When Quinton “Rampage” Jackson lost to Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight championship, he was a hungry contender.
When he lost to Ryan Bader at UFC 144, Jackson officially became a part of the highest order of “old guard” ranks in the UFC.
The “old guard” consists of fighters who have earned their living, and even fortunes, off of their reputations as elite MMA fighters, but no longer possess the ability to work upwards towards further glory.
Sure, they still win big fights, but the “old guard” is a generation of fighters who no longer have to sacrifice to satisfy their ends.
They are actually a noble and wise warrior class who’s gate-keeping responsibilities protect the upper treasures of MMA glory from uninspired hot-shots.