UFC 96: Quinton Rampage Jackson vs Keith Jardine tapped as main event
by MMAmania.com on Jan 17, 2009 6:46 PM EST
87 comments
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will headline UFC 96 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, but it won't be against Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight crown as previously passed along right here at MMAmania.com.
Instead, the charismatic former 205-pound kingpin will challenge the very tough Keith Jardine, who himself was expected to face Luis Cane at UFC 97 in Montreal. It's believed that Jackson earned a title shot against Rashad Evans after his big knockout win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92: "The Ultimate 2008" just last month; however, a deal could not be struck between both parties for the big money match.
The fight between Jackson and Jardine would seemingly set up a number one contender match. But there is one massive problem: Evans and Jardine train together at Team Jackson and are great friends, indicating in the past that they would never again fight one another (the pair battled on The Ultimate Fighter way back when).
UFC will more than likely address that problem if it arises with a Jardine win.
In the meantime, the "Dean of Mean" has done his share to be atop the 205-pound ladder, putting together a solid record of (6-3) during his time in the Octagon. His resume is highlighted with wins over some of the top names in the sport such as Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, Brandon Vera and others.
In fact, it seemed likely that a rematch with he "Iceman" was on the near horizon with the way Liddell was recently calling out Jardine. Apparently company president Dana White had different plans for Chuck, as well as Rampage and Jardine.
Perhaps it's just a case of real bad timing. Regardless, sounds messy no matter how you shake it.
For the latest UFC 96 fight card and rumors click here.
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stpid fight, jardine is gonna make himself a highlight reel but the wrong way, first alexander then silva now he wants rampage to give him the same treatment?
by randy murders on Jan 17, 2009 6:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Jardine can leg kicks himself to a win!!!!!
by JV on Jan 17, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah but if he wins,and machida loses who is the number 1 contender? jardine wont fight his friend so dont give him a matchup like this… who does he fight next forrest? that would put him out for awhile..
bad matchup for both dudes
by randy murders on Jan 17, 2009 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the cry for a Machida title fight finally got through to Joe silva. Either ways, this is gonna have a chuck-jardine pace with rampage getting a late stoppage or UD. Either ways horrible main event.
by NameNotRequired on Jan 17, 2009 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was so pumped when I heard Jackson vs Evans was going to happen! Jardine! Come on Dana listen to the fans we want Rampage vs Evan’s!! Or at least at least Rampage vs the winner of the Machida Silva fight? Jardine does not deserve such a high profile fight with past performances? I hope Dana changes his mind.
by Beaver on Jan 17, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t mean this to disrespect Jardine, he’s a good fighter, but this fight makes no sense for either guy. I’m not really a Rampage fan, but even I can admit he should be first in line to fight Evans.
I’m off topic a little, but I’m now convinced Machida will steamroll T Silva in a couple weeks. Mendes had Silva in serious trouble early in their fight, and tonight Ravishing Red….pretty much a journeyman…..easily dispatched of Mendes.
by CL on Jan 18, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Winner of Page vs Jardine should get winner of Machida vs Silva for #1 contender. I’d like to see page vs machida.
by allamerican on Jan 18, 2009 7:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly what I was thinking! Always a bright side.
I think the UFC are having problems getting Evans to sign the new champions contract that they get when they win the belt.
by MoonUK on Jan 18, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It sucks? there I said it for you! How can 2 guys, under contract with the same company, not come to an agreement? It’s simple…“you two fucking douche bags are fighting!” in my best Dana White voice! Rampage gains nothing with this fight and if Jardine wins we get the gay ass AKA “we won’t fight each other” bull shit! Maybe evans, Jardine, kos, swick and fitch can all go clubbing in san fransisco some weekend! That event is shaping up to be a shitter!
by kevin on Jan 17, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
clubbing in sf together AHAHAHAHAH.. kos swick and fitch said theyd fight if it was for the belt at least
by randy murders on Jan 17, 2009 7:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, like that’s gonna happen! It’s easy to say when none of them can beat GSP, Thiago or BJ!
Maybe for the who’s queerest belt!
by kevin on Jan 17, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fitch did and would beat Thiago again IMO
by LOKIE on Jan 18, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, this fight is weak and makes no sense for either fighter. I was sooo looking forward to rampage vs evans and for this to replace it is pretty lame. Rampage should knock Jardine out in the first round.
by Kdog on Jan 17, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Damn Kevin. You’re an angry man on this issue. I’m actually okay with this fight. Jardine is a great fighter with a suspect chin. Which means if he doesn’t get rocked out the gates it could be a good fight. If rampage does knock him out, that could be fun. I guess it just sucks as a main event because it could be over quickly.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Jan 17, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It sucks because they’re both on completely different levels in every way you look at it.. Rampage is at the top, he is charismatic and has a pretty big fanbase, Jardine has nothing and isn’t enough of an athlete or an entertainer to have success, he’s what you call a gatekeeper.. It’s not okay to have uninteresting fighters on PPV’s like that and especially not in a main event, Horn and Palhares should both be released by Dana that was the worst fight ever and the two most uninteresting guys you could find it looked like two alcoholics fighting, and the new fans that watched the event for the first time tonight will probably never watch the UFC again!
by RoB on Jan 18, 2009 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like I’m alone in this, but I love Jardine. His look is awesome, and his fighting style is different and interesting. I’m a big fan, and love seeing him rise to the occasion when he gets these huge opportunities.
by theCloser on Jan 18, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
rashads new slogan for all of his fights “you have to fight jardine before i can fight you” what a joke
by sac165 on Jan 17, 2009 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thats a good idea on his part though that way he can see the dudes tendancies but its stupid for jardine to be a gatekeeper because he dont wanna fight rashad.. if he wins he should get a title shot and he wouldnt take it?
by randy murders on Jan 17, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“good idea?” what, to be a pussy?
Rashad: “fight rampage before I do!”
Jardine: “what do I get out of i?”
Rashad: " since we won’t fight each other, I’ll Jack you off!"
Jardine: " ok, but can your annoying wife scream in the background while you do it?"
Rashad: “sure, although I’d rather fight you over Rampage anyday!”
by kevin on Jan 17, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I dont like that Rashad is always fighting a guy after Jardine fought him. Gives Rashad so much of an advantage in preparing for an opponent. I dont like this crap one bit!
Then again, Rampage will beat the piss out of Jardine, so some good will come from it!
by john on Jan 17, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
its exactly why its smart on rashads part.. ufc 96 should be called “we were drunk when we made the card”
by randy murders on Jan 18, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just for the record it wasn’t Rashad’s wife that was screaming when he knocked Liddell out..
by RoB on Jan 18, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe not, but she’s the only annoying bitch that hasn’t gotten the memo that rashad fights in the UFC, not elite. congratulate him after the fight in the locker room hunny, leave the in ring family reunions to elite…oh wait, there is no elite!
by kevin on Jan 18, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good fight.
Rampage the criminal does not deserve a titleshot after ONE win.
by Lester the Pimp on Jan 17, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No, actually, not a good fight.
The other part I agree with.
by the matt king on Jan 17, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good fight, if by good you mean pointless!
by kevin on Jan 17, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, one win shouldnt give him the title fight. The fact that he has seven wins in his last eight fights with wins over Chuck and Wandelei while only losing a decision to Forrest is what should’ve earned him a title fight.
by Kdog on Jan 17, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
for sure, they could’ve almost given him an immediate rematch to get his title back.. there’s so much more to it than just looking at it and saying oh he does not deserve a title shot right away after one win because some other guy didn’t..
by RoB on Jan 18, 2009 12:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this changes everything. nice write up.
by wagnerav on Jan 17, 2009 7:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hell yeah it does…… WOW; thats a bombshell.
by redrhino24 on Jan 17, 2009 7:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
omg i always thought of this matchup in my head and i always pictured one of the most brutal knockouts ever. jardines never been hit by a guy like jackson. houston and wandy are good at scoring knockouts with there heavy hands in combos. jackson has brutal one punch knockout power that being said RAMPAGE by a brutal quick knockout
by Jared on Jan 17, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
damn it. i work 50 yards from nationwide and was reallllllllllllllllllllly hoping for the 205 belt to be on the line. i like jardine, but its not the mega fight i was hopin my $250 would go to
by gobrowns on Jan 17, 2009 7:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I know what you are saying. I bought floor seats at dang near $400 a piece expecting Liddell vs whoever. Then when the Jackson vs. Evens talk came up I got really excited and now I feel like we all got screwed. Jackson/Jardine would not be that bad if they would add a good co-main event.
by natedog77 on Jan 18, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
its going to be a quick fight, And rampage will walk out winning this.
by Il Nino on Jan 17, 2009 7:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think everyone is forgetting that both Silva and Machida are still undefeated and the winner deserves the no.1 contender spot. They will definately be pushing the "Battle of the Undefeated’ aspect. I’m not a huge fan of either guy but fair is fair. Although Machida isnt the most exciting fighter to watch, he gets the job done. I think he will beat Silva and take the title from Evans. The winner of Jackson and Jardine will then fight for the belt.
by mike on Jan 17, 2009 7:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
how would silva deserve a shot isnt his biggest win over james irvin by knee injury?
by randy murders on Jan 18, 2009 12:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
im pretty sure rashad turned down this fight because he doesnt want to be the guy who loses his belt the fastest…he knows he cant beat rampage and he wants to hold onto his belt for as long as possible before he fights
by matt on Jan 17, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
with rampage fighting it looks like rashad was dodging not rampage
by staples on Jan 17, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think this fight was put on because rampage needs to have two wins before he challenges for the belt, it has always been that way I believe I could be wrong. I don’t see anything wrong with Jardine fighting Rampage, I do think the winner of Machida and Silva will fight Evans for the title, I also guess that Liddell will fight Cane, so the winner of Cane and Liddell will fight the winner of Rampage and Jardine, the winner of that fight will fight the winner of Machida or Silva vs Evans, With Forrest out I guess those matches happening, I also see Shogun, boy did he look tired against Coleman, and I wasn’t impressed by henderson or Franklin today, I also can see Anderson moving up at somepoint this year and challenging whoever the light heavy weight champion is, I also think Liddell has a very good chance of getting back on top. If Jardine wins then maybe he will fight Evans, they have fought before, Franklin fought Hamill, wanderlai said he would fight griffin , after all its business, I also wonder if they are setting up a Liddell vs wanderlai 2 or wanderlai vs Cane??? I guess we will all find out, there is a reason for the rampage vs jardine fight and i think its going to open doors, I also think dana saving matches too for UFC 100 did anybody ever think of that, disappoint the fans a little bit now, excite them all later down the road and never count out Couture coming back down to LHW maybe vs Anderson Silva later down in the year, you just never know, One last thing where is Houston alexander and eric scafer is on a roll , and well also have jones and Bonner fight coming up
by Cory on Jan 17, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with alot of what you say but I think that Liddell fights Rua next. I think Chuck will be a lot better whoever he fights next. You learn more from your losses and Chuck has the mind and heart fo a warrior.
by mike on Jan 17, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man, this sucks. Rampage gains nothing from this fight! And everyone saying that what happened to him with his arrest means that he shouldn’t get a title fight are idiots. That should have nothing to do with it. I have never heard a deal could not be struck between both parties for the big money match." What is that bull shit?! Rampage should have been next in line and Dana screwed all this shit up again. This makes me hate the UFC.
by Jacob on Jan 17, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
im kinda pissed rampage vs. evans wasnt put together…i have tickets to go to this event and it will be first one and i would of loved to have a title fight on the card. i guess rashad turned down the fight since rampage is fighting and rashad isnt. maybe rashad just wants to hold onto the belt for aslong as he can
by matt on Jan 17, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you know what, when you say big money match u mean big money for the UFC, it should be big money for the fighters.. Dana just needs to put the money on the table right infront of Rashad and Rampage and they’ll fight!
by RoB on Jan 18, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
they have contracts, he should just tell these putzes to fight, period!
by kevin on Jan 18, 2009 12:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Jardine’s only chance is to kick rampage down similar to how Forrest beat him. Though Rampage knows this and probably is working on his kick defense as we speak
by staples on Jan 17, 2009 8:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i puked a little when i saw this fight announced
by mmanutZ on Jan 17, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mike:
I really don’t see Shogun fighting Liddell next, Shogun just fought today, I don’t see Dana putting him back in the ring in a couple of months to fight Liddell, I think Dana knows who Liddell is fighting next, just not saying anything, but then again maybe he saves Liddell for UFC100 and then he fights Shogun, I honestly don’t know what the hype is about shogun, he has not impressed me against Coleman or Forrest, it could have something to do with injuries and being off for so long and also with how hes training and who hes training with, if there is one fighter that people should be looking out for is Rampage after that the winner of the Machia and Silva fight and third is Evans, but I have faith in chuck and maybe there some magic brewing in the back with Chuck, I think if Chuck gets a KO in the next fight, I think the old chuck has returned and that division better watch out,
by Cory on Jan 17, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not to say I told you so but they just posted it. Liddell vs Rua as the co-main event at UFC 97.
by mike on Jan 17, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
chuck will win.. rua had trouble with an aged and drained from a serious weight cut coleman, and got dominated by forrest griffin..
rua needs to step his shit up a bit to beat a motivated chuck
by randy murders on Jan 18, 2009 12:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
perfect for Dana to put on Liddell vs Rua when Shogun is in the form he is.. he wants Liddell to get a win of course over a well-known name in the MMA biz
by RoB on Jan 18, 2009 12:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, I’m almost rooting for shogun, but if shogun loses, he’s out of the UFC! Dana is cringing paying him the kind of money he’s making to look like shit.
sadly an older liddell is still faster, hits harder and will defeat shogun!
by kevin on Jan 18, 2009 12:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No win situation for Rampage.
You win, you beat a sh@# can. You lose, you lost to a sh#$ can.
brilliant match making!
The deepest division in martial arts brings you…….
KEITH JARDINE vs top 205’er….
WHAT!??
by Ben on Jan 17, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
your callin jardine a can?
He has beat two former champs in griffin and liddell, has a 6-3 ufc record…i dont consider that a can
by matt on Jan 17, 2009 9:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
what is this? lol, Jardine vs Rampage? someone must have said the wrong name when they came up with this idea..
by RoB on Jan 17, 2009 9:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mike
Where did they post Liddell vs Rua for UFC 97?
by Cory on Jan 17, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
it would becool if jarden can ko rampage with a head kick but thats not goona happen danas crazy
by otis marsango on Jan 17, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Okay good call Mike, dana announced at the Press conference, I guess I didn’t catch that, I should have read more into the articles on UFC.com , so Liddell vs Rua along with anderson silva vs Leites. well if sho gun fights like he did today then Liddell is going to KO him, I think Liddell will KO him anyway and anderson will KO his opponent, I think Cane is on this card I wonder who he will fight
by Cory on Jan 17, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree. I think Chuck will demolish Rua. Rua hasnt impressed anyone since he beat Rampage and now he squeaks out a win against a 44 year old. Goes to show how wide open this division is. UFC 97 is shaping up to be a good card.
by mike on Jan 17, 2009 10:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
don’t forget GSP vs. Alves as your main after he destroys Penn!
by Anthony on Jan 18, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
shogun looked badass he just got tired his muay thai was prefect anderson silva style its relly hard to get a perfect plum win u can pull the head down like that and hit win ever u want most people can onley hit the chest with there knees and he hasent fought in over a year so lay off him and colemon is super strong useing ju jitsu from the gurd to get up from a huge dude takes a lot out of u any one questioning his hands should shut up he ko him win he was exhusted so think how much strongerhis hands r fresh if he can get his old shape back hes a top 5 contender liddell sucks he cant even beat jarden how is he goona ko shogun and probley houston vs cane
by otis marsango on Jan 17, 2009 9:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Something to think about. Everybody said liddell would murder Jardine and we all know what happened. Dont count Jardine out
by Don on Jan 17, 2009 10:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I said Jardine and Rashad would beat Chuck just because of their fighting styles and did not even consider Jardines loss to Houston. Rampage is a all round better fighter than Chuck with more variety and dimensions to his fight game. Rampage and Chuck are completely different fighters. Jardine does posess some of the most dangerous kicks in the division and does posess knockout power, but I do not see him taking out Rampage. I see a stoppage in second maybe. I always root for Jardine and Rampage, it’s pity one of them has to lose. I also do not think that Rampage should get a title shot after one win wether the fans want it or not. I didn’t think that Jardine should have fought Silva after he was beaten by Chuck, no body seemed to bothered by that.
by Ade on Jan 19, 2009 6:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i just hope the winner of sliver machida fight doesn’t get a title shot. BOth fighters are great but the winner of that fight needs to fight a top 5 contender. Both have only face border line oponents.. AS for chuck vs rua i think thats a great punching bag for chuck to get his mojo back..
by robbo aussie on Jan 17, 2009 11:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Machida wins, he definitely desereves a title shot.
by Kdog on Jan 18, 2009 3:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This fight is just a helper to rampage bottom line thats it, big ko for rampage.
by LG on Jan 17, 2009 11:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow this really sucks. I wanted to see Rampage KO dumba$$ Rashad. I can’t stand that idiot. I want him to fight soon so I can see him finally get his a$$ kicked. I feel sick having to say that Rashad is our 205 champ.
by Volatol on Jan 18, 2009 12:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
This made my mind up about going to Ohio to see UFC 96.What a crappy main event.I was all ready to buy tickets for Evans vs Jackson.I’m glad I didnt.Is Chuck still fighting there?
by Charlie Sharlow on Jan 18, 2009 1:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Dana must hate Jardine.this fight dont make since.it is a no gain situation for Rampage.Evans is gonna dodge Rampage!
by SluggerCitySoldier on Jan 18, 2009 1:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
the fight i wanna see now is Rampage get his revenge on Shogun.Shogun dont get to juice no more and Rampage would murder him if he came in fighting like he did with Coleman.
by SluggerCitySoldier on Jan 18, 2009 1:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hate to say it guys, but I’m calling BS on this one! I think Rampage doesn’t want Rashad…..think about it….if Rampage REALLY wanted the title he would be calling out Rashad especially after his highlight reel KO of Wanderlei who KO’d him twice before. What did Rampage do? He calls out Forrest saying he wants to beat the guy who beat him as a cover up because he doesn’t want to fight Rashad for some reason.
I just keep thinking back to that post fight press ocnference when they asked Rampage about a titleshot and he seemed so content on not fighting for it….something is up, maybe the brothers dont want to fight each other or something. When I think about it, howcould Rampage turn down Rashad and then agree to Jardine!?!? wtf does that do for Rampage? Jardine is not a TOP contender….maybe Rashad pussed out because he doesnt want to lose the title so soon lol. I dont like this at all! Hopefully Machida or Thiago can swipe that belt from Rashad!
by Chadx23 on Jan 18, 2009 2:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think it’ll be great fight
No personal fan of either but
I got rampage on paper
But we seen keith jardine as king of upsets win or lose there is contraversy in dec
Bonnar dec loss (I thought he won)
Forest ko win
Alexander ko loss
Chuck dec win
Wand quick ko loss
Vera dec win (thought vera won)
Sucks to be jardine in a spot like this
Ima bet money n jardine for hell of it if somehow he wins I see my money doubled
by phenomenal angel on Jan 18, 2009 3:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
THESE SHIT SUCKS WTF GOING ON RAMPAGE YOU HAVE GET YOUR BELT BACK . THESE IS A NOT WIN SITUATION FOR RAMPAGE .
JOE SILVA = WILLY WANKER
by HALEXTITO on Jan 18, 2009 3:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
i am sad to know this is main event pointless jardine wins he doesn’t get nothing, seems evans is scared and is backing out having his friend fight instead
it should have been rampage vs evans
i hope rumored fight of thiago alves vs mike swick does pan out for co main event
by bryant on Jan 18, 2009 9:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
In case some of you may have forgot many were calling for this fight after UFC 76. A large portion of people, including myself at the time, thought Jardine had earned the title shot over Forrest. This is an oppertunity to see a fight that we could have seen a long time ago. Sure it’s not as good as Jackson vs Evans, but I’m not complaining too much about this match up. Though it probibly means if Machida wins he gets the first crack at Rashad.
by DB on Jan 18, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
UFC is gearing up for UFC 100. 96, 97, 98 and 99 might be a little lack luster.
by UFCAddict on Jan 18, 2009 12:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This gives me one more reason to not like Rashad. He pussed out on this one. Jardine isn’t always going to be able to be his bodyguard. What a joke of a champion. Back in the day Chuck fought anyone anytime the UFC asked him to.
by natedog77 on Jan 18, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lyoto will take the belt from Rashad, then fight Rampage later.
by Brand0 on Jan 19, 2009 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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