If Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had plans of leaving the Zuffa-based promotion in a blaze of glory, he should put those thoughts on the back burner for now.
Brazilian Glover Teixeira is hellbent on knocking him out when the pair meet at UFC 153. Via MMAMania.com, Teixeira told Black House MMA 1360 films:
Fighting Rampage in Rio is going to be very exciting for me because it’s Rio de Janeiro. I have been there many times in my fights and it’s very exciting. I went to the (first) UFC in Rio 1 and it was great. I love the crowd and it is going to be exciting this time for me. I come to California to help Lyoto for his fight and also to help myself. But it is mostly Lyoto‘s training right now and he is getting ready for Ryan man. This is the last week. I will come back and I think I am going to do my camp in California. I think Lyoto and Ryan Bader‘s fight is going to be a good fight and great for Lyoto. I am betting a third round knockout for Lyoto Machida. I am going to do my camp in California. It is going to be half and half time in between here (Blackhouse MMA) and San Luis, Obispo with John Hackleman and I am bringing some guys from Brazil to help me out. Fighting him (Jackson) is great because he is a, you know, and idol of this sport. I am training hard man, I am going to knock him out.
The 32-year-old Teixeira debuted for the promotion at UFC 146, defeating Kyle Kingsbury via arm-triangle choke in the opening stanza.
In addition, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and knockout artist is currently riding a 16-fight win streak and has notable victories against former UFC heavyweight titlist Ricco Rodriguez as well as Cameroonian and former KSW 205-pound champ Thierry Sokoudjou.
Initially, Teixeira was supposed to face off against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, but those plans where scuppered when the latter insinuated Teixeira wasn’t a brand name and, as such, he had nothing to gain from fighting his fellow compatriot.
However, Teixeira (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) now gets the opportunity to not only prove he’s worthy of top billing, but also prove he’s a force to be reckoned with in the 205-pound assemblage.
Conversely, the 34-year-old Jackson (32-10 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was originally slated to lock horns with Shogun, but instead elected to have double-knee surgery.
He will now attempt to vacate the UFC premises on a high, having suffered defeat in his last two outings (Ryan Bader and Jon Jones). He’s also been shorn of a stoppage win since his 2008 KO of nemesis and archrival Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva.
That said, we’ll wait with bated breath and see whether the former UFC light heavyweight and PRIDE middleweight champion responds to Teixeira’s prediction of handing him a leaving present via knockout.
Though, the chances of Rampage not coming back with some kind of retort is between slim and none.
UFC 153 is scheduled to take place on October 13, 2012 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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