While Quinton “Rampage” Jackson might be opposed to performing one last time in the Octagon, it isn’t to say he won’t be motivated when the time comes to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
The former PRIDE FC stars are expected to meet later this year after Jackson is cleared from having knee surgery, an injury he suffered in training prior to his bout against Ryan Bader at UFC 144.
After requesting a matchup with a striker, the UFC not only granted him one more fight, but also against Rua, a bout which Jackson has long desired.
“Me wanting to rematch Shogun is nothing personal. Shogun coming up, he was the best back then and I knew I could beat him but it’s just unfortunate that I couldn’t get my ankle (healed),” Jackson told MMA HEAT. “I just want to get that fight back.”
Rua was the last man to knockout Jackson while competing in PRIDE FC in 2005.
Jackson is recently coming off two back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. Although his recent performances have been disappointing to say the least, a rematch with Rua should likely boost his confidence.
Jackson’s knee surgery has postponed the bout momentarily, but he said that he will be completely healthy and promises to put on an exciting performance against the Brazilian.
“I got something to prove to Shogun. I don’t care if I’m just coming off of knee surgery and stuff like that, I’m going to give Shogun a run for his money,” he said. “Shogun better train pretty hard for this because I know how to train hard.”
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