UFC 92 Wanderlei Silva vs Quinton Jackson?
- Thread starter Shogun Locc
- Start date
Wanderlei is my favorite fighter so i definitely have no doubt he will knock him out again. Fucken Rampage got the raw end of the stick, first he got screwed out of the title and now hes gonna be on a 2 fight losing streak probably after this fight when really he should have had rematch with Forrest cuz hes a better fighter then Forrest
Ex-"Rampage" trainer Juanito Ibarra denies offering Wanderlei Silva help
Juanito Ibarra, the former trainer and manager for ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, on Monday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he denies reports that he offered training and strategy advice to Wanderlei Silva, who fights Jackson Dec. 27 at UFC 92.
Ibarra, who guided Jackson's career since his days in PRIDE, split with the fighter soon after his July unanimous-decision championship loss to Forrest Griffin.
Earlier this month, Fighter's Only cited a Brazil Combate TV interview in which Silva said he "received a letter from someone offering training with Juanito ... but I didn't care to accept it."
Silva made it sound as though the letter came from Ibarra himself.
When told of the report, Ibarra laughed in disbelief.
"I can't believe the stuff that gets printed in these magazines and websites," he said. "This is exactly why I don’t read them.
"I never once contacted Wanderlei or his manager. I know them, sure. I really like Wanderlei. He's a great fighter and an extremely respectful person. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him, his manager or his trainer, but if he received any kind of letter from someone claiming to be affiliated with me, then I honestly don't know anything about it and I didn't approve it."
Ibarra befriended Jackson following the fighter's loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in April 2005. The longtime boxing and MMA trainer saw the potential in the fellow born-again Christian. A successful fighter-trainer partnership and friendship ensued, as Ibarra helped guide Jackson to six straight wins, including a victory over Chuck Liddell in May of last year that earned Jackson a UFC title.
Ten days after losing the title to Griffin at UFC 86, though, Jackson was arrested by Costa Mesa police following an alleged hit-and-run accident and subsequent police chase on a California freeway. UFC President Dana White later stated that Jackson had been fasting, not sleeping and drinking only water and energy drinks. A few days after the rest, Jackson was admitted into a mental-health facility.
Three weeks after the arrest, Ibarra initially refused to comment on the matter when contacted by MMAjunkie.com because he hadn't talked to Jackson. He said he only wanted "what's best for him."
Jackson eventually split with Ibarra and joined the U.K.-based Wolfslair Academy in September. The camp, which is also home to Michael Bisping, now handles Jackson's training and business affairs.
Jackson has never directly commented on the reason for the split – other than saying he had been planning to end the relationship even before the loss to Griffin. In a variety of interviews, Jackson has used the terms "con artist" and "thief" when speaking hypothetically about the situation, even though he never directly called Ibarra those names.
Regardless, Ibarra claims he has no hard feelings from the split and never offered Silva any type of help.
Ibarra said it wouldn't make a difference – especially since Silva owns two previous wins over Jackson.
"He's already beat him twice," Ibarra said. "What is there I could teach him that he doesn't already know? Besides, Rampage is not training with me. He has a whole new camp. How could I train Wanderlei to beat Rampage when Rampage is going to be a totally different fighter then when I was with him?"
Ibarra said he just wants to put the enter episode behind him.
"I am just moving on, and I wish nothing but the best for Rampage," Ibarra said. "He was as close to me as a member of my own family. I could never wish anything bad for him. That being said, Rampage was my past. I have no choice but to move on and focus on the future."
Juanito Ibarra, the former trainer and manager for ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, on Monday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he denies reports that he offered training and strategy advice to Wanderlei Silva, who fights Jackson Dec. 27 at UFC 92.
Ibarra, who guided Jackson's career since his days in PRIDE, split with the fighter soon after his July unanimous-decision championship loss to Forrest Griffin.
Earlier this month, Fighter's Only cited a Brazil Combate TV interview in which Silva said he "received a letter from someone offering training with Juanito ... but I didn't care to accept it."
Silva made it sound as though the letter came from Ibarra himself.
When told of the report, Ibarra laughed in disbelief.
"I can't believe the stuff that gets printed in these magazines and websites," he said. "This is exactly why I don’t read them.
"I never once contacted Wanderlei or his manager. I know them, sure. I really like Wanderlei. He's a great fighter and an extremely respectful person. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him, his manager or his trainer, but if he received any kind of letter from someone claiming to be affiliated with me, then I honestly don't know anything about it and I didn't approve it."
Ibarra befriended Jackson following the fighter's loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in April 2005. The longtime boxing and MMA trainer saw the potential in the fellow born-again Christian. A successful fighter-trainer partnership and friendship ensued, as Ibarra helped guide Jackson to six straight wins, including a victory over Chuck Liddell in May of last year that earned Jackson a UFC title.
Ten days after losing the title to Griffin at UFC 86, though, Jackson was arrested by Costa Mesa police following an alleged hit-and-run accident and subsequent police chase on a California freeway. UFC President Dana White later stated that Jackson had been fasting, not sleeping and drinking only water and energy drinks. A few days after the rest, Jackson was admitted into a mental-health facility.
Three weeks after the arrest, Ibarra initially refused to comment on the matter when contacted by MMAjunkie.com because he hadn't talked to Jackson. He said he only wanted "what's best for him."
Jackson eventually split with Ibarra and joined the U.K.-based Wolfslair Academy in September. The camp, which is also home to Michael Bisping, now handles Jackson's training and business affairs.
Jackson has never directly commented on the reason for the split – other than saying he had been planning to end the relationship even before the loss to Griffin. In a variety of interviews, Jackson has used the terms "con artist" and "thief" when speaking hypothetically about the situation, even though he never directly called Ibarra those names.
Regardless, Ibarra claims he has no hard feelings from the split and never offered Silva any type of help.
Ibarra said it wouldn't make a difference – especially since Silva owns two previous wins over Jackson.
"He's already beat him twice," Ibarra said. "What is there I could teach him that he doesn't already know? Besides, Rampage is not training with me. He has a whole new camp. How could I train Wanderlei to beat Rampage when Rampage is going to be a totally different fighter then when I was with him?"
Ibarra said he just wants to put the enter episode behind him.
"I am just moving on, and I wish nothing but the best for Rampage," Ibarra said. "He was as close to me as a member of my own family. I could never wish anything bad for him. That being said, Rampage was my past. I have no choice but to move on and focus on the future."
Wanderlei Trains With Xtreme Couture And Nogueira For Rampage Fight
With each passing day, the third fight between "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson draws nearer and nearer. As Silva prepares for the fight, he has branched out his training to extend to his own gym which will open in January after his bout at UFC 92.
Silva spoke to MMAWeekly Radio recently about his training and especially dealing with someone like Randy Couture to help prepare him.
"I'm training at (Xtreme) Couture for this fight. Cause (Randy) Couture is an amazing guy, I like him a lot," Silva said. "He opened his gym for me, he helped me a lot after I move here to Vegas, he's an amazing guy."
Working with a wide variety of training partners, Silva gets specialized help in every area and this week his gym will open up to old friend and current UFC heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
"I'm training at (Xtreme) Couture and training at my gym. Because this week, (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira coming to train at my gym with his team," Silva stated. "He has a lot of strong guys, good jiu-jitsu, good guys for takedowns, and I'm training in my gym with him. I'm training my boxing with Skip Kelps, he's from Vegas and he's very good at boxing. I train my wrestling with Mike Whitehead, he has amazing jiu-jitsu and he's so much stronger."
Wanderlei also says that he expects to invite another champion into his gym to work with Nogueira over the next few days.
"Tomorrow I invited Forrest (Griffin) to train with me and (Nogueira). Maybe Forrest is going to train with Nogueira and with me tomorrow. Tomorrow is a hot day in my gym!"
Silva says he'll slow down on a couple of days out from the actual fight, but until then he will be at full force getting ready for his match-up against Jackson next Saturday night.
With each passing day, the third fight between "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson draws nearer and nearer. As Silva prepares for the fight, he has branched out his training to extend to his own gym which will open in January after his bout at UFC 92.
Silva spoke to MMAWeekly Radio recently about his training and especially dealing with someone like Randy Couture to help prepare him.
"I'm training at (Xtreme) Couture for this fight. Cause (Randy) Couture is an amazing guy, I like him a lot," Silva said. "He opened his gym for me, he helped me a lot after I move here to Vegas, he's an amazing guy."
Working with a wide variety of training partners, Silva gets specialized help in every area and this week his gym will open up to old friend and current UFC heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
"I'm training at (Xtreme) Couture and training at my gym. Because this week, (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira coming to train at my gym with his team," Silva stated. "He has a lot of strong guys, good jiu-jitsu, good guys for takedowns, and I'm training in my gym with him. I'm training my boxing with Skip Kelps, he's from Vegas and he's very good at boxing. I train my wrestling with Mike Whitehead, he has amazing jiu-jitsu and he's so much stronger."
Wanderlei also says that he expects to invite another champion into his gym to work with Nogueira over the next few days.
"Tomorrow I invited Forrest (Griffin) to train with me and (Nogueira). Maybe Forrest is going to train with Nogueira and with me tomorrow. Tomorrow is a hot day in my gym!"
Silva says he'll slow down on a couple of days out from the actual fight, but until then he will be at full force getting ready for his match-up against Jackson next Saturday night.
i was already gonna say...how the fuck was page not doing very well lately? where have you been? he was killin em and imo won a decision against forest griffin so should be fighting rashaad which would be a better fight imo.
rewatch their first fight five years ago with randy and bas on the commentary! rampage can take some punishment! never gives up.
rewatch their first fight five years ago with randy and bas on the commentary! rampage can take some punishment! never gives up.
Jackson ends year on the brink with must-win fight against old nemesis
One fight can change plenty.
For Quinton Jackson (28-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC), one fight changed everything.
A year ago, Jackson was the toast of the MMA world. The charismatic Memphis native was on a three-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC and had KO'd the legendary Chuck Liddell for the light heavyweight title. The outspoken, born-again Christian was a larger-than-life African-American ruling the UFC's marquee division in a sport dominated by white fighters.
Seven months later, the man nicknamed "Rampage" went on one through parts of Southern California in a very public meltdown, which played out along the streets of Costa Mesa. After fleeing the scene of an accident, Jackson led police on a chase before surrendering and being photographed sprawled out, face down on the street next to the pickup truck adorned with his life-size photo.
Jackson's life began to unravel the evening of July 5 in Las Vegas, when he lost a close, but unanimous decision to Forrest Griffin. It was a brutally difficult loss for Jackson to swallow. Many cage-side observers felt the champion won the fight or at least did enough in a razor-close contest to earn nod from the judges. Instead, Griffin became the first true "The Ultimate Fighter" contestant to win a UFC title.
Following his arrest, Jackson underwent psychiatric evaluation. With little sleep and ingesting little more than energy drinks in the period before the reckless-driving incident, Jackson was in a fractured mental state and suffering from delirium.
To hear Jackson talk today, it's as if his unabated irresponsible trip behind the wheel in July and subsequent arrest never happened. The wisecracking Jackson of old is back for an encore, fresh from a change of training-camp scenery and new management with the U.K.-based Wolfslair Fight Team.
"I'd say that my last fight probably was the best thing that happened to me," said Jackson, who spent much of his UFC 92 training camp in England. "I got rid of some old baggage and it actually made me hungrier, right? So, I started back. And, it just made me really think about my career. Like, look, I'm a professional fighter, you know what I'm saying?
"I'm a professional athlete. I've got to start eating like one. And, I never did that type of stuff. Not even for my whole career, not even protein shakes. I've got a good nutritionist and good people behind me and telling me all the good things to do and stuff I've never done before. And, this has paid off. It's showing in my work ethic and my training."
The 30-year-old Jackson has a good script, and his self-deprecating approach has a disarming way of convincing even the most ardent of skeptics. However, it's a long way from talking up a compelling game and stepping into a cage for a fight. And Jackson will do so for the first time since the loss to Griffin and his epic implosion against, perhaps, the worst possible opponent -- Wanderlei Silva -- this Saturday at UFC 92 in Las Vegas.
Silva has all but owned Jackson. The Brazilian put a pair of beatings on Jackson in PRIDE -- the first at Final Conflict in 2003, the second a year later at PRIDE 28. Jackson was destroyed in both bouts and left hanging through the ropes in the second match after Silva obliterated him with a series of knee strikes.
It's a credit to Jackson's toughness -- both mentally and physically -- that he didn't fold after those crushing defeats. Instead, he re-invented himself as a fighter with the help of trainer and mentor Juanito Ibarra. Jackson cut ties with Ibarra in August, using a go-between to deliver the news to the once father-like figure in his life.
"Since last August, I got rid of all the baggage around me, and got a bunch of good people around me and good things," Jackson said. "And it’s actually working out pretty well, you know. So I'm pretty happy with how everything is turning out."
While the circumstances and those around him are different this time, Jackson is hoping for a re-boot similar to the one he experienced with Ibarra at his side. While every fighter says his next fight is the biggest of his career, in Jackson's case, that's not hype, that's reality. A loss at this point in his career could be devastating, especially since he’s still facing potential jail time on two felony counts stemming from the reckless-driving incident.
Had Jackson been given a chance to face Silva a third time as UFC champion, riding the high of his breakout year in 2007, he would have entered that fight in a very different mental state. Now, Jackson faces the bout against his nemesis with the backdrop of not only a loss, but also truly life-altering events. Intriguing to say the least. But, for Jackson, he's taking a measure of confidence into the fight, believing he's a different fighter than the version Silva faced in PRIDE.
"Honestly, I knew that I'd see Wanderlei again, especially as soon as he signed with the UFC," Jackson said. "It was inevitable. And I don’t see this as revenge. Revenge is a dangerous motive. This is my job. This is my fight. This is my career. This is my life.
"Those first two times happened. It didn't have the outcome that I wanted to have, but this is my time to make it right in my mind. Fighting when I'm a little bit better. I'm a little bit older and more mature now. I'm a lot better with my skills and everything. So I feel like this time right here, this is the time where I can go and give it my all, my 100 percent. This is my time right here to go and do it."
Spoken like a true champion. We'll find out Saturday night if Jackson can still fight like one.
One fight can change plenty.
For Quinton Jackson (28-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC), one fight changed everything.
A year ago, Jackson was the toast of the MMA world. The charismatic Memphis native was on a three-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC and had KO'd the legendary Chuck Liddell for the light heavyweight title. The outspoken, born-again Christian was a larger-than-life African-American ruling the UFC's marquee division in a sport dominated by white fighters.
Seven months later, the man nicknamed "Rampage" went on one through parts of Southern California in a very public meltdown, which played out along the streets of Costa Mesa. After fleeing the scene of an accident, Jackson led police on a chase before surrendering and being photographed sprawled out, face down on the street next to the pickup truck adorned with his life-size photo.
Jackson's life began to unravel the evening of July 5 in Las Vegas, when he lost a close, but unanimous decision to Forrest Griffin. It was a brutally difficult loss for Jackson to swallow. Many cage-side observers felt the champion won the fight or at least did enough in a razor-close contest to earn nod from the judges. Instead, Griffin became the first true "The Ultimate Fighter" contestant to win a UFC title.
Following his arrest, Jackson underwent psychiatric evaluation. With little sleep and ingesting little more than energy drinks in the period before the reckless-driving incident, Jackson was in a fractured mental state and suffering from delirium.
To hear Jackson talk today, it's as if his unabated irresponsible trip behind the wheel in July and subsequent arrest never happened. The wisecracking Jackson of old is back for an encore, fresh from a change of training-camp scenery and new management with the U.K.-based Wolfslair Fight Team.
"I'd say that my last fight probably was the best thing that happened to me," said Jackson, who spent much of his UFC 92 training camp in England. "I got rid of some old baggage and it actually made me hungrier, right? So, I started back. And, it just made me really think about my career. Like, look, I'm a professional fighter, you know what I'm saying?
"I'm a professional athlete. I've got to start eating like one. And, I never did that type of stuff. Not even for my whole career, not even protein shakes. I've got a good nutritionist and good people behind me and telling me all the good things to do and stuff I've never done before. And, this has paid off. It's showing in my work ethic and my training."
The 30-year-old Jackson has a good script, and his self-deprecating approach has a disarming way of convincing even the most ardent of skeptics. However, it's a long way from talking up a compelling game and stepping into a cage for a fight. And Jackson will do so for the first time since the loss to Griffin and his epic implosion against, perhaps, the worst possible opponent -- Wanderlei Silva -- this Saturday at UFC 92 in Las Vegas.
Silva has all but owned Jackson. The Brazilian put a pair of beatings on Jackson in PRIDE -- the first at Final Conflict in 2003, the second a year later at PRIDE 28. Jackson was destroyed in both bouts and left hanging through the ropes in the second match after Silva obliterated him with a series of knee strikes.
It's a credit to Jackson's toughness -- both mentally and physically -- that he didn't fold after those crushing defeats. Instead, he re-invented himself as a fighter with the help of trainer and mentor Juanito Ibarra. Jackson cut ties with Ibarra in August, using a go-between to deliver the news to the once father-like figure in his life.
"Since last August, I got rid of all the baggage around me, and got a bunch of good people around me and good things," Jackson said. "And it’s actually working out pretty well, you know. So I'm pretty happy with how everything is turning out."
While the circumstances and those around him are different this time, Jackson is hoping for a re-boot similar to the one he experienced with Ibarra at his side. While every fighter says his next fight is the biggest of his career, in Jackson's case, that's not hype, that's reality. A loss at this point in his career could be devastating, especially since he’s still facing potential jail time on two felony counts stemming from the reckless-driving incident.
Had Jackson been given a chance to face Silva a third time as UFC champion, riding the high of his breakout year in 2007, he would have entered that fight in a very different mental state. Now, Jackson faces the bout against his nemesis with the backdrop of not only a loss, but also truly life-altering events. Intriguing to say the least. But, for Jackson, he's taking a measure of confidence into the fight, believing he's a different fighter than the version Silva faced in PRIDE.
"Honestly, I knew that I'd see Wanderlei again, especially as soon as he signed with the UFC," Jackson said. "It was inevitable. And I don’t see this as revenge. Revenge is a dangerous motive. This is my job. This is my fight. This is my career. This is my life.
"Those first two times happened. It didn't have the outcome that I wanted to have, but this is my time to make it right in my mind. Fighting when I'm a little bit better. I'm a little bit older and more mature now. I'm a lot better with my skills and everything. So I feel like this time right here, this is the time where I can go and give it my all, my 100 percent. This is my time right here to go and do it."
Spoken like a true champion. We'll find out Saturday night if Jackson can still fight like one.
Rampage: ‘Wanderlei is in a world of trouble’
In the world of fight sport you rarely are privy to a trilogy where the first two fights have gone in one direction. But fans will see just that at UFC 92 this Saturday when Quinton Jackson takes on Wanderlei Silva in their third bout face-to-face. While the first two fights went decidedly in the direction of Silva, Jackson thinks Silva will have his hands full on Saturday.
“I really think Wanderlei is in a world of trouble,” Jackson said on Sherdog Radio’s “The Savage Dog Show” on Monday. “I punch harder. I’m faster. I have better footwork. My boxing is a lot better. I actually know what I’m doing. My defense is on point. Forrest (Griffin) opened up a new world to me with that whole low leg kick thing that he did to me last fight and I’ve been working on that. I’m hoping Wanderlei tries to low kick me this time. I’m well prepared for this fight. I know Wanderlei’s game plan. He’s going to tire himself out in the process of tiring me out. I dissected those two fights and I was doing great until I got tired. This time the cardio isn’t even an issue.”
Not only did Jackson (27-8) say he’s a different fighter for his third bout with Silva (32-8-1) but The Memphis native believes viewers should also consider the circumstances behind the first two defeats.
“Honestly, the first time I fought him I had to fight Chuck (Liddell) the same night and that would be hard for anybody,” said Jackson. “The second time I fought him I probably should’ve backed out of the fight considering what was going on with me but I still took the fight. This time I’m in better shape. I’m more mature and quite frankly back in those days I really sucked. I’m a better fighter now.”
The man who knocked out Liddell at UFC 71 in May 2007 to become a UFC champion has undergone quite the transformation since last July when he lost his light heavyweight title to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86. A week after the event, Jackson was arrested for a much publicized ride through the streets of Newport Beach, in which the 32-year-old fighter bob and weaved his lifted truck through traffic and sent pedestrians diving for safety. Jackson was charged with felony counts of hit and run, evading and reckless driving. Temporarily placed under mental evaluation following the arrest, Jackson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will return to court in January.
While Jackson refused to go into detail about what’s transpired since the incident, he offered a more definitive statement addressing whether or not it’ll be a distraction come fight time.
“What’s going to happen is going to happen,” Jackson said. “There’s no sense in worrying about it. All I have to do is go in there and train hard and fight my fight. I don’t have to worry about what’s going on outside the Octagon or whatever. I always have something going on -- I just usually don’t talk about it whether it’s relationship problems, kid problems or whatever. It’s not hard to focus at all. I have to deal with Wanderlei, then after that I have to focus on other things. One at a time.”
After the fight with Griffin, Jackson also changed fight camps. Going from Big Bear to the Wolfslair Academy in Widnes, England, Jackson has spent his entire training camp abroad. So far the change has gone well for a fighter renowned for complaining during training.
“It’s a lot better,” Jackson said. “I didn’t b-tch and moan that much this time. How can I b-tch and moan after my last performance? It lit a fire under my a-- and made me want to work harder. No one had to push me that much this time. I was self-motivated. You guys don’t understand. The last fight I blamed on myself because I didn’t prepare enough. I didn’t take Forrest lightly. But I didn’t train as hard as I should’ve and I learned from that. I’m pushing myself now. I’m taking supplements and being serious about that. I’m doing all sorts of new things. I’m eating right. My nutrition is good. I’m acting like a professional athlete.”
Even with the big changes, Jackson knows only one guy will be stepping into the Octagon.
“The coaches don’t fight for you, do they,” said Jackson. “I still have to be the one to go out there and fight. All my coaches didn’t change. I’ve trained with these people before. I knew them so I went to the UK and worked my butt off doing new things I haven’t done before and I think it’s good for me. We’ll see on Saturday. I think I’m in excellent shape. I think that I can really do a good job.”
And what would be a really good job for Rampage?
“I walk out there and I knock him the hell out,” said Jackson. “One punch knockout. Walk out the cage without even doing an interview and go have me a few beers that night. That’s the perfect night.”
In the world of fight sport you rarely are privy to a trilogy where the first two fights have gone in one direction. But fans will see just that at UFC 92 this Saturday when Quinton Jackson takes on Wanderlei Silva in their third bout face-to-face. While the first two fights went decidedly in the direction of Silva, Jackson thinks Silva will have his hands full on Saturday.
“I really think Wanderlei is in a world of trouble,” Jackson said on Sherdog Radio’s “The Savage Dog Show” on Monday. “I punch harder. I’m faster. I have better footwork. My boxing is a lot better. I actually know what I’m doing. My defense is on point. Forrest (Griffin) opened up a new world to me with that whole low leg kick thing that he did to me last fight and I’ve been working on that. I’m hoping Wanderlei tries to low kick me this time. I’m well prepared for this fight. I know Wanderlei’s game plan. He’s going to tire himself out in the process of tiring me out. I dissected those two fights and I was doing great until I got tired. This time the cardio isn’t even an issue.”
Not only did Jackson (27-8) say he’s a different fighter for his third bout with Silva (32-8-1) but The Memphis native believes viewers should also consider the circumstances behind the first two defeats.
“Honestly, the first time I fought him I had to fight Chuck (Liddell) the same night and that would be hard for anybody,” said Jackson. “The second time I fought him I probably should’ve backed out of the fight considering what was going on with me but I still took the fight. This time I’m in better shape. I’m more mature and quite frankly back in those days I really sucked. I’m a better fighter now.”
The man who knocked out Liddell at UFC 71 in May 2007 to become a UFC champion has undergone quite the transformation since last July when he lost his light heavyweight title to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86. A week after the event, Jackson was arrested for a much publicized ride through the streets of Newport Beach, in which the 32-year-old fighter bob and weaved his lifted truck through traffic and sent pedestrians diving for safety. Jackson was charged with felony counts of hit and run, evading and reckless driving. Temporarily placed under mental evaluation following the arrest, Jackson has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will return to court in January.
While Jackson refused to go into detail about what’s transpired since the incident, he offered a more definitive statement addressing whether or not it’ll be a distraction come fight time.
“What’s going to happen is going to happen,” Jackson said. “There’s no sense in worrying about it. All I have to do is go in there and train hard and fight my fight. I don’t have to worry about what’s going on outside the Octagon or whatever. I always have something going on -- I just usually don’t talk about it whether it’s relationship problems, kid problems or whatever. It’s not hard to focus at all. I have to deal with Wanderlei, then after that I have to focus on other things. One at a time.”
After the fight with Griffin, Jackson also changed fight camps. Going from Big Bear to the Wolfslair Academy in Widnes, England, Jackson has spent his entire training camp abroad. So far the change has gone well for a fighter renowned for complaining during training.
“It’s a lot better,” Jackson said. “I didn’t b-tch and moan that much this time. How can I b-tch and moan after my last performance? It lit a fire under my a-- and made me want to work harder. No one had to push me that much this time. I was self-motivated. You guys don’t understand. The last fight I blamed on myself because I didn’t prepare enough. I didn’t take Forrest lightly. But I didn’t train as hard as I should’ve and I learned from that. I’m pushing myself now. I’m taking supplements and being serious about that. I’m doing all sorts of new things. I’m eating right. My nutrition is good. I’m acting like a professional athlete.”
Even with the big changes, Jackson knows only one guy will be stepping into the Octagon.
“The coaches don’t fight for you, do they,” said Jackson. “I still have to be the one to go out there and fight. All my coaches didn’t change. I’ve trained with these people before. I knew them so I went to the UK and worked my butt off doing new things I haven’t done before and I think it’s good for me. We’ll see on Saturday. I think I’m in excellent shape. I think that I can really do a good job.”
And what would be a really good job for Rampage?
“I walk out there and I knock him the hell out,” said Jackson. “One punch knockout. Walk out the cage without even doing an interview and go have me a few beers that night. That’s the perfect night.”
"Rampage" evokes rare anger from Silva heading into UFC 92
LAS VEGAS – Wanderlei Silva doesn't even attempt to hide his disdain for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
The culture of mixed martial arts is such that most fighters go to extremes to praise their opponents, even when such praise isn't warranted. Silva follows that unwritten code religiously.
He does, at least, under most circumstances. But when the conversation turns to Jackson, Silva's contempt for the man he defeated twice in the PRIDE Fighting Championship can't be controlled.
They'll meet for a third time on Saturday at UFC 92 and, for one of the few times in his career, Silva is doing more than a bit of trash talking. The popular Brazilian doesn't like Jackson and is taking the bout far more personally than any other.
"There are few very people I don't like," Silva said. "Very few. Honestly. But of course, I don't like this guy. I just don't care for him. He jokes at bad moments. He's not the kind of guy I like. And so I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to fight him again."
Silva, the former longtime PRIDE 205-pound champion, scored a pair of devastating victories over Jackson when both fought in PRIDE. His knees and his kicks were the difference and in each fight, Jackson needed to be saved by the referee.
The losses haven't humbled Jackson, who said in an interview with UFC.com that he's not afraid of Silva and that he doesn't expect Silva to get lucky again.
Jackson didn't speak as if Silva's pair of resounding victories over him would matter.
"I think Wanderlei was very lucky the first two times I fought him, but I think his luck ran out," Jackson said during the UFC.com video interview. "He don't look lucky no more. He hasn't been looking lucky lately. His luck has run out."
It's that kind of brash smack talk that has made Jackson one of the most popular fighters in the world. But it's also the kind of talk that infuriates Silva.
And though Silva will likely get a light heavyweight title shot sometime in 2009 should he beat Jackson, that's not his primary motivation. He covets the belt but not nearly as much as he covets putting another beating on Jackson, the former champion.
That's why their fight figures to be of the most interest to those in the MGM Grand Garden and those watching on pay per view, even though it's third on the card and two other fights will come after it.
"Every fighter wants to be [the champion], and I am no different," Silva said. "But whether I am champion or not, nothing has made me work harder and train better than the opportunity to fight this guy again. And you know what? I don't just want to beat him. I want to knock him out. Of course, I always go for the knockout, but with this guy, this is very important to punish him and get that kind of a finish. It's going to be a great fight."
Both men are predicting at least the Fight of the Night, if not the Fight of the Year. And it wouldn't be a shock were that to happen.
Much has changed since their most recent bout, which was held on Oct. 31, 2004, in Saitama, Japan.
Silva has gone just 5-5 in his 10 fights since and has split his two bouts since joining the UFC. He lost a slugfest to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79 before returning to knock out Keith Jardine in just 36 seconds at UFC 84 on May 24.
Jackson joined the UFC at the start of 2007 and won the light heavyweight belt by knocking out Liddell. He defended it in a PRIDE vs. UFC showdown against Dan Henderson before surrendering it to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86.
Silva concedes that Jackson is a far better fighter now than he was when they last met. Jackson, though, won't soon forget his knees, Silva said.
"Every fan wants to see this fight again because he's a big guy, a strong and tough guy, and he's improved," Silva said. "He is a lot better now. He's a different fighter. My two fights with him I think were probably the two best fights of my career.
"I think he'll remember my knees. My knees were very good. I don't think he's ever forgotten those knees. But I don't have just knees. I can fight him many different ways. My preparation for this fight, it's better than ever. My cardio, my mental training, my attention to the smallest things, I have worked so hard on all of them. I want to give the best show ever and I want him to remember me forever."
Jackson said he hasn't forgotten and wants to exact revenge. Like Silva, he also vowed to inflict plenty of punishment upon his rival.
"If I were Wanderlei, I wouldn't be looking forward to Dec. 27," Jackson told UFC.com. "I hope he has a great Christmas and spends a lot of time with his family, because Dec. 27, the 28th and New Year's, he ain't gonna be too happy."
It's that kind of talk, Silva said, that aggravates him so much. And he's happy he doesn't have to hear it much longer.
"He's got a big mouth and he's always out on the Internet talking," Silva said. "But we'll see how much talking he does once we fight again."
LAS VEGAS – Wanderlei Silva doesn't even attempt to hide his disdain for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
The culture of mixed martial arts is such that most fighters go to extremes to praise their opponents, even when such praise isn't warranted. Silva follows that unwritten code religiously.
He does, at least, under most circumstances. But when the conversation turns to Jackson, Silva's contempt for the man he defeated twice in the PRIDE Fighting Championship can't be controlled.
They'll meet for a third time on Saturday at UFC 92 and, for one of the few times in his career, Silva is doing more than a bit of trash talking. The popular Brazilian doesn't like Jackson and is taking the bout far more personally than any other.
"There are few very people I don't like," Silva said. "Very few. Honestly. But of course, I don't like this guy. I just don't care for him. He jokes at bad moments. He's not the kind of guy I like. And so I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to fight him again."
Silva, the former longtime PRIDE 205-pound champion, scored a pair of devastating victories over Jackson when both fought in PRIDE. His knees and his kicks were the difference and in each fight, Jackson needed to be saved by the referee.
The losses haven't humbled Jackson, who said in an interview with UFC.com that he's not afraid of Silva and that he doesn't expect Silva to get lucky again.
Jackson didn't speak as if Silva's pair of resounding victories over him would matter.
"I think Wanderlei was very lucky the first two times I fought him, but I think his luck ran out," Jackson said during the UFC.com video interview. "He don't look lucky no more. He hasn't been looking lucky lately. His luck has run out."
It's that kind of brash smack talk that has made Jackson one of the most popular fighters in the world. But it's also the kind of talk that infuriates Silva.
And though Silva will likely get a light heavyweight title shot sometime in 2009 should he beat Jackson, that's not his primary motivation. He covets the belt but not nearly as much as he covets putting another beating on Jackson, the former champion.
That's why their fight figures to be of the most interest to those in the MGM Grand Garden and those watching on pay per view, even though it's third on the card and two other fights will come after it.
"Every fighter wants to be [the champion], and I am no different," Silva said. "But whether I am champion or not, nothing has made me work harder and train better than the opportunity to fight this guy again. And you know what? I don't just want to beat him. I want to knock him out. Of course, I always go for the knockout, but with this guy, this is very important to punish him and get that kind of a finish. It's going to be a great fight."
Both men are predicting at least the Fight of the Night, if not the Fight of the Year. And it wouldn't be a shock were that to happen.
Much has changed since their most recent bout, which was held on Oct. 31, 2004, in Saitama, Japan.
Silva has gone just 5-5 in his 10 fights since and has split his two bouts since joining the UFC. He lost a slugfest to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79 before returning to knock out Keith Jardine in just 36 seconds at UFC 84 on May 24.
Jackson joined the UFC at the start of 2007 and won the light heavyweight belt by knocking out Liddell. He defended it in a PRIDE vs. UFC showdown against Dan Henderson before surrendering it to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86.
Silva concedes that Jackson is a far better fighter now than he was when they last met. Jackson, though, won't soon forget his knees, Silva said.
"Every fan wants to see this fight again because he's a big guy, a strong and tough guy, and he's improved," Silva said. "He is a lot better now. He's a different fighter. My two fights with him I think were probably the two best fights of my career.
"I think he'll remember my knees. My knees were very good. I don't think he's ever forgotten those knees. But I don't have just knees. I can fight him many different ways. My preparation for this fight, it's better than ever. My cardio, my mental training, my attention to the smallest things, I have worked so hard on all of them. I want to give the best show ever and I want him to remember me forever."
Jackson said he hasn't forgotten and wants to exact revenge. Like Silva, he also vowed to inflict plenty of punishment upon his rival.
"If I were Wanderlei, I wouldn't be looking forward to Dec. 27," Jackson told UFC.com. "I hope he has a great Christmas and spends a lot of time with his family, because Dec. 27, the 28th and New Year's, he ain't gonna be too happy."
It's that kind of talk, Silva said, that aggravates him so much. And he's happy he doesn't have to hear it much longer.
"He's got a big mouth and he's always out on the Internet talking," Silva said. "But we'll see how much talking he does once we fight again."
UFC 92: THIRD TIME A CHARM FOR RAMPAGE?
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson gets a third crack at Wanderlei Silva on Dec. 27 at UFC 92 in Las Vegas. He feels changes in his training camp and diet, and a rejuvenated focus will be his keys to victory.
Jackson and Silva have met twice before in the Japanese Pride organization, where Silva decisively finished Jackson in each outing. Four years have elapsed since they last fought, but Jackson always knew their paths would cross again.
"I knew that I would meet Wanderlei again, especially as soon he signed with the UFC. It was inevitable. And I don't see this as revenge. Revenge is a dangerous motive. This is my job. This is my fight. This is my career. This is my life," stated the Memphis native.
"And I see it as, it's not revenge, it's me finally knowing in my mind. I know the first two times, I feel like both those two times happened, and it didn't have the outcome that I wanted. This is my time to make it right, in my mind. I'm older and more mature now. I'm a lot better with my skills and everything," continued Jackson. "So I feel like this time, right here, this is the time where I can go and give it my all, my 100 percent. This is my time, right here, to go and do it."
Jackson became the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion by defeating Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007. He would defend his title once, against Dan Henderson at UFC 75, before losing it to current titleholder Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, a fight that Jackson feels he won and attributes to his newfound focus.
"My last fight was probably the best thing to have happened to me. I got rid of some old baggage. It actually made me more hungrier. It made me train harder. It made me train really hard," he commented. "My cardio is the best it has ever been. It made me really just think about my career, like, look, I'm a professional fighter. I'm a professional athlete. I've got to start eating like one, taking supplements. I never did that type of stuff. I never took supplements before in my whole career.
"I should have been doing this type of stuff years ago," added Jackson. "I didn't have the right people around me. But now, since my last loss, I got rid of all the bad things around me and got a bunch of good people around me and good things. And it's actually working out pretty well. I'm pretty happy with how everything is turning out."
Following his decision loss to Griffin, Jackson parted ways with trainer Juanito Ibarra and joined the Wolfslair Academy in England where he's been motivated by the change in sparring and training partners.
"My sparring partners, my training partners motivated me, and I'm very motivated myself because in my mind I'm still the champion," commented the 30-year old fighter. "I'm not going to let some judges tell me whether I win or lose a fight.
"Sometimes I felt like I lost a fight that I won. In my mind, that was a loss, but people give it to me and it goes on my record as a win. But in my mind, it was a loss. And same thing, vice versa. If I win and some judges say I lost, it goes down on my record that I lost, but in my mind I won. So, in my mind, I'm still champion," he added. "So this time I trained like I'm a champion. And I'm acting like a champion, not only the way you fight, how you fight, but you have to be a champion inside and outside the Octagon. I'm motivated myself because I want my belt back and I'm going to get my belt back. I'm going to do what I say I'm going to do."
Fueled by the desire to get back to the UFC title, Jackson would like nothing more than a rematch with Griffin, but, for now, he's solely focused on defeating his long-time nemesis, Wanderlei Silva.
"I would love to get back in there with Forrest. Good luck to Rashad. I like both of the guys. They're good guys, but I have to keep it real. I would love to get back in there with Forrest. I think about that fight almost every day. I would love to get back in there with Forrest and go ahead and knock him the (expletive) out. You know what I'm saying? Get my belt back," stated Jackson.
"But I've got Wanderlei in front of me, and that's a whole 'nother opponent. I'm so focused on this fight that I've got now," said the light heavyweight contender. "That's not even in my mind, but good luck to both of those guys. I don't really care who wins really. I just care about my fight."
The ending of both previous bouts with Silva came to a conclusion by Silva landing knees from the Thai clinch, something Jackson has been working hard in training to avoid at UFC 92.
"I have to have a different strategy. The first two times didn't work, right? I'd be an idiot to try to have the same strategy as the first times," he asserted. "I might look stupid, but I'm not that damn dumb.
"So what if he beat me back in the past? That's what that was, that was the past. This is a whole new Rampage, a whole new beginning. This is the time, so I'm happy for it," stated the refocused Rampage.
"My training went very well. I actually trained harder than I've actually trained in a long time. It was really good. I had some excellent sparring partners and stuff like that, so I was really happy," he said. "I got some guys who fight like my opponent, and training went very well this time... I've been training my ass off.
"I really had to man up and train hard because I wasn't really happy with my last performance," said Jackson. "This fight right here is so important for me, so I had to get down and get nasty, get dirty and get ugly."
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson gets a third crack at Wanderlei Silva on Dec. 27 at UFC 92 in Las Vegas. He feels changes in his training camp and diet, and a rejuvenated focus will be his keys to victory.
Jackson and Silva have met twice before in the Japanese Pride organization, where Silva decisively finished Jackson in each outing. Four years have elapsed since they last fought, but Jackson always knew their paths would cross again.
"I knew that I would meet Wanderlei again, especially as soon he signed with the UFC. It was inevitable. And I don't see this as revenge. Revenge is a dangerous motive. This is my job. This is my fight. This is my career. This is my life," stated the Memphis native.
"And I see it as, it's not revenge, it's me finally knowing in my mind. I know the first two times, I feel like both those two times happened, and it didn't have the outcome that I wanted. This is my time to make it right, in my mind. I'm older and more mature now. I'm a lot better with my skills and everything," continued Jackson. "So I feel like this time, right here, this is the time where I can go and give it my all, my 100 percent. This is my time, right here, to go and do it."
Jackson became the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion by defeating Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007. He would defend his title once, against Dan Henderson at UFC 75, before losing it to current titleholder Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, a fight that Jackson feels he won and attributes to his newfound focus.
"My last fight was probably the best thing to have happened to me. I got rid of some old baggage. It actually made me more hungrier. It made me train harder. It made me train really hard," he commented. "My cardio is the best it has ever been. It made me really just think about my career, like, look, I'm a professional fighter. I'm a professional athlete. I've got to start eating like one, taking supplements. I never did that type of stuff. I never took supplements before in my whole career.
"I should have been doing this type of stuff years ago," added Jackson. "I didn't have the right people around me. But now, since my last loss, I got rid of all the bad things around me and got a bunch of good people around me and good things. And it's actually working out pretty well. I'm pretty happy with how everything is turning out."
Following his decision loss to Griffin, Jackson parted ways with trainer Juanito Ibarra and joined the Wolfslair Academy in England where he's been motivated by the change in sparring and training partners.
"My sparring partners, my training partners motivated me, and I'm very motivated myself because in my mind I'm still the champion," commented the 30-year old fighter. "I'm not going to let some judges tell me whether I win or lose a fight.
"Sometimes I felt like I lost a fight that I won. In my mind, that was a loss, but people give it to me and it goes on my record as a win. But in my mind, it was a loss. And same thing, vice versa. If I win and some judges say I lost, it goes down on my record that I lost, but in my mind I won. So, in my mind, I'm still champion," he added. "So this time I trained like I'm a champion. And I'm acting like a champion, not only the way you fight, how you fight, but you have to be a champion inside and outside the Octagon. I'm motivated myself because I want my belt back and I'm going to get my belt back. I'm going to do what I say I'm going to do."
Fueled by the desire to get back to the UFC title, Jackson would like nothing more than a rematch with Griffin, but, for now, he's solely focused on defeating his long-time nemesis, Wanderlei Silva.
"I would love to get back in there with Forrest. Good luck to Rashad. I like both of the guys. They're good guys, but I have to keep it real. I would love to get back in there with Forrest. I think about that fight almost every day. I would love to get back in there with Forrest and go ahead and knock him the (expletive) out. You know what I'm saying? Get my belt back," stated Jackson.
"But I've got Wanderlei in front of me, and that's a whole 'nother opponent. I'm so focused on this fight that I've got now," said the light heavyweight contender. "That's not even in my mind, but good luck to both of those guys. I don't really care who wins really. I just care about my fight."
The ending of both previous bouts with Silva came to a conclusion by Silva landing knees from the Thai clinch, something Jackson has been working hard in training to avoid at UFC 92.
"I have to have a different strategy. The first two times didn't work, right? I'd be an idiot to try to have the same strategy as the first times," he asserted. "I might look stupid, but I'm not that damn dumb.
"So what if he beat me back in the past? That's what that was, that was the past. This is a whole new Rampage, a whole new beginning. This is the time, so I'm happy for it," stated the refocused Rampage.
"My training went very well. I actually trained harder than I've actually trained in a long time. It was really good. I had some excellent sparring partners and stuff like that, so I was really happy," he said. "I got some guys who fight like my opponent, and training went very well this time... I've been training my ass off.
"I really had to man up and train hard because I wasn't really happy with my last performance," said Jackson. "This fight right here is so important for me, so I had to get down and get nasty, get dirty and get ugly."