Quinton “Rampage” Jackson says he’d be willing to fight anyone for the right amount of money. Apparently, he’s even willing to do it when risking big amounts of money.
On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, the former UFC light heavyweight champion spent an hour in studio discussing various topics related to his career, and towards the end, he confirmed that he had recently received a text message from UFC heavyweight Matt Mitrione challenging him to fight.
“I’m a fighter, I respect that,” he said. “I don’t care, I’ll fight a guy bigger than me. If he thinks he can knock me out, let’s go.”
But that was the beginning of the end of the civility between the two, as Mitrione took that as his cue to call in to the show and formally challenge Jackson.
“We can get down,” said Mitrione, who is as of now tentatively scheduled to fight Philip De Fries in December. “We’ll put a weight limit on it. I’ll have to make a catch weight, make a cut and get to a number. It’ll be a fight I think the fans will love. They know we’ll get in there and scrap and earn our money. We both have heart, we both bring it. I think it’ll be a beautiful fight.”
While Jackson appreciated the direct approach, he couldn’t help but warning Mitrione he might be playing out of his league.
“He does bring it, but if he steps in the cage with me he’s going to regret that damn phone call, he’s going to regret that text,” he said.
That began this exchange between the two, who have heat stemming from their time together on season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter:
Mitrione: “I’ve never regretted going to the bank a day in my life. I’ve never regretted going with that win bonus, either.”
Jackson: “You’re going to regret going to the hospital, trust me.”
Mitrione: “That’s OK. If I come with a check with me, it’ll be alright.”
Jackson: “You ain’t going to enjoy spending it. You’re lucky UFC pays for your doctor bills, because that’s where your money would be going, homie.”
Later, when Mitrione said that Jackson might resort to wrestling for a rare time, Jackson dismissed that, then upped the ante. First, he called his shot, saying he would predict his win method — left hook knockout — and then said he’d be willing to gamble his payday.
“Let’s do it like this then, winner takes all,” he said. “Yeah. I got a big boy purse, too, baby. Winner takes all. I’m talking about your sponsor money, everything. Winner takes all. Put it on the line. Winner takes all. That’s how confident I am I’m going to hand you the worst motherf—— ass-whipping of your mother-f—— life.”
After Jackson said Mitrione would need surgery after their fight — “they’re going to put some cement in your chin,” he said — Mitrione shot back.
“You actually think you have hands enough to put on me? You actually think you do, dude? I train with people like Tyrone Spong, and [Alistair] Overeem. I bang with them every damn day, son. You got nothing on what I got. Nothing. I can’t wait to touch you, bro.”
“I don’t care who you’re sparring with,” Jackson said. “They can’t fight for you, dog. They can’t take these f—— bungalows for you.”
Since withdrawing from a proposed October fight with Glover Teixeira, Jackson has nothing scheduled, although he said he is reaching 100 percent health following injuries to his elbow and ankle.