Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans named as coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 10 (Updated)
by Jesse Holland on May 28, 2009 11:16 AM EDT
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It appears the bad blood between former light heavyweight champions Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and "Sugar" Rashad Evans will take precedence over the traditional format for the upcoming tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).
Despite losing to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98 on May 23, Fighter's Only is reporting that Evans -- not Machida -- will oppose Jackson, even though Rampage still has a pending showdown with "The Dragon" later this year for the light heavyweight championship.
MMAmania.com has been able to confirm with Machida's manager, Ed Soares, that the newly-minted 205-pound champ will not be participating in the next season of the Spike TV reality show.
From Soares:
"I dont really know why to be honest. [The UFC has] their choices. It doesn't bother me. Lyoto is going back home today. He will see his family before getting ready to train for his next fight."
While Machida coaching may have been a concern from a production and ratings standpoint for Spike TV, it would have been a nice medium to get the quiet champion some much-needed exposure on national television (much like it did for Antonio Nogueira on TUF 8).
It would have also served as a strong lead in for an eventual big money title fight against Jackson later this year -- though Soares cautions it's anything but a done deal.
"I've heard nothing about that, we will have to wait and see what happens. That sounds weird to me. All I know, Machida is not going to be a coach."
This will not be the first rodeo for Jackson — he served as coach alongside then 205-pound number one contender, Forrest Griffin, during TUF 7 in early 2008. He would later go on to lose his title to Griffin via controversial unanimous decision at UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" in July 2008.
Rampage was great on camera throughout the season, which is more than likely the reason Spike TV producers wanted him back. His now legendary face-to-face jawing session with Evans, as well as an alleged beef with "Sugar" — the TUF 2 heavyweight winner — during a recent photo shoot, likely helped influence the decision.
One of the downsides to having Evans as coach, is that it pushes a grudge match between Jackson and Evans into 2010, possibly taking some of the fire out of their inevitable confrontations during filming.
Time will tell.
TUF 10 is expected to focus on heavier divisions — more than 250 aspiring mixed martial artists from the heavyweight, light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, including three former NFL football players, recently piled into the Marriott Seattle Airport Hotel in Seattle, Wa., with hopes of landing a spot on the show.
For more on TUF franchise click here.
MMAmania.com staff writer Brian Oswald contributed to this report.
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So is Machida fighting someone else in the mean time? Are Rashaad and Rampage going to fight instead of Rampage fighting Machida? There are more questions than answers here. This was a legit surprise though
by EazyEismydad on May 28, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Machida is fighting Rampage for the title in September, which is just before the new TUF season debuts. If Rampage wins, the upcoming fight with Evans would be a title fight, which is what they want. If Rampage loses, oh well, still gettin to see Rampage vs Evans. It’s a no lose situation for the UFC.
It’s a lose situation for me if they dont hold the Rampage vs Evans fight in Memphis. Machida vs Rampage was supposed to be goin down in Memphis in October, but, that aint happenin. Maybe December with Rampage vs Evans?
by Craig on May 28, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone in san jose this weekend? Just bought my Joe Rogan tickets for fri. night in san jose…anyone else in the bay area going?
by kevin on May 28, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Rampage gets embarrassed by Machida, then has to coach on TUF right away? Ouch. I am looking forward to seeing Jackson vs Evans though! Machida will destroy them both. Only Anderson Silva has what it takes!
by ---Caesar--- on May 28, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NO, he’ll go through TUF not knowing if he’s going to be a champ fighting a title defense, or just a co-headliner on New Year’s gettin’ paid.
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SOOO, if Rampage were to pull off a miracle and beat Machida, that means Rashad gets an instant title shot? That is some Chuck Liddell like treatment right there!
But wait, Rampage vs Rashad will NOT be for the title because that belt is around Machida’s waist/shoulder for a loooooong time to come.
I am happy that Machida is not the coach – simply because they UFC needs to stop tying up championship’s with TUF. Titles have been defended just once a year due to TUF. Besides, with Machida and Rampage as coaches, it would be Mr Serious vs Mr Jokester, kinda like this season, but to the EXTREME. Rampage would try so hard to get under Machida’s skin but it wouldn’t happen. You’d probably have to do something to Machida’s family to make him feel any sort of emotion when it comes to fighting.
Rampage is always good for quotes, althought not quite the best coach. He will probably bring in the same exact trainers/asistant coaches that are with Bisping this season. I wonder if Rashad will bring Greg Jackson, or if he’ll have to have “specialized” coaches and have Mike Winklejohn as the striking coach and such and such as the BJJ coach and Jackson is not allowed??
by ViolentMike on May 28, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah, and I meant to say, that you just KNOW that Rashad will play right into Rampage’s mental games and these two will be at each other’s throat the whole season. Another Hughes/Serra or Tito/Shamrock like season = NICE!
by ViolentMike on May 28, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WTF people the only question I have is how is this fair to Rampage? He has to coach TUF, be away from his camp, deal with Rashad’s antics and worry about the well being of a group of up and coming fighters immediatly before having to fight a man known as the most elusive fighter in the division? I give Rampage a very good shot at upsetting Machida with the normal training regimine but I’m sorry this really going to hurt Rampage. I don’t see how he can divert any attention away from Machida and be confident going into the ring to face him. Things just look worse and worse for Rampage.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on May 28, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it wouldnt matter if rampaged trained 24/7, 365 days, there is no one that can help to emulate machida. On the other hand machida has no problems against big, sow boxers who move in a straight line, with way slower handspeed than himself, who dont know how to check kicks, much less throw them, and have no clue how to do any BJJ. This could be one of the biggest mismatches of all time, worse than BJ vs GSP part 2. I REALLY dont see rampage winning a single round, or even landing a single punch
by dtoto on May 28, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
im with ergo sum on this one, just look what happend to page last time he coached, this isn’t fair to page and i wonder why he even accepted this, why not randy and nog as they are set for 102, or about a dozen other big matches that are coming up.
by Blazy J on May 28, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a lose situation for me. Even though Machida will be fighting Rampage before the TUF show starts he won’t be fighting for another 8 months if he wins because he has to wait for the TUF season to end which is a few months, THENNNN… Rashad and Rampage need to fight which means another waiting perior for the winner of that fight to be ready to go for Machida.
The only way to fix this is for Machida to fight someone else deserving of a title shot if he beats Rampage, not the winner of the TUF coaches.
by sdow on May 28, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe this is what needs to happen till some one in 205 can string together a couple of wins to be a legit number one contender, maybe this is danas way of buying time till one emerges. That is the only way this makes sense too me.
by Blazy J on May 28, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s definitely a shock. I don’t get why they wouldn’t want the exposure for the new champ…his popularity is just starting to get off the ground…why not keep it going?
If they are the coaches then it only makes sense to have them fight at the end like they usually do. I don’t see why Page would want to risk a title shot though for the show and for a chance at Rashad. They can’t have Machida sit around for the winner of that fight as it will take almost a year for him to defend his title unless they have him fight someone like Shogun in the meantime.
I don’t get what the UFC is trying to do here with this.
by Buster Bluth on May 28, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rampage and Machida are fighting in September regardless.
My main problem with this is that Rashad must have a fight in that time frame as well. Because if he doesn’t and Rampage wins the title from Machida then that would mean Rashad’s next fight after getting destroyed by Machida is a title shot agaisn’t Rampage, no way. Although, it is a moot point since Rampage should get embarassed by Machida as well.
by BNF on May 28, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is great news! Rampage probably would have fought Machida in December if they were coaching against each other on tUF. Instead now we get to see Rampage vs. Machida in september…and then Evans vs. Page in January! Whats there to complain about.
Only bad part is the blatant disrespect for Machida. This is a dumb move on UFC’s part. I have a feeling they are letting SPIKE influence their decision making to much! Machida could be UFC champ for a very long time, and TUF would have been a great marketing vehicle to build him up in the eyes of the casual fans.
Hopefully Rashad fights Shogun in the meantime while Rampage n Machida fight. AS long as Rampage vs. Machida fight in SEptember….spike can have their silly little show!
by john on May 28, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless Spike and the UFC want to give Machida a little more time to develop his english before they put him on the show??? Or did we ever stop to think that maybe Machida said no and doesn’t want the distraction?
by UFC Champ on May 28, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BINGO! Machida does NOT seem like the type of person that would want to deal with 16 kids jerking off on each other’s food and making drunken fools of themselves and the sport.
Machida is all about integrity and respect.
Those are two of the last words that come to my mind when I think of TUF.
Machida’s life is completely balanced. Why would he want to deal with the stupidness???? He already got the belt so he is getting a pay increase. He does not need TUF.
by ViolentMike on May 28, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well john…I guess we are going to get to see Page vs Rashad sooner rather than later. We’ve got a loooooong time to debate this one.
I like that Machida won’t have to wait until January to fight Rampage and that the belt won’t get hung up. I don’t see Rashad having a fight in between cause if he were to happen to lose and Page won…they wouldn’t end up fighting but getting a title shot immediately after losing the belt is a pretty nice little gift from Dana.
I agree about the disrespect to Machida. You’d think they’d want to build on Machida’s new popularity and ride that wave. I agree with VM though…Machida would not handle a bunch of punks very well so maybe he declined to do the show.
by Buster Bluth on May 28, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah BUster. I pretty much agree with your whole post. U r right, they cant give a fight to shad in the meantime ause he might lose and Rampage might win, and ten he would get a title shot coming off a loss.
Look forward to our rampage/Rashad debates down the road!
by john on May 28, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure as it all comes out it will make perfect sense. By I as you, are currently puzzled.
by UFC Champ on May 28, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
me personally i dont give a f%ck, the ufc should be putting rampage vs machida as coaches if there doing a rampage coach but this season will be fireworks so im not complaining and also id rather just see rampage and evans fight after ufc 96
by Jared on May 28, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He better be! This makes no sense. I’d rather see Rampage fight Rashad than Machida anyway. Give Machida the winner of Silva vs Griffin (I know I know, but we’ll see)
by ---Caesar--- on May 28, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So Rampage lost to Forrest, and then beat Wandy. Forrest beat Rampage and lost to the Champ, now Rampage gets the first title shot?! If Forrest beats Silva (long shot) he should get the first crack at it, I agree.
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if forrest upsets anderson he might as well be labeled the baddest mofo at 205 and with andersons last performances and the way forrest pulls off upsets it very well could happen, shogun,page,almost tito he was robbed there
by randy murders on May 28, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This seems like the UFCs last ditch attempt to put on a title fight between Rampage and Evans.
I guess it’ll work. We get to see Rampage vs Machida (Machida wins), and then we get to see Rampage vs Evans. But, then what? If Forrest beats Anderson, he’s got to get a shot at Machida.
by Craig on May 28, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is just plain dumb! If I was Machida I would not only be pissed, but offended as well!
by kevin on May 28, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Anderson wins against Forrest, then what? I say, Rampage/Evans in Sept, Machida title defense against winner in Dec. If Anderson wins and wants to keep fighting at 205, let him fight Shogun or loser of the Rampage/Evans fight, then a crack at the title.
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dun want to be on rashad team , at least rampaeg technique has chance
by protonfans on May 28, 2009 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is poor. TUF has jumped the shark.
by zulu9812 on May 28, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think this works out better for Spike and the UFC. There will definitely be fireworks between these 2 on the show. It will make for an entertaining season. Also, as a Machida fan, I think that this works in his advantage by not being out of training for 6 weeks, and not having to deal with all the nonsense that inevitably will take place on the show.
WAR Chida!!!
by Cole on May 28, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i thought rampage said he was not tuf anymore
by WillyD on May 28, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i remember rampage saying after the Forrest fight that the layoff screwed him up and that the fans would never have to wait 9 months to see him fight again.. hmmm money talks i suppose.
by Ted on May 28, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
or Dana White talks. Rampage has always said he does whatever Dana wants and obviously they REALLY wanted this to happen, him and Rashad as coaches…
I don’t see why there are so many people complaining about this. I hate TUF and I like this idea. Instead of tying up the belt until December and giving Rampage an almost 10 month layoff we actually get to see him fight for the title in sept. and then a built-in challenge hyped up for him immediately with a december fight! This is awesome for the show and awesome for the fans of Rampage because we are going to get to see him twice instead of once over that time frame and in two sick title fights because, make no mistake about it, Rampage will be defending HIS belt against Evans in December at the show’s culmination.
My only concern is will Rampage remain focused enough on Machida with this all going on? I’m not overly concerned about it because his camp knows what needs to happen, Rampage is a professional and he wants his belt back more than anything. If anything, I could see Rashad sorta slipping him some advice, hoping Rampage wins and then getting the first shot at it again, and against someone he probably feels, is easier for him to beat (of course he’s wrong and will get his ass destroyed but nonetheless…)?
by Anthony on May 28, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least it isn’t Machida and Rampage as coaches. Then we have to wait forever for a fight.
by Twist on May 28, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t want to see either of these aholes on TUF.
Really weak move by the UFC, this will be the first TUF i will skip completely.
by Green Inferno on May 28, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s not that hard these days.
I’ve only seen one episode of UK vs. USA. Who cares anymore? The drama is fabricated, the guys on the show are still (mostly) dumb. I think it’s only worth it for a few of the fights and the coaches’ challenges.
by Space on May 28, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see this as a real distraction for Rampage IF the Machida fight is still in Sept, and then the Rashad fight end of year. Rampage needs to focus on Machida solely if he plans on winning that fight, before he focuses on Evans. The UFC should have the Evans fight BEFORE the machida fight. TUF would be done filming around mid-July, so run the fight in Aug-Sept, winner fights Machida in Dec. Machida just fought, so a 6 mo layoff isn’t that bad for a title fight.
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok, so its damn near June already; how long is this filming going to take? He’s got 3 months to film this show, and then get a good training camp in. Maybe close to 4 months if the fight happens at the end of September. And while he’s filming, Machida’s working on improving his game; wonderful idea. Thank you for taking Rampage and trying to wreck him. This is such a lame @ss idea I can’t even stomach it..
by O damn he got caught on May 28, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought they said it films for 6 weeks.
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so thats a month and a half to train (6 weeks), if he has 3 months, June, July, August, then it comes down to when it happens in September, but at most he’ll train 8 weeks. I guess thats solid time assuming that he goes straight from filming and jumps right into a training camp.
by O damn he got caught on May 28, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dude, chill out. It’s not like you can’t train and coach at the same time. Seriously. Do you really think that these fighters take 2 months off of training completely while they coach some reality show? lol, there’s no way.
It might not be a completely focused camp, but Rampage will be training nonstop as well and then when the show wraps in mid-July, he’ll have an 8-week camp — which is the norm for any fight — and get down to business.
by Anthony on May 28, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One can only hope, cause last time he let himself get WAY out of shape.
by O damn he got caught on May 28, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he also was hurt if you didn’t remember that so he couldn’t train
by Anthony on May 28, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
rashad’s dance moves 101..don’t forget to grab your crotch..
why rampage again?? he does not strike me as someone who wants to be there as a coach the first time..
maybe..just maybe..rashad will come outta this with a better look on what people think of him, OR it will just bury his reputation even deeper as a chump….dunno
by sarah on May 28, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just wondering if anyone out there knows if the show will continue beyond the upcoming season . . .
Thanks for the constant information – great site!
by a fan on May 28, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is the Machida/Rampage fight definite yet? I know White said Rampage had the next crack at the title, but is it set in stone?
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Franklin beats Silva at that catchweight, I wouldnt be surprised if they gave Franklin a shot at machida with the winner of the rampage/evans fight getting the next title shot.
by horny for gina on May 28, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just can see Spike filming the guys going through “Machida katas” while Dana looks on. Where’s the drama in that?
by charlyw on May 28, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The piss drinking sessions in training would have been interesting…
by slim473 on May 28, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like this works out perfect for Rashad.
He can either turn down fights, or take a deal so that he only has to fight once a year.
by KS on May 28, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
rampage sucks as a coach theire tying him up with this bullshit what a waste i quit watching the show myself
by hhddavidson on May 28, 2009 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sounds kind of dumb
have rampage fight machida while taping tuf as a coach against evans not to mention why the hell evans gets another title shot next after getting his butt kicked my machida
i say give the next title shot to shogun and have rampage vs evans for number one title contender
and anyways if rampage does fight machida in sept it would be overseas and correct me if i am wrong but i thought the date on that fight would be after the tuf season 10 starts
by bryant on May 28, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love shogun!
BUT shogun is NOT ready for machida!!
by Sean sherk on May 28, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
shogun doesnt deserve a title shot
by hhddavidson on May 28, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At this poitn I wish TUF would just cease to exist.
by clayton on May 28, 2009 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I didnt like reading controversial decision against Forrest. It was close at best, but still unanimous.
by c-war on May 28, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
so if Evans wins the fight over Rampgae, then Evans will fight machida again??
by Sean sherk on May 28, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Despite losing to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98 on May 23, Fighter’s Only is reporting that Evans — not Machida — will oppose Jackson, even though Rampage still has a pending showdown with "The Dragon" later this year for the light heavyweight championship.ng rampage
by hhddavidson on May 28, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what do you guys do look at just the pictures
by hhddavidson on May 28, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
wow, I’m totally shocked that UFC turned one of the worst scenarios (coaching TUF) into perhaps the best scenario for all involved i.e. the fighters, the fans and the sport.
Rampage still gets to fight Machida on time (probably September at 93) and then while the TUF show is airing, he prepares for a showdown with Rashad which will be a sick title fight as well since Rampage will have his title back after dominating “la cheetah”.
Man, the LHW division is going to be downright sick! three straight sick title fights counting 98’s.
by Anthony on May 28, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
People the ufc just wants to make money why u think lesnar is headlining ufc 100. PPV buys and rashad vs rampage title shot or not is going to be a big ppv and thats all it comes down to.
by desperus on May 28, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
actually that happened because Mir had arthoscopic surgery on his knee retard. their fight would’ve happened at 98 otherwise
by Anthony on May 28, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points – No waiting for Page and Machida – big plus for Rampage.
We get to see Jackson vs Rashad no matter what pls the season will have lots of confrontation.
Bad point – We wont to get to see Machida’s training regimes and more of his personality.
overall – Super
by Randy for Couture on May 28, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the way it’s gonna work. The UFC knows Machida is gonna kill Rampage, and then Rampage will fight Rashad for number one contender to rematch La Cheetah.
by Don on May 28, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“More black on black crime baby!”…Page
by DirtbagHtr on May 28, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
anthony before u call me a retard actually read the comment i meant why is lesnar mir the main event over gsp alves who are clearly better fighters.
by desperus on May 28, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the UFC wants to keep Machida that much more of a secret/mystery… not show off his training methods. Just to keep the fighters and the fans guessing about his fighting style.
by Newbie Post on May 28, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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