Issue 168

June 2018

‘Rampage’ finally gets his revenge on Wanderlei Silva Quinton Jackson KO1 Wanderlei Silva.

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson had twice faced Wanderlei Silva in Pride. Twice, ‘The Axe Murderer’ had earned knockout victories with devastating knees from the clinch. Ordinarily, that would be the end of a rivalry, but not this time. Fan demand for a third meeting was still high when they both joined the UFC.

In the years since those fights, ‘Rampage’ had improved greatly and won the 205lb title. Though he lost his belt in his previous outing, there was hunger to see him renew his feud with an old adversary – who was coming off a vicious KO of Keith Jardine.

At 2008’s biggest show, UFC 92, it was the American who looked like he was the man with the edge in this rivalry. He looked composed compared to Silva, who seemed to be fighting with nervous energy. He wanted to brawl, and was caught out by a perfect counter punch...

Take no chances:

“I never had anything against him, but the last time I fought him, I was just fed up with how he was talking,” ‘Rampage’ told FO. “It was my time to take him out. I didn’t even know I was throwing those punches, I was just in the zone. I remember the second time I fought him, I dropped him and he got back up. This time, I just wanted to make sure he stayed down.”

UFC 92 was the third MMA pay-per-view event to exceed a million buys – setting a UFC record.

Step 1

• ‘Rampage’ covers and rolls to block Silva’s left hook, before returning fire with a hook that lands cleanly on the chin.

Step 2

• Silva goes out instantly, but ‘Rampage’ delivers three more unnecessary major blows – just to be safe.