Fighters Only

Issue 062

May 2010

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson is one of the most charismatic and popular fighters in the sport today.

STATISTICS

Name Quinton Jackson

Age 31

Height 6’1”

Category 205lb (light heavyweight)

Record 30-7-0

14 (T)KO’s (46.67%)

7 Subs (23.33%)

9 Decisions (30%)

Fighting Style Boxing / Wrestling

Fights out of Liverpool, England

Active since 1999

A hard-hitting, straight-talking fighter from the rough side of Memphis, ‘Rampage’ was given his nickname as a child due to his terrible temper tantrums. A member of his high school wrestling team, he combined his solid grappling ability with his street-fighting experience and discovered an aptitude for beating the crap out of people. A move to California saw him join forces with the likes of Tito Ortiz and fight on local events, but his career exploded when he was selected to go and fight in Japan.

Jackson became one of Pride’s biggest stars and competed against some of the best fighters in the world. He returned to the USA to fight for the one-and-done event World Fighting Alliance (WFA) in 2006, and moved to the UFC when his contract was acquired. At first, Jackson was reticent about fighting for the UFC as he had concerns that the American audience did not know who he was and did not support him.

This soon changed when Rampage, in only his second fight with the UFC, captured the light heavyweight title from Chuck Liddell (who was on a three-year, seven-fight winning streak). By beating ‘The Iceman’, Jackson became one of the promotion’s biggest stars. Two stints as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter have cemented his position as a fan favorite, and Jackson’s status is sure to rise even further when The A-Team reboot (in which Jackson plays B.A. Baracus) is released later this year.

Neck

The size and thickness of a fighter’s neck is a factor when considering how well they can take a punch or resist submissions. Jackson’s tree-trunk thick neck makes him almost impossible to choke – though many have tried, nobody has ever managed to submit him with a strangle.

Left hook

Possibly his most dangerous weapon, Jackson’s extensive boxing training has given him a killer left hook. He used the punch to KO Chuck Liddell for the UFC light heavyweight title, and dispatched old foe Wanderlei Silva with the same shot in their third fight. Unlike many MMA fighters, Jackson uses the ‘traditional’ boxing style of cover and roll to set up the punch.

Strength

Blessed with an incredible natural strength, Jackson is one of the most physically imposing fighters at his weight. You only have to witness his slam of Ricardo Arona to see just how strong he really is – he can hoist and slam fighters with ease. With this level of power behind his punches, it’s no surprise he has 14 TKO’s to his name.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

1999

Makes debut on local event in Memphis against future Xtreme Couture trainer, Mike Pyle.

2001

Makes Pride debut against Sakuraba. Though he loses, Pride decide to make him a star.

2003

Gets to finals of Pride Middleweight Grand Prix, beating Chuck Liddell and Bustamante along the way.

2004

Beats Ricardo Arona with highlight reel KO. Loses in rematch to Wanderlei Silva.

2006

Leaves Pride and fights on the one-off WFA against Matt Lindland.

2007