Rampage: ‘I don't think Chuck can hurt me'
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is on a collision course with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell.
In fact, we passed along information just yesterday that the two are rumored to fight at UFC 71 on May 26. It's a showdown that most knowledgeable mixed martial arts fans have been waiting a long time.
It's also the primary reason Zuffa purchased select assets from "competitor" World Fighting Alliance (WFA) late last year, including Jackson's contract, and put the promotion out of bit-ness.
As we've said numerous times here at UFCmania.com, Rampage is one of only three men to beat Liddell (Jeremy Horn and Randy Couture are the others) and is the only one who Liddell has not had the opportunity to redeem himself against.
And if Liddell does indeed get that opportunity on Memorial Day weekend, Rampage seems to think he's got the right style — or perhaps pain threshold — to give the "Iceman" big problems again, according to the Boston Herald.
Here's a snip:
"The difference between me and the guys Chuck's fought is I don't think Chuck can hurt me. I ain't scared of his punches, I ain't scared of his knees, but I am scared of his breath. I'm from the street. I'm just gonna go in there and get 'er done."
To beat Liddell, Rampage also knows that he will most likely have to take the champion to the ground and pound him out like the first time around — no easy task against the legendary sprawler.
Here's another Rampage snip from FightNetwork.com:
"Chuck's takedown defense is the best in the bit-ness. So you really need to set up your takedown correctly, and that's the bit-ness."
Rampage has proven he can take a beating — look no further than his two fights (both losses) to Wanderlei Silva in PRIDE. And, he demonstrated in their first encounter that he can handle the punching power of Liddell and get him to the ground.
Put simply, this is going to be a great fight if and when it happens -- it's not going to be a one-punch, fight is over, kind-of-fight that's for sure.
Will it happen on May 26? Or, will we see a guy like Keith Jardine get his shot first?
Personally, I have zero desire to see Liddell-Jardine right now. But, if it means we see a better fight between Liddell and Rampage later on in the year, then I'm all for it.
Give Rampage all the time he needs to try and break the Ice once again.
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The guy slams Chuck for bad breath. You gotta love Rampage.
I don’t care to see Jardine get his block knocked off. I think Jardine needs to get some impressive wins with some real names before he gets a shot. Heck, Jardine got taken out by the washed up Stephan Bonnar just last year!
With competition breating down it’s back, the UFC needs to put on real fights like Liddel and Rampage, and Mirko/Silvia, instead of goofy match-ups like the Lame-iac Tim “I’ll fight the retired to keep my belt” Silvia and Randy “old man” Couture (who has lost 5 of his last 9 fights).
by savior on Feb 11, 2007 4:36 PM EST reply actions
I’m confused, did the person who wrote this article even see the first fight? Rampage won the fight by outstriking Liddell, not by taking him down. In fact the takedowns only started occurring in the second round after Chuck had been beaten and gassed.
by anon on Feb 11, 2007 8:49 PM EST reply actions
Anon-
I’ve seen the fight several times. I even posted it yesterday on the site. My point was that I don’t think Rampage will be able to simply outslug Liddell. At somepoint, like in the first bout, he’ll have to get him to the ground.
(Probably after beating him standing up like in the first bout)
Sorry if it didn’t come across that way.
by UFCmania on Feb 12, 2007 1:25 AM EST reply actions
Personaly i would love to see that fight but i would rather watch the fight when both fighters are at their best. Rampage admitted he isn’t ready to fight Chuck, looked what happened when Arlovski lost to Timmy Silvia then ufc put them straight in a match at UFC 61 it sucked. Arlovski might have been phsically fit but mentally he wasn’t ready, Ramapage is mentally fit but its his performac,e in his last couple of matches he hasn’t been his best.
by jason bang on Feb 12, 2007 9:00 AM EST reply actions
No prob, the article just made it sound like Quinton would be in the same boat as Tito and Couture in terms of their available strategies to beat Chuck, where in reality Rampage has a much bigger bag of assets tricks to work with
Of course why you think that Quinton could possibly beat Chuck standing and yet not be able to finish it on his feet, or that a beaten up Liddell will be nearly as hard to take down, is a mystery to me. But that’s just a divergance of opinion. Keep up the good work on the site :)
by anon on Feb 12, 2007 12:50 PM EST reply actions
I think Liddell has grown since last time they fought. He showned us with the fights against Couture and Tito that if you wanna fight him you have to beat him standing up. I think his striking has advanced beyond Jacksons, and he will knock him out this time, I cant wait to hear the funny remark Jackson makes after it happens though. lol
by UFCmaniac on Feb 13, 2007 7:39 AM EST reply actions
yeah rampage gets Koed. People also said that Couture beat Chuck standing, all chuck had to do was make little adjustments, and there was no way randy could beat him again, i think the same is going to happen with rampage.
by MMA Dude on Feb 14, 2007 4:23 PM EST reply actions
Rampage doesnt stand a chance, Liddell will win by KO
by Papi on Feb 16, 2007 7:41 PM EST reply actions
Papi, are you familiar with Rampage outside of the UFC, before Silvas knees knocked something loose? Rampage, if he gets his shit together, has a better chance than anyone in a long time of beating Liddell. Big if, I know, but it could happen. Ramp hasnt had anyone to train with, but now it seems he does. The guy, with all his antics, has a huge heart and embodies the Tao of MMA. Besides that, I want a great fight!
by MoreThanUFC on Feb 16, 2007 8:38 PM EST reply actions
UFCmaniac, you are a big idiot! Is this all you do is post blogs on this site? I have seen your name on quite a bit of these. Get out of Chuck’s boxers/thongs/briefs and breathe for a little bit! Liddell by KO? LMAO! LIDDELL HAS A HEART ATTACK B4 RAMPAGE EVEN GETS TO THE RING!
by TitoOrtiz on Feb 17, 2007 10:23 PM EST reply actions
wow wpw wow chuck has rampage,lyoto,rashaud,jardine,and maybe tito again after him boy chuck no rest fer ya daddy keep training its getting stuffy with those name another top guy could round out another great tourney night hows this
1st rd/
bisping v lyoto…no probs..lyoto to skilled fer mikey
rashaud v rampage….fer evans first loss
jardine tito/wow jardine is impressive when challenged /////bye,rd;chuck lidell
2cd rd[next ppv]/
lyoto v rampage/lyoto still too sharp
jardine v chuck/chuck’expeirence
finals [same night]/
lyoto by dec. over chuck still undefeated,chuck was too tired,,,just a thought
by gvoll on Feb 18, 2007 1:03 AM EST reply actions
Be quite Tito and go get ready some good excuses. You know damn well the reason Rampage wants to wait one more fight is his two fight contract will be up. If (when) he losses to Liddell next fight he will make alot less in the negotiations to extend his contract. You guys can call that smart bussiness, I say its calculating a loss. If he won he would make more but he rather be safe to make that guarenteed easier fight first and ask for more chedder to fight Liddell. And thats the Bit-ness….
by Tommy on Feb 18, 2007 10:28 PM EST reply actions
I know I spellt some shit wrong….I was High….but you get the point.
by Tommy on Feb 18, 2007 10:42 PM EST reply actions
I agree w/ those who believe if Rampage can get his stuff together he may be successful. Rampage likes to stay active, and he can take a punch. He has swung w/ some of the best in the world literally, and everytime he proves how developed his game has become. Everyone knows that Liddell is a changed man after facing Rampage first time around, but Rampage is obviously a tremendous fighter that has become extremely well rounded. Some say Rampage not the same after getting ass kicked twice to Silva. Don’t believe that hype. This guy is no joke and besides for the moment he’s the only logical threat for Liddell. 20 seconds left in first round on rematch against Silva, Rampage becomes champ over in Pride. Because Liddell is a counter fighter, it gives time to make adjustments during the fight itself. Know one takes advantage of this time. This will be key to victory for Rampage. His hands are better than Tito’s, and when close enough will get into the clinch and slam Chuck to the ground. I know! I know! Chuck fans will argue that his takedown defense and sprawl is too good to allow Jackson in. Rampage will get in, because he will take the hit. He can stay composed just like Chuck while getting hit. Don’t forget the uppercuts inside the clinch as well. It will be a great fight regardless of outcome.
by Stafo on Feb 18, 2007 11:13 PM EST reply actions
Real talk stafo, best chance and most exciteing fight to take place in this weight class for the next few months. Looking forward to it, but I hope the ufc just makes him fight at 71. How is a man thats been fighting for years and years against the best in the world really need that much time to get ready? 6-8 months not good enough? You were ready four years ago, been fighting every since, but still not ready now or even in a few months of training? Of course Tito is helping train him and we see what he has to offer towards beating Liddell. So maybe he does need alot more time to prepare. If thier hopeing on a heart attack from Liddell to win the fight I say they already have a piss poor game plan. No offense to the Rampage, I don’t want no problems!!!
by Tommy on Feb 19, 2007 1:28 AM EST reply actions
Ok now any real fight fan knows and understands that Chuck liddell can and will Ko Rampage. Yes rampage beat chuck before matching him in striking then taking him down and ground and pounding him. Chuck lost to horn and couture and when he had rematches he demolished them, chuck has continued to move up the food chain, Rampage has not improved he’s good, no in fact he’s great, but the wand hit him a little to hard maybe, ha ha. Anyways I think it will be a cold day in hell before rampage beats Chuck and even then the iceman will be right at home
by Rocket on Feb 22, 2007 7:30 PM EST reply actions
rapmage is one fucked up ugly mean bad ass madafaka, and hes not to be playing games around with. chuck can, and will beat him, but he must not underestimate this king of slams. d men owns the most ugliest fight style Ive ever seen.
by n_memorex on Feb 26, 2007 7:48 PM EST reply actions

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