Issue 177

April 2019

It’s hard to believe when looking at this picture that Dan Henderson and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson were friends! As professional fighters the punches and kicks they threw were purely motivated by physical competition, such is the spirit of Mixed Martial Arts. We can only imagine what drinks together after the fight would have been like but this picture epitomizes their epic showdown in London at the O2 Arena on September 8, 2007.

The fight was billed as UFC 75 (Champion vs Champion), following the acquisition of Pride FC by Zuffa. It was decided that a unification match between then UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Quinton Jackson and the then PRIDE FC 83kg and 93kg champion, Dan Henderson would be held, initially with discussion whether the title fight would be for both the UFC and PRIDE titles or just the UFC title.

Ultimately, the fight was won by Jackson, but each fighter walked away with their respective belts while the PRIDE FC Champion status died, with Dan Henderson remaining the two-weight champ as the iconic MMA organisation was shut down.