheckSubmission: Nate Diaz
Posted in: jackson, ko, decision, punch, cojon jones
Read the full article at UltMMAUFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Dominates Rampage Jackson to Defend Title
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defended his title for the first time over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the UFC 135 main event on Saturday in Denver, Colorado and made it look easy.
Jones attacked Jackson with a variety of leg kicks that gave him an opening to secure a rear naked choke in the fourth round.
Updating…
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyJon Jones Submits Rampage Jackson, Retains Title
The prodigious light heavyweight champion put on another impressive performance, finishing Jackson via rear naked choke in the fourth round.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, champion
Read the full article at Heavy MMAUFC 135 Results: Jon Jones Forces Rampage Jackson to Tap Out
Jones started bear crawling around the cage. Jackson landed a jab and defended the shot. Jones clinched with a full body lock and both fighters battle for position trading knees. Jones landed a big elbow. He stepped away and Jackson took the center of the cage. Several kicks landed for Jones. Rampage landed a hook to the body. Jones found a home for his leg kicks. Rampage didn't check any of them. Jones clinched again and Rampage landed an uppercut. Jones with a spinning elbow. Spinning kick misses for Jones and Rampage wildly throws without landing anything.
Rampage quickly took the center of the cage but Jones kept him at a distance with kicks. Rampage pressed forward and they clinch against the fence. Jones missed a spinning elbow. Punch landed for Rampage and forced Jones to reset. In the clinch Rampage doesn't take advantage of the position. Rampage hasn't found an answer for Jon Jones' kicks. Jones jumped guard at the close of the round to look for a triangle finish. The horn sounded before he could lock it up.
Rampage opened the round with leg kicks. He found success but didn't remain consistent with them. Jones answered with his own and then ducked for a single and then a double leg, getting Rampage to the ground. Jones quickly transitioned to mount and landed several damaging strikes. Rampage hipped out and regained his feet. Jones cut Rampage with one of those elbows. The straight kick to the knee definitely started to do damage with Rampage walking slower around the cage. Rampage tried to finish the fight with a wild combination but just missed Jones. He did land several jabs in the process. The round ends with Jon Jones shooting a double and dumping Rampage after the horn sounded. Super disrespectful way to close.
Jones came out with a sense of urgency trying to end the fight quickly in the beginning of the 4th. He hurt Rampage with a punch but tried to finish with a spin kick. Jones got the trip and then secured the rear naked choke to finish the fight, forcing Rampage to tap.
Jon Jones becomes the first defending UFC light heavyweight champion since Rampage defended against Dan Henderson. He also is the first man in the UFC to finish Rampage in the promotion. He put on an absolute stand up clinic, mixing kickboxing with traditional martial arts techniques to batter Quinton Jackson. Jones is now 8-1 in the organization and has cemented himself as the future of the division. Quinton Jackson entered the fight in tremendous shape and still was unable to put together any significant offense. He found some success but was never able to follow up to put Jones in danger. Jackson is now 6-3 in the UFC and 32-9 overall. Jon Jones will next face Rashad Evans in the near future. Head over to MMANation to see what Kid Nate saw in this fight.
SBN coverage of UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage
Posted in: fight, rampage, jone, jackson, jon jones
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowJones dominates Jackson at UFC 135 (Yahoo! Sports)
Jon Jones destroyed former champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in a UFC light heavyweight title bout Saturday.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, jon jones, champ quinton
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC 135 results: Jon Jones submits Rampage Jackson to defend his light heavyweight title
The main event of UFC 135 tonight (Sept. 24, 2011) at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, featured one of the most highly anticipated light heavyweight match-ups in recent memory, as reigning division champion Jon Jones made his first title defense against number one contender Quinton Jackson.
Before the fight there were allegations of spying, talk of cockiness and, of course, the proverbial promise that someone's head was going to get knocked off. By fight time, most odds had the champion as high as a -900 favorite. In a championship fight at the highest levels of the sport, that was considered ridiculous.
Turns out, not so much.
That's because Jones proved worthy of all the hype by imposing his will and defending his title for the very first time at the unbelievable age of 24 by submitting "Rampage" in the fourth round.
Were you watching, Rashad Evans?
Jones came out with a goofy strategy. He kept one hand on the ground and circled like a spider before shooting for a takedown, one Jackson immediately stuffed. It quickly led to a clinch against the cage, though, where Jones went to work.
The pace was slow in the opening round, with both men maintaining and even keel while picking their spots to attack. Reach was definitely a problem for "Rampage," who struggled to find his way inside.
One round was in the books and neither fighter held a big edge.
They raced to the center of the cage to open the second and both men got aggressive, exerting the will of the champions they are and were. Still, patience was key, and both competitors utilized it as best they could. Openings were rare and no energy could go wasted.
Jackson was clearly looking for the proper time to counter, but Jones length negated this strategy tenfold. Color commentator Joe Rogan called for "Rampage" to "bum rush" his opponent, a call that went ignored as they headed into the third round.
Sweat gleaning from their bodies, the two Octagon warriors continued their chess match. If "Rampage" had a pawn or two, "Bones" took a rook with a takedown straight into side control. And just like that, he took the other by exploding into full mount with minutes still to go in the round.
Jackson responded with a power play by bucking his way out and getting back to his feet against the fence. He didn't do so without visibly showing the damage that had been done, however, as blood flowed freely near his right eye.
The champion controlled the stand-up, dictating the pace and owning the distance usually reserved for the seasoned veterans of the sport. He juked and jived his way to the championship rounds with an ease not seen since Anderson Silva was last plying his trade inside the cage.
"Rampage" looked tired -- and insulted -- heading into the fourth round. "Bones," meanwhile, was relaxed, calm as a kitten.
Jackson pushed forward early in the frame but ate a left hook for his troubles. It wasn't long before Jones asserted his dominance one again by physically overwhelming Jackson, taking his back and locking in a rear-naked choke that forced a tap.
"Rampage" Jackson tapped to a submission from Jon Jones. Who would have thought?
Can anyone stop this man?
For more UFC 135 results and instant analysis live from Denver click here. To check out MMAmania.com's LIVE UFC 135 results post, which includes up-to-the-minute, blow-by-blow coverage of EVERY fight click here.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, round, jon jones
Read the full article at MMA ManiaIn or Out of the Cage, UFC Champ Jon Jones Proves Hard to Figure
Filed under: UFCDENVER -- Jon Jones decimated his toughest opponent to date and successfully defended his UFC light heavyweight title for the first time on Saturday night. So why didn't he seem all that happy about it?
That was just one of many questions for the brilliant young fighter who is proving to be as much of an enigma to those trying to understand him out of the cage as he is to the baffled opponents who face him inside of it. Throughout the UFC 135 post-fight press conference the 24-year-old champion maintained a low-key, almost downtrodden demeanor, despite the fact that he was only minutes removed from the biggest win of his career.
"Me and 'Rampage' [Jackson] did a lot of talking and I'm just glad it's over," said Jones, his voice flat and low. "I'm just doing my job right now."
Maybe what got him down was the foot injury he sustained while kicking Jackson's shins. He had to be helped into his seat at the start of the post-fight presser and helped out of the room once it was over, though he insisted it was nothing serious.
Or maybe it was the fact that the UFC once again cut his post-fight celebration short by immediately shifting the focus in the cage from Jones' fourth-round submission win over Jackson to his planned next bout against former teammate Rashad Evans -- a shift that Jones said "ruined my special night" for the second time in as many title fights.
When asked about that comment, a stone-faced Jones shook his head and said only, "I don't want to talk about Rashad today."
Though later he did talk about him, but only after Jackson alluded to Evans possibly having Jones' number after their training room sessions at Greg Jackson's gym in Albuquerque, N.M.
After Jackson said that Evans was "basically the only person who has a chance at beating him because Rashad trained with him before and Rashad knows," Jones deigned to speak of his former training partner.
"I will say this about Rashad," Jones said. "He does not have number. He's not even close to having my number. Me and Rashad, we sparred a few times, and every time we sparred I know what could have happened. He talks about one day at practice where he held me down and he lives that day in his head every day."
Even Jackson had questions for Jones once they were both sitting at the same table. Like, for instance, why did he start the fight by crawling out to the center of the cage on all fours?
According to Jones it was because he knew Jackson's punching power would be greatest early in the fight and "I knew he wouldn't be able to generate too much power at such a low target."
And his decision to dump Jackson over his back before calmly strolling off to his corner following the horn to end round three? At the time, it seemed like just one more way to remind Jackson of his superiority. Not quite toying with him, but certainly sending a message.
Not so, according to Jones.
"I was just trying to finish the round strong, show that I had a lot of energy left," he explained.
Jackson, who has losses to both Jones and Evans, said he respected the champion more than his old rival Evans, if only because Jones looked to do more than simply out-wrestle him.
"When it comes to fighting, even though Jon ran like a little girl every now and then, I still have more respect for him as a fighter, because Jon did come to bring it. ...He rocked me once and he's a true fighter. Rashad...I was really rusty and he probably would have knocked me out that time had he fought me."
As for Jones, he insisted that he was "definitely happy" about the win over Jackson, even if he didn't seem like it. Rather than thinking (or talking) about where and when his long-awaited fight with Evans might be, the champion had other ideas.
"I just can't wait to get home to my family, take a nice bath, and be done for a while." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: time, jone, jackson, rashad, evan
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 15: Jon Jones vs Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Unorthodox is fast becoming too mundane a word to describe UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Who else would commence their first ever defence of...
Posted in: ufc, jon, jone, jackson, light-heavyweight
Read the full article at Fighters OnlyJon Jones vs Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Unorthodox is fast becoming too mundane a word to describe UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Who else would commence their first ever defence of...
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, champion, light-heavyweight
Read the full article at Fighters OnlyJon Jones Submits Rampage Jackson at UFC 135
Filed under: UFCJon Jones said leading up to UFC 135 that he wanted to be the first man to finish Rampage Jackson in the UFC. Jones accomplished that goal, forcing Jackson to tap out in the fourth round of an outstanding light heavyweight title fight, and demonstrating once again that he's one of the best and most exciting fighters in MMA.
"The game plan was to prove I can strike with Quinton Jackson," Jones said afterward. "I think we did that."
It was the striking that gave Jones the advantage for most of the fight, but he ended the fight with a submission, sinking in a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. Throughout the fight Jones was on a completely different level than Jackson. There was no question who the better fighter was.
"He's great," Jackson said afterward. "I thought it was hype. The kid is good. I take my hat off to him."
Jones, who has always had an unusual fighting style, came toward Jackson at the start of the fight in a low stance, almost like a lineman in football, and attempted to go for a takedown. Jones wasn't able to get Jackson down, but he was able to grab him and control him in the clinch against the fence.
Once they broke free of their clinch, Jones was working on using his significant reach advantage to stay out of harm's way and land kicks from the outside. Jones landed several kicks that Jackson had no answer for, and he also landed an impressive spinning elbow. At the end of the round Jones threw a dynamic spinning kick that could have given him a highlight reel knockout, but Jackson ducked under it and survived the round.
In the second round Jackson began to look more tentative about Jones' attack, backing away instead of going to the inside. Jackson also seemed to be affected by Jones' leg kicks, which were hammering away at Jackson's lead leg. At the end of the second round Jones jumped guard and attempted a triangle choke, although there wasn't enough time to get close to a submission.
A minute into the third round Jones went for a takedown and got it easily, immediately falling into side control and then transitioning into full mount. Jones landed a couple of hard elbows, cutting Jackson, although Jackson showed off a nice hip escape and got back to his feet. From there they exchanged strikes for the rest of the round, with Jones getting the better of the exchanges. At the very end of the third round Jones went low for a takedown, and when the horn sounded Jones threw Jackson off him, which seemed to anger Jackson.
Early in the fourth round Jones took Jackson down against the cage and got on top of him, then transitioned to his back beautifully, sunk in a rear-naked choke, and tightened it until Jackson submitted. As Jackson tapped, Jones calmly got up, then briefly celebrated at the center of the Octagon. After Jackson had a moment to recover, he walked over and hugged Jones, knowing he had just been beaten by a better fighter.
Jackson has nothing to be ashamed of. There may be no man alive who can beat Jones. He's a remarkable champion. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, round, round jones
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 135 Live Blog: Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson Updates
Filed under: UFCDENVER -- This is the UFC 135 live blog for Jon Jones vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, the main event of tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the Pepsi Center.
Jones (13-1) won the belt from Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128 in March and will be making his first title defense in this fight. Jackson (32-8), who is coming off wins over Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill, held the title previously in May 2007 through July 2008.
The live blog is below.
More Coverage: UFC 135 Results | Latest UFC 135 News
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Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 135 Jones Vs. Jackson Official Discussion (Spoilers)
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Posted in: ufc, jackson, discussion, official, spoiler
Read the full article at RedditUFC 135 fight card: Rampage Jackson's trash talk is cheap if he can't beat Jon Jones
It's deja vu all over again.
First, it was Rashad Evans. Now it's Jon Jones. Different fighters, different circumstances. Same drama, same Quinton Jackson.
It wouldn't be normal these days for the former UFC light heavyweight champion to head into a fight without a chip on his shoulder. Whether it's Jones' arrogance, limited mixed martial arts (MMA) experience or allegations that he had a mole planted inside his MusclePharm training camp, Jackson has been fishing for excuses to beat up "Bones."
He'll finally get the chance tonight (Sept. 24, 2011) when he attempts to reclaim his 205-pound title from Jones, 24, in the UFC 135 main event from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
It's been weeks, months of back-and-forth barbs. Sure, it doesn't hold a candle to the dizzying drama between Jackson and Evans, which lasted for more than one year and culminated with a unanimous decision win for "Suga" at UFC 114.
But it has been constant ... and equally as irritating.
Perhaps fabricating conflict is a way to market and sell a fight that would be otherwise disinteresting to unsuspecting/casual fans. B.J. Penn does it better than anyone. It can also maybe even provide a fighter with motivation and fire to compete at a higher level by the time fight night rolls around.
But there comes a point to stop. When all the trash talk, accusations, finger-waving and insults have become just too much.
Jackson and Evans exceeded that limit on the set of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF); unfortunately, we had to endure their bickering for an additional six months or more before they finally settled their score. The rivalry between Jackson and Jones, fortunately, hasn't lasted that long even though it may feel that way.
Tonight is deja vu all over again. Unless, of course, Jackson can manage to do what he was unable to do against Evans, which is back up all that smack and beat "Bones" later this evening.
That's a better, more refreshing, shtick well worth admiring.
Posted in: ufc, fight, jone, jackson, . 
Read the full article at MMA ManiaVIDEO: Grouchy Rampage Jackson passes on fighting 'cool' Willis McGahee of Denver Broncos
Local Denver, Colo., sports reporter Vic Lombardi attempts to start some heat between Quinton Jackson and two members of the NFLs Denver Broncos, particularly running back Willis McGahee. "Rampage," who made it clear that he was not in a very good mood because he was cutting weight, didn't seem very amused. He quickly passed on the opportunity and declared McGahee "cool." Jackson apparently had other fights on his mind, like a world title fight against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the UFC 135 main event. Can you blame him for not playing along?
Posted in: jackson, denver, quinton jackson, willis mcgahee, mcgahee
Read the full article at MMA ManiaWhat Rampage Jackson Must Do To Defeat Jon Jones
Bleacher Report takes a look at Rampage Jackson's path to victory over Jon Jones tonight.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, bleacher report
Read the full article at Heavy MMAUFC 135 Results: Jon Jones chokes out Rampage Jackson in 4th
Jon Jones proved once and for all he's the real deal, thanks to an amazing performance against Rampage Jackson in the main event of UFC 135.
This time we saw a patient and calm Jon Jones, who was not willing to over-expose himself with trademark unorthodox moves. Instead, Jones channeled his aggression to kicks and punches to the body, which step by step took all the steam out of Jackson's legendary warrior spirit.
Rampage responded with wild punches, but none of them landed clean to put Jon Jones in
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson
Read the full article at Low KickUFC 135 Fight Card: Jon Jones vs. Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Preview
The pre-fight hype for the UFC 135 main event title showdown between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (13-1) and challenger Quinton Jackson (32-8) can only be described as uncomfortably intense. The two fighters have been verbally sparring with one another ever since the bout was announced back in June, and it intensified greatly in the last month when Jackson revealed that a spy was feeding Jones' camp information.
The war of words came to a conclusion on Friday when Jackson revealed the spy was a former MusclePharm employee during a segment on ESPN's Sportscenter. Jon Jones adamantly denied the allegations, and his manager Malki Kawa also denied involvement in 'Spygate' by sarcastically finding ways to take jabs at Jackson for his claims via Twitter. Whether Jackson was right or wrong, it added an interesting twist to an already strenuous relationship between the two fighters.
The joint media engagements also put a magnifying glass on Jones' identity. Both 'Rampage' Jackson and former teammate Rashad Evans made claims that Jones was "faking" his public persona, stating he was a phony by attempting to appeal to the mainstream fanbase without being "real". The criticism has gained so much steam that Jones' body language, wording, demeanor, and personality have been meticulously combed through on a daily basis by the media and fans.
Some would say that talk is cheap, and following the weigh-in on Friday afternoon -- the talk is now over. The only question to consider is whether Jackson was able to sneak under the skin of Jon Jones. Was he able to break Jones' focus mentally? Will it help him stop the young champion from defending his title for the first time?
Jackson is in the best shape of his career, and he still possesses one-punch knockout power. Jones isn't wrong in his assessments of Jackson's style however. It's understandably stagnant and slow compared to his Pride days. The question is whether his training regiment can bring him back to life. Will that be enough to defeat Jones?
I doubt it. Jones is the lengthier fighter, taller, quicker, and stronger in the areas that Jackson is weak. Jones hasn't hid what he intends to do. He wants to bring this fight to the ground. Unless Jackson can land a knockout punch as Jones creeps into his wheelhouse or during a sprawl, Jones will find a way to trip up Jackson and demolish him from the top. As most fans have stated, Jackson has a puncher's chance. Chanting 'Pride never die!' mantras won't erase that thought no matter how hopeful we might be.
Fortunately for the wishful, I'm a Pride homer. I'll give Jackson a bit more of a chance than most fans. If his cardio can hold up against Jones, there are opportunities. Some of Jones' past fights, notably his earliest fights in the UFC, exposed some weaknesses in his conditioning. Jackson, while not a cardio machine like lightweight Clay Guida, doesn't tire easily. If he can avoid damage and make Jones press the action, it's possible he wears out Jones and capitalizes on opportunities late in the fight.
Jones hasn't shown those weaknesses in more recent performances, which is a sign that he's fixed those issues. As long as he avoids Jackson's power and doesn't get clipped by the former UFC champion, Jones should chop down Jackson over the course of five rounds with ease. In fact, I don't think Jackson lasts the full twenty-five minutes. Jones brings Jackson into his world on the ground and batters him early, eventually finishing this fight in the third.
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Jon Jones vs. 'Rampage' Jackson
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Posted in: ufc, fight, jon, jone, jackson
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowQuinton 'Rampage' Jackson, UFC 135 and one last shot at championship gold
Quinton Jackson has been at the very top of the mixed martial arts (MMA) world.
In spring 2007, he made his Octagon debut and quickly made good on his promise to win the company’s light heavyweight title. He did so by viciously knocking out long-time champion and UFC poster boy Chuck Liddell.
Then "Rampage" made history by defeating Dan Henderson and unifying the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships (Pride) 205-pound titles. After years of coming up short against Chute Box fighters in Japan, he was finally recognized as the best light heavyweight in the world.
But by the next summer, the ranking and the belt were both gone. It’s been a series of dizzying highs and dark lows for the former champ since then, punctuated by wins over Wanderlei Silva and Lyoto Machida on one end and a police chase and arrest on the other.
Now more than three years removed from his last title fight, "Rampage" stands on the cusp of once again becoming the number one 205-pounder in the world. Standing in his way at UFC 135 is current champion Jon Jones, who many say is the future of not only the division, but of the entire sport itself.
Tonight is Jackson’s eighth UFC main event and it might be his last if he doesn’t get his hand raised. This very well could be the final opportunity the former champ gets to reclaim the title he once called his.
Why? Well, keep reading to find out!
Much like I posited in yesterday's piece about Josh Koscheck's status as an outsider looking in on the welterweight title picture, a definitive loss tonight for "Rampage" would put the former Pride star in the same boat. But whereas "Kos" only briefly flirted with title contention, Jackson has been a stalwart contender for the light heavyweight title for years.
His performance in Pride’s 2003 grand prix along with knockout wins over Kevin Randleman and Ricardo Arona placed "Rampage" second on the totem pole behind rival Wanderlei Silva. It wasn’t until the emergence of Mauricio Rua that Jackson’s status in the Japanese company began to dip.
Jackson only fought twice more for Pride after his loss to "Shogun" and eventually made his way stateside and to the UFC. Having defeated Liddell in the aforementioned tournament made him the obvious choice for number one contender and a win over Marvin Eastman solidified that.
"The Iceman" was on a rematch tour of sorts and had taken on Jeremy Horn, Randy Couture, Renato Sobral, and Tito Ortiz, all fighters he had previously stepped inside the Octagon with. A match-up with "Rampage" fight the bill perfectly.
That night, at UFC 71, "Rampage" got his first taste of gold. Four months later, he finally won the belt that had eluded him for years across the Pacific Ocean. He outlasted Dan Henderson – who had recently won Pride’s 203-pound title from "The Axe Murderer" – over the course of 25 minutes and became the first undisputed light heavyweight champion in the sport’s history.
After years of furious debate with names like Randy Couture , Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, and Mauricio Rua being argued for and against, the discussion of who was the best 205-pounder in the world at long last had an answer.
It wasn't any of those men. It was "Rampage."
But what goes up must come down. And after his first stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), Jackson lost his title in a closely contested bout to Forrest Griffin.
Ten days later, the former champion was arrested after hitting two vehicles with his truck and leading police on a short chase. Jackson claimed it was the result of not enough sleep and too many energy drinks, but the excuse was as shaky as his future seemed to be.
An immediate rematch against Griffin – which had been discussed and extrapolated – was put on the backburner while Jackson tended to his legal matters. "Rampage" finally made his return at UFC 92, knocking out and exacting a measure of revenge against Wanderlei Silva, who had bested him twice before in Pride.
Shortly thereafter, he entered into a plea agreement to help put his – ahem – "rampage" behind him. Since then Jackson became a number one contender only to bow out because of injury, coached another season of TUF, retired, and starred in a blockbluster action movie.
It’s been quite a ride for Jackson in the 12 years since he made his debut. Every time he slipped up and found himself outside the title picture, he managed to work his way back to the top. His loss to Rashad Evans last year was supposed to affirm he no longer had what it takes to compete at the highest level. Two wins -- one against Machida -- later, he's got one final chance to once again prove the naysayers wrong.
I say it's his last chance because it took "Rampage" 1,176 days since his loss to Griffin to get back to this stage. Should he fail tonight, another 1,176 days would put him at 36-years old with a decade and a half worth of fighting having already ravaged his body.
It’s safe to say that the Memphis native wouldn’t have it in him to once again claw his way back up ... very few people would. At UFC 135, it’s do or die for "Rampage."
Posted in: ufc, title, rampage, jackson, &rsquo
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 135 Main Event Results - Rampage Can’t Keep Up With The Jones; Champ Wins By Sub in Four
DENVER, September 24 – Another test down for UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The youngest titleholder in UFC history not only proved that he could absorb some thunder from Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the UFC 135 main event at Pepsi Center Saturday night, but that he could fight into the championship rounds and still emerge victorious, as he submitted the former 205-pound belt holder in the fourth round.“The gameplan was to prove that we could strike with Quinton Jackson,” said the 24-year old Jones, who retained the belt he won from Mauricio Rua in March for the first time. “He insulted my striking, so I worked with Mike Winkeljohn, and we cleaned up my striking to prove a point.”“I’m in the best shape of my life,” said Jackson. “I thought he was all hype, but the kid is good. My hat is off to him. I did my best. This is the best Rampage ever, and he had me memorized.”Jones came out for the fight in a bizarre crouch that baffled the crowd but didn’t deter Jackson from the task at hand, as he avoided Jones’ first takedown attempt. Jones was able to grab hold of Jackson though, and the two locked up against the fence, a sequence highlighted by knees and a hard left elbow by the champion. Finally, after a stalemate, the two broke, with Jackson looking to set up some of his bombs as Jones pecked away with kicks from long range. At the three minute mark, Jackson shot off his first bad-intentioned hooks, but Jones got out of the way before they landed. After some more long distance strikes, Jones bulled Jackson into the fence again, almost catching him with a spinning back elbow. After breaking, Jones missed a wild kick, and Jackson was just as wild in missing some haymakers before the bell.Jackson shot out of his corner to start round two, catching a kick and just coming short of landing a flush right hand. Jones locked up with the challenger again, but a takedown attempt came up empty. With the crowd chanting “Rampage, Rampage,” Jackson continued to stalk, but Jones’ strikes continued to find their mark. They just weren’t flowing in combination, which gave Jackson ample time to recover and reset. And as flashy as Jones got, Jackson looked unimpressed, as his defense was solid enough to shrug off whatever came his way. Jones was the busier of the two though, enabling him to take another round.Jones’ takedowns continued to come up empty early in round three, but eventually, nearly 90 seconds in, he softened up Jackson with leg kicks and got him to the mat. Jones quickly transitioned into the full mount position, but just when it looked like Jones was about to finish, Jackson, now bleeding from a cut over the right eye, found his way back to his feet, and the crowd erupted. Jones landed two hooks when the action resumed, and a kick to the knee brought a disdainful look from Jackson, who nearly chased Jones across the Octagon to throw looping haymakers that came up far short. As the round closed, Jones shot for another takedown, but couldn’t get it.Visiting the championship rounds for the first time, Jones came out fast and was met by Jackson, who got taken down against the fence. Jones looked for a rear naked choke after landing a few strikes, and within seconds he sunk it in. Jackson did his best to hang on, but there was no escape, and he was forced to tap out at 1:14 of the round. With the win, Jones improves to 14-1; Jackson falls to 32-9. Next up for Jones is a bout with former training partner Rashad Evans.“I thought it was a good fight,” said Evans when brought into the Octagon after the bout. “Jon Jones looked impressive. This (the title fight) is a good opportunity. I’m glad the UFC put it together.”“I’m not gonna say much leading up to this fight, I’m just gonna prove it,” said Jones. “He (Evans) has ruined my special night twice in a row now.”
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jone, jackson, round
Read the full article at UFCUFC 135 Play-by-Play: Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage play-by-play of Jon Jones vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson on Saturday, Sept. 24, in Denver.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, rampage jackson, vs
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC Quick Quote: What did Rampage Jackson say to Jon Jones at weigh ins?
"I'm going to end his hype tomorrow, that's what I told him. It's about time he grew up and started acting like a real MMA fighter to put on a front for these fans. Stare people down -- that's what we do."
-- Hot diggity. Quinton Jackson refused to let light heavyweight champion Jon Jones look to the floor during their staredown at the UFC 135 weigh in event, getting right in his face and forcing the 24-year-old phenom "to act like a real MMA fighter." After their eyes locked, the pair began to once again flap their gums, exchanging the last in a long line of pre-fight pleasantries before they lock horns tomorrow night (Sept. 24, 2011) in Denver, Colorado. It can't come soon enough. "Bones" vs. "Rampage," a.k.a Speed vs. Power, is a bitter battle between the new guard and the old, pitting perhaps the future of the sport at 205 pounds against one of the division's most consistently successful fighters in the past decade. Is the future now or will Jackson derail Jones' hype train before it even has a chance to get too far from the station? Remember, speed supposedly kills.
Posted in: jone, jackson, fighter, mma fighter, hype train
Read the full article at MMA ManiaThings get heated between headliners at UFC 135 weigh-ins
The growing rivalry between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and top contender Quinton Jackson nearly boiled over today at the weigh-ins for this weekend’s UFC 135 event where the two 205ers will face off in headlining action.
Though no physical altercation occurred, Jones and “Rampage” exchanged words during the standard staredown with “Bones” opting to look directly at Jackson rather than avoid eye-contact as he typically does. Both men came in at 204 pounds for tomorrow night’s title fight in Denver.
“Rampage” Reveals His UFC 135 Strategy Against “Bones” Jones
Bad feelings ran rampant at the proceedings with preliminary fighters Junior Assuncao and Eddie Yagin having to be pulled apart by UFC President Dana White and Nick Ring bumping opponent Tim Boetsch with his forehead while face-to-face.
Here is a complete list of UFC 135 weigh-in results:
Ricardo Romero (205 lbs) vs. James Te Huna (205 lbs)
Cole Escovedo (135 lbs) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (135 lbs)
Junior Assuncao (145 lbs) vs. Eddie Yagin (145 lbs)
Tim Boetsch (186 lbs) vs. Nick Ring (185 lbs)
Tony Ferguson (155 lbs) vs. Aaron Riley (155 lbs)
Nate Diaz (156 lbs) vs. Takanori Gomi (155 lbs)
Travis Browne (255 lbs) vs. Rob Broughton (261 lbs)
Ben Rothwell (263 lbs) vs. Mark Hunt (261 lbs)
Matt Hughes (170 lbs) vs. Josh Koscheck (170.5 lbs)
Jon Jones (204 lbs) vs. Quinton Jackson (204 lbs)
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Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, vs, lb
Read the full article at Fighters.comVideo – Rashad Evans Goes Inside Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s Training Camp
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans has invaded Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson's training camp as he gets ready for UFC 135.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, training, training camp
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 135 fight card: Jon Jones vs Quinton Jackson preview
The UFC light heavyweight title is on the line tomorrow night (Sept. 24, 2011) in the UFC 135 main event when current 205-pound champion Jon Jones takes on former titleholder Quinton Jackson.
Jones has quickly become a mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar. And his rise to the top culminated this past March when he defeated Mauricio Rua with a third round technical knockout to won the division title. He hopes to usher in his own era with his first title defense.
"Rampage" Jackson has repeated it time and time again in the lead-up to this fight: He wants his belt back. He reportedly spent $1 million to prepare for this bout and to get in the best shape of his life. Jackson appears as motivated as ever.
Will "Bones" prove his greatness with a huge victory over a legend at the top of his game? Will "Rampage" end the hype with one big counter left hook? Who will exit the cage with the belt wrapped around their waist tomorrow night?
Jon Jones
Record: 13-1 overall, 7-1 in the UFC
Key Wins: Mauricio Rua (UFC 128), Ryan Bader (UFC 126), Vladimir Matyushenko (UFC on Versus 2)
Key Losses: None to truly speak of
How he got here: Jones' path from can't-miss prospect to world champion has been very fast. Just five months into his professional MMA career, he was already 6-0 and making his UFC debut in place of an injured Tomasz Drwal at UFC 87. He defeated his opponent, Andre Gusmao via decision but his star turn didn't truly take place until his next fight against Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 in which he showcased a diverse array of attacks and all kinds of slams and throws.
"Bones'" star continued to brighten as he began finishing his opponents in increasingly impressive fashion, smashing tough light heavyweights Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko in the first round.
After handing Ryan Bader the first loss of his career in another two round destruction, Jones was offered a title shot in place of his injured teammate Rashad Evans. This caused a huge rift in the Greg Jackson camp when Jones admitted he'd be willing to fight Evans which culminated in 'Suga' leaving Albuquerque for Florida.
The young gun took it to the champ, smashing "Shogun" over the course of three rounds and stopping him to become the youngest titleholder in UFC history.
He was all geared up to defend his belt against Evans but a hand injury delayed a UFC 133 title bout. When it turned out Jones didn't need surgery, he instead accepted former champion Quinton Jackson as his first title defense.
How he gets it done: Jones has more methods of "getting it done" than any other fighter in UFC history. He could play it safe and stay on the outside, peppering "Rampage" with his severe reach advantage and a large series of leg kicks.
He could also force the issue with his superior diversity of strikes, attacking Jackson with flying knees and his gnarly elbows up close.
Where Jones may be most lethal of all is if he can take this fight to the ground. "Bones" has one of the most dangerous clinches in the division simply because he has impeccable balance and timing, capable of throwing an opponent on their head after seeing the faintest of openings.
Jackson is stronger in the clinch as opposed to someone who can shoot in with a fast and powerful takedown but Jones may still have the leverage to throw him to the ground. If he can do that, expect some of the most brutal elbows and ground and pound on the canvas as you've ever seen.
Quinton Jackson
Record: 32-8 overall, 7-2 in the UFC
Key Wins: Lyoto Machida (UFC 123), Dan Henderson (UFC 75), Chuck Liddell (UFC 71)
Key Losses: Rashad Evans (UFC 114), Forrest Griffin (UFC 86), Mauricio Rua (Pride Total Elimination 2005)
How he got here: Jackson made the transition to MMA after a moderately successful high school and junior college wrestling career. He got off to a 10-1 start on the local circuit before he was scooped up by Pride Fighting Championships to compete over in Japan.
He would be thrown into the fire immediately against Japanese superstar Kazushi Sakuraba, losing via first round rear naked choke but creating many fans in the process. Jackson would go on to compete 17 times total in Pride, accumulating a 12-5 record over the course of five and a half years.
His contract would be purchased by the UFC and after avenging a loss to Marvin Eastman via knockout in his promotional debut, he was given a title shot against Chuck Liddell, the man he'd previously defeated in the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix.
Jackson destroyed Liddell, knocking him senseless in the first round to end the legend's era. He would go on to defend his belt in a five round thriller against Dan Henderson in one of the most watched MMA fights in history on cable TV.
"Rampage" lost his title to Forrest Griffin in a razor-close decision and would have a mini-meltdown afterwards. He avenged two prior losses to Wanderlei Silva with another vicious first round knockout and was geared up for a title shot before "retiring" to film the A-Team.
Since his return, he lost to Rashad Evans in a number one contender match but then defeated Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill to earn one more shot at the belt against Jon Jones.
How he gets it done: "Rampage" isn't as quick as Jones. He doesn't have the same reach and he's not as skilled on the ground. What he does have is power and (potentially) superior technique with his striking.
Jackson is almost a pure counter puncher. He loves to time his opponents and take advantage of those openings they leave while they're arms are extended in attack. If Jon Jones does anything repetitive, Jackson will pick up on it and explode with some heavy strikes. He's got a nasty left hook and an absolutely brutal right uppercut that can end Jones' night if he can connect solidly.
The former champion has a terrific chin and will be willing to take a shot to give one. Don't be surprised if he does something like leave his head exposed just so he can take advantage of an opening that Jon Jones leaves when he tries to hit him.
If Jones tries to clinch and go for a takedown, "Rampage" has terrific interior strength. He should be able to use underhooks and try to throw "Bones" off and get back to striking.
Jackson has experience in lengthy fights as well. If he can drag Jon Jones into the championship rounds, he could potentially find a weakness in cardio. Jones has looked pretty tired in his two UFC fights that went to a decision.
Fight "X-Factor:" The biggest factor in this fight is distance. Jones, the lengthiest fighter in the UFC, will clearly have an advantage on the outside edge where he can pound on "Rampage" with impunity.
Things get much more interesting inside the pocket where Jackson is in striking range and capable of landing his powerful counter strikes. This is also an area where Jones can actually land elbows because of his ridiculous reach.
Inside, the edge goes back to Jon Jones where he can really hurt Jackson with knees and elbows up close. He can also send the former champion for a ride if he can get both hands on him while utilizing his expertise in leverage.
Whoever can dictate the distance at which this bout takes place will be at a tremendous advantage.
Bottom Line: This is a "can't-miss" type of match. Jones is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet right now and whether you like him or not, there should never be an excuse for missing his fights. Jackson is also one of the UFC's biggest draws because he's always capable of landing that fight-ending knockout blow. With how much these men have begun to grow disdain for each other over the past few weeks, the rivalry has really become intense. It could be a knockout by Jackson, it could also be a one-sided thrashing by Jones. Regardless, you will want to be tuning in.
Who will come out on top at UFC 135? Tell us your predictions in the comments below!
Poll
When it's all said and done tomorrow night at UFC 135, who will be the UFC light heavyweight champion?
Jon Jones
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
13 votes | Results
Posted in: ufc, fight, title, jone, jackson
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 135 Breakdown: The Main Event
Once in a lifetime athletes are labelled as such for a reason. Every now and then, someone comes along to make heads turn and jaws drop. When Jon Jones landed that famous spinning back-elbow on Stephan Bonnar, he did exactly that. Even UFC matchmaker Joe Silva could not resist jumping out of his chair. That move accompanied a virtuoso display that saw Jones rag-doll the UFC veteran and mesmerize him — as well as as the audience watching in amazement — with all kinds of unorthodox maneuvers. Jones might as well have titled that performance “Act 1″, as he has been able to replicate it — or even eclipse it — every time he has set foot inside the Octagon. Such enthralling showings have carried him all the way to championship glory, and this Saturday at UFC 135, Jones returns to the cage to defend his title for the first time. The man with the unenviable task of handing Jones his first legitimate defeat is someone who knows what it takes to be a champion: former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
Light Heavyweight Title Fight: Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson
When fighting smart and to his full potential, Quinton Jackson is not the one-dimensional slugger many mistake him to be. Not only is he a very capable wrestler, but his clinch work and dirty boxing are some of his biggest assets. Moreover, when he is not in pure aggressive headhunting mode and is not content to simply move forward and throw power hooks, Jackson possesses a nice blend of controlled aggression and accurate counter-punching. His knockouts of Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva are great demonstrations of Jackson’s ability to make his opponent pay with precise countering. Liddell made a critical mistake by leaning forward to throw a shot to the body with no set-up, and “Rampage” leveled him with a pinpoint right hook that put an end to “The Iceman’s” reign of terror over the division. Likewise, the moment Wanderlei Silva threw his trademark wild haymakers, Jackson ducked, parried, and landed a textbook left hook that saw him gain a measure of revenge over his longtime nemesis.
Jackson’s right uppercut is equally lethal, and he does an excellent job at using it to counter as his opponent moves in (see the Forrest Griffin fight), and an even better job and landing it from close-quarters, as Kevin Randleman and Marvin Eastman both found out. Jackson’s work on the inside is one of the best in the game, and he is extremely dangerous when he starts putting combinations together and mixes things up by going to the body. His performance against Matt Hamill may not have set the world on fire, but Jackson displayed some variety in his striking particularly when moving forward, as he punished Hamill with punches and knees to the body every time “The Hammer” covered up.
When seeking to initiate the clinch, Jackson’s footwork is quite underrated. He is quite savvy when it comes to cutting off the cage and closing distance. Once there, “Rampage” possesses some nasty dirty boxing and his takedowns are quite effective. Conversely, when he gets frustrated due to his inability to find his opponent’s chin, his footwork becomes quite predictable and ineffective. Rashad Evans was able to exploit that hole in Jackson’s game perfectly, as he never allowed “Rampage” to get within range. This forced Jackson to become even more aggressive when moving forward, which in turn made him an easy target for Evans’ takedowns as he used Jackson’s aggression against him.
Therefore, and in this fight more than any other, it will be vital for “Rampage” to be patient and not to get too discouraged should he fail to have much success landing anything significant early on. This is particularly crucial given that he will likely have a very hard time finding a way around Jones’ reach and get on the inside. That is the chore of the problem for “Rampage” in this particular match-up, as while his best offense comes on the inside — be it with his boxing or clinch work — Jones’ reach will allow him to stay long and keep his opponent at bay. Jones hasn’t developed much of a jab yet, but the Mauricio “Shogun” Rua fight showed that he is finally learning to make full use of his reach by utilizing his long frame to throw plenty of kicks — particularly front kicks — to control distance. Before that, much of Jones’ striking was revolved around some flashy strikes that he threw without much of a set-up. However, having combined tactical discipline and smart fighting with his creativity makes Jones an even bigger nightmare to deal with.
More impressive was how devastating Jones’ offense was on the inside, as he brutalized Rua with knees and body shots. Worse yet for Jones’ opponents, he utterly confuses them by landing some shots on the inside before immediately putting them on their backs with a takedown from the clinch; not to mention the fact that the variety in his takedowns is pretty astounding. This spells trouble for “Rampage”, as while his base and takedown defense are both solid, he struggles to deal with unpredictable opponents who confuse him by mixing things up. He was able to stuff all of Hamill’s takedowns because he knew what to expect, but couldn’t deal with Evans’ takedowns as Rashad threw plenty of feints, continuously changed levels, and set things up with his striking.
Of course, Jones doesn’t fight exactly the same way that Evans does, and he will not change levels as much, or shoot from distance (though he did effortlessly put Ryan Bader on his back with a shot from the outside), but he will be able to use his reach to prevent Jackson from utilizing his striking effectively, and he will be one of the few who will get the better of the clinch work with “Rampage”, and thus preventing Jackson from using his dirty boxing.
If/when he gets taken down, it will be important for Jackson not to be too eager to get back to his feet, as he tends to give up position when doing so. This was the case against both Evans and Lyoto Machida. Against the former, Jackson was continuously fighting an uphill battle to regain his vertical base, while Machida was able to take him down late in the fight, pass his guard and get to mount. Jones’ top game is an even tougher proposition to deal with, and his ground-and-pound is more dangerous than anything the aforementioned pair were able to offer. His elbows to the body were a key feature in his triumph over Rua back in March, as he completely took the wind out of the Brazilian’s sails with continuous body work. Jones is capable of both staying in full guard and start landing elbows, as he did against Brendon Vera; as well as passing guard and advancing position, as he did against Vladimir Matyushenko and Bader. Such dedication is admirable, as Jones’ top game doesn’t even need to be as dynamic as it is, but his quest for improvement made his grappling even more multidimensional.
His submission arsenal is ever improving as well. In fact, in addition to choking out Bader, Jones was in position to submit “Shogun” with a beautiful Kneebar in the second round but ran out of time. The way Jones transitioned from half guard immediately to that Kneebar is a testament to his creativity and free flowing approach inside the cage. Jackson’s submission defense is extremely solid, but it is not outside the realm of possibility to see Jones polish off a tired “Rampage” late in the fight with a submission.
The match-up issues are just too severe for “Rampage” to overcome, and barring a well-placed punch that separates Jones from consciousness, it is going to be a long night for Jackson. Expect Jones to frustrate him on the feet, take him down, punish him with elbows to the body, advance position, and finish things off with some more ground-and-pound.
Official Prediction: Jon Jones to defeat Quinton Jackson by TKO in the Third Round
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Posted in: ufc, fight, rampage, jone, jackson
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainRashad Evans has predicted Jon Jones to defeat Quinton Jackson at UFC 135 tomorrow night (Sept. 24,...
Rashad Evans has predicted Jon Jones to defeat Quinton Jackson at UFC 135 tomorrow night (Sept. 24, 2011) for months now. But suddenly, just days before the two are poised to get busy at the Pepsi Center, "Suga" has flipped the script and is now picking "Rampage." What caused his change of heart? Find out right here.
Posted in: jackson, jon jones, pepsi center, rashad evans, tomorrow
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 135 weigh-in results and preview videos
UFC 135 weigh-in resultsDenver, COJon Jones () vs. Quinton Jackson ()Matt Hughes () vs. Josh Koscheck ()Rob Broughton () vs. Travis Browne ()Nate Diaz () vs. Takanori Gomi ()Mark Hunt () vs. Ben Rothwell ()Aaron Riley () vs. Tony Ferguson ()Tim Boetsch () vs. Nick Ring ()Ricardo Romero () vs. James Te Huna ()Cole Escovedo () vs. Takeya Mizugaki ()Junior Assuncao () vs. Eddie Yagin ()The weigh-ins for UFC 135 take place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, with the first fighter on the scale at 6 p.m. EST (4 p.m. local time).Jon Jones (13-1) vs. Quinton Jackson (32-8)
Posted in: ufc, jackson, vs, weigh-in, preview videos
Read the full article at UltMMAVideo: Jon Jones and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Appear on ESPN’s SportsCenter
It's a tension filled Friday morning when Jon Jones and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson appear together on ESPN's SportsCenter to promote their upcoming fight at UFC 135.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, jon jones, friday morning, sportscenter
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyMusclePharm Executive VP Leonard Armenta resigns in wake of UFC 135 'Spy Gate' accusations from Rampage Jackson
The UFC 135 "Spy Gate" fiasco has taken a very ugly turn.
What started as pre-fight hype between Quinton Jackson and Jon Jones, who square off tomorrow night (Sept. 24, 2011) at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, may have forced MusclePharm Executive Vice President Leonard Armenta to resign from his job.
That's because "Rampage" claims to have outed the "spy" on ESPN's SportsCenter earlier today, according to his recent Twitter post:
I just outed the spy on Sport Center,its come on top who he is but out of respect 2 #mucslepharm I won't tweet his name,he's done f$8^ em!
As expected, that didn't sit well with "Bones," who blames Jackson's "paranoia" for the exec's downfall:
Sucks some poor guy at musclepharm got fired over rampages paranoia
MusclePharm is a major sponsor to many of today's top mixed martial arts fighters and recently renewed its contract with the UFC for another two years. It even has its own facility in Denver where Rampage has been training.
It all started when Jackson made up a bogus story about hurting his hand -- but didn't tell anyone except those closest to him inside his camp. Lo and behold, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva was on the horn shortly thereafter, asking questions about the phony injury.
Jackson elaborates to Yahoo Sports:
"One of my friends was talking to Jon Jones’ manager recently, and Jon Jones’ manager was saying that he knows everything that is going on in our camp. He said he had spies in our camp and he knew everything that was going on. That got me thinking. How did he know about my hand injury that fast? It wasn’t on the Internet, and yet he knew about my hand injury right away. The UFC people were in Brazil, which is why it probably took them four hours to call me. That shows me two things: They have spies in my camp, one, and two, they’re dumb as hell, because they didn’t know how to use the information correctly and to wait. He called right away, running to Joe Silva. Joe Silva called my manager right away. Of course they’re going to say they aren’t doing it, but we’ll put the story out there to the fans and let them decide."
Was Leonard Armenta the spy? Was there a spy at all? No one knows for sure, but Rampage claims to have "outed" him on SportsCenter and the fact that Armenta resigned back on Sept. 16 doesn't exactly weigh in his favor.
Alright Maniacs, let's get some reactions to this news. Much ado about nothing? Or an unfortunate situation that has spiraled completely out of control?
Thoughts?
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jackson, &rsquo, spy
Read the full article at MMA ManiaNow comes the hard part for new champ Jones (Yahoo! Sports)
Expectations and pressure mount as Jon Jones prepares to take on Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in UFC 135.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, jon jones, champ jones
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsNine Ways of Looking at UFC 135
Filed under: UFCIt's been an interesting week in Denver, what with both UFC 135 main eventers chipping away at each other in their own unique ways. With the fight nearly upon us, I submit some thoughts, predictions, and questions for your consideration.
I. When did respect and humility become so important to "Rampage" Jackson? It must have been very, very recently, since I seem to recall him being less than respectful in the pre-fight exchanges with Rashad Evans. And remember Darrill "Titties" Schoonover, who Jackson bullied repeatedly during a coaching stint on TUF? Let's go ask him how important respect is to Jackson. I get it, he's feeling dissed by Jones and, possibly, the media and the oddsmakers. But as Jackson spent all week harping on Jones' lack of respect, it was hard not to wonder when the challenger had decided to eschew bad breath jokes and personal insults in favor of treating everyone like he'd want to be treated. It must have been after he compared Jones to a monkey he saw at the zoo, just like his sudden love of humility must have come after he predicted that Jones would have to be woken up in the cage following Saturday's fight. I guess when Jackson says fighters should show respect, he means they should show it to him.
II. And, while we're on the subject, why can't Jon Jones just admit that he thinks he's pretty great? It's not like anyone would blame him. Look at what he's done. Just a few years after putting on the gloves for the first time he's the UFC light heavyweight champion. A guy like that can be cocky. After all, it ain't bragging if it's true. The problem is, he's trying very hard to present a certain hand-crafted, squeaky clean image to the fans, but they're no longer buying it. He claims not to care what people think of him, but in reality it seems like few UFC champions care more. The claim that he's somehow disrespected Jackson more than Jackson has disrespected him doesn't hold up, but Jones certainly has a high opinion of his own skills, and he's not the only one. If he'd just admit it, it couldn't be used against him so effectively.
III. My God, this spying nonsense. With all this talk about secret espionage, how is it that there hasn't been a single statuesque Russian woman involved? Or a dude with an eye patch? At least a spit bucket that is also a smoke bomb. Worst spy story ever.
IV. Matt Hughes says he hasn't made a decision, but he definitely doesn't sound like a guy who wants to retire soon. If he did, this would be a sensible fight to end on. His contract is coming up, he claims he doesn't want to stick around into his forties, so why not call it now? My guess is, it's because he's hoping he'll put out a win over Josh Koscheck and then he'll be able to ride this train for at least one or two more fights. His wife wants him to quit. His boss doesn't see what else he'd have to fight for. All signs are pointing toward retirement. The fact that Hughes is adamant about making no decision yet -- just as he is adamant that the outcome of this fight doesn't really matter -- tells you that he desperately wants to stay in the UFC just a little while longer. If Koscheck puts a beatdown on him (and I suspect he will), the case for a continued Hughes run is going to be hard to make.
V. If Travis Browne can put his size to work, Rob Broughton could be in for a rough night. Seeing those two heavyweights near each other in the gym on Thursday, it became very apparent that Broughton's biggest challenge will be getting in close. He'd probably like to put Browne on the mat, but at 6'7" Browne is a lot of humanity to try and forcibly relocate. If he keeps Broughton at a distance, this should be Browne's fight to lose.
VI. Will Nate Diaz opt to stand and bang against an opponent who excels at that (and, at this point, little else)? If you're Takanori Gomi, you probably hope so. The Japanese import has not been so stellar on the ground lately, and he did get submitted by Diaz's older brother (who then got submitted by the NSAC's drug testing procedures, but whatever). But if Diaz comes out looking to box, he gives Gomi more of a chance than he needs to. Gomi still hits hard (just ask Tyson Griffin) and he's always gotten high marks in the brawlability category. That doesn't mean Diaz can't beat him on the feet, but why risk it if you don't have to? Maybe just because you're a Diaz, and that's what Diazes do.
VII. Ben Rothwell is a brand new fighter...again. I like Rothwell as a person, and I see what he's trying to say, but what is this, like the third time he's declared himself to be a new man? He's been gone for a bit with injuries, so this time maybe it's more true than ever, but how different is he really going to be? What, he's lost some weight? He's quicker? He's a jiu-jitsu master who pulls guard now? Okay, the last one would be a significant change, but odds are he's going to be more or less the same fighter, just an updated version. Again, nothing wrong with that. But you don't get to be born anew before every fight. Especially not when you've been in this sport for ten freaking years.
VIII. The "media notes" the UFC has started handing out recently are, well, interesting. There's some good information in the ten-plus pages of handouts. If you don't live and breathe this sport (looking at you, local newspaper writer who probably won't even show up until the main event), it catches you up on 'spygate' and on Hughes' record of 18 UFC wins. But it also feels like some information is tossed in there just to fill white space. For instance, did you know Rothwell has "a technical degree in collision repair" from Waukesha County Technical College? Or that Hughes has an associate of arts degree from Lincoln Community College? I'm not sure what the UFC expects us to do with that information, but hey, the more you know, I guess.
IX. It's a little weird to see Josh Koscheck being this nice. We've seen flashes of the old Kos this week, but the barbs have been few and not even all that prickly. When he said Hughes was in for a bad night, he seemed to actually feel a little bit bad about it. It's as if he doesn't want to beat Hughes up (or at least, not as much as he usual), but simply has no choice. Then again, he's as fierce a competitor as Hughes is, he reminded us. It doesn't matter if he's fighting a former world champ or "a 12-year-old kid," he wants to win. Who knew he could do it with such a congenial attitude? Well, congenial for him, anyway. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, fight, jackson, hughe, doesn
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 135: Rampage Jackson Outs Spy, Accuses MusclePharm Employee
In the never-ending cycle of media relations leading up to UFC 135 this weekend, current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger 'Rampage' Jackson appeared on ESPN's Sportscenter this morning. The usual verbal sparring match ensued, but Jackson dropped a bomb during the segment, claiming that a man named "Leonard", who worked for his sponsor MusclePharm, was the spy in his camp feeding Jon Jones information.
@Rampage4real Quinton Jackson I just outed the spy on Sport Center,its come on top who he is but out of respect 2 #mucslepharm I won't tweet his name,he's done fuck em!Sep 23 via Twitter for BlackBerry®FavoriteRetweetReply
According to a SEC Filing issued on September 16, 2011, MusclePharm executive vice president Leonard Armenta resigned from his position with the company, leading to some speculation that he was, in fact, the 'Leonard' that Jackson is accusing in the interview. Jackson stated on Twitter that he didn't want to reveal the man's full name out of respect for MusclePharm, so it isn't confirmed whether Armenta is the man Jackson is talking about.
Jon Jones took to Twitter moments later, stating it "sucks" an employee at MusclePharm was fired over Rampage's paranoia:
@Jonnybones Jon Bones Jones Sucks some poor guy at musclepharm got fired over rampages paranoiaSep 23 via TweetList ProFavoriteRetweetReply
Some of the immediate reactions to the news, especially if you buy into the notion that Leonard Armenta's resignation has everything to do with 'Spygate', has been mostly positive toward Jackson. People were highly skeptical, and Rampage delivered proof. Whether or not that proof is factual is the question.
It also brings up another question that seems to get ignored in all the arguing. If spying did actually occur, who's to say that Jon Jones even knew about it? Perhaps a pissed off former employee gave the information to Jones' camp. Hard to ignore a phone call from a legitimate source who says Rampage is hurt, isn't it? In any case, the saga probably won't end here.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, jon jones, musclepharm
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowHas the striking of Quinton Jackson become stagnant? Or has it simply failed to evolve? MMA Nation...
Has the striking of Quinton Jackson become stagnant? Or has it simply failed to evolve? MMA Nation looks at a recent critique from Jon Jones as he prepares for "Rampage" at UFC 135 tomorrow night in Denver. Click here to read both sides of the argument.
Posted in: mma nation, jackson, jon jones, quinton jackson, nation
Read the full article at MMA ManiaUFC 135 preview: Why is 'Rampage' such a huge underdog to champ Jones?
If you read into betting lines associated with UFC 135, the world has
already decided that Jon Jones is unbeatable, or at
least when it comes to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
No lines could more clearly indicate "puncher's chance" than odds that
have Jackson as high as +400 to Jones' -600, which means that the former
champion has about a 15 percent probability of winning the fight.
UFC president calls those odds "crazy," but should he? Is Jones the future of the sport, and is Jackson the past?
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, jon jones, ufc president
Read the full article at MMA JunkieRashad Evans wants to face Jones but picks Rampage to Win
UFC 135 is less than 24 hours away and while the oddsmakers have Quinton “Rampage” Jackson listed as the underdog in his bout against Jon Jones, there is one fighter that is picking Jackson to win, Rashad Evans.
Evans has knowledge of both fighters. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion holds a unanimous decision victory over Jackson, defeating him at UFC 114. “Suga” was also a training partner of Jones’ at Jackson’s MMA and has stated that he beat Jones, the current
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, rashad evans, face jones
Read the full article at Low KickUFC 135: Rampage Jackson isn't worried about nuthin' that Jon Jones got (Video)
Reach, knees, elbows, little spinning stuff, spinning elbows: Quinton Jackson is prepared for anything that Jon Jones plans to bring to the Octagon for their UFC 135 main event fight this weekend (Sept. 24, 2011) in Denver. "Rampage" simply doesn't believe that "Bones" has the power to take him out of their five-round championship fight early. In the video above, Jackson assures his fans that he is trained and ready to get his 205-pound belt back. Will he?
Posted in: jackson, jon jones, quinton jackson, event fight, championship fight
Read the full article at MMA ManiaTo Prepare for UFC 135 Bout, 'Rampage' Jackson Literally Lived in the Gym
Filed under: UFCDENVER -- The fight game is full of almost mythical hard luck stories of young fighters who, being long on passion and short on cash, end up sleeping on dirty mats or bedding down on a cot in some back room of the gym where they train. This is not one of those stories.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson isn't young (not by fighter standards, anyway) and he certainly isn't poor. He didn't make his home inside the MusclePharm gym just off I-70 in Denver because he had to; he did it because he wanted to. And, sure, there were other contributing factors.
"I'm kind of lazy," Jackson said. "I didn't want to have to wake up in the morning...and I'd be late here every day. So I just said forget it. Move me in."
According to MusclePharm co-founder and senior president Cory Gregory, it wasn't the kind of request they'd envisioned when they first built the more than 30,000-square-foot facility that resembles an airplane hanger more than a 24-Hour Fitness, but they found a way to make it work.
"Rampage lives right in there," Gregory said, gesturing through a door off the main weight room. "It was originally a physical therapy room. He spent one night in a hotel then came in and said, 'Hey, make me a room.' So we made him a room and that's where he sleeps."
Jackson has been living in the facility for about the past two months, by his own reckoning. He came to Denver to live and train in the altitude and the atmosphere where he'd be fighting light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 135, but the hotels which had kitchens that could accommodate him were all too far from the gym, he said.
"But then, I saw the gym has everything," he said. "I might as well live here."
Not only does the gym have a kitchen, it also has a hyperbaric chamber, hot and cold recovery tubs, hydraulic weight training machines, aquatic treadmills, a full lab for measuring hormone levels -- even its own movie theater where all the seats are individually embroidered with the MusclePharm logo.
"We use [the theater] for presentations and stuff," Gregory said. "But also Rampage uses it to play video games and watch movies."
But all that isn't cheap. According to the UFC, between Jackson, his Wolfslair squad, and MusclePharm, more than one million dollars went into this one fight camp. How they arrived at that figure is vague at best, but a good portion of it seems to come from the luxury of the MusclePharm gym, which isn't open to the public and, according to Gregory, never will be.
"We've been building it for a year, a year and change, and not really telling anybody about it," he said, explaining that it was just for the athletes the company sponsors, such as Jackson and NFL players like Shawne Merriman, who Gregory says has been here several times.
But with all this expensive equipment laying around exclusively for the use of pro athletes, it's hard not to wonder how the company isn't losing money just by keeping the lights on.
"We're a brand that sells supplements worldwide," Gregory said. "...This was all in our marketing budget, because we knew that just like the thing they played on Spike [TV], the Countdown show, there's like five minutes all about the facility. Basically, if you build it, they will come."
Except that, as I was forced to point out, they don't actually want people to come. People can't come. Not past the parking lot, anyway.
"We didn't need to make money off the gym," Gregory said. "We're making money because you're standing here talking to me."
Besides, he added, if he's pursuing a sponsorship deal with a pro athlete like Jackson, who has other suitors in the industry, "why wouldn't they pick MusclePharm when they have the access to this? No one else has this. I think we rival even some Olympic facilities. It's pretty ridiculous."
Ridiculous is an appropriate word for it, in some respects. For a guy who's preparing to fight another man in a cage on Saturday night, it almost seems like overkill. There's far more mat space here than any one fighter could possibly need -- far more space in general. There's a cage, a ring, an astroturf runway. The walls are adorned with inspirational (if not completely grammatically sound) phrases such as "Weak Ends Here."
It is, in other words, a very different training model than the one that most MMA fighters follow. Rather than working with an existing team that makes its home in an existing fight gym, Jackson is his own moveable team. He has his own dedicated coaches and sparring partners, and his own private gym to work out of.
It's ironic then that he should still be so worried about a "spy" in his midst, but both Jackson and boxing coach Mark Kinney both insisted that the spying incident was very real and a very serious concern.
"We actually found out who the spy was and he got in big trouble," said Jackson, who declined to name names but said it "wasn't a fighter."
According to Kinney, it was "someone who knew what we were doing" and was passing the information to outside sources.
But, both men said, the team took care of it, and now Jackson thinks he may have found a permanent training camp for future fights.
"It'd be hard not to train here," he said. "Especially now [that] the spy's gone."
The real test, of course, comes on Saturday night. That's when we'll all find out how much it benefited Jackson to live and train inside this cavernous facility, with every advantage science could concoct ready at his disposal.
Gregory, whose company has its name riding on his performance in more ways than one, isn't too concerned.
"Listen, Quinton looks like he did back in the day," he said. "He's fast, he's recovered, he's nasty. And, of course, Quinton's my boy, so we believe he's going to win. We believe he's going to knock him out." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: jackson, isn, musclepharm, gym, gregory
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseUFC 135 Main Event Breakdown: Jon Jones vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
Filed under: UFC, MMA Fighting ExclusiveFor the last four and a half years, the UFC light-heayvweight title has been a hot potato. Since that time, six different men have held it, and only two have managed to successfully defend it a single time before losing.
One of those two is Saturday night's challenger, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who dethroned Chuck Liddell after a two-year reign at the top. At the time, Liddell was seemingly at the height of his powers. Though 37 years old then, he had finished seven straight opponents, and was installed as a massive favorite against Jackson.
Of course, Jackson went on to upset him in a first-round knockout before successfully defending the belt against Dan Henderson, then lost it in a close split-decision to Forrest Griffin.
At UFC 135, Jackson is back in the same role, a challenger facing long odds.
The current lines have champion Jon Jones as much as a 7-to-1 favorite. That's a shocking number considering Jackson's pedigree and history of success. The belief in Jones as a lock to win stems from his dominant performances so far, the excitement that has crested during his quick rise to the top, and his perceived matchup advantages against Jackson.
Chief among them is his reach. Jones will have nearly a one-foot reach advantage against Jackson, 84.5 inches to 73 inches. Given Jackson's tendencies to be a counter-fighter, he is bound to face some difficulties getting inside, where his hooks become his most dangerous weapons.
Jones has the size and length to stand on the outside and batter away at Jackson's legs the same way Griffin did when he beat Jackson in 2008. Because Jackson rarely checks kicks, and seldom fires back kicks of his own (only 12.5 percent of his standing strikes are kicks, according to Compustrike), that's an area of major concern. By comparison, kicks account for 39 percent of Jones' standup strikes.
Jones is also excellent at varying his areas of attack. He doesn't get caught up in head-hunting, as evidenced by his fight against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, during which he softened up the then-champ with body shots throughout. That unpredictability is a key element of his success, but it also leaves openings.
That's where Jackson hopes to make his stand. Jackson has always been a patient fighter, waiting for his opponent to commit to him before firing back. As proof, it's telling that during his UFC career, he's gone 7-2 despite the fact that his opponents have thrown 170 more combined strikes than him. That's fairly rare for a winning fighter, let alone a former champion.
Being a counter-fighter causes you to pick your spots wisely, but it also leaves little room for error. Jackson is good at his style because he lands when he throws, connecting on 53 percent of standing strikes, an excellent ratio. But he's never faced anyone with Jones' reach, leaving questions about how effective his style can be here.
If things aren't going well for Jackson, he might have to wade inside, where Jones has shown a strong clinch game, alternately using it to deliver punishment or score takedowns. He's manhandled most of his opponents from in tight, and Jackson has had issues there in the past, making it murky waters to navigate.
All that leaves us with the same conclusion that everyone's had from the moment this fight was announced: Jackson's best chance of winning is hurting Jones with a hook. The odds suggest it is nearly impossible, but we must note that Jones has never faced anyone who fights like Jackson. Rua is the most similar opponent he's fought in terms of experience and power, but his style is quite different. Rua likes to come forward and be the aggressor, his standup is a Muay Thai blend, and he aggressively hunts the takedown. Jackson is none of those things. He's going to dare you to come to him, he values his hands above all his weapons, and he avoids the ground at all costs.
Despite the fact that Jackson hasn't had a knockout in his last four fights, he's dropped three of the four with punches, so to suggest his power isn't there is misleading. If Jones comes in with his chin untucked, or if Jackson finds the money spot, he's still capable of a finish. Jones has never really been in any kind of trouble, and he's never really been hit square. That is due to his own defensive abilities, but the fact remains that we can't be certain about how he'll take a big punch.
The biggest area of concern for Jackson is on the ground. Jackson has very good submission defense, but he never threatens from the bottom and struggles to return to his feet. Meanwhile, Jones has become a killer on top, utilizing his length and leverage to generate some of the most brutal elbow strikes in the game. If Jones can continually put Jackson on his back, Jackson has big trouble.
Jackson doesn't have the multi-pronged offensive approach that can shake a still young fighter. Once Jones gets his timing down, as his comfort level in evading Jackson's counterpunches grows, the odds will grow longer for Jackson. To say he has virtually no shot as the current odds indicate is untrue. His punching power is still there, his hands are still relatively quick, his punches are tight, and he's got experience on his side. But a lot of what he does should play right into Jones' hands. He's going to let Jones throw first, which is bad. He might counterstrike his way into Jones' clinch, which is bad. And any attempt to get inside might lead to a clinch and/or takedown, both of which are bad.
Jones has many more ways to win, and I think he wears down the challenger over time with leg kicks, body shots and ground work. Jackson has always been a durable fighter, and that will be put to the test here, because there will be plenty of stuff coming at him. Jones via fourth-round TKO. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, opponent, strike
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage Jackson outs Jon Jones' Spy on SportsCenter; MusclePharm VP Resigns
In what has undoubtedly been one of the stranger storylines leading up to a fight, the "Spygate" accusations made by Quinton "Rampage" Jackson earlier this month alleging that Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones had planted a mole inside of his training camp now appear to have been a bit more serious than some may have initially believed.While making an appearance on this morning's edition of ESPN's SportsCenter, Jackson finally revealed the name of the man he believes was reporting back to Jones' camp.
Posted in: jone, jackson, musclepharm vp, stranger storylines, training camp
Read the full article at Low KickGreg Jackson: Jones Doesn’t Need to Spy on ‘Rampage’
Greg Jackson says he has the utmost respect for Quinton Jackson, but he does chuckle at Rampage’s claim that Jon Jones had someone spying on his training ahead of their fight at UFC 135.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, quinton jackson, greg jackson
Read the full article at SherdogQuinton Jackson - Finding His Inner "Rampage" Again
Three days before his 23rd birthday, Quinton Jackson scored a submission victory over Kenneth Williams in a Gladiator Challenge show in California that lifted his record as a professional mixed martial artist to 10-1.A month later, on July 29, 2001, he made his PRIDE debut in Japan against Kazushi Sakuraba before over 27,000 fans. Life would never be the same for the native of Memphis, Tennessee.A little more than ten years later, Jackson is facing a young man in Jon Jones who knows what it’s like to get his life turned upside down at the age of 23. The New Yorker known as “Bones” became the youngest champion in UFC history earlier this year when he stopped Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to take the light heavyweight title. Now 24, Jones will defend his crown against someone in “Rampage” who has a pretty good idea of what it’s like to be in his shoes.“I was hungry,” recalled Jackson of his first days in Japan, where he went from obscurity to stardom in the matter of that one fight (a loss) with the legendary Sakuraba. “I was just coming into PRIDE and I knew I was being fed to the wolves, but I made due with my situation. I was happy with what was going on, and I was still humble. I didn’t let the stardom that PRIDE brought go to my head because as soon as you fought in PRIDE, the welcome that the Japanese fans gave you couldn’t be compared to what you got in America. It was really big, it was in the newspapers and all over the news the next day and it was mainstream a long time ago. I was just happy to be there and finally making money at the sport I loved. Back then I didn’t hate training as much because I didn’t have so many bumps and bruises. (Laughs) Back then it was all love.”He pauses, almost as if transporting himself back to the Land of the Rising Sun, where he made his name as one of the best light heavyweights in the world.“I miss those Japanese fans,” Jackson continues. “I can honestly say that the Japanese fans were the best fans I ever fought in front of. I like the England crowd as well, but the Japanese fans respect you so much that they’re quiet, so you could hear your cornermen. You don’t get that nowhere else in the world.”Back then, Jackson was as happy go lucky a fighter as you would find. Hilarious in interviews, always joking, it wasn’t until the lights went down and he stepped into the ring that “Rampage” came out. He went 12-5 in PRIDE over his five years there, with Igor Vovchanchyn, Murilo Bustamante, Chuck Liddell, Ricardo Arona, and Murilo ‘Ninja’ Rua among his victims.After a WFA win over Matt Lindland in 2006, the next stop was the UFC, and while it wasn’t his first stop in his home country as a professional, he did notice that there was a new acceptance of the sport in the United States, and with such widespread acclaim came casual fans who didn’t exactly know who the wisecracking guy with the chain around his neck was. But regardless of the reintroduction process, he never lost the fans who had been following him through the wonders of Pay-Per-View and the internet.“Those are the hardcore MMA fans that were fans before it got mainstream,” said Jackson. “Those are the fans that know a lot about the sport and they’ve seen our past fights. They’ve been with us for a long time, they know MMA a little bit more and they know that everybody can’t win all the time. The new fans, they’re kinda like fair-weather fans. They’ll be cheering for you in the beginning until you start getting your ass whupped. Then they don’t cheer for you. They’ll start booing you and stuff like that and they don’t have respect for the fighters.”It resembles the backlash a lot of fighters, including Jackson, and now including Jones, go through. And though Jackson may not like being flavor of the week one day and out of favor the next, he’s not about to change who he is. “Nothing’s gonna change my personality – no titles no money, nothing like that,” he said. “I always stayed grounded and stayed humble because I look at this job as a career, just like a doctor or a lawyer or schoolteacher. I don’t think I’m better than anybody else because I’m a professional fighter. A lot of fighters and people, when they have high-profile jobs, they think they’re better than other people, and it can go to your head if you’re not a grounded person. That’s why people don’t understand when I say this is my career and my job. It’s not that I don’t love the sport, it’s that it being a job keeps me grounded. I have a strong father who talks to me all the time, and one of the things he instilled in me as a kid is that ‘don’t let money make you; you make money.’ So people can make fun of me and say I’m just doing this as a job, but that’s just the American Dream. That’s what we were taught our whole lives – go to school, get an education, so you can get a good career so you can make money. That’s me, I’m living the American Dream.”Frankly speaking, he is. A successful fighter who also had a big role in the hit A-Team movie a couple years back, Jackson is doing all right for himself after surviving various ups and downs both in and out of the Octagon. Yet those trials and tribulations make him appreciate what he has now.“I thank God all the time and I’m very blessed,” he said. “I keep it real - I’m not an educated person. I went to college, but I’m not one of those people who thinks they’re smarter than everybody else. I’m intelligent, but I’m not educated, so there’s no way I could be making this type of money in another career. I wasn’t gonna be a doctor or a lawyer, so I’m happy that I can help my parents out and put my little sister through college and buy Lamborghinis and go on vacation and have a nice house to live in and leave stuff for my kids. I’m happy and I’m blessed.”In fact, the only time you’ll see him stray from that frame of mind is a) in the middle of an arduous training camp, or b) when discussing his first loss in the UFC, a controversial five round decision defeat at the hands of Forrest Griffin in July of 2008 that cost him his UFC light heavyweight title. He’s lost before and he’s lost since, but this is the one he can’t let go of.“I just don’t feel like I lost that fight,” said Jackson. “When I fought Ninja (Rua), I thought I lost that fight until I went back and watched it. And when I fought (Lyoto) Machida, he rocked me in the last round, and when I got rocked, I didn’t remember all the good stuff I did until I watched the fight. So when I think I lost a fight, I’m the first one to say it. And I just feel like I didn’t lose that fight with Forrest. I was the champion, and you’ve got to beat the champion to be the champ. He injured me in the fight, he did a great job and had a great gameplan, but I felt like I did just enough to win that fight. I dropped him a couple times and I feel like I won 3-2, but they took my belt away. With Shogun (Rua) and Machida, everyone thought Shogun beat Machida the first time they fought, but Machida kept his belt and they clearly said ‘you’ve got to beat the champ to be the champ.’ So everybody was confused. I felt my fight was more decisive than Machida’s in being clear that I won. It is what it is, but it does bother me.”Since that loss, Jackson has gone 4-1, with the only defeat coming via decision to Rashad Evans in 2010. Sandwiching that defeat are wins over Wanderlei Silva, Keith Jardine, Machida, and Matt Hamill, earning him a shot at Jones’ belt this Saturday night in Denver. It’s the fight he’s been waiting for in more ways than one, but most importantly to show that he belongs at the top of the 205-pound heap.“I think it’s very important for me to get that belt back so I can show the world that they made a mistake,” said Jackson. “I want to show that I’m still here, and I still train like a champion and I haven’t stopped training like that since that fight.”As for Jones, Jackson admits that the phenom “is a very exciting fighter,” but when asked what he sees when he looks at the champion, he simply says “fresh meat.”Sounds like there's a “Rampage” on the horizon.
Posted in: jackson, ’t, i ’m, fan, ’m
Read the full article at UFCUFC 135 Video: Jon Jones vs. “Rampage” Jackson Main Event Preview
Stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for UFC 135 results and complete UFC 135 coverage.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jone, jackson, event preview
Read the full article at MMA FrenzyRashad Evans Virtually Breaks Down UFC 135′s Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson
Rashad Evans breaks down the UFC 135 main event between Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson... well, sort of.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, rashad evans
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyRampage insists there's no hate for Jones but says champ must be humbled at UFC 135
DENVER - To hear Quinton "Rampage" Jackson tell it,
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is a cocky,
disrespectful athlete with decent wrestling and an overrated striking
game.
And while Jackson said he does have respect for Jones' abilities in the
cage, he's having trouble finding any redeeming qualities in the champ's
personality.
But hate? No, Jackson insists. As one of God's children, he hates no
man, despite what UFC president Dana White said at Wednesday's pre-UFC
135 press conference. Now wanting to whoop another man's ass, well
that's a different story.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, champ, disrespectful athlete
Read the full article at MMA JunkieUFC 135 main event: Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson fight video preview
It's almost time for these two light heavyweight monsters to get inside the Octagon and settle it once and for all. Will it be Jon Jones retaining his 205-pound title and moving on to fight his former teammate Rashad Evans? Or will Quinton Jackson get his rematch with "Suga" after breaking "Bones" on Sat., Sept. 24 in Denver, Colorado? Get your popcorn ready, Maniacs.
Posted in: fight, jackson, jon jones, quinton jackson, ., sept
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Dislikes Jon Jones More Than Rival Rashad Evans
Filed under: UFC, MMA Fighting Exclusive, News, VideosDENVER -- MMA Fighting spoke to Quinton Jackson on Thursday about his UFC 135 title fight against Jon Jones, whether he found the spy in his camp, the lack of respect he's received from the oddsmakers and much more. Plus, Jackson's training partner and friend Cheick Kongo makes an appearance, which leads to things getting a bit weird (and a tad physical) between everyone.
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Posted in: jackson, jon jones, quinton jackson, nbsp ;permalink, training partner
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseJon Jones Calls Rampage Jackson a 'Mr. T Wannabe'
Filed under: UFC, MMA Fighting Exclusive, News, VideosDENVER -- MMA fighting spoke to Jon Jones on Thursday about his UFC 135 title fight against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, his new beard, going on a media tour with Jackson, some of the criticism he's received as of late, Jackson's issues with him, how he sees this fight playing out and more.
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Posted in: jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, nbsp ;permalink, media tour
Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse'Rampage' Jackson Says Jon Jones Disrespected His Coach at Open Workouts
DENVER -- At Thursday afternoon's UFC 135 open workouts Quinton "Rampage" Jackson continued to blast UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones for what he interpreted as disrespect, but this time he had a new accusation to level at his opponent.
"He badmouthed my coach today, here at the open workout," Jackson told reporters. "That's not right. The kid has no respect for nobody. He needs to be humbled."
The coach in question was British boxing coach Mark Kinney, a stout veteran of the fight game, who told MMA Fighting that Jones was "just trying to wind me up."
"He said something to me and then I said something back to him," said Kinney, who declined to reveal exactly what was said, but painted Jones as the instigator. "I'm not going to lose sleep over it," he added.
In Jackson's mind, it was just the latest example of disrespectful behavior from Jones, who had long since disappeared from the MusclePharm gym by the time Jackson made the accusation to reporters.
"It's very disrespectful what he did to my coach," Jackson said. "You don't come up to your opponent's coach and talk crap. For the honor and respect of this sport, you don't do that. Jon Jones says I fight for money, and this and that and he fights for fun and honor and stuff like that. But he's not showing the [signs] of a fighter who fights for honor. Yes, I fight for money, because this is the career I chose. But at the same time I have a lot of honor and respect for this sport and other fighters."
But Kinney, the man who was supposedly disrespected, brushed off the incident as a fairly tame run-in. Maybe Jones was feeling just a little too confident in the days leading up to the fight, he suggested, but the champ could be in for a surprise.
After Saturday night, Kinney said, no one will be asking about what Jones said to him or whether he really had a spy in Jackson's camp. "They're going to be asking about his concussion. They're going to be asking whether he'll be in hospital for two weeks or four."
Both Kinney and Jackson continued to insist that Jones had someone on the inside of the challenger's training camp feeding him information, but neither would say who it was. Jackson said he eventually found out the identity of the so-called spy, and his manager took action against him.
"Let's just say he's hurting financially right now," Jackson said. "But we did find the spy, and as I suspected he wasn't a fighter."
And while most people are counting Jackson out against the taller, lankier Jones, Kinney hinted that the team has a plan for getting inside the champion's longer reach and doing damage in close. Of course, he wasn't eager to divulge that information with the fight still two days away.
"But he'll get inside," Kinney said. "Trust me." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: fight, jone, jackson, coach, kinney
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseJon Jones vs Rampage Jackson on The Daily Habit: The chef was the spy all along (Video)
It was the chef, Jackson! It was the chef all along, Jackson!
Jon Jones "admits" to spying on "Rampage" and using his chef to do it so he can keep track of Jackson's nutrition and what not. Now that that's out of the way, they can stop with the talking and get to the fighting, which they'll do this Sat., Sept. 24, 2011, at UFC 135 in Denver, Colorado.
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, ., sept, chef
Read the full article at MMA ManiaTime to teach the kid a lesson (Yahoo! Sports)
In his final UFC 135 blog, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson says Jon Jones is about to learn a hard lesson.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, jon jones, lesson
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsUFC 135: Rampage uses mental game
Before he even stepped into the ring, Quinton (Rampage) Jackson was already landing punches. Only, these were mental jabs aimed at defending champion Jon (Bones) Jones.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, champion, landing punches, champion jon
Read the full article at sportsnet.caUFC 135: Rampage uses mental tactics
Before he even stepped into the ring, Quinton (Rampage) Jackson was already landing punches. Only, these were mental jabs aimed at defending champion Jon (Bones) Jones.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, champion, landing punches, champion jon
Read the full article at sportsnet.caTravis Browne Ready For All Challengers
The unbeaten Hawaiian heavyweight talks about training at Jackson's and preparing to face Rob Broughton at UFC 135 on Saturday night.
Posted in: night, saturday night, jackson, training, travis browne
Read the full article at Heavy MMAJackson still packs a punch, but what else? (Yahoo! Sports)
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson still has thunder in his fists, but will that be enough to defeat Jon Jones?
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, punch, thunder
Read the full article at Yahoo! SportsMy Plea To Jon Jones: Be Ali
Mike Goldberg loves to use the terms “classy and humble” when describing fighters. One fighter he believes to be the classiest and humblest of them all is Jon Jones. I guess because Jones is only 24-years old and he thanks God every time he wins, that makes him, “a classy and humble young man.” Maybe Goldberg is just confusing Jones with Tim Tebow, since they’re both a little awkward with their style and they save lives when they’re not doing their day job.
I don’t think Jones is as classy and humble as Goldberg wants fans to believe. I think he’s a kid who wants to portray himself that way because that’s how everyone expects him to be, but while doing that, he’s not really being himself.
I believe that Jones is a cocky, but very confident, young man. And that’s the image that I hope he starts to portray. I don’t think I’m asking him to be something that he’s not, because it seems to me that right now he’s trying to be something that he’s not.
Not too long ago Bruce Buffer said that Jones could be the Muhammad Ali of MMA. So why not do it? People loved Ali because he was a cocky and confident fighter, and he backed it up in the ring. Even if people didn’t like Ali, they still watched in hopes that he would get his ass-kicked.
Jones can be the Ali of MMA.
He has the charisma, both inside and outside of the cage, to become the most popular fighter in the world. He’s going to gain fans and attention because of the way he fights, but if he wants to be something more, he can’t keep being someone that he’s not.
Jones needs to be the Ali of MMA.
He needs to embrace his personality. The Jones we saw on Jimmy Kimmel Live earlier this week was the real Jon Jones. He was holding his own in a war of words with Quinton Jackson, but doing it in a funny way. I think that’s who Jones really is, but someone he doesn’t show often enough.
Here’s what I want from Jones: I want him to start opening up and get as creative outside of the cage as he is inside.
After he won the UFC title, Jones said, “I would get rid of the replica belt. I hate it when people come up to me with a belt that looks exactly like mine and they ask me to sign it. I worked three times a day for three years to get this belt, and now this guy asking me for an autograph has one just like it. Are you serious? I mean it’s not as heavy, but it looks just the same. I never sign those belts”
He was criticized for those comments, and even though I think they were a glimpse of his true personality, he can turn those comments around on the fans and Jackson.
Jones should show up with a replica belt, sign it, and present it to “Rampage” Jackson, who keeps saying, “I want my belt back” anytime there is a microphone in his face. He should also pop a breath mint or two before his staredown with Jackson, so Quinton, who loves to bring up the bad breath of his opponents, can’t use that as an excuse.
I want Jones to start predicting what round he’s going to finish opponents in. Tell me you wouldn’t enjoy Jones saying, “I’m going to finish this clown with elbows in the third round” or “I’ll choke him out in the first and have him dying of thirst.” It takes a certain charisma to pull something like this off, and Jones has that charisma and timing to where he could easily get the job done.
You can tell that Jones wants to be a cocky champion, who knows he’s the best, and who will go out there and prove it no matter what anyone says or thinks of him. Maybe it’s just that “Rampage” is bringing this personality out of him, but I think we’ve all seen glimpses of it throughout Jones’ career.
He can be cocky but retain his humbleness. Maybe he thinks he has to be one or the other, but it’s possible to be both. All he has to do is praise his opponent, but just continue to say that he’s better, and he’s going to prove it in the octagon.
He doesn’t have to be overly-classy, where he’s doing nothing but praising his opponent and thanking God, he doesn’t have to be overly-cocky where he’s only praising himself, and he doesn’t have to be completely reserved where he’d rather not talking about anything.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, “Bones” Jones can be Muhammad Ali.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFCSimilar Posts:
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Posted in: jone, jackson, ’t, belt, ali
Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainRampage Jackson warms to Rashad Evans as dislike for Jon Jones grows
You can say one thing about the interactions between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani, they sure aren’t boring. Helwani’s interview with Jackson two days before Jackson meets Jon Jones at UFC 135 proved to be another interesting exchange.
In the past Jackson has been critical of Helwani’s attire, so the interview opens with Helwani asking if his current ensemble is up to Jackson’s standards. From there we learn that Jackson and
Posted in: jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, rashad evans, helwani
Read the full article at Low KickA history of violence: 'Rampage' Jackson scores his first knockout
FanPost edited and promoted by MMAmania.com.
UFC 135: "Jones vs. Rampage" is live this Saturday night (Sept. 24) from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The main event pits reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones against one of the division's most colorful personalities in Quinton Jackson.
Jackson earned his second crack at the light heavyweight crown by beating Matt Hamill at UFC 130 and becoming just the second fighter ever to beat Lyoto Machida at UFC 126.
Many fans have harped on "Rampage" for his lackadaisical approach to training and evolving but he simply outclassed one of the division's best wrestlers in "The Hammer" and like I previously stated, he beat "The Dragon" which is in fact an accomplishment in and of itself. He's also stayed active the past eight months which is a sign of good things to come.
Right?
No question that Jones is a fighter unmatched by anyone in the UFC (at the moment) but when people have doubted 'Page in the past, he has come up to shine. Is UFC 135 going to be one of those nights where Jackson shuts up the doubters and haters?
Let's go back to PRIDE 17 on November 3, 2001, where Jackson earned his first official knockout.
The Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, was rocking as PRIDE invaded with a double main event. The 'Texas Crazy Horse' Heath Herring was getting a chance at the PRIDE heavyweight title but would have to rip it from the black belt grip of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The main event event was the genesis of the famous PRIDE middleweight title as the 'Axe Murderer' Wanderlei Silva was taking on Japanese sensation Kazushi Sakuraba.
The second tilt of the evening featured our main focus, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson against Yuki Ishikawa. You may be asking 'who is Ishikawa,' well, many hardcore fans will pull up his stats but for the sake of this piece, he was a mere sacrificial lamb for the slaughter.
Jackson already held wins over Mike Pyle and Alexander Otsuka and in his 13 fights prior was a very impressive 11-2. He held TKO and submission wins (yes Jackson submitted fools) but did not have an "official" knockout win thus far.
It would all change
.
For one minute and 57 seconds, Jackson may have been the most violent he has ever been. He slammed Yuki like Casey Heynes did to that bully in Australia. He landed two knees, one illegal due to it hitting the back of Ishikawa's head, but each landing flush. He tried multiple times to 'powerbomb' Yuki like he would later do to Ricardo Arona.It was just a good ole ass whoopin' as WWE announcer Jim Ross would say.
Jackson, after submission attempts failed and powerbombs failed, would get Yuki up against the ropes. Jackson ate a punch like it was nothing and then nailed a knee which caused Ishikawa to make the fatal mistake of dropping his hands. Then Rampage landed a flurry and a short left hook dimmed the lights for the Japanese fighter.
Rampage would go on to improve to 12-2 and move up the PRIDE middleweight rankings. Decked out in Apollo Creed USA flag shorts, he was making people look like Rocky in Rocky one -- but Rocky getting knocked out in the end.
For a video of the Jackson-Ishikawa bout click here
The evolution from wrestler who hits hard to Boxer with great takedown defense is clear. He uses triangluation very well in combination with roll and cover. He used triangulation to avoid the looping bombs of Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92 which resulted in him avenging to losses to Silva and earn one of the most brutal knockouts. The art of triangulation is using your forearms to slip punches while working yourself into the pocket. Rampage took little-to-no damage in that barrage regardless of how violent Wanderlei was throwing.
'Cover-rolling' was used at UFC 71 where Rampage knocked out then-UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. 'Cover-rolling' allows you to attack at angles while exploding through. Dip down, drop levels and explode upwards over your back foot creating amazing velocity and force.
If Rampage can find some form of harmony with these techniques he may cause fits for Jones as he has not faced a pure boxer the likes of Rampage. I know the reach difference is heavily in Bones' favor but Jackson is very dangerous in these situations.
If Bones decides to stand and bang with Rampage he may not respect the power of Rampage or his chin. If Rampage slips the jabs from Jones and works 'roll in cover' he can get in close enough to knockout Bones. I look at the bout with Liddell at UFC 71 for example: in the early moments you saw Chuck swat a lazy jab to create distance and gauge his opponent to commit to something. Why? Because Chuck Liddell is a pure counter-puncher.
Jones is a lot more aggressive and that comes from confidence that he can establish his game and he has in most cases. I just feel he has hit a bad point of 'confidence meets cocky' whereas prior to his win over Shogun he just seemed confident. He now appears to believe he can eat whatever Jackson throws and thus he will miss a punch and Rampage will send him to the mat.
I still think the era of Bones goes on after UFC 135 in championship gold but I don't doubt that Rampage may get his title back.
Agree? Disagree? Sound off, Maniacs.
Posted in: ufc, rampage, jone, jackson, pride
Read the full article at MMA ManiaRampage Jackson Respects Jon Jones, but Doesn’t Think He’s Fought Anyone Tough Yet
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson respects Jon Jones' ability as a fighter, but still doesn't believe he deserves all the hype and praise he's receiving right now.
Posted in: rampage, jone, jackson, doesn ’t, doesn
Read the full article at MMA Weekly'Rampage' Jackson Not Feeling the Respect From 'Cocky' Champion Jon Jones
Filed under: UFCDENVER -- Quinton "Rampage" Jackson walked into the UFC 135 pre-fight press conference on Wednesday looking more irritated than upset.
Between the oddsmakers and fans who are counting him out of this weekend's title fight entirely, to the grinning young champion who Jackson insists is too "cocky," everywhere Jackson looks he finds another reason to scowl. Now that fight week is finally here, even that familiar gesture seems barely worth the effort to him.
"I don't want to sit here and disrespect 'Rampage...'" UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones said when asked how he sees Saturday night's fight ending.
"Go ahead, Jon," Jackson all but sighed into the microphone. "You've been doing it before."
"You've been doing it, too," Jones shot back. And he had a point. Only minutes earlier Jackson had talked about how much he enjoyed his training camp in Denver, where he visited the zoo and "made a friend" -- a monkey that he said looked just like Jones.
Somehow, though, it didn't seem to matter. Jackson and light heavyweight nemesis Rashad Evans have branded Jones as cocky and it seems to have stuck. Jones, not surprisingly, chalked it all up to fellow fighters looking for any insult they could find and their fans going along for the ride.
"It could have been any other word," he said. As for claims from both Jackson and Evans that he puts on a phony persona in public, the champ insisted it was "funny" to him, saying, "a lot of people don't even know me, so how do you know if I'm fake?"
If Jones is feeling good about his chances, there are plenty who think he has a reason to. The 24-year-old champion is as high as a 7-1 favorite against the 33-year-old Jackson, according to some oddsmakers. It's a faith in the relatively untested Jones -- or, if you prefer, a lack of confidence in the weary veteran Jackson -- that UFC president Dana White called "crazy."
"Seriously, all of us sitting here today, all the media and all of us who have been involved in the sport for as long as we have, do you honestly think that Rampage is a 5-1 underdog in this fight?" White said.
To hear the UFC boss tell it, this is exactly the kind of fight that Jackson needed to get his head right and his body ready. He's been in Denver training at the Muscle Pharm gym for the last few months, which, at least to White, demonstrates a level of commitment to his preparation that Jackson hasn't always been known for.
"Rampage is pretty miserable right now," White said. "We were in the back...he's pretty nasty for this fight. This is going to be an interesting fight. He hates Jon Jones. Hates him. He feels like he's been disrespected and wants to win this fight. It's good for Rampage. This is what Rampage needs."
But as nice as it is to think that Jackson finally got fired up enough to train hard, that might not be enough against the young phenom Jones. The champion is taller, faster, and younger. At the press conference he showed off his Hollywood smile as he explained that he can take a shot better than most older fighters because he has a "fresh chin" that hasn't been hammered by too many blows just yet.
"I'm a 24 year-old guy, still growing pubic hair," he joked, explaining that he trains not get hit at all, rather than simply not getting hit hard. "I focus on things like evading and slipping and..."
Here, Jackson interrupted again, suggesting, "...and running."
"I haven't disrespected you, have I?" Jones asked.
"Not today," Jackson replied.
But then, the day was still young. And when you're looking for signs of disrespect around every corner, as Jackson seems to be, it never takes long before you find it.
It could be as simple as a smiling young opponent on the other side of the podium, joking with fans, mugging for cameras, looking as unconcerned about you as he was about any of the other challenges he's faced and -- at least so far -- easily overcome. And why should he worry, when he's never known anything but success in this business? Why should he think this time will be any different? How could he? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: fight, rampage, jone, jackson, champion
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseJackson's keys to victory at UFC 135 are outside the Octagon
This weekend, MMA icon Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will go to battle inside the Octagon for the 10th time in his illustrious career, this time facing the young lion Jon "Bones" Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight title. The fight will headline UFC's return to Denver, Colorado, for the first time since Ultimate Ultimate event that took place back in 1995.
On September 24th, sixteen years after Ultimate Ultimate, Jackson will look to repeat Dan Severn's triumph over the much younger and skilled Oleg Taktarov
Posted in: ufc, time, jackson, dan severn, lion jon
Read the full article at Low KickUFC 135 Prefight: Rampage is Glad Jon Jones Underestimates Him
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has been the underdog before and he'll be such again on Saturday night at UFC 135. That's alright by him.
Posted in: ufc, saturday night, rampage, jackson, jon jones
Read the full article at MMA WeeklyJones, Jackson meet media ahead of UFC 135
The sniping between light-heavyweight champion Jon (Bones) Jones and former title-holder Quinton (Rampage) Jackson continued Wednesday as the fighters met the media ahead of UFC 135.
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, media, title-holder quinton
Read the full article at sportsnet.caUFC Quick Quote: Rampage Jackson still nervous headed into Jon Jones title fight
"You still get nervous; this is a pretty big fight. It's kind of far out to be nervous. When you think about it sometimes, you get nervous; it's natural. It shows that you're human. That's when it really hits you; that's the worst thing about being a professional fighter. When you are fighting on the street, you just go, you just react and you know you're about to get into a fight. But it's the anticipation, that's the worst to think about."
-- Quinton Jackson admits to Denver Westwood that he still gets nervous before big fights. Naturally, that means he's really feeling it headed into his UFC 135 title shot against light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones on Sept. 24 in Denver, Colorado. "Rampage" knows he needs to be on point and firing on all cylinders by the time he steps inside the Octagon at the Pepsi Center this Saturday, so he's gone through one of the most vigorous training camps of his career to make that happen. Included after the jump is a pic of his white board training schedule to show how hard he's working in preparation to break some "Bones" and get his belt back. But will he do it? Anyone got Jackson going home with the strap this weekend?
via blogs.westword.com
Posted in: fight, jackson, pepsi center, quinton jackson, training camps
Read the full article at MMA ManiaAwesome Nike commercial featuring Rampage Jackson
submitted by lumbugg [link] [3 comments]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, nike, lumbugg
Read the full article at RedditUFC 135: Our Strange Obsession With Jon Jones' Identity
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once said "half this game is 90% mental." The old adage is comical in a literal sense, but it has meaning. No matter what sport you've played in the past, you've undoubtedly heard coaches talk about how important the mental part of any game is. It couldn't be more prevalent in the lead-up to the main event showdown between champion Jon Jones and challenger Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson at UFC 135 on Saturday night.
Jones has been the focus of what can only be described as a sociological study driven by each and every one of us. It started with the sordid details of his falling out with former teammate Rashad Evans, and the verbal sparring session that ensued. Some fans made their minds up about Jones at that moment. "He's a backstabber, a phony", said some fans. Evans continued to spit venom at Jones, telling anyone and everyone who would listen that Jones was putting on a facade. Interestingly enough, many fans felt there were telling signs that Jones was "faking" it.
The verbal assault by the masterful Quinton "Rampage" Jackson this week has been even more revealing. In almost every interview and face off between the two fighters, Jackson comes off as the real deal while the perception that Jones is a fake continues to gain steam. "Spygate" added fuel to the fire, and Jackson consistently laying blame on Jones for the situation isn't helping. Furthermore, many fans have noticed that "something" seems to be off with Jones in those interviews. I can't say that I don't agree.
It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what that something is, but I tend to focus on the exaggerated reactions and fumbling answers when met with Jackson's effortless quips. It's almost as if Jones is jealous that it comes too easy to Jackson. In other instances, Jones is visibly uncomfortable, indicating he is either holding back a true emotion or deeply insulted by playing this game with Jackson.
The latter thought hits a rarely touched upon subject: race. As community member Brian Hullaby opined yesterday, there is a sense that Jones gave up a certain amount of his "blackness" to become more mainstream among fans, and Evans and Jackson have taken offense. That's what they mean when they say he's being a fake or a phony. It's hard to fault Jones, however, when his past has been filled with racism from his own race. Those wounds don't disappear overnight, and Jackson's frontal assault is bringing up bad memories of those days.
For most fans, none of that matters. They aren't watching this sport to become emotionally invested. They don't care if Jones can't take a few verbal jabs from Jackson. This is fighting after all. They want blood, sweat, and tears.
I don't buy that for a second.
Those reactions stem from the topic being incessantly driven into our skulls over the past two weeks. In reality, becoming connected in some way with a fighter is an emotional investment that has lasting effects on how we consume the product. We become deeply passionate about those involved, thus increasing the sport's enjoyment. If you are maintaining a constant interest in the sport without any emotional investment, you're lying.
You can understand then why Jones' identity is such a major topic. Fans want an emotional investment, and it became easy to get interested when the drama revealed itself publicly. There's a reason why reality TV and live events dominate the ratings on television. We love drama, and both Jones-Jackson and Jones-Evans fulfill that requirement.
It is what it is. Cliché enough for you. It's true in this case. Jones is who he is, a young, understandably immature man who has been thrust into the limelight. A meteoric rise as Mike Goldberg might say. He wants to present a wholesome image, an image that he believes a mainstream audience will eat up. At least that's what we believe anyways.
Our obsession with revealing that he isn't that person to anyone who will listen is a witch hunt that doesn't really matter. In reality, the blame game and the accusations have created more hype around this fight than what the actual truth would have.
Why are we so obsessed with the search for Jon Jones' identity? Why must we reveal what he is holding back? It's difficult to even fathom a reason why, if any. Perhaps he has a bad side he doesn't want to reveal. Maybe he doesn't want to stoop to a level that he sees the same as the bullies who called him "gay" in high school for wrestling in tights. Maybe he isn't holding back at all. The Jon Jones we are seeing is the real Jon Jones. Whatever the case, choose a side to invest in and wait to see what happens. Enjoy the ride.
Both fighters are invested just like us in this fight, why ruin it by overpowering the pugilism with subjective squawking. An answer may never reveal itself, even if Jackson somehow destroys Jones on Saturday night. Jones may go through his entire career with the same lingering questions. Will finding the answer really change anything? We will root for him, or against him. We'll still buy a pay-per-view regardless. Let the truth come out in time. For now, let's just enjoy the show.
Posted in: jon, jone, jackson, jon jones, fan
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowDoes Rampage Jackson have a chance to beat Jon Jones at UFC 135? Jonathan Snowden breaks down the...
Does Rampage Jackson have a chance to beat Jon Jones at UFC 135? Jonathan Snowden breaks down the fight at MMA Nation.
Posted in: mma nation, jackson, jon jones, rampage jackson, snowden
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowA summary of Bas Rutten’s excellent interview with Rampage Jackson
Bas Rutten did a lengthy sit-down interview with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and the results were as awesome as you would expect.
Posted in: rampage, jackson, rampage jackson, ba, bas rutten
Read the full article at Fight OpinionSpike TV Countdown to UFC 135: Jon Jones vs Rampage Jackson Discussion Post
This post is going up last minute but right now on Spike TV, the countdown show for UFC 135 starts right now. This event will be the UFC's return to Denver, Colorado and the first title defense for champion Jon Jones. Rampage Jackson will be coming in as a major underdog but word from his camp, he's in the best shape that he's ever been in while in the UFC. Jon Jones is coming off his dominating win over Mauricio Shogun Rua to win the belt. Following that win, he was the focus of some controversy as it was expect that he would be defending his belt against former teammate Rashad Evans. Jones was expected to receive surgery on his thumb but after a second opinion, it was deemed that the surgery was not needed. The Evans fight fell apart and Rampage Jackson got the call.
Also on the card is Matt Hughes, who was first booked to face Diego Sanchez after being knocked out by B.J. Penn. An injury to Sanchez forced the UFC to add Josh Koscheck to the show as a last minute replacement. Join Bloody Elbow for a discussion of the Countdown to UFC 135: Jones vs Jackson airing right now on Spike TV.
SBN coverage of UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, rampage jackson, spike tv
Read the full article at Bloody ElbowEvans: "Jones will beat Jackson standing"
Rashad Evans is backing his former team mate turned bitter rival Jon Jones to retain his belt when he faces Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at UFC...
Posted in: jone, jackson, jon jones, team mate, rashad evans
Read the full article at Fighters OnlyJon Jones, Rampage Jackson Sell Their Fight on Jimmy Kimmel
Filed under: MMA Media Watch, UFC
Everyone who follows the UFC is excited about Saturday night's Jon Jones-Rampage Jackson fight, but the UFC's marketing efforts are mostly about attracting the many millions of Americans who have never heard of Jones or Jackson. That's why the UFC gets so excited about putting fighters on shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live, and that's why Jones and Jackson's appearance on the Kimmel show Monday night was so effective.
Jones and Jackson sold their UFC 135 main event on a level that someone who's never bought a pay-per-view could appreciate: Kimmel started their interview by asking them if they liked each other, Jones gave a one word answer ("no") and it went from there.
There are a lot of easy-to-sell storylines on the Jones-Jackson fight, with Jones playing the role of the All-American nice guy and Jackson as the tough dude from the wrong side of the tracks. Whether that's actually an accurate portrayal of those two is a separate question, but that's an easy way to sell the fight to a new audience, and both fighters more or less conformed to those roles.
But at the same time, Jones is coming across as edgier than we've seen before in recent appearances, like Jackson is genuinely getting under his skin. And even though Jackson is the "bad guy" in this pairing, he has a natural feel for how to play an audience, and he showed off a good sense of humor on the Kimmel show.
Another angle the UFC likes to see played up is that Jones is the young upstart in MMA, while Jackson is the aging veteran who wants the belt back. Jackson was sure to mention that he plans on teaching the youngster a lesson.
"This kid ain't really fought nobody and he's already talking down to me," Jackson said of Jones. "He's a snot-nosed kid."
Jones got off what I thought was the best line of the interview when he described his style and Jackson's as "Spiderman vs. Frankenstein." That sounds like some Hollywood studio executive's idea for a wacky superhero movie, but it also sounds like something I'd like to watch. I have a feeling a lot of Kimmel viewers were thinking the same thing about Bones vs. Rampage. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Posted in: ufc, jone, jackson, jimmy kimmel, kimmel
Read the full article at AOL FanhouseRampage Jackson talks Cocky Fighters, Getting "His" Belt Back, and Retiring with a Great Legacy
Former Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who will look to dethrone Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 135, discusses his opponent, as well as his motivation and training for the bout. Jackson explains his reasoning behind referring to Jones as "cocky" and talks about the importance of getting "HIS" belt back.
Posted in: jone, jackson, belt, dethrone jon, talk
Read the full article at Low KickKaryn Bryant interviews Rampage Jackson (9-17-2011)
submitted by pleasebequiet [link] [1 comment]
Posted in: rampage, jackson, karyn, pleasebequiet, interview
Read the full article at RedditUFC 135: Jon Jones wants to remain composed under barrage of 'Rampage' Jackson's trash talk
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones isn't much of a talker.
"Bones" won the title from Mauricio Rua this past March at UFC 128 and he believe his actions in the cage, where he demolished the then-champion over the course of three rounds, speak far louder than words ever could.
So how would he respond when an opponent insults him or gets in his head?
Viewers of UFC Fight Night 25 got a glimpse this past Saturday night when both Jones and his upcoming UFC 135 opponent, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, were interviewed at the same time by Joe Rogan to help hype up their fight.
Jackson was by far the more aggressive interviewee and looked like he was really trying to fluster the young champion. Jones explained the situation during today's UFC 135 media conference call:
"Maybe because I took the backseat to the conversation. I'm very aware of why I'm here. I'm not here to show I'm better at arguing, talking or insulting. That's not my mission. If I had it my way, I'd do as very little media as possible but this stuff is mandatory. You're talking about an opponent that threatens and harasses every opponent in his history. I'll let him talk and have his fun and make me look like the scared one but I'll show him in the Octagon on the 24th."
While most of Jackson's talk has been easy to ignore, Jones admits that there was one thing in particular that has him riled up.
"The only thing that bothered me originally was the spygate situation. Not the accusation specifically but that the fans believed that I would actually pay someone to go to his camp and watch him and report to me. I'm aware of the character that I'm up against and it will make me better in the future. I have opponents in the future that will be big talkers as well and this will make me a better champion."
"Bones" has fought 14 times professionally compared to Jackson's 40 and has fought for just over three years compared to Jackson's 12 but this isn't the first time he's had to deal with someone trying to get in his head. He vividly remembered the last time an opponent had harsh words for him before a bout 19 months prior.
"The only other time was when I fought Brandon Vera. He had said "Jon Jones thinks he's the second coming of Jesus Christ." At the weigh-ins I got out of character and he got under my skin a little bit. People that anger me, it definitely make me fight better. It makes me fight better because I prepare better. I try not to insult my opponent. I just say things that I believe to be true. I don't want to make comments that could come back and bite me so I try to not speak too much when it comes to insults and just focus on training. I don't have any anger heading into this fight. I just know what I'm up against. The awareness helps me keep my composure."
Vera's trash talk didn't seem to phase Jones, as he elbowed his way to victory in just over three minutes while barely getting scratched in one of his most dominant career performances. Will this time out against Jackson be any different?
Do you think Jones' performance in the verbal warfare will have any impact come fight night? Or will he ignore the distractions and defend his belt?
Sound off, Maniacs!
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Read the full article at MMA ManiaJon ‘Bones’ Jones Says It’s Not His Job to Out Talk Rampage Jackson, The Mission is UFC 135
Jon Jones admits doing media is just his job, so he sees no reason in trying to go word for word with Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson before their fight at UFC 135.
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Read the full article at MMA WeeklyMMAWeekly Radio Monday: Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and ‘Warrior’ Director Gavin O’Connor
UFC 135 headliner Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson joins MMAWeekly Radio on Monday along with 'Warrior' director Gavin O'Connor.
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Read the full article at MMA WeeklyJon ‘Bones’ Jones and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Tonight
Jon 'Bones' Jones and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson will appear on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight.
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Read the full article at MMA WeeklyQuinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, ‘Jon Jones Wrote a Check That His Ass Can’t Cash’
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson has some strong words for Jon 'Bones' Jones and a stern warning what to expect when they meet at UFC 135.
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Read the full article at MMA WeeklyUFC 135's Jackson believes "cocky" Jones remains dishonest with fans
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson believes Jon Jones isn't being honest about fighting.
Jackson, a former UFC light heavyweight champ, doesn't hide the fact that he's in this for money.
But he said Jones isn't doing the same, and it's one of a few things that rub him the wrong way.
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Read the full article at MMA JunkieUFC 135 Real Time Conference Call Highlights
With New Orleans in the rear-view mirror, the MMA community’s attention has now turned to this weekend’s dance in Denver at UFC 135 between light heavyweight title-holder Jon Jones and former champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
After throwing a number of verbal jabs at each other during an interview on the UFN 25 broadcast, and before dishing out the physical kind Saturday night, the two talented 205ers faced off today during a conference call with media. Also on the call were also co-headliners Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck.
Read below for real-time quotes and other various items of interest from the conference call:
Quinton Jackson:
- “I treat him the way I treat him because I have no respect for him.”
- Sees his experience as an advantage and is motivated by being the first person to beat Jones / “Everyone’s counting me out and it seems he’s underestimating me a little bit so it makes me more confident I’ll be the first to beat him in MMA.”
- Says he wants to relieve the pressure of Jones’ being undefeated (essentially) by “whooping his ass and letting him become the great fighter I know he can be”
- Felt Jones was being cocky at an earlier press conference / Didn’t know if he was joking but he took it seriously
- Not looking forward to fighting Rashad Evans again just based on Evans’ style not being fan-friendly / Says the fans lost that first fight
- Doesn’t feel Jones beat a “real Shogun” based on Rua’s health
- Knows he isn’t alone in seeing Jones as a fake / “He puts on a real ‘good boy’ act in front of the cameras.”
Jon Jones:
- “Ultimately, I’m very award of why I’m here. I’m not here to show I’m a better talker – at arguing, at insulting – that’s not my mission. If I had it my way I would do very, very limited media if possible but this stuff is recommended and somewhat mandatory.”
- Was bothered by the notion fans might even believe the “ludicrousness” of Jackson’s accusation of spying
- “I’m aware of who I’m up against. I’m aware of the character I’m up against. I’ll have opponents in the future who will be talkers as well so this experience is just educating me.”
- Felt there was more pressure in preparing for Mauricio Rua based on his athleticism and the short-notice situation
- Liked “The A-Team”
- “I definitely have a lot of respect for ‘Rampage’. That’s why I’m so excited about fighting the guy. For me there’s really nothing personal. I don’t have any beef. I’m looking at it as skills vs. skills.”
- Held “Shogun” in higher regard because of the similarity of their ages in terms of when both became champions but says it’s still an honor to fight Jackson
- Doesn’t feel he’s insulted Jackson at all other than maybe saying he felt he was going to beat him
- Not looking past Jackson so hasn’t thought about a possible TUF season with Evans as a fellow coach
- Said Brandon Vera was the only other fighter to have gotten under his skin a bit
- Feels he fights better when he’s angry because he prepares better but doesn’t feel particularly mad at Jackson because he understands the way “Rampage” is
Matt Hughes:
- Thinks it’s cool that the UFC is returning to Denver even though he wasn’t in the UFC at the time / Says he was just a fan at the time watching tapes
- Took the fight because he’d been training / Thought it would initially be Jon Fitch and said he was down to fight whoever
- Calls White “D-Dubya”
- Did four weeks of his camp in Salt Lake City to help with the altitude factor in Denver
- Loves the competition and is driven by it, to mix it up with one other person and only has to rely on himself / “I consider myself a lucky man. I love going to the gym twice every day. I love traveling with my buddies.”
- Enjoys his time off and isn’t concerned about fighting too frequently
- Training with B.J. Penn helped him with his footwork as well as grappling
- Is the last fight on his contract and admits his wife wants him to retire but he’ll evaluate things after the bout this weekend to decide on what he’ll do
Josh Koscheck:
- Has been training for 4-5 months after taking time off to recover from his broken orbital bone
- “Fighting Matt Hughes is a good comeback fight for me. I think the fans deserved this fight a long time ago and now we’re finally getting a chance to do it.”
- Was excited about possibly fighting at UFC 139 in San Jose but is ready to fight even though it’s September / Didn’t even hesitate to say he would fight Hughes on short notice
- Says he looked at 185 because everyone at 170 seemed tied up, mentions Chris Leben and Wanderlei Silva as possibilities
- Isn’t gunshy and is “ready to rock”
- Could have fought sooner but took some personal time off
- Was out 6-7 months as a wrestler after fusion surgery in his neck and came back healthy/strong so isn’t worried about the layoff
- Has missed the crowd and is “super excited about coming to Denver…coming out there to perform and getting a big victory”
- Not worried about altitude because he knows he’ll be in shape and ready
- The time off allowed him to focus on refining his techniques and getting his mind/body healthy
- His broken orbital bone was more painful than his spinal fusion issue and an incident where he chopped his toe off
- Always knew he’d be back
General Info:
- Dana White is not on the call today as originally planned
PHOTO CREDIT – UFCSimilar Posts:
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Matt Hughes: “The fans will definitely see me in the Octagon again”
Tito Ortiz and Rashad Evans express excitement, humility in anticipation of UFC 133
Not so fast: Lesnar vs. Mir II and Evans vs. Jackson not official
UFC 129 Conference Call Highlights: St. Pierre, Shields, and White
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Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainUFC 135 Video: Rampage Jackson Says Jon Jones is Just a Kid Who Can't Handle Fame
MMA Weekly caught up with UFC 135's Quinton Jackson to discuss Saturday night's fight against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Despite what appears to be an increasingly personal rivalry between Rampage and the champion, Jackson says that this fight isn't that personal. He simply wants his belt back and thinks that Jones is cocky, adding "He's a kid, you can't really expect him to handle fame the way an adult would handle fame."
Here's the video:
There is also another of the increasingly common "Rampage Moments" where he wonders why Jones would want to be so popular in a male dominated sport, suggesting that maybe he "likes bones."
But the more important parts of the interview are Jackson's insight into his preparation. He claims that he has been working with a slew of great wrestlers as he is sure Jones will try to bring him to the ground. But Rampage also says that he has trained a lot of jiu-jitsu in the event that he gets taken down as well as saying he is ready to strike, deal with leg kicks or anything else Jon may decide to try.
SBN coverage of UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage
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Read the full article at Bloody Elbow'Rampage' Jackson: I Got No Respect for Jon Jones
Filed under: UFCAs pre-fight verbal battles go, the one between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is starting to get a little bit meta. During Monday's UFC 135 media call, it was less about what's being said than what was said, and who said it first.
Not surprisingly, the two could not reach a consensus on the topic.
According to Jackson, it was Jones who kicked things off by acting "real cocky" at the first press conference to hype their main event title fight. Jones, who claimed he was "waiting for an example or a quote" to illustrate Jackson's point, said he's doing his best not to get caught up in the pre-fight talk -- though, by the way, it's all Jackson's doing.
"My job is not to out-talk him," Jones said on Monday. "You're talking about an opponent who threatens and harasses literally every opponent in his career's history, and I'm very aware of this. So I'll let him talk and have fun and make me look like the scared one, but when I'm in the Octagon on the 24th, that's when I'll demand more respect."
Jackson, of course, bristled at the suggestion that he's a habitual trash-talker.
"If you go back and look at my interviews [before fights with] Marvin Eastman and Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson and other guys, I react the way the guys act towards me," he countered, adding that Jones had set him off with his disrespectful, "cocky" attitude at the initial Denver presser.
"The guy has never walked the way I've walked in this sport, and basically the guy just said the wrong [expletive] and I treat him the way I treat him because I got no respect for him," Jackson said.
Still, the most heated public exchange between the two came during Saturday night's UFC Fight Night 25 broadcast on Spike, when the UFC's Joe Rogan asked about Jackson's allegations that Jones had a spy in his camp.
Jones seemed flustered by the topic, and said on Monday that what he's really confused about is how fans could believe he'd actually go to the lengths that Jackson had alleged, all just to get inside information from his opponent's training camp.
"The only thing that bothered me initially was the spygate situation," Jones said. "And it wasn't the situation necessarily, it was the fact that fans actually considered the fact that I would pay someone to...first of all, find someone to go to his camp and then pay someone and try to get Rampage to trust them, and all this ludicrousness, I thought that was pretty interesting that the fans would think I would do something like that."
While Jones drew contrasts between his bout with former Pride champ "Shogun" Rua and this fight with another Pride veteran in Jackson, he added that it was still "a huge honor" to fight an experienced mainstay of the sport like "Rampage."
Jackson, too, acknowledged that Jones "has skills," and said he plans to do his part to help him advance those skills after Saturday night.
"After I relieve him of his first loss, I think Jon will go on to be a better fighter because he won't have all that pressure of being undefeated," Jackson said. "...I'm just the person to give him that first [expletive]-whooping so he can go on and be a great fighter that I know he can be."
If you're looking for these two to find something nice to say about one another, that might be as close as you're going to get.
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Read the full article at AOL Fanhouse“Rampage” Jackson reveals his strategy against Jon Jones
It turns out all the discussion on whether or not UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones has a spy in Quinton Jackson’s training camp is unnecessary, as the proud son of Memphis is actually open himself to revealing his strategy for this weekend’s main event match-up against the 24-year old title-holder.
“He can have a live feed on me. (Jones) can watch me brush my teeth in the morning and see what toothpaste I used, who I am training with and how hard I am working, and he can see which hand I wipe my ass with for all I care,” wrote “Rampage” in a recent entry on his Yahoo blog. “It don’t matter because there’s no real secret to what I really want to do in this fight: punch him on his big ‘Bones’ head. Knock him out. Jones has never been hit in his career. He could have the best chin in the history of the UFC, or he could have the worst in history. We don’t know because he has not got hit yet. But we will know at UFC 135 because he will get hit by me.”
“Rampage” Speaks Out on Alleged Spy in Camp
However, just because he plans on landing a few fight-ending strikes doesn’t mean Jackson assumes doing so will be easy.
“I know I am going to have to work at hitting him,” the PRIDE icon continued. “He’s got them “Go-go-Gadget” long-ass arms and legs and he’s fast. He’s also going to look to take me down so I have to let my hands go. But I’ve been here in Denver, training at the Muscle Pharm Gym at altitude, living in the gym – for real I live here at the gym until after this fight – for seven damn weeks – to be ready.”
Motivating Jackson to forgo his regular day-to-day for the grind of being a gym rat is the thought of winning a championship that means more to him than a regular title might, as “Rampage” explained, “That belt is the unified PRIDE and UFC world title, and that belt exists because of me beating Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson in two straight fights to win the UFC and then PRIDE titles…I think now I didn’t appreciate even myself what I had accomplished, and by the time I did, I’d lost it…That’s why I want my belt back so bad. It’s my belt.”
Jackson and Jones will meet Saturday night in Denver on a card co-headlined by Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck. Fans can tune in to the PPV starting at 9:00 PM EST with preliminary pairings showing through Spike TV and Facebook in the hours preceding the event.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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Read the full article at Fighters.com“Rampage” Jackson done with Spygate, focused on winning HIS title
Quinton Jackson is tired of talking about Jon Jones’ allegedly having a spy in his camp and ready to focus on the task at hand – getting his belt back.
“Rampage” recently offered his thoughts on the situation and made it clear he couldn’t care less what sort of shenanigans Jones may be pulling because it won’t stop his fist from running into the light heavyweight champion’s face.
“He can have a live feed on me. “Bones” can watch me brush my teeth in the morning and see what toothpaste I used, who I am training with and how hard I am working, and he can see which hand I wipe my ass with for all I care,” Jackson wrote through his Yahoo blog.
“I don’t want to talk about the whole ‘spy’ thing too much more. I am glad I found out, I’m glad I told people about it, and I think it’s not an honorable way to prepare for a fight, but if Jon Jones wants me to, I’ll have a camera installed here at the Muscle Pharm in Denver and he can watch me 24-7.”
Jackson also elaborated on why winning Jones’ gold is so important to him.
“The belt that I lost to Forrest Griffin, even though I should have got the decision after knocking his ass down in that fight? The belt Forrest lost to Rashad Evans? The one Rashad lost to Lyoto Machida? The one Machida lost when Mauricio “Shogun” Rua beat him? The one Jones took from the injured “Shogun” who couldn’t even train? That one? That belt,” Jackson asked rhetorically. “That belt is the unified PRIDE and UFC world title, and that belt exists because of me beating Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson in two straight fights to win the UFC and then PRIDE titles.”
“That’s why I want my belt back so bad. It’s my belt,” the outspoken former champion concluded.
He will get his chance in less than a week when the UFC heads to Denver for UFC 135 and the headlining bout between the two talented 205ers.Similar Posts:
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Read the full article at Five Ounces of PainJon Jones and Rampage Jackson trade verbal blows via satelite at Fight Night 25
Reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson exchanged soft insults during last night's UFC Fight Night 25 satelite interview. Jones claimed that while Rampage Jackson plays the latest Call of Duty video game, he watches every single one of his fights, making sure to appear in the best possible condition on September 24th. Jackson responded with more of the spying accusation, declaring that he will destroy the Champ on next Saturday.
Here's some short highlights of what
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Read the full article at Low Kick