UFC 114: Hungry Like The Wolf
Rampage: it's a full moon, the Wolf is howling!
UFC 114: Rampage vs Rashad.
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson is howling mad, ready to tear into light-heavyweight rival ‘Sugar’ Rashad Evans in Las Vegas, this weekend. Rashad has got under Jackson’s skin and he wants at him.
Rampage, a Wolfslair team member since 2008 made the move to train in the UK since things weren’t going right for him in the States. Since then Jackson boasts wins over Brazilian Wanderlei ‘The Axe Murderer’ Silva and Rashad’s training partner ‘Dean of Mean’ Keith Jardine.
Alongside Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping, Rampage has been training hard being in the best environment for him, at the Widnes gym near Liverpool. Quinton admits previously he didn’t like training, since training with Bisping and the guys at the Lair he’s knuckled down and actually enjoying the process. That process is a gruelling one, the Wolves train hard.
Watching UFC 114: Primetime it’s interesting to see Quinton refer to ‘Rampage’ as a persona he becomes inside the cage, a beast that needs to be tamed outside the confines of the UFC octagon. In fact his trainer never calls him Rampage.
Quinton wants this win to shut up Evans, he simply doesn’t like the guy. Yes, in Rampage’s own words, “there will be some black on black crime”. Since Rashad stepped up to challenge then light-heavyweight champ Jackson, the tension has been brewing. Things boiled over several times, when they coached opposite on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Time is almost up, who is going to be the victor? Rashad or Rampage? Who would you bet on? Rampage temporarily left the UFC for Hollywood and a starring role in the soon to be released A-Team movie. Will the fan favourite be ring-rusty? Or will the hunger inside him shine through giving him the edge over the cocky Rashad?
One thing is for sure these 2 dudes don’t get along, whatever the outcome I’m hoping for a damn good match-up. Bragging rights are on the line in this grudge match, plus one of these 2 former light-heavyweight title holders will be in line for a shot at Shogun Rua’s strap at a later date.
Rampage versus Rashad – it’s gonna be a war!
Fellow Wolfslair member Mike Bisping is looking to return to winning ways at UFC 114. Rampage and Bisping’s fellow rival Wanderlei, is the fighter who beat Bisping on points, in the Brit’s most recent octagon encounter. Avenging the loss he needs to utilise his striking bread and butter on this occasion. Miller is a grappler, Bisping plans to knock out Miller, to impress on the night earning himself the KO of the night bonus.
The advertised card:
Spike TV in the US are to air the prelim bouts, ESPN in the UK are to do likewise. The Countdown starts at 1am, prelims to follow at 2am, main card runs from 3am – 6am.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com