Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson returns to the Octagon on May 28 where he meets Matt “The Hammer” Hamill in a light heavyweight slugfest. The fight now takes on even more meaning.
A few short days ago, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard each suffered an injury in training and were forced off the card. The Jackson vs. Hamill matchup now has become the main event for UFC 130.
In a recent interview with ESPN.com, Rampage assured his fans that he will “whoop Matt Hamill’s ass” when they meet in the Octagon.
Rampage is coming off a lackluster fight in which he won a decision over Lyoto Machida. The last three fights he has participated in have gone to the judge’s scorecards for a decision. The fact of the matter is that Matt Hamill is not nearly as big of a name as Lyoto Machida or Rashad Evans, however Jackson said that he will take this fight seriously.
“If Matt Hamill thinks I’ll take him lightly, he’s mistaken this time,” Jackson said. “My coach won’t let me take my opponents lightly. I like to finish people. I want a devastating finish.”
He went on to say, “I’m a fighter in the true sense of the words Ultimate Fighter. I have the fighter’s spirit, and I’m not afraid to do anything. I’m not afraid to fight anybody.”
It is clear that if the fight remains standing, Jackson will be at a great advantage, but wrestling has been used to wear Rampage down before. He will have a constantly open to watch for a take down attempt so he can sprawl and get back to his boxing. Jackson remains confident that he will win the fight regardless of the course the fight takes.
“I’m gonna try to do to Matt Hamill what I try to do to all my opponents: Whoop his ass,” Jackson said. “There’s not one doubt in my mind that I can whoop Matt Hamill.”
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