Quinton “Rampage” Jackson said he was in the best shape of his life when he faced Jon Jones at UFC 135, a fight he lost via fourth round submission. With the rear naked choke Jones became only the second fighter to ever submit Jackson, the first being Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE 15, in July 2001. The fight against Sakuraba was Jackson’s first fight in PRIDE.
I fully expect Jackson to come into this fight in even better condition and more focused than he has been in years. It’s no secret that Jackson loves fighting in Japan and after practically begging Dana White and Lorenza Fertitta for the opportunity to fight on this card he will want to make sure they know they did not make a mistake in giving him that chance.
Jackson’s opponent, Ryan Bader is no slouch and he will be just as determined to win so that he can get back in the mix of the UFC’s light heavyweight division. While I expect that Bader will put forth a valiant effort, I just can’t see him hanging with Jackson.
I predict a Jackson victory by second round TKO. I’d like to add that even though it is unlikely, it would be somewhat fitting and very memorable if Jackson announced his retirement after the victory in front of the crowd in Japan.