Rashad Evans vs 'Rampage' Jackson likely for UFC 114 on May 29 in Las Vegas
by Jesse Holland on Jan 19, 2010 7:46 PM EST
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South Park said it best: Blame Canada.
Because the UFC 113 fight card for Montreal continues to be stacked to the gills with a bevy of great match-ups, the Rashad Evans (14-1-1) vs. Quinton Jackson (30-7) grudge match will likely be moved to UFC 114 on May 29 in Las Vegas.
That's according to a text message from Dana White via Dave Meltzer at Yahoo Sports.
"Suga" rebounded from a Brazilian ass-whooping at UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida" back in May 2009 to outlast (and outwrestle) the dangerous Thiago Silva in the main event of UFC 108: "Evans vs. Silva" earlier this month at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Following the win -- which UFC President Dana White insisted was critical for a future dance with Rampage -- White initially targeted a tentative May 1 date for their clash at UFC 113 in Montreal.
Of course, the Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 Champion was originally booked to settle his differences with the Tennessee native in the main event of UFC 107 on Dec. 12 following his return to the TUF franchise as a coach at war with Jackson in the heavyweight season populated with big bellies and behemothic beards.
Unfortunately Rampage didn't stick to the script.
That's because Jackson was cast as "B.A. Baracus" in the upcoming theatrical remake of "The A-Team," which filmed in Vancouver on a two month commitment, effectively preventing him from being fully prepared to compete in front of his hometown crowd (Memphis) for the first time ever inside the Octagon.
White blasted the former light heavyweight champion for bailing on the bout, which was understandable considering the entire season of TUF 10 was built around his Dec. 12 showdown with Evans -- and it wasn't the first time in 2009 that Jackson didn't play by the rules.
Remember that he passed on the opportunity try and pry the 205-pound title from newly-minted division kingpin, Lyoto Machida, opting to take on the recently dethroned "Suga" instead. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua happily stepped in for Jackson and battle the "Dragon" to a close unanimous decision loss at UFC 104 back on Oct. 24.
Fortunately White is willing to overlook his past difficulties with Jackson to cash in on a grudge match with Evans while there is still some relevancy to their feud. And considering their history, it won't take long for the trash-talking to get underway.
The question is whether or not Jackson will be prepared enough to face his adversary after being out of action for over a year.
Time will tell.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates on the UFC 114 fight card as they develop.
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Wonder if it will be the main event.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
shad by murder
just sayin…and yea pretty sure it will be the main event….i dont think theres ever been a tuf show where the coaches werent the main event
my dream fight would have to be Brock Lesnar vs Jake Shields...and before the fight theres a video of jake slapping brock's wife...then id like to see shields try to gay porn a win over brock using his butt sex merry-go-round tactics...the massacre that would take place would be the greatest thing ever televised...every limb jake has would look like corey hill's leg...god i hate jake shields
Bisping/Henderson, Mir/Nog and Serra/Hughes were all co-mainers.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
who the f*ck is gonna fight in vancouver..
montreal is so spoiled..and what the hell is gonna be left for vancity..i’m bitter.
Patience, Sarah. Big fights will be booked for Vancouver. Although admittedly, a title fight seems unlikely at this point.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
ahhh..i've been bitchin about it too much..
i could care less about tito and chuck anymore and that is the only crumb they have dropped..
Hey, I understand. We’ve been patiently waiting for a card in our neck o’ the woods for a long time, and we want it to be a memorable one.
I posted this in another thread: I bet it won’t be Tito/Chuck. The Finale is set for a week later than 115, and they always do the coaches’ fight after the Finale.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
Dana knows Canada loves mma
The fist Van show has to be some big fights.
Maybe I’m just being optimistic.
Shogun lost a close decision! Everyone get crazy!
Got to agree HellaHectic
An unmotivated + undertrained Rampage = Rashad victory, Not sure if it will be in a devastating fashion though given Rashad’s falling back in love with his wrestling skills and I do not blame him. He now reminds me of a Faster, More explosive iceman on his feet and also not scared to go to the ground… YIKES!
by Edgecrusher71 on Jan 19, 2010 9:37 PM EST up reply actions
Oh please. Rashad’s striking is average. Rashad has speed and power, but speed and power don’t make you a great striker. Chuck was laying the entire division on its ass for years. Rashad got out-kickboxed by Forrest Griffin for almost three rounds. He couldn’t rock Bisping or Tito.
His only dominant striking performance (besides his head kick on Sean "canned " Salmon – fight in which Rashad was performing poorly) was his vicious right hand on a washed-up Liddell, who was pressing too much and got sloppy.
Rashad is a very good all-around fighter, but please don’t compare his striking prowess to an in-his-prime Chuck Liddell. It’s ridiculous.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 9:50 PM EST up reply actions
Also, their striking styles couldn’t be more dissimilar… Rashad keeps his hands high and bounces around throwing feints and jabs, while Liddell stalked his opponents with his hands at his waist, waiting to throw counter hooks and straight/overhand rights. Chuck is a long, lean body type, and Rashad is a compact, shorter fighter who throws tighter shots. Both have good footwork, alothough very different footwork. Strange comparison on all fronts IMO.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, especially since Rampage is a much better striker than both Chuck and Rashad. His boxing defence is the best you’ll get in the LHW division, Rashad is to be honest not at the same level and coming in with the size disadvantage he does he’ll be outwrestled or neutralized in the wrestling just like Rampage did with Dan Henderson.
I’m amazed how ppl think he’ll have a chance against Page after the weak display of fighting he put on against Thiago in his last and to tell the truth after any of his UFC performances.
fresh like uhh.
His chance is that Page will lose
not that he can win. If page turns up out of shape then Rashad will control the fight and win a decision.
"OH GOD THAT'S DISGUSTING! HE BROKE HIS FREAKIN' ARM"
"hey man that's the business, we're not figure skating"
In the name of the Fedor, the Anderson and the GSP. Amen.
by Spinning Fat Kick on Jan 20, 2010 6:31 AM EST up reply actions
I agree that Bumpage is a more technical striker than Rashad but it’s not like Rashad doesn’t have the power to rock Rampage and possibly KO him. Jardine had Rampage rocked briefly. I think Rashad needs to be careful if he gets in close with Rampage and he starts throwing cause Rmapge has solid defense and throws good shots up close like that hook that took out Wandy.
Rashad may try and get Rampage down and since I haven’t seen Rampage use his wrestling too much lately…it’s hard to predict how that will turn out. I really liked that Rashad used his strikes a lot to set up takedowns against Thiago. I think the same can be done with Rampage since he covers up really high usually but Rampage is strong and has a good base and balance. Even if Rashad ended up on his back…he’s got that black belt to put to use.
I think Rashad will come in cool and collected and fight the smart gameplan that Jackson comes up with. He saw what happens when you stray from the gameplan when he fought Thiago and I think Rashad will push his resentment aside and fight the smart fight and win.
"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."
by Buster Bluth on Jan 20, 2010 8:34 AM EST up reply actions
As much as I respect that Rashad is a good wrestler...
and apparently a submissions guy, now that he has his black belt. but I think Rampage is probably going to be physically, one of, if not the strongest guy that he has ever fought. I’m pretty sure Rampage has also only ever been subbed once, and that was by Sakuraba, and I can’t remember Shad subbing anyone ever?.. so I doubt that subs will even come into this fight. I agree that on paper, it’s an even match up, but theory and practice often don’t add up.
Honestly, I don’t believe that Rashad will or could finish him, the only guys that have finished Page with strikes were Wandy and Shogun and we all know how vicious and brutal they were back in the day, maybe if Shad pulls out a thunderous spinning back kick right to the liver followed by 8 knees to the face or something equally spectacular, but he isn’t that good a striker. Shad won’t sub him and he won’t finish him with strikes, I’ll be genuinely Shocked if either of those things happens. even if page does turn up out of shape the guy is still a juggernaut and one of the toughest guys MMA has ever seen.
"OH GOD THAT'S DISGUSTING! HE BROKE HIS FREAKIN' ARM"
"hey man that's the business, we're not figure skating"
In the name of the Fedor, the Anderson and the GSP. Amen.
by Spinning Fat Kick on Jan 20, 2010 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
Good points
I just don’t think Rampage brings enough to the table anymore as an MMA artist. He’s a boxer now and it’s never a good thing no matter how good of a boxer you are to rely on one tool like Page does. We’ve seen what has happened to Page since he’s relied on being a boxer…he lost to Forrest by not diversifying his attack and allowing Forrest to impose his game plan, he KOed Wandy who has lost 5 of his last 6 fights, he barely beat Jardine who has a suspect chin. None of those guys have the speed that Rashad has to get in and out with Page.
I know Shad has never subbed anyone and I doubt he will here but having a black belt in BJJ is just another sign that he is evolving as a fighter. If you look back at old Pride fights with Page…he used a lot more tools to beat people and it was harder to predict what he was going to do. Now it’s pretty simple…he’s going to walk forward and throw hooks. I’m not saying that it’s not effective but it’s predictable.
The long lay off, the lack of motivation other than revenge, and the poor training camp are all factors to be considered here as well. I’m not saying Shad can or will sub him but I think he can TKO him…but you’re right…he has a granite chin. I just think that Shad will fight the smarter fight and that shoud lead him to victory.
"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."
by Buster Bluth on Jan 20, 2010 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
you're right about the motivation
and conditioning, but those are things that you can’t really make a call on until you get closer to the fight and can asses the way they look/act but until I see something to make me think otherwise, I’m going with page. either way it’ll be a good fight, either affirmation of Shad’s legitimacy or a return to form for an old warrior.
"OH GOD THAT'S DISGUSTING! HE BROKE HIS FREAKIN' ARM"
"hey man that's the business, we're not figure skating"
In the name of the Fedor, the Anderson and the GSP. Amen.
by Spinning Fat Kick on Jan 20, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
I find it laughable that
Rashad is a black belt out of Jacksons, but Nate Diaz is a brown belt under Ceaser Gracie. I wonder who get the better Jits?
If I ever saw an amputee getting hanged, I'd probably just start calling out letters.
by ViolentMike on Jan 20, 2010 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
I sense a bit of sarcasm...haha
"He is gonna find out who Ken Shamrock is, was, and is now!"
-Ken Shamrock
by McArthur... on Jan 20, 2010 10:18 AM EST up reply actions
Shad's belt
Well he got the belt under Rolles Gracie…not Jackson…it’s a legit belt if you ask me. Who’s to say how long Shad has been working his jitz just because he never seems to need to use it.
"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."
by Buster Bluth on Jan 20, 2010 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
what does Rashad bring that Rampage doesn't?
stop the crap about not bringing enough as an MMA fighter, it’s like saying Brock Lesnar is terrible cause all he does is using his wrestling to get on top. You’ve obviously been listening too much to Rashad’s BS when he tries to be smart and put himself higher.
Rampage has a significant technique and skill advantage standing, and as we’ve seen Rashad can be taken down by physically stronger wrestlers (Tito got him down about 6-7 times with a bad back) Rampage is even stronger and quite honestly the strongest LHW without a doubt.
If you think Page could lose by a TKO to Rashad you’re dreaming, it could happen if he actually hit him but he won’t Rampage boxing defence and movement as he comes in with his strikes is as i’ve said the best in the LHW division and probably the nicest most technical in the UFC. You can argue all you want about some poor performances by Page, but let me not even get started on Rashad who even lost a round to Salmon.
fresh like uhh.
Shad by Murder?
Rampage is stronger, has equal or better boxing, has one punch power, has great takedown defense, and has the most solid chin in all of mma except, BJ possibly. Where does Shad win this fight except for speed and I think Rampage can nullify that with getting inside. Shad may run his way to a decision, but in no way shape or form does he physically handle Rampage, even with the giant layoff. I think Rampage will catch him with a brutal punch. Rampage just needs to tag him once and he won’t get the Thiago grace period. Rampage is in much better shape and will be all over him like gold chains on Mr. T!
Page in better shape?
Rampage has always had a hard time with training and being motivated and that has really gone downhill after Juanito. I don’t think training at Wolfslair is going to do him any favors. I just don’t think that Page is motivated to get to the top anymore. I think he’s going to be busy with promoting his movie and chugging red bull.
"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."
by Buster Bluth on Jan 20, 2010 8:37 AM EST up reply actions
nah it wont
i dont think this fight has enough hype to it….theres no bad blood
my dream fight would have to be Brock Lesnar vs Jake Shields...and before the fight theres a video of jake slapping brock's wife...then id like to see shields try to gay porn a win over brock using his butt sex merry-go-round tactics...the massacre that would take place would be the greatest thing ever televised...every limb jake has would look like corey hill's leg...god i hate jake shields
no bad blood?
did u not watch the last season of tuf?
A bevy of great fights?
So they move the second best fight of the night? Why not move the Kimbo fight? This sucks.
Rashad… I Like your abilities and you are talented. But I am sorry Machida put you out with a flurry. Rampage will put you out with a punch.
A focused, in-shape Rampage will catch Rashad with something sooner or later and knock him out.
The question is, how focused is Rampage? Will he ever implement a frigging jab to set up his power shots? Is he training for this fight at the Can Factory, errr, Wolf’s Lair? These are the questions you have to ask yourself when picking a winner for this fight.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
Rampage isn't too good for Shad
Rampage is easy to game plan for. If Rashad sticks to the game plan this should be a boring UD for him. Leg kicks and run.
Rashad stuck to that gameplan against Thiago, and he still almost went to sleep. He would have, if Thiago wasn’t gassed. Thiago has never been adequately prepared for a 15 minute war. Rampage has nastier hands than Thiago, and I reiterate, if he comes in shape, he’ll blast Rashad sooner or later. Rampage’s resume makes Rashad’s look pretty weak. Rashad is faster, but Rampage is bigger, stronger, and meaner.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Rampage's resume is based on things he did 5 years ago
He’s never improved, only gotten worse over the years. He doesn’t use his wrestling or even the illusion that he might use it. Leg kicks and run like I said. If Forrest can do it, Shad can do it in his sleep.
Page can obviously knock Shad out, that goes without saying, but Shad knows he almost focked that Thiago fight up. He will stick to the plan this time. Instead of a LNP clinic, he is going to put a stick and move clinic on. Page only throws left and right hooks. Not hard to avoid those if you know they are coming before the venue is even booked.
We’ll see. I can’t stand Rampage anymore, but I think his one dimensional style is good enough to beat Rashad. Rashad can’t run all night, and he won’t be able to take Rampage down. Evans’ boxing and defense is highly overrated. He’s athletic, but still relatively new to the art of striking, and it shows. He’ll get caught.*
*again, if Rampage is in shape. I’ll wait until a couple weeks before the fight to make a definitive pick
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
And I still consider his more recent wins over Liddell, Wanderlei and Henderson to be quality victories. Liddell hadn’t tanked yet, and while none of those wins are over guys I’d consider top 5 LHWs anymore, they still offered their own unique challenges to Quinton (Hendo’s world class wrestling, and the psychological aspect of fighting Wand again).
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think Shad has it either...
I think Rampage will close the distance and catch him. I personally feel that Rampage is that melted the Iceman! Since getting his head taken off by Rampage he has not been the same, much the same way Gonzaga broke Cro Cop!
You cant ignore the stat
that Rashad is undefeated against fighters that have fought Jardine before fighting him
(forrest, Chuck, Thiago) maybe Page is next
dude.....i am
Can't Ignore, you are right but,
Rampage is not any of those guys. Even at the worst that he has looked, he still more dangerous then any of them.
alright man, i can't let some noob sit here and spit out complete bs.
only gotten worse over the years? have you ever seen the guy fight? He won a wrestling contest over Henderson over 5 rounds, he knocked out Chuck in 2 mins, he beat Jardine, knocked out Wanderlei and the only little loss on his record is a highly controversial decision loss to Forrest because he got his leg hurt.
fresh like uhh.
get a life and know what ur watching
your so into the zuffa hype that it’s ridiculous, it’s like your believing every word that comes out of Rashad big mouth Evans.
Rashad is no more skilled than Rampage anywhere and he is smaller and physically weaker.
fresh like uhh.
his UFC resume is twice as good as Rashad’s, and no Rashad doesn’t have the leg kicks of Forrest who got lucky that Page hurt his leg that night.
fresh like uhh.
Agree that Forrest’s leg kicks are miles better than Rashad’s. In fact, they are the only offensive striking technique that I would say Forrest actually excels at.
Too bad he throws them at the end of the same mechanical one-two combination every time. That’s why Rashad could predict it coming, grab it, and get Forrest down to put a whuppin’ on him.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Jan 19, 2010 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldnt say Forrest got lucky that Quinton hurt his leg
it was more like Forrest did a good job using his kicks to hurt Quintons leg
dude.....i am
The stick and move game will only bait Shad into counters by Page.
When it comes to striking, Rampage is more technical. And as Jeremy-J says, if a focused and conditioned Rampage gets into that octagon, then Ray-shad will just be runnin’ around like a fool…
Whatever the fuck you do in life, echoes in eternity! <----slightly edited
-Maximus[Gladiator]
by The Negation on Jan 20, 2010 6:24 AM EST up reply actions
Good post jay
I’ve said it many times now…Page is a rockem sockem robot now…he walks forward and only throws punches. That type of fighter is easy to game plan for. That’s why Forrest was able to pick him apart for the majority of the 5 rounds they fought. That’s why Jardine was able to get in and out on Page and almost win that fight according to one judge at least.
Can Page KO Shad? Of course. Does that mean he will win the fight? No. Page has the same game plan for every fight…throw pucnhes. It usually works with aggressive guys like Chuck and Wandy and even Jardine.
"You know what would make a good story? Something about a clown who makes people happy, but inside he's real sad. Also, he has severe diarrhea."
by Buster Bluth on Jan 20, 2010 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
dude, what is there to gameplan for?
when your guy doesn’t have the quality it takes in kickboxing/muay thai/boxing to beat his opponent, you can not make a game plan for Page boxing best he could do is try to avoid it by looking for a takedown, but that just wouldn’t work.
fresh like uhh.
Game planning to fight a guy how only throws hooks
And absolutely nothing else, isn’t that hard to do. Shad has this fight, easy.
martial arts is about technique over size and strength. While strength and speed are great, technique will always overcome it.-FuckerDave 01/19/10
Finally!!!!!
Rashad is to fast and to skilled for Rampage, I cant wait to see Shad shut Pages funky grill.
pretty much agree with all of jeremyjacksons posts. however i do think rashad can take rampage down. rashad is not as small as people think and is very explosive with his takedowns. butttt if ramapge comes focused and in shape, he wins. Even greg jacksons lay and pray and leg kick and run strategies will not work against page.
Everyone can agree that if the best Page shows up, Page wins
But if Rock ’em Sock ’em Rampage shows up, he is going to get leg kicked to sleep. And, yes that is possible. LOL
martial arts is about technique over size and strength. While strength and speed are great, technique will always overcome it.-FuckerDave 01/19/10
deja vu
I remember when rampage lost to forrest and he said he felt rusty because he had been out of action for so long (at that time I believe it was 8 months). Now it will be 1 year between fights for page, u think he will be primed and ready to go??? I thk not…
Old enough to know better, young enough to enjoy it...
by DrunkenStyle on Jan 20, 2010 10:37 AM EST via mobile reply actions
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