Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and the UFC make their return to Japan this weekend at UFC 144 (check out the Japanese Promo Video here).
Jackson will face Ryan Bader with an opportunity to get back in the win column following his submission loss to UFC Light Heavyweight Champ, Jon Jones, at UFC 135.
Bader, who was also submitted by Jon Jones (that guy’s pretty good), is coming off a knock out victory of Jason Brilz at UFC 139. Jackson talked about the matchup and his return to Japan on 95.7 the Game.
Jackson made his name in MMA when he fought in the Japanese MMA organization, Pride, and is very excited to fight in Japan again:
I’m really close to the Japanese fans. They’re very respectful and it’s just hard not to like those guys because of the way they treat fighters and stuff. It’s just easy to fall in love with them.
Most people will tell you Rampage was a different fighter when he fought in Japan. People that say that have this power bomb finish in mind. Rampage, what about that power bomb?
That was the coolest thing that I have done in a long time. It was pretty crazy that the power bomb was so powerful. I had no idea that it was going to be so powerful. Just something I always wanted to do because I was such a fan of pro wrestling.
On to Ryan Bader. What can fans expect from this fight?
You can expect for me to be as outgoing as possible. I’m going to try to end the fight as fast as possible and put on one of the most exciting shows I’ve ever done. I have trained really hard so I can go hard the whole fight and that’s what I plan to do.
Jackson was asked what he has learned from watching film on Bader.
I don’t watch film of my opponents. I never really did. Yeah I like surprises so I don’t really watch. I know he’s a great wrestler and a big puncher. I’m looking forward to the challenge. Whatever it is I’m looking forward to it.
Film? Rampage don’t need to watch no film!
While I don’t see Rampage slamming Bader in this fight, I do see him finishing it violently.
This article is from The Hair of the Dog Sports Blog.
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