EXCLUSIVE: “Rampage” Jackson on Rashad Evans: “I already know what his game plan is”
During our EXCLUSIVE interview with Wolfslair MMA Academy star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson earlier this week, the former light heavyweight champion discussed what he expects from Rashad in the cage, as well as revealing who is next on the hit list once he’s beaten Evans.
As he enters the final stages of preparation for his UFC 114 bout with long-time nemesis Rashad Evans, Rampage’s team at the Wolfslair Academy are hard at work on the game plan that will take their man to victory. According to Jackson though, he doesn’t expect any surprises from his opponent once the cage door shuts…
“His last fight, he didn’t look all that great. I already know what his game plan is…we know he don’t wanna stand up…he’s gonna run around, try and run from me and try and take me down. I’ve seen his fights, the people he was taking down, the way he was taking them down; they didn’t have any wrestling ability. I got wrestling ability…I was a defensive wrestler! That’s the best thing I’m good at, defending takedowns.”
When pressed for his opinion of Rashad’s style, Rampage was less than complimentary, revealing that he’s seen little in the way of evolution from his opponent over the years…
“I don’t see Rashad having any chance. I don’t see him having any chance in this fight y’know, because I’m not impressed with Rashad. I remember Rashad back in the day, when I was fighting in PRIDE and he was fighting in Gladiator Challenge. He still did the same stuff he does now. Tryin’ to dance around, tryin’ to show off, real cocky. I’m not impressed with him at all.”
Rampage is certainly not taking his opponent at UFC 114 lightly, but at a pivotal time for the UFC’s light heavyweight division, we asked the former champion for his thoughts on a couple of interesting rematches, most notably with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, should both men be victorious in May…
“I would love to see that fight happen. “Shogun” is a good guy and I ain’t got nothin’ against him, but yeah I want to avenge that loss. I want to avenge all my losses. But that loss haunts me forever because I felt like I could have won that fight if I wasn’t in the situation I was in. If they phoned up asking if I want Forrest or “Shogun”, I’d have to take “Shogun” first to get the belt back. If I beat “Shogun” and I got the belt, then I’ll say ‘give me Forrest!’.”
If Jackson gets his way, then there are a couple of guys in the UFC’s 205lb division that have just been put firmly on notice. Check back all week for more EXCLUSIVE excerpts from MMABay’s interview with Rampage Jackson, including the full video footage!
By Brad Wharton
Video interview conducted by Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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