mmaGuide: Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson
Quinton Jackson Vital Stats
- Name: Quinton Jackson
- Nickname: Rampage
- Birthdate: June 20, 1978
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 205lbs
- Style: Wrestling, "Whoop that ass"
- Fight Camp: Wolfslair
Quinton Jackson Career Stats
- Current Weight Class: Light Heavyweight (205lbs)
- Currently Contracted To: UFC
- Organizations Competed For: PRIDE FC, WFA, UFC
- Record: 28-6-0
- WAMMA Divisional Ranking: #1
- Major Accomplishments: 2007-Present UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
- Notable Wins: Chuck Liddell (twice), Dan Henderson, Kevin Randleman, Igor Vovchanchyn, Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Arona, Matt Lindland
- Notable Losses: Wanderlei Silva (twice), Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua
- Strengths: Wrestling, Incredible Strength, Knockout Power, Striking
- Weaknesses: Muay Thai Clinch Defense
- Last Fought At: Defeated Dan Henderson via Unanimous Decision at UFC 75
- Next Fight At: Defends His UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Forrest Griffin on July 5 at UFC 86
Quinton Jackson Biography
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson was born June 20, 1978, in Memphis, Tenn. A wrestler during his high school years, Jackson had aspirations of a professional wrestling career, but found an outlet for his fighting talent in mixed martial arts instead. Jackson amassed an 11-1 record in a variety of smaller U.S. promotions before joining Japan's PRIDE in 2001.
His first PRIDE bout, against Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE 15, was a loss, but he returned with a knockout victory against Yuki Ishikawa at PRIDE 17. Following a single disqualification loss, Jackson enjoyed a string of wins—seven consecutive victories against such important opponents as Kevin Randleman and Chuck Liddell. His win over the latter at PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 afforded Jackson the opportunity to fight PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva in the finals of the 2003 Middleweight GP. Non-stop and action-packed, the Silva-Jackson fight ended in a victory for the Brazilian powerhouse, but it would not be the last meeting for the two.
Jackson scored double victories in the interim between the Silva fights: against Ikuhisa Minowa and Ricardo Arona. Back in the ring for his second and final fight against Silva, Jackson endured and eventually succumbed to Silva's knee strikes. He won a decision victory over Brazilian Murilo Rua next but then lost to Rua's younger brother, Mauricio, by way of technical knockout. The loss to Mauricio Rua at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005 prompted a coaching change for Jackson. Juanito Ibarra came onboard and Jackson finished his PRIDE career with two victories before moving on to the World Fighting Alliance (WFA).
Jackson fulfilled only one fight under his WFA contract, a victory against American Matt Lindland, before Zuffa (the parent company of the UFC) announced in December 2006 that it had acquired select WFA assets, including Jackson's contract. Jackson made his UFC debut at UFC 67 in February 2007, scoring a knockout victory against Marvin Eastman. His next bout, four months later in May 2007, brought the fighter face-to-face once again with Chuck Liddell for the UFC light heavyweight championship. Just ninety seconds and one right hook into the fight, Jackson defeated Liddell for the title.
Jackson's last fight was a victorious bout against PRIDE Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson on Sept. 8, 2007, a fight that united the two organizations' titles. More recently, Jackson served as a coach on the UFC's reality show The Ultimate Fighter and is set to face off against fellow season seven coach Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 in July 2008. Jackson's record currently stands at 28 wins and 6 losses.
Quinton Jackson Video Highlights
Why Should You Watch Quinton Jackson
MMAConvert's Take
-
Steve Barry - MMAConvert
If there's any mixed martial artist who should be a huge star, it's Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. Few fighters have the total package of fighting ability, credentials, and marketability like 'Rampage' possesses. Inside the ring, 'Rampage' is a fierce competitor who isn't afraid to get in his opponent's face, no matter who they are. Outside the cage, however, 'Rampage' is not only one of the funniest MMA fighters, but also one of the most charismatic professional athletes—I do mean across all sports. Most casual fans got their first taste of 'Rampage' at UFC 71 when he knocked out perennial favorite Chuck Liddell. If you thought it was a fluke, think again. Check out their first encounter in the video section above. It was near dominance.
He's known as the "King of the Slam" (see video above). In his earlier days, he relied on his sheer strength and brawling style to overpower his opponents and slam them into the mat. However, a lack of professional-level training left holes in his game, leading to brutal losses to former Chute Boxe assassins Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua. Under the tutelage of Juanito Ibarra, 'Rampage' received the training that brought him to the next level.
There's no telling how long he'll hold onto his “big belt buckle” but rest assured, he'll always deliver an exciting fight and have you laughing while you wait for the next one.
Technorati
Stumble
Digg
