Rampage Jackson Excited to Perform in Front of ‘Favorite’ Fans in Japan at UFC 144

Filed under: UFC, News, JapanQuinton “Rampage” Jackson is very, very excited to to fight in Japan. All you have to do is ask him.

In a Monday morning press conference in the Land of the Rising Sun, Jackson told the Japanese media that it took some ef…

Filed under: , ,

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is very, very excited to to fight in Japan. All you have to do is ask him.

In a Monday morning press conference in the Land of the Rising Sun, Jackson told the Japanese media that it took some effort on his part to ensure his place on the UFC 144 card, and that he finally had his request granted after a non-stop, one-man campaign.

“I had to fight and complain and b—- to my manager,” he said. “Now I think the representatives of UFC are upset with me a little bit … But ask me, do I care?”

For Jackson, any amount of trouble was worth it because of his love of Japanese audiences, who in his opinion value effort above results, a seismic shift from American audiences.

Jackson, who will face Ryan Bader in the co-main event on February 26 in Saitama, Japan, is no stranger to Nipponese culture. From 2001 to 2006, he fought there 18 times while under the PRIDE promotion.

“Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy,” he said. “I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give. In America, you’re under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk s— to you if you lose even if it’s a good, exciting fight. In Japan, it’s just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take more chances and not care because it’s all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don’t care about the people watching on TV.”

It was in Japan where he authored some of his most memorable career moments, including the often-replayed powerbomb knockout win over Ricardo Arona in June 2004. That fight holds particular significance to Jackson because it took place on his 26th birthday.

It was also in Japan where Jackson became renowned for his slams, a particular favorite of the Japanese crowds who enjoyed his aggressive, improvisational style. In a rare bit of public introspection, Jackson noted that since signing with the UFC though, his game has gotten standup-heavy at times.

“Actually my standup has evolved a lot since I last fought here, but at the same time that’s what’s gotten me in trouble a lot lately,” he said. “Everyone sees me boxing a lot more, so they’re creating great game plans to counter my boxing. In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don’t feel the same energy in the US. So, I can’t honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan.”

But in some ways, that doesn’t matter to Jackson right now, because he’s only concerned about entertainment value. One new wrinkle the fighters will have to prepare for is fighting early in the morning. While most fights take place late Saturday night, this event will occur in the morning in Japan in order to sync up with American TV viewing habits.

Jackson noted that as a youth, he was in plenty of fights that came unexpectedly, and he has the time to plan for an early morning peak. He also said that the hardest part of fight day is usually the anticipation of what is to come, and that competing early in the day would cancel out much of that nervous energy.

Beyond that, he said that the biggest obstacle in his way is Bader, and more specifically, making sure he and his opponent understand the collective mind set of Japanese fans.

“The only thing that matters when he steps in the cage in Japan is that he comes in to put on an exciting show,” he said. “I’m all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don’t care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That’s why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time.”

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

UFC 144: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Ryan Bader Set for Japan

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was in dire straits. Following his defeat to current 205-pound kingpin Jon Jones this September, Rampage’s lone desire was to grace the February event, which will mark th…

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was in dire straits. Following his defeat to current 205-pound kingpin Jon Jones this September, Rampage’s lone desire was to grace the February event, which will mark the organization’s foray back into the Land of the Rising Sun. UFC 144 will feature a lightweight headliner pitting Frankie […]

UFC Betting

UFC 144: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Ryan Bader Set for Japan

UFC 144: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Still May Be Headed to Japan

Recently, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson took to Twitter to reveal some disappointing news. Earlier today, the enigmatic fighter shed some light about his fighting future. Originally, many believed to be witnessing the …

Recently, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson took to Twitter to reveal some disappointing news. Earlier today, the enigmatic fighter shed some light about his fighting future. Originally, many believed to be witnessing the return of “Rampage” come this February, as the UFC ventures back to Japan at the Saitama Super Arena for UFC 144, which […]

UFC Betting

UFC 144: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Still May Be Headed to Japan

Breaking News: Rampage Reveals He’s off Japan Card, Claims UFC Made Big Mistake

In what will be known as one of the best fight cards of 2011, fight fans witnessed light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar pick up his third straight victory with a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139. After the event, Bonnar already called out his next oppone…

In what will be known as one of the best fight cards of 2011, fight fans witnessed light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar pick up his third straight victory with a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139. After the event, Bonnar already called out his next opponent saying that it had always been a dream of […]

UFC Betting

Breaking News: Rampage Reveals He’s off Japan Card, Claims UFC Made Big Mistake

Stephan Bonnar vs. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson Possible for UFC 144 in Japan Feb. 25


(“I’m gonna puke…I’m gonna puke.”)

Following his UFC 139 victory over Kyle Kingsbury Saturday night, Stephan Bonnar wasted no time in planting the seed for his next fight. “The Ultimate Fighter 1” runner-up, who has racked up a recent three-fight winning streak, told reporters that he would love a step up in competition.

“I’ve always wanted to fight [Quinton] ‘Rampage’ [Jackson],” Bonnar said. “You know, I’ve got a few wins now and maybe (I can) get a big name [next].”

Earlier in the week, “The American Psycho explained to Heavy.com that facing Jackson would be his “dream fight.”

“He’s good, he’s a big puncher, he’s tough. But he does have holes in his game,” Bonnar pointed out. “He’s really famous. ‘The A-Team’ movie, talk shows – everyone knows who he is. Fighting him, it’s going to be a huge fight. Forrest [Griffin] got a close win over him, [Keith] Jardine fought a good fight with him. I feel like I could fight him good.”


(“I’m gonna puke…I’m gonna puke.”)

Following his UFC 139 victory over Kyle Kingsbury Saturday night, Stephan Bonnar wasted no time in planting the seed for his next fight. “The Ultimate Fighter 1″ runner-up, who has racked up a recent three-fight winning streak, told reporters that he would love a step up in competition.

“I’ve always wanted to fight [Quinton] ‘Rampage’ [Jackson],” Bonnar said. “You know, I’ve got a few wins now and maybe (I can) get a big name [next].”

Earlier in the week, “The American Psycho explained to Heavy.com that facing Jackson would be his “dream fight.”

“He’s good, he’s a big puncher, he’s tough. But he does have holes in his game,” Bonnar pointed out. “He’s really famous. ‘The A-Team’ movie, talk shows – everyone knows who he is. Fighting him, it’s going to be a huge fight. Forrest [Griffin] got a close win over him, [Keith] Jardine fought a good fight with him. I feel like I could fight him good.”

According to UFC president Dana White, Rampage is down for the match-up as well.

“Rampage texted me tonight and said he wants to fight him too,” White said at the post fight press conference. “I don’t know, we’ll see.”

If the fight does happen, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t considering how most UFC fighters who call out an opponent usually get their wish, it will likely go down at UFC 144 since White told him following his disappointing UFC 135 loss to Jon Jones that he would be on the card.

The rumored UFC 144 fight card to date is as follows:

UFC 144
February 25, 2012
Saitama Super Arena
Saitama, Japan

Lightweight Championship Bout
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson*

Quinton Jackson vs. Stephan Bonnar*
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski*
Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt*

*Has not been confirmed by UFC.

DREAM Bantamweight Semifinals Set for ‘Genki Desu Ka!!’

Filed under: News, JapanTo close out DREAM’s World Bantamweight Grand Prix, Bibiano Fernandes will face Antonio Banuelos, while Masakazu Imanari will fight Rodolfo Marques on the Dec. 31 “Genki Desu Ka!!” (How are you?) card in Saitama, Japan.

Fernan…

Filed under: ,

Masakazu Imanari makes his entrance at DREAM.17.To close out DREAM’s World Bantamweight Grand Prix, Bibiano Fernandes will face Antonio Banuelos, while Masakazu Imanari will fight Rodolfo Marques on the Dec. 31 “Genki Desu Ka!!” (How are you?) card in Saitama, Japan.

Fernandes, Baneulos, Imanari and Marques were all victorious in opening round bouts at DREAM.17 in September to advance to the semifinals. The winners of the semifinals will meet the same night on Dec. 31 to determine the Grand Prix champion.

Former DREAM Featherweight GP winner and titleholder Fernandes (9-3) is coming off a win against Takafumi Otsuka via rear-naked choke. Marques (14-1) out of Brazil’s Nova Uniao advanced with a unanimous decision win over Yusup Saadulaev.

Leglock specialist Imanari (24-9-2) has been one of the most active fighters in Japanese MMA in 2011. He’s 3-2 this year with wins over Abel Cullum, Kenji Osawa and Keisuke Fujiwara and loses to Hideo Tokoro and Hiroshi Nakamura. Banuelos (19-7) made his UFC debut in February in a losing effort against Miguel Torres and then bounced back with a win over Hideo Tokoro at DREAM.17.

Event promoters also announced Friday the addition of Hayato “Mach” Sakurai vs. Ryo Chonan to the card.


Sakurai (35-12-2) will be in search of his first win since knocking out Shinya Aoki back at DREAM.8 in April 2009. The former UFC title contender last competed last New Year’s Eve in a loss to Jason High. He was booked to fight at DREAM.17 but bowed out due to injury. Chonan (20-12), best known for a submission win over Anderson Silva, won both his fights in 2011 fighting under the DEEP banner.

The final “Genki Desu Ka!!” card will be a mix of MMA, kickboxing and pro wrestling matches.

Current lineup:

Bibiano Fernandes vs. Rodolfo Marques
Masakazu Imanari vs. Antonio Banuelos
Winner of Fernandes-Marques vs. Winner of Imanari-Banuelos
Hayato “Mach” Sakurai vs. Ryo Chonan
Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Takeshi “Lion” Inoue
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Kazuyuki Miyata

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments