'Rampage' Quinton Jackson still eyeing Wanderlei Silva and two other grudge matches
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson still has the desire to compete after lining up potential future grudge matches.
'Rampage' last stepped into the octaton for Bellator in 2019 where he lost to Fedor Emelianenko via a first-round KO. The veteran's clash proved to be Jackson's last in the organization as Bellator decided not to re-sign the 44-year-old, leaving him a free-agent.
Despite a lengthy spell away from MMA, 'Rampage' Jackson has stated his desire to return to fighting later this year. In an interview with No Jumper, the former Pride champ stated that he wants to run it back with former rival Wanderlei Silva for a fifth time:
“I’d like to do some grudge matches, since I’m old and stuff... There’s a couple guys I owe some ass-kickings to. For one, Wanderlei [Silva]. Me and him, we fought four times. We’re 2-2. I would like to box him or something different. Even the score."
The pair are 2-2 in the head-to-head, with the Brazilian's victories coming whilst they both competed under the Pride banner. 'Rampage' eventually got the better of Silva with a first-round KO at UFC 92 and again finished him at Bellator 206 in 2018.
14 years ago today, Rampage Jackson exacted his revenge against Wanderlei Silva in their trilogy fight
https://t.co/pwitA7uKwZ
'Rampage' also added that he'd be open to potential bouts with Marvin Eastman and Darrill Schoonover, whom Jackson had beefed with during The Ultimate Fighter (TUF)10:
"Then Marvin Eastman, I owe him a rubber match. We’re 1-1. And a guy from The Ultimate Fighter, Darrill Schoonover. The guy I gave the nickname ‘Titties.’ He hates me.”
Catch the full podcast here:
When 'Rampage' Jackson labeled Jon Jones a "dirty" fighter
Jon Jones is widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time and his success and record at light heavyweight speaks for itself. Despite this, Quinton Jackson doesn't believe it tells the full story.
According to him, whilst Jones may be an incredibly gifted fighter, that doesn't mean he has always fought fairly. The 35-year-old is notoriously known for eye-poking his opponents during fights as well as using oblique kicks.
In an interview with TMZ Sports last year, Jackson reminisced about his bout with Jon Jones in 2011 where he labeled the former champion as 'dirty':
"I feel like Jones is a smart fighter, and it was really hard for me to hit him. He wouldn't let me hit him. Granted, Jones is a dirty fighter. When you get close to him he's going to poke you in the eye and kick your knee backwards, you know what I'm saying? He's a long fighter."
11 years ago today Jon Jones submits Rampage Jackson in his first title defense at UFC 135
https://t.co/cKqRGzAOu8
Catch the full interview below: